Marie Clements’ ‘How We Stand’ Examines Indigenous Trauma Through Three Sisters’ Lives
Marie Clements’ new film, 'How We Stand,' premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, exploring the lasting impacts of the 1956 Indian Relocation Act and the 1970s sterilization of Native women. The narrative follows three orphaned sisters—Jessie, Miranda, and Janey—whose lives diverge after their mother’s death in a police raid in Los Angeles. Set in 1950s Oklahoma and 1973 Los Angeles, the movie uses magical realism to address systemic racism, cultural erasure, and personal trauma. Amber Midthunder leads the cast as Jessie, a doctor navigating assimilation, while the film critiques the passive racism of well-meaning white characters. The production is currently seeking U.S. distribution.
Key points
- Writer/director Marie Clements follows her previous work 'Bones of Crows' with 'How We Stand,' focusing on hidden sociopolitical violence in Indigenous history.
- The plot centers on three sisters separated by the foster system after their mother, Angela, dies during a police raid on a secret community dance in 1950s Los Angeles.
- The film addresses the 1956 Indian Relocation Act, which lured Native Americans to cities with false promises of employment and housing.
- It also highlights the secret mass sterilization of Native women between 1970 and 1976, a key plot point for the youngest sister, Janey.
- Amber Midthunder stars as Jessie, a doctor who has assimilated into white culture but faces racism from her husband’s family and colleagues.
- The narrative employs magical realism, particularly in the climax, where the sisters confront the legacy of colonialism through the destruction of a collector’s 'Indian room.'
Background
This release follows Marie Clements’ 2022 film 'Bones of Crows,' which also explored Indigenous trauma through a personal lens. While our archive contains unrelated news about an individual named Amber Eggers and various streaming releases, there is no prior coverage of Clements’ work or 'How We Stand' in the provided background materials. The current story stands as a new development in Indigenous cinema at the 2026 TIFF.
Why it matters
The film offers a critical examination of historical federal policies that displaced Native Americans and the ongoing effects of cultural erasure. By interweaving personal stories with broader sociopolitical issues, it highlights the resilience of Indigenous communities and the complex nature of assimilation and identity in the 1970s. Its use of magical realism provides a unique artistic approach to depicting trauma and resistance.
What to watch
The film is currently seeking U.S. distribution following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. No specific release dates or distribution partners have been announced yet.
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