Resurgent Histories

09/05/2026

We once again have some exciting news to share! St. John Fisher University is featuring our film "Deskaheh" as part of its new exhibit on Haudenosaunee self-determination and sovereignty. The exhibit was curated by the Woodland Cultural Centre and runs from September to December at the Patricia O'Keefe Ross Gallery in Rochester, New York.

08/21/2026

The Making of Deskaheh | Resurgent Histories in Conversation

Hear the story of how the animation "Deskaheh" was made from the film's creators, including co-directors Allan Downey, Tekenikhon Doreen, Jersee Hill, animator Saki Murotani, and producer Rick Monture. This panel was part of the film's launch at McMaster University in December 2024.

The making of the film Deskaheh with co-directors Allan Downey, Tek...

08/11/2026

Our animation “Deskaheh” is now being featured by the City of Toronto at the St. Lawerence Market until November 1st. It’s a fantastic exhibition focused on how we gather. For those interested, see the description and visiting information below.

GATHER
———
Come explore the many ways we move through the world together, learning more about ourselves, our neighbours, and our home. GATHER in Toronto shares stories and brings people together through common values, memories, and belonging. When we make time to gather, we honour the past, enrich the present, and imagine a shared future together.

For countless generations, the land on which Toronto stands has provided space for communities to mark important moments and build collective histories. Whether through sport, civic engagement, or industry, gatherings require leadership, collaboration, and commitment.

Hear local sports origin stories alongside artistic reflections on identity, resilience, and belonging through works that highlight the power of connection across cultures and communities. GATHER in Toronto includes documentaries of Deskaheh, Herb Carnegie and St. Christopher House Lacrosse Organization; art by Marina Dempster, Maria Hupfield, Safoura Zahedi, and Daniel Henhawk alongside items from the City of Toronto Art and Artifact Collection.

📍 Market Gallery - 95 Front Street East (St. Lawrence Market), 2nd Floor
🖼️ Exhibition
📅 July 23 - November 1, Wednesday to Sunday
⏰ 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

06/21/2026

We are thrilled to share that our animation “Deskaheh” is now being featured as part of a City of Toronto exhibit at the Market Galley for the next several months!

Located at the St.Lawerence Market downtown, the FREE Toronto History Museums exhibit is titled GATHER and “explores the many ways we gather, connecting with the land, our stories and each other, celebrating triumphs in our journeys, strengthening fibres in our connectedness. Whether through sport, civic engagement or industry, as we prepare to take our best shot at achieving goals, we remain firmly planted in companionship, competition and celebration.”

Please share and if you happen to go, feel free to tag us and share your photos, we would love to see them. For more information, visit the link below.

Indigenous Studies at McMaster, McMaster University, McMaster University Faculty of Humanities, McMaster Faculty of Social Sciences, Tekenikhon Doreen, Jersee Hill, Saki Murotani

01/15/2026

Join us next Wednesday for a screening of the film and a terrific conversation! We’re bringing the film team back together to reflect on the film and our experiences with it over the past year. All are welcome!

⭐❗NEXT WEDNESDAY❗⭐

🗓Wed. Jan. 21, 2026
🕙10:00-11:30am
📍L.R.W Hall 1811, Indigenous Student Services Office
😍All Welcome! No registration required.

Deskaheh weaves the profound story of Haudenosaunee leader Deskaheh Levi General’s travels from Six Nations of the Grand River to the League of Nations between 1923 and 1925, where he sought to gain international recognition of the Haudenosaunee's sovereignty. Co-created by Allan Downey, Tekenikhon Doreen, Jersee Hill, Kira Gibson, and Saki Murotani, Deskaheh is the result of an Indigenous youth mentorship program at McMaster University, which empowers Indigenous youth to create digital animations that bring Indigenous histories to life for public education.

Resurgent Histories brings together Indigenous youth, artists, community-based organizations, and professional historians to crate resurgent Indigenous histories through the creation of digital animations. Histories brings together Indigenous youth, artists, community-based organizations, and professional historians to crate resurgent Indigenous histories through the creation of digital animations.



🎥About the film: https://resurgenthistories.humanities.mcmaster.ca/animation/deskaheh-animation-2024/

11/07/2025

"Deskaheh" was fortunate enough to be featured in the Hamilton Spectator yesterday! Give it a search to see the article or access the Spectator through your local library's website (including McMaster's). A big thank you to Co-Director Tekenikhon Doreen and Producer Dr. Rick Monture for all their efforts to promote the film and share this incredible story with the world.

08/05/2025

Friends in education! As you prepare for the fall semester, I wanted to re-post the link to our recent film Deskaheh. Please feel free to share it and use it in your classes. There are several great articles and chapters that complement the video if you want more information. For instance, see the book Basic Call to Consciousness and the chapter titled “Deskaheh: An Iroquois Patriot’s Fight for International Recognition.” Also, Rick Monture’s book We Share Our Matters has a short and accessible section on the topic. Happy preparation month!

Deskaheh weaves the profound story of Haudenosaunee leader Deskaheh Levi General’s travels from Six Nations of the Grand River to the League of Nations betwe...

07/17/2025

McMaster Daily News interviewed the Co-Director of “Deskaheh” Tekenikhon Doreen about her incredible journey and the amazing work she has been doing. Congratulations Tekenikhon Doreen.

Third-year student Tekenikhon Doreen co-created the animated film about the Haudenosaunee leader. She's passionate about sharing Indigenous histories with students and communities.

04/08/2025

Director Tekenikhon Doreen and Producer Rick Monture share a laugh as they prepare to present the film "Deskaheh" at the University of Buffalo Storytellers Conference last Saturday. The day was full of brilliant presentations, and we were honoured to be a part of it.

03/03/2025

Deskaheh is an award winner (again)!

Yesterday, we received the fantastic news that "Deskaheh" has received the Best Animated Documentary Award from the BIPOC PoP Animation Festival at the University of Texas at Austin. We are thrilled to be part of the film festival and engage with international audiences from all over.