He told us the sky is blue
a film by Cecilia Mellieon
An ethnographic film
Through an intimate oral history, an Indigenous filmmaker explores intergenerational trauma, cultural identity, and colonialism's legacy through her family's journey of resilience and healing.
He told us the sky is blue
“Traumatic events like war, genocide, and cultural oppression can leave lasting effects beyond the immediate survivors, impacting subsequent generations through psychological scars, unresolved grief, and cultural disconnection. This cycle of pain and struggle affects individual mental health, collective identity, and resilience.” -C. Mellieon’s Project Proposal
Meet the Filmmaker
Cecilia is a passionate advocate for Urban Indians, committed to unveiling their contemporary experiences through the lens of Visual Anthropology. As a graduate student with a focus on ethnographic filmmaking, Cecilia's work is deeply rooted in her own family history. Her project, He told us the sky is blue, is a moving exploration of intergenerational trauma, driven by her father's experience at the Theodore Roosevelt Indian Boarding School. Through her lens, Cecilia invites viewers to connect with the powerful stories of resilience, understanding, and healing within Native communities.
