the smallest steps

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the smallest steps

the smallest steps is a documentary following the journeys of 4 women as they become anti-violence activists. Filmed on unceded Algonquin Territory 2018-2019.

https://smalleststeps.ca/ Find us on Instagram and Twitter here: https://linktr.ee/thesmalleststeps

04/11/2025

Guess what Ontario Justice Workers? 'the smallest steps' is now available through the Ontario Bar Association’s Online Education Portal!

You can watch the film alone, or watch it alongside the recorded panel with legal and anti-violence experts:

➡Emma Katz, Kelly D. Jordan Family Law Firm
➡The Honourable Loretta Merritt, Superior Court of Justice
➡Sheri Buck, Protagonist from the smallest steps
➡Deepa Mattoo, Executive Director, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
➡Kelly Jordan, Kelly D. Jordan Family Law Firm

Either way, you’ll gain Continuing Professional Development Hours:

➡1h 15m – EDI content (the film)
➡30m – Professionalism content (the panel)
➡45m – Substantive content (the panel)

Visit the Ontario Bar Association’s Online Education Portal to watch the film today!

The Film: https://www.cbapd.org/details_en.aspx?id=on_on25oba74v

The Film + Panel: https://www.cbapd.org/details_en.aspx?id=ON_ON24WLF03V

06/07/2025

It has come to our attention, thanks to the efforts of Stand Up 4 Survivors, that Sunchild Deer-Okpik (also known as Jaaji Okpik), part of the musical duo Twin Flames whose song appears in our film, is facing seven criminal charges related to alleged sexual misconduct dating back to 2000. These include sexual assault, sexual touching of a young person while in a position of authority, and forcible confinement. Two individuals are alleged victims, according to an arrest warrant obtained by Radio-Canada.

Okpik, who was a police officer in Nunavik at the time, is now under investigation by Quebec’s Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes. He denies the allegations and plans to contest the charges in court.

Although it is a very disappointing development, it is, unfortunately, not a unique one. It is tempting to think that there are some “good guys” out there, especially those who support efforts to address violence against women and children. The truth is, no one is inherently good or bad. We can choose to act in ways that are kind, considerate, and just, and we can choose to act in ways that are cruel, hurtful, and unjust. It is not possible to know whether any particular man has a history of abusing women and/or children. All we can do is know that it could be anyone, and if we become aware of an allegation we react accordingly.

In a country with the legacy of colonization that Canada has, which includes the over-representation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system, everyone is entitled to make full answer and defense in an accessible system free from bias, including Sunchild Deer-Okpik.

While all are innocent until proven guilty, we also know that the criminal justice system routinely fails women and children who are survivors of violence. Very few of those who commit acts of sexual and other forms of violence against women and children are ever charged with these offences and even fewer are convicted, let alone face any meaningful consequences.

Our position with respect to allegations of violence against women and children, including sexual violence, is to believe and support survivors. False allegations are very rare. False denials are routine.

We thank Stand Up 4 Survivors for bringing this to our attention. We will redouble our efforts to work in solidarity with survivors to end violence against women and their children.

The full article can be found here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/twin-flames-singer-sexual-offences-1.7563171

06/12/2024

Last night's film screening and panel was fantastic! It was such a pleasure to hear lawyers reacting to the film and th panelists were so knowledgeable and just brimming with information on how to both help survivors navigate the system as well as how lawyers can help change the system so it's better for everyone.

Thank you to for hosting this event!

PROGRAM SPEAKERS
The Honourable Loretta Merritt, Superior Court of Justice
Sheri, Protagonist from the smallest steps
Deepa Mattoo, Executive Director, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
Kelly Jordan, Kelly D. Jordan Family Law Firm
Moderated by: Emma Katz, Kelly D. Jordan Family Law Firm

04/12/2024

In anticipation of the upcoming December 5 Ontario Bar Association Film Screening and Panel Discussion, Leighann Burns and Nicole Bedford sat down with the OBA to discuss our film!

