The Land Remembers: Yintah and the Conscience of a Nation
Canada's best feature documentary
Review written by Jared Mercer.
There’s a kind of storytelling that no machine will ever master. It’s not just about information. It’s about inheritance. It’s about memory as a living force. And in Yintah, the searing, award-winning Canadian documentary from Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Michell, and Michael Toledano, we’re reminded why documentaries—real ones, made by people, with people, for people—are irreplaceable. AI can simulate voice, synthesize image, even write fake history. But it can’t do this. It can’t bear witness.
Winner of Best Feature-Length Documentary at the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards, Yintah is not merely a film about the Wet’suwet’en struggle to protect their unceded territory from pipeline development. It’s a forceful, often devastating, reckoning with what it means to live on land the state calls “Canada” while resisting the very idea of its ownership. It is also, in its way, a revisionist history—Canada told from the ground up, from the people who were here before Canada existed.
The film drops us into the middle of an urgent, ongoing battle against the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern British Columbia. And it never lets us forget what’s truly at stake: not just the environment, not just jurisdiction, but identity, culture, and survival. It is the rare documentary that does not separate the personal from the political, because for Indigenous communities, the two are one and the same.
This isn’t some abstract policy debate. This is ancestral land. This is suicide as a devastating epidemic across neglected communities. This is COVID-19 disrupting not only resistance camps but entire nations already gutted by centuries of state neglect. The film shows how the pandemic—like every other crisis—lands harder on the people already carrying the weight of colonialism. The protests didn’t stop because the struggle paused. They were interrupted because the virus compounded trauma on top of trauma.
Yet amid all this, Yintah pulses with life. With collaboration. With dignity. It documents not just the Wet’suwet’en resistance, but a network of Indigenous nations working in solidarity. We see chiefs, youth, matriarchs, and land defenders standing together, building a kind of coalition that feels not only political but spiritual. David Suzuki shows up—not as a celebrity saviour, but as an ally standing where he’s always been: on the side of the land and those who protect it.
There’s a moral clarity here that’s often missing in contemporary media. In a country still reluctant to fully reckon with its foundations, Yintah positions Aboriginal people not only as survivors, but as the conscience of the nation. It’s not an easy watch, nor should it be. It’s full of pain and perseverance. But it’s also a portrait of profound grace. These are people who’ve buried children, buried languages, buried ceremonies. And still they rise. Still they hold the line.
Structurally, the film is expansive, almost sprawling. It moves between protest camps, kitchens, courtrooms, and forests, refusing to reduce its subjects to symbols. The cinematography—often handheld and urgent—places us in the middle of each confrontation. Police raids are filmed with the intimacy of a family argument and the tension of a war zone. Yet in quieter moments, like an elder telling a story beside a fire or a young girl learning how to trap in the snow, the film achieves a kind of aching beauty.
In telling this story, Yintah tells our story—if we have the humility to see it. This isn’t just an Indigenous documentary. It’s a Canadian one. The way Yintah holds history, grief, resistance, and continuity all at once makes it feel monumental. It’s not just about one pipeline or one nation—it’s about the ongoing struggle to exist on stolen land with your head held high.
And that’s what makes this an essential film. Not just a great documentary. Not just the right winner of the Canadian Screen Award. But an urgent, unforgettable act of remembering—and imagining. The struggle is not over. The land has not forgotten. And thanks to Yintah, neither can we.
-Jared
Podcast Summary
Keetha Mercer and Jared Mercer reviewed the documentary "Yintah," which chronicles the Wet'suwet'en Nation's resistance to the Coastal GasLink pipeline, emphasizing themes of colonialism, indigenous rights, and environmental stewardship. Jared Mercer also shared information about a TIFF membership sale and upcoming film events, while Keetha Mercer discussed the ImagiNative film festival and the importance of supporting indigenous land defenders and truth and reconciliation efforts. They both highly recommended "Yintah" and will be attending a screening of the Canadian film "Saint Anne."
