Truth's Role in an Ethic of Reconciliation: Sugarcane Documentary Directors and Ethicists in Conversation

Inspired by the Oscar-nominated documentary Sugarcane, this roundtable delves into the essential relationship between truth and reconciliation within families, communities, and nations across this colonized continent. While truth-telling does not automatically lead to reconciliation, this discussion emphasizes that meaningful reconciliation is impossible without it. Co-directors Emily Kassie and Julian Brave NoiseCat will reflect on how the pursuit of truth shaped the creation of Sugarcane and share their hopes for how the documentary’s revelations might contribute to healing and transformative dialogue. Panelists will highlight key moments from the film and explore how storytelling, listening, and dialogue can serve as powerful practices for cultivating an ethic of reconciliation. By confronting difficult histories and centering lived experiences, this discussion seeks to inspire a collective commitment to truth as a foundational step toward deeper understanding, accountability, and the repair of relationships fractured by systemic violence and historical erasure.