Have you registered for the program yet??? If not, do it NOW -- you do NOT want to miss out on this amazing program: https://www.cbapd.org/details_en.aspx?id=ON_ON24WLF03T

PROGRAM DETAILS
Thursday, December 5, 2024, 4pm - 7:30pm
ONLINE & at the OBA Conference Centre
20 Toronto Street, 2nd Floor | Toronto, ON | M5C 2B8

CPD HOURS:
1h 15m of EDI content
30m of Professionalism content
45m of Substantive content

PROGRAM SPEAKERS
The Honourable Loretta Merritt, Superior Court of Justice
Sheri, Protagonist from 'the smallest steps'
Deepa Mattoo, Executive Director, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
Kelly Jordan, Kelly D. Jordan Family Law Firm

Leighann Burns, co-producer & subject matter expert: "“You do not need to be an expert on violence against women to improve the situation for survivors of violence, but lawyers do have crucial roles to play.”

Nicole Bedford, co-producer & director: “I hope that people will show up and build community. You cannot do activism alone in the long term.”

23/11/2024

For this upcoming , on December 5 at 4pm, the Ontario Bar Association is screening 'the smallest steps' and hosting a post-screening discussion with an impressive panel of speakers, including:

➡The Honourable Loretta Merritt, Superior Court of Justice
➡Sheri Buck, Protagonist from the smallest steps
➡Deepa Mattoo, Executive Director, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
➡Kelly Jordan, Kelly D. Jordan Family Law Firm

For all our legal worker friends out there, this is a fantastic, engaging, and hope-filled opportunity to get 2.5 of your CPD hours while also learning about how and might impact your work!

Register to attend online, or in person: https://www.cbapd.org/details_en.aspx?id=ON_ON24WLF03T

31/10/2024

Guess what Toronto District School Board ? 'the smallest steps' is now available through the Toronto District School Board catalogue for class screenings!

Our film is a fantastic resource for meeting key Ontario Curriculum learning objectives in a wide variety of classes including:

➡Civics & Citizenship
➡Politics in Action
➡Understanding Canadian Law
➡Legal Studies
➡Contemporary Indigenous Issues and Perspectives
➡Gender Studies
➡Equity & Social Justice
➡History

What's more, when you access 'the smallest steps', you can also download our Actions, Activities and Discussion Questions booklet for ideas on how to engage your students before AND after they watch our film!

Screening 'the smallest steps' is the perfect way to get engaged this (Nov. 25-Dec. 6). Access the video for free today!

Not part of the Toronto District School Board? Connect with us to find out how you can get access to the film (in French OR English) for YOUR classroom!

07/03/2024

Have you heard of the Heart Work Conference? If not, you need to check out this FREE/PWYC virtual event happening March 19-21, 12noon - 4:30pm ET.

Organized by WomenatthecentrE, the Heart Work Conference is a multi-day event to explore eradicating gender-based violence through transformative practices, activism and advocacy, arts-based facilitators, and most importantly, survivor-led practices.

The conference features a wide array of knowledgeable, inspiring speakers and, guess what? 'the smallest steps' is being screened on March 21 as part of the conference!

Learn more about this important event, and register today, at: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/heartwork-conference/registration

Image reposted from WomenatthecentrE

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The Story

In Ottawa, Ontario, where women’s shelters are bursting at the seams while fat cat politicians slash budgets and disband anti-violence committees, four women take their first steps toward fighting for change. With Victoria’s decision to pursue family law, Jade’s steps entering the legal world after articling, and Sheri and Ashley’s revitalization of a survivors advocacy group, the smallest steps shares the story of how ordinary women are transformed into extraordinary activists when they commit to ending violence against women. Interwoven through their journeys, women from the last generation of activists share their struggles and successes, providing historical context to the movement and an important reminder that activists today don’t have to reinvent the wheel.