Richard Cardinal died by his own hand at the age of 17, having spent most of his life in a string of foster homes and shelters across Alberta. In this short documentary, Abenaki director Alanais Obomsawin weaves excerpts from Richard's diary into a powerful tribute to his short life. Released in 1984 - decades before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission - the film exposed the systemic neglect and mistreatment of Indigenous children in Canada's child welfare system. * Best Documentary Award at the 1986 American Indian Film Festival