Celebrating National Indigenous History Month, the library is screening Beans, a 2020 Canadian drama film directed by Mohawk-Canadian filmmaker Tracey Deer.
In 1990, two Mohawk communities enter into a 78-day armed standoff with government forces to protect a burial ground from developers.
Tekehentahkhwa, who goes by the nickname "Beans", is a bright preteen who lives in Kahnawake, a Mohawk reserve. She is encouraged by her mother, Lily, to try to apply for a prestigious, predominantly white school in Montreal, something her father opposes.
After seeing their cousin Karahwen'hawi on TV protesting the expansion of a golf course into Kahnesatake territory upriver, the entire family drives to the area to support the protestors. The Mohawk land is surrounded by the town of Oka, Quebec, which was seeking to expand its golf course into a historic Mohawk cemetery. Beans and her little sister are quickly caught up in a police raid, which strengthens her parents' resolve to stay and help during the protest. Tensions grow fast. Barricades are built and the Kahnesatake territory is isolated. Food runs short and women and children are given the possibility to evacuate. Outside, protesters throw rocks at the evacuating cars.
The film won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Picture at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021, along with the John Dunning Best First Feature Film Award It was nominated for the Prix Iris for Best Screenplay at the 24th Quebec Cinema Awards in 2022.