It's a drama about the Indian residential school system in Canada. It begins in Manitoba but includes Montreal, Toronto, and London, England. It extensively uses flashbacks from the 1880s, the 1930s to about 1970, and then to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission period.
The film details the multi-generational impact of the residential school system, using the family of a Cree woman, Aline Spears (Summer Testawich/Grace Dove/Carla-Rae). We see her happy early home life in an indigenous Catholic home, her removal to a residential school near Brandon, Manitoba, and her experiences there. Also taken to the school are her sister, Perseverance (Sierra Rose/Alyssa Wapanatâhk), and her brothers, Johnny (Ethan Evans) and Tye (Payne Merasty). We learn the impact of the school on all the Spears children, including Tye and Perseverance. Staff at the Catholic residential include Father Jacobs (Rémy Girard), Sister Ruth (Karine Vanasse), and Thomas Miller (Jonathan Whitesell/Patrick Garrow)
Interspersed are Aline's experiences in the Canadian Forces as a code talker who helped translate military messages transmitted in Cree back into English. We meet her Cree husband, Adam Whallach (Phillip Lewitski), who goes off to war simultaneously. The film shows his service's impact and his reception upon returning home after the war. We also meet Aline's children and see her participation in a First Nations visit to the Pope in 2009, with some startling revelations.
"Bones of Crows" is tough to watch. It reminded me of the film "Indian Horse," but it tries to pack in even more content, which leaves the viewer jerked about with the many storylines. However, it's also potent, especially in the Aline portrayed by Grace Dove. She is excellent, as is Michelle Thrush, who represents her mother.
A White Canadian can only feel shame leaving this film. The very prominent Christian cross is thoroughly sullied. I think "Bones of Crows" becomes too didactic at the end; it should have left the viewer to marinate in the story without the additional testimonies.