Details
Podcast Introduction Keetha Mercer and Jared Mercer introduced "No Good Movies" as a sibling-hosted podcast exploring Canadian cinema. Keetha Mercer stated their lack of formal film training but abundance of opinions, while Jared Mercer highlighted their film degree and industry experience. They humorously debated the necessity of introducing the podcast in each episode.
"Magic Farm" Film Review Jared Mercer strongly advised against watching the film "Magic Farm," describing it as terrible and a "purposeless film" they disliked. They had trusted the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) programming but were significantly disappointed.
TIFF Membership Sale Jared Mercer shared that TIFF was having a 35% off sale on memberships, which he took advantage of. The membership includes benefits like free programming, movie tickets, and discounts at the TIFF shop and for festival access.
Upcoming Art Events Jared Mercer mentioned a photography artist talk at The Cardinal gallery but decided against attending a similar talk the night before at the Image Center. They also highlighted a free monthly Canadian film screening at TIFF presented by Mubi, specifically noting the next screening of a film called "Saint Anne".
ImagiNative Film Festival and Canadian Shield Keetha Mercer provided an update on the ImagiNative film festival, the largest indigenous film festival in the world, noting that the in-person festival had concluded but online content was still available. Jared Mercer briefly discussed the Canadian Shield, a men's soccer tournament in Toronto involving the Canadian team and other invited countries, announcing Canada's victory.
Podcast Subscriber Update Jared Mercer jokingly described their aggressive tactics for gaining podcast subscribers. Keetha Mercer shared that their stepmother unknowingly unsubscribed from the podcast. Jared Mercer expressed gratitude to listeners who support the podcast more than their parents.
Introduction to the Film "Yintah" Jared Mercer and Keetha Mercer introduced the documentary "Yintah," which premiered at Hot Docs and won Best Feature Length Documentary at the Canadian Screen Awards. They noted the film's focus on an indigenous Wet'suwet'en perspective, directed by three filmmakers, two of whom are likely indigenous to the area in British Columbia. Jared Mercer mentioned the arrest of one of the filmmakers during the filming process.
Synopsis of "Yintah" Keetha Mercer provided a synopsis of "Yintah," explaining that it follows Wet'suwet'en leaders, including Freda and Molly (likely), resisting the construction of the Coastal GasLink (CGL) pipeline through their unceded territory. The documentary covers the history of colonization, references residential schools and missing and murdered indigenous women and two-spirited people, and highlights the community's efforts to reoccupy their land and revitalize their culture.
Press Repression and Government Actions Keetha Mercer discussed the significant press repression during the Wet'suwet'en land defence efforts, noting confiscation of cameras, arrests of media, and restricted access to the territory by the RCMP. They emphasized that despite these efforts and political leaders claiming consultation, the pipeline project moved forward against the community's wishes.
AI and Documentary Filmmaking Jared Mercer reflected on the beauty of British Columbia showcased in "Yintah" and contrasted it with their concerns about AI potentially ruining art, including cinema. They argued that documentary filmmaking, with its focus on real life, would be difficult for AI to replicate, celebrating documentaries as a form of genuine human expression.
Themes of Colonialism and Resistance in "Yintah" Keetha Mercer highlighted how the film illustrates the colonial government's broken treaties and disregard for unceded indigenous land. They emphasized the film's focus on anti-colonial themes, hereditary chiefs, and indigenous title, praising the footage of community members and leaders. Jared Mercer found an early interaction in the film between Freda (presumed name) and pipeline personnel to feel somewhat staged.
Rising Tension and Filmmaking Quality in "Yintah" Jared Mercer noted the increasing tension and action in the latter half of the film, where interactions between land defenders and RCMP/pipeline personnel felt genuinely intense. They commended the filmmaking, including editing and music, for effectively conveying the reality of the situation. Keetha Mercer echoed this, emphasizing the powerful impact of other indigenous nations joining in support.
