May 21, 2025
Our very own Dr. Jessica Barudin, SCARP Assistant Professor and Indigenous Community co-chair, has enriched SCARP, the Planning world, and beyond, with her award-winning short film about a community wellness strategy. Now, Dr. Barudin has publicly released the film for all to see, alongside a special educational companion guide.
Dr. Barudin's film now publicly available
"Braiding Knowledge
through Breath, Language, and Movement"
A film by Dr. Jessica Barudin
"This film was born from the heart of my doctoral research and tells the story of a community wellness strategy that weaves together trauma-informed yoga, ancestral healing, and language reclamation. It is grounded in Kwakwaka’wakw territory, following the first-ever gathering of Indigenous and South Asian yoga teachers and learners as we came together to share teachings, reconnect to our bodies, and speak our truths in our ancestral tongues."
"After its original release two years ago and many powerful screenings in community settings, academic conferences, and film festivals, I’m proud to offer this film to a wider audience."
-Jessica Barudin
Dr. Barudin has shared the film at the Puerto Aventuras Film Festival in Mexico, where she won awards for Best Innovative Cultural Storytelling and Best Sound Design. It's also been screened at the Vancouver Short Film Festival and VIFF.
A new educational companion guide to the film
Dr. Barudin has also now launched a community guide as a companion to her film. This Community Guide marks a significant advancement in bridging academic research with practical applications for trauma healing and recovery in Indigenous communities.
Drawing from Barudin's dissertation and work as a community planner, this guide translates critical knowledge into accessible tools to foster community connection and facilitate healing through embodied practices situated in community settings.