Secwepemc actor Grace Dove plays the lead role as Aline Spears, a Cree matriarch, in the upcoming film Bones of Crows.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Elevation Pictures

Bones of Crows, which was shot primarily in Kamloops, is set for a theatrical release next month.

The film tells the multi-generational story of a Cree family and their trauma through Canada's Indian residential school system.

Cineplex and Landmark theatres are set to host director and producer Marie Clement's film on June 2 in a nationwide release.

After a brief screening tour in BC's Interior in December and several film festival showings, it's finally coming to the big screen for the public.

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Landmark Cinemas and Cineplex, however, haven't yet listed showtimes for their theatres.

It first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September before it was screened at other festivals, including the Vancouver International Film Festival.

The film has a "rich connection" with the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc community after not only filming in the community, but also employing locals on the production crew and as extras, according to a December news release from production company Ayasew Ooskana Pictures Inc.

"Elders were present on set to support every day and filming took place in the territory and in the site of the former residential school. Bones of Crows has organized these screenings to give thanks to the communities who participated in this film, Chief and Council for their support and to honour survivors and all affected by the school," the release reads.

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Grace Dove, a Secwepemc actor from Canim Lake, plays the leading role of Spears. The multi-generational story is told through Spears' eyes over 100 years as she and her descendants fight systemic racism, starvation and sexual abuse.

Clements' film will be followed by a five-part mini-series of the same name commissioned by CBC and APTN.

The series will follow Spears, expanding on the film's story and includes three actors at different times in Spears' life.

CBC hasn't yet announced a release date, but it's expected to debut later this year, according to its website.

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