Resurgent Histories: The Indigenous History Lab at McMaster University
Resurgent Histories is an Indigenous youth mentorship program that manifests Indigenous histories by creating digital animations for public education.
Animation
Participants research and co-write–design–and produce digital animations based on Indigenous histories as an act of resurgence.
Animated short
Deskaheh
Animated short
Rotinonhsiónni Ironworkers
Our Team
Allan Downey
Director
Allan Downey is Dakelh, Nak’azdli Whut’en, and a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous History, Nationhood, and Self-Determination. An Associate Professor in the Department of History and Indigenous Studies Department at McMaster University, Allan is the co-director of Deskaheh (2024), Rotinonshón:ni Ironworkers (2020), and the author of The Creator’s Game (UBC Press, 2018).
Tekenikhon Doreen (Yónkyats)
Director
Tekenikhon Doreen (Yónkyats) is Kanyen’kehá:ka, Wakhskaré:wake (Bear Clan), from Kente:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory). Co-director of the film Deskaheh (2024), Tekenikhon is currently a third-year honours student in Indigenous Studies and a recent recipient of the Humanities Essay Award at McMaster University.
Jersee Hill
Director
Jersee Hill is Mohawk, Turtle Clan, from Six Nations of the Grand River and a fourth-year student in the Honours Applied Psychology in Human Behaviour Program at McMaster University. Co-director of the film Deskaheh (2024), Jersee has previously served as a research intern at the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute and the University of Toronto.
Saki Murotani
Animator
Saki Murotani is a freelance animator and illustrator based in Vancouver, BC, originally from Hokkaido, Japan. Her award-winning animation and design bring ideas, histories, and stories to life. Her passion lies in visual storytelling through everything from complex animation to simple illustration. Saki’s art, designs, and animations bring people and stories closer together.