Filmmaker Rueben Martell, in search of a location for his Indigenous love story “A Life Less Empty,” initially aimed for a reserve in his home province of Saskatchewan. However, the intended spot at Waterhen Lake First Nation fell through, causing concern for Martell. After an extensive search, the film crew eventually discovered an ideal setting at an abandoned house on Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation, situated approximately 150 kilometers southeast of Regina.
The timely intervention of Pheasant Rump was pivotal in salvaging the situation, allowing filming to commence at a two-story farmhouse with a brick exterior, dating back to the 1930s. Nestled in a secluded area behind a lengthy tree line on the edge of the First Nation, the house provided a picturesque backdrop for the film.
The significance of the location runs deep, as Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation regained its independence as a First Nation in 1990 after being amalgamated with White Bear First Nation in 1901. Although the land was not returned conventionally, a land settlement agreement in 1990 led to its acquisition by the band, encompassing the farmhouse where filming now takes place.
Martell’s vision for the project includes hiring local individuals from the band as extras and engaging mentors to impart acting skills, emphasizing the goal of showcasing Indigenous talent and narratives authentically within Saskatchewan’s First Nation setting.
Producer Sera-Lys McArthur, an Indigenous actor, is closely involved in the film, with the featured house holding sentimental value as her family’s former residence. The collaboration with the band’s chief and council to utilize the location has revitalized the property, infusing it with renewed vitality through the film’s production.
The storyline, exploring intergenerational trauma and coping mechanisms, resonates with actor Nathan Alexis, hailing from Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation in Alberta. The project, supported by the Indigenous Screen Office and Creative Saskatchewan, is slated for release in the upcoming summer, embodying a testament to Indigenous storytelling and talent.
