Rustic Oracle is a Canadian film directed by Sonia Bonspille Boileau, known for her works exploring the Indigenous experience in Canada. Set against the backdrop of a small Mohawk community in Quebec, Rustic Oracle deals with the tragic reality of missing and murdered Indigenous women, a pervasive issue in Canada that has only recently started to receive mainstream attention.
The film follows Ivy, an inquisitive 8-year-old girl who is the only one in her family not to be completely devastated by the disappearance of her older sister Heather. Ivy is fiercely determined to find her sister and approaches the search with a childlike innocence, but also with a deep understanding of the pain and anguish that her mother Susan experiences. The film portrays the complex familial dynamics that emerge as a result of tragedy, with Ivy and Susan struggling to communicate with each other but ultimately coming together in their search for Heather.
Rustic Oracle is a stirring drama that delves into important themes such as the intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous people and the devastating effects of colonialism on Indigenous communities. The film is a poignant tribute to the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and serves as a powerful reminder of the need to continue the fight for justice and dignity for missing and murdered Indigenous women.