For more than a decade I’ve documented social movements across Canada, with work published in major news outlets including CBC Fifth Estate, CBC News, CTV, Global, APTN, Democracy Now, AJ+, Al Jazeera and VICE. I’ve frequently worked with independent, community, and grassroots media platforms to share stories with the urgency and context they deserve.

Gitxsans Block Highway 16 (2020)

Short video report for Media-coop

On Feb 24, Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs Spookw, Gwininitxw, and Dawamuux were arrested at a blockade on the CN rail tracks that run through unceded Spookw territory in the town of New Hazelton, British Columbia. 14 arrests were made in total, including journalist and filmmaker Melissa Cox who contributed footage to this video report.

The arrests took place at a blockade established in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en and Mohawk land defenders. When Gitxsan community members learned of the arrests, they blocked Highway 16 and demanded the release of the chiefs. What followed was an 8 hour stand-off, where police were outnumbered and stood down as Gitxsan community members, their Wet’suwet’en neighbours, and supporters held bonfires on the main highway through Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en territories, and blocked all traffic.

Algonquins Confront Copper One (2017)

Short video report produced for Media Coop. Accompanying article by Shiri Pasternak

“The Algonquins attended the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Copper One mining company to let them know there will be no mining on their territory. They have repeatedly, unequivocally, over the course of six years, notified Copper One that they intend to protect the headwaters of the powerful Ottawa and Gatineau Rivers and the effected lifeworlds of ecosystems and communities downstream.

They were not even permitted to read a statement at the AGM: instead they were bullied, assaulted, threatened with arrest by police, accused of trespassing, and met with a thick line of “legal counsel” and security blocking their entrance into the meeting. The wonder of it all was the spirit of determination that remained undiminished and even galvanized by Barriere Lake in the face of the junior mining company’s obviously threatened response.” – Shiri Pasternak

BLMTO: #BlackPride (2016)

Short film produced for Black Lives Matter Toronto

Black Lives Matter Toronto activists made international headlines after leading a sit-in at the Toronto Pride parade and issuing demands to address anti-Black racism in the Pride festival.

Featured by the Toronto Queer Film Festival and the Regent Park Film Festival. Viewed over 400,000 times on Facebook.

VICE: Men and Boys in Crisis (2013)

Short video report for VICE Canada

Filmed in 2013 for VICE Canada, this video depicts an international gathering of Men’s Rights Activists before their cause went mainstream.