Indigenous Protocols and Solidarity Keetha Mercer contrasted the respectful entry of allied indigenous nations onto Wet'suwet'en territory, following proper protocols and receiving consent, with the forceful approach of the pipeline company and RCMP. Jared Mercer reflected on the concept of indigenous nations acting as the conscience of Canada, representing broader values against corporate interests. They both praised the resilience and "badass" actions of the land defenders.
Social Issues and Hope within Indigenous Communities Jared Mercer and Keetha Mercer acknowledged the high rates of suicide in indigenous communities and the underlying disrespect contributing to feelings of hopelessness. Jared Mercer found the involvement of children in the land defence efforts to be a hopeful sign for the continuation of traditions. Keetha Mercer noted that the Wet'suwet'en protests gained national attention but were somewhat subdued by the pandemic.
Land Stewardship and Indigenous Jurisdiction Keetha Mercer highlighted a statement from a Wet'suwet'en leader emphasizing belonging to the land rather than owning it, underscoring the community's role as stewards of the environment. They stressed that the issue is larger than land ownership, involving indigenous jurisdiction and environmental protection.
"Yintah" as a Metaphor for Canadian History Jared Mercer interpreted "Yintah" as a powerful metaphor for the entire history of Canada, representing the ongoing conflict between indigenous peoples and colonial interests. Keetha Mercer agreed, noting the pipeline's ultimate completion despite resistance, while acknowledging the continued struggle.
Ecological Impact and Pipeline Fines Keetha Mercer shared information from The Narwhal about significant fines levied against the CGL project for environmental damage, confirming the land defenders' concerns about pipelines being harmful. They also raised concerns about potential leaks and threats to protected salmon spawning grounds, endangered species habitats, and local water sources.
Timeliness of the Documentary Jared Mercer considered "Yintah" to be a very timely documentary, given current discussions about Canadian energy independence and the ongoing relevance of indigenous rights and environmental protection. They noted that they watched the film for free on CBC Gem.
Personal Reflections After Watching "Yintah" Jared Mercer and Keetha Mercer discussed their immediate reactions to the film after watching it, noting the absence of extensive pre-discussion research. Keetha Mercer mentioned looking up the status of the CGL pipeline during the movie.
Highway of Tears and Transient Work Camps Keetha Mercer connected the issues in "Yintah" to the Highway of Tears and the increased risks faced by indigenous women and girls due to transient work camps associated with pipeline projects. They highlighted the existing transportation challenges and the potential for increased violence in these circumstances.
Assessment of "Yintah" Jared Mercer and Keetha Mercer agreed that "Yintah" was not just "not bad" but an excellent and important documentary that everyone should watch. Jared Mercer felt it surpassed the "not bad" rating, recognizing its quality and impact. Keetha Mercer praised its effective storytelling and the filmmakers' deep embedding within the community.
Discussion about "Dawson's Creek" Jared Mercer and Keetha Mercer had a humorous side discussion about the setting of the American TV show "Dawson's Creek" after hearing a reference to Dawson's Creek, BC in the film. They discovered the show was set in a fictional town in Massachusetts despite sharing a name with a real location in northern British Columbia near the Alberta border. They noted the presence of Canadian actor Joshua Jackson and the surprising involvement of Michelle Williams in the show.
Call to Action and Importance of Truth and Reconciliation Keetha Mercer urged listeners to support Wet'suwet'en and other land defenders. They also highlighted the 10-year anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Report and the lack of significant action on its calls to action, urging listeners to contact their representatives and read the report.
Definition of Canadian Film and Upcoming Screening Jared Mercer noted the clearly Canadian nature of "Yintah" in contrast to other films with international collaborations. They mentioned their upcoming attendance at a free TIFF screening of the Canadian film "Saint Anne" by female director Rhayne Vermette, as part of a monthly series focused on Canadian cinema and female filmmakers. They anticipated the film might be experimental.
Concluding Remarks Jared Mercer humorously cautioned against falling asleep during potentially slow experimental films, a common experience as they get older. They concluded the podcast, looking forward to the next screening .