Elder Rod Scout | Siksiká Nation

Elder Rod Scout was born on the Blood Reserve in 1959 and raised on the Siksiká Nation by his grandparents, who spoke only Blackfoot. Immersed from childhood in his people’s language, ceremonies, and teachings, he grew up grounded in a deep respect for the land and traditional ways of knowing. After losing his grandparents at seventeen, he continued to carry forward their teachings, becoming a respected Elder and cultural leader known for his guidance on language revitalization, land-based education, and community healing.

Elder Rod’s wisdom is rooted in lived experience and a lifelong commitment to cultural continuity. His insights are especially meaningful in connection with We Are Made from the Land, which explores Indigenous stewardship and the spiritual bond between people and territory, and The Apology: A Search for Justice, which addresses the Catholic Church’s apology for residential schools. Through both films, Elder Rod’s teachings on land, memory, and reconciliation illuminate how healing begins by listening to the Earth, to ancestors, and to truth.

The Calgary Justice Film Festival is deeply honoured to welcome Elder Rod Scout, whose presence reminds us that justice and reconciliation are living practices grounded in language, ceremony, and respect for all our relations.