Ryan Dickie, Writer/Director

Ryan Dickie is an Indigenous Photographer, Filmmaker, Director and Cultural Mentor based in Fort Nelson, British Columbia. A descendant of the culturally strong Dene people from northern Canada, he has developed a strong desire to convey the story of his people. In its essence, the Dene have a deep and intrinsic connection to the land they call home. It is this connection and inherent world-view that has formed the sub-structure of Ryan’s visual and documentary style. With a growing portfolio that includes both film and still imagery clients, Ryan aims to inspire others to find a deeper connection to the land, indigenous ideologies, and cultural values through each photo, film, conversation, and story.

Directors Statement

“As an Indigenous filmmaker and story-teller, I have found it advantageous to lean into the lived experience I share with the characters whose lives I am so fortunate to document through the art of documentary film. Growing up in a small community in the north, I have a deep understanding of the fragility of our food networks, and how our traditional food systems as indigenous people have been reshaped over time. In the modern world, there is a sense of urgency for Indigenous people and within our communities to find solutions which will help our people achieve Food Sovereignty today, and for our future generations.

This underlying motivation and urgency is what attracted me to the ‘Tea Creek’ story. Upon my discovery of the work that Jacob Beaton, his family, and the people at Tea Creek Farm are doing, I quickly understood the value and importance of getting their message and story out to the broader public as a tool to help inspire and activate other Indigenous communities on their journey to achieve sovereignty over their food systems. 

With Indigenous Food Sovereignty as our key advocacy component in this film, my sense of inspiration really came from the people and lives we came into contact with during this process. Building relationships with the Indigenous people doing such amazing work at Tea Creek quickly became the most valuable part of the experience. Being able to document their journey through healing, growth, and self-discovery will hold tremendous power for Indigenous people. It has always been my mission as a story-teller to provide a sense of hope, and to foster a sense of pride in who we are as Indigenous people, while at the same time, educating others to help forge stronger relationships and understanding for all.”