Sultans of String to bring award-winning visual album to Shantz Mennonite Church

Sultans of String is once again bringing their award-winning visual album to Wilmot Township with a free screening and Q&A at Shantz Mennonite Church on Feb. 21. Pictured are Coast Tsm’syen singer Shannon Thunderbird (right) and her sister, Ts’msyen singer and collaborating artist Kate Dickson (left) at a screening event in Hamilton. Both will be in attendance at the screening in Baden to participate in the Q&A after the film. Photo courtesy of Sultans of String

By Galen Simmons

After drawing full houses in Wilmot township two years ago, Sultans of String are returning to the area with a free screening of their award-winning musical film, Walking Through The Fire: Visual Album, this time at Shantz Mennonite Church in Baden.

The screening takes place Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The 80-minute film will be followed by a live Q&A featuring filmmaker and Sultans of String bandleader Chris McKhool, along with Coast Tsm’syen singer Shannon Thunderbird and her sister, Ts’msyen singer and collaborating artist Kate Dickson.

Walking Through The Fire is a musical-film experience that blends powerful storytelling with immersive sound. From Métis fiddling and an East Coast kitchen party to rumba, rock and the drumming of the Pacific Northwest, the film showcases the beauty and diversity of music from Turtle Island through collaborations with First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists from across the country.

The project has earned international recognition, winning Best Musical Film and Best Soundtrack at the Cannes World Film Festival, as well as Best Composer at the Chicago Indie Film Awards.

At its core, the film is rooted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, amplifying Indigenous voices and stories through music and film. Dickson said what makes the film resonate so deeply with audiences is the authenticity behind it.

“The most compelling aspect of the film is its heart, which emerges from the collective dedication and passion of the performers,” she said. “Everyone who sees the film leaves with a richer understanding of the journey Indigenous people have taken to not only find their voices again but to have an opportunity to share them with others.”

She added that the post-screening discussions are often just as powerful as the film itself.

“The Q&A at the end of the film is the best indicator of how the people feel, what they most want to talk about and the respect they bring,” Dickson said. “From the performers’ point of view, it is the energetic acceptance of what audiences have seen and heard that is profoundly moving.”

The screening at Shantz Mennonite Church is being hosted by the congregation’s newly formed Pursuing Repair and Reconciliation (PRRIP) working group. Organizer Rhonda Lee said the event builds on previous learning initiatives within the church.

“Hosting this screening of Walking Through the Fire is an excellent vehicle to share this learning with our congregation and to the broader community,” Lee said, noting previous screenings in the area drew 200 people. “We are hoping this provides each of us another way to learn and to be inspired to work towards right relations with Indigenous Peoples.”

The event is free with registration, though donations are welcome. Organizers expect strong interest and encourage residents to reserve seats in advance.

To register for the screening and Q&A, visit https://tinyurl.com/WTTF-ShantzMennoniteChurch. To watch the trailer for Walking Through The Fire, visit https://youtu.be/wWSZUduo5Kk.