Music Is The Medicine
A journey of resilience, the preservation of culture, and the enduring legacy of Rod ‘Littlesky’ Bandura
The Story
Healing the Land.
Healing the Community.
In 2021, the world’s heart broke with the confirmation of Le Estcwicwéy̓ (‘The Missing’)—the remains of over 200 Indigenous children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. In the wake of this profound grief, the Kamloops community turned to the oldest medicine known to humanity: music.
Littlesky follows the "Music For The People" gathering—a transformative event where Indigenous drumming blends with symphonic performance. It is a symbol of unity and cultural resilience, fostering connection in a community navigating the depths of generational trauma. The documentary intertwines intimate moments from the event with heartfelt interviews and Indigenous storytelling.
Photo Credit - Amber Bracken for The New York Times
Rod and his wife, Margit performing at the event in 2023
Rod at home with his buffalo hide drum
The Heart
Honoring Littlesky,
A Legacy That Lives On.
The sudden passing of Rod ‘Littlesky’ Bandura in early 2024 has heightened the urgency of this mission. Littlesky has become more than a chronicle of an event; it is a sacred vessel for Rod’s life and work. As his family, friends, and fellow Indigenous artists gather for the third annual Music For The People event, the film captures a poignant moment of reflection and renewal—a commitment to keeping stories alive through music, culture, and language.
The Mission
Art as an Act of Resilience.
Bridging Worlds Through Sound.
The impact of Littlesky is measured by its ability to foster connection where there was once silence. This project substantiates the belief that music and ceremony are not just "performances," but essential tools for societal healing.
By documenting the "Music For The People" gathering, we provide a lived example of how communities can come together to process deep, historical wounds. The film acts as a vital bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous worlds, using the universal power of rhythm and melody to create a shared space for Truth and Reconciliation. Our mission is to move beyond the abstract and showcase healing in action—proving that through collective cultural expression, we can build a future where reconciliation is a lived, felt experience.
Residential School survivor, Norman Retastket shares his story
Barbie Whiskeyjack plays her drum
The Collective
Meet the Team
Ryan Deneault
Executive Producer
As the founder of Healing Between Worlds, Ryan anchors Littlesky in over thirty years of lived experience. His leadership is forged by his personal journey through addiction into a lifelong commitment to recovery, wellness, and the communal work of healing between the indigenous and non-indigenous worlds.
Benjamin Webster
Director & Producer
Australian multi-hyphenate creative and founder, Benjamin stumbled into the story as it was unfolding in 2023. After becoming friends with Rod & Margit, it was clear that the mission to honor this story and Rod’s legacy was not optional.
Tam Duong
DoP & Editor
A first-generation Canadian of Vietnamese heritage, Tam approaches this film as a personal inquiry into what it truly means to be Canadian. His involvement with Littlesky exists at the meeting point of justice and self-definition: an effort to reimagine what it means to be “Canadian” through lived experience rather than inherited ideas of national identity.
Join the Journey
We are currently in post-production, weaving together the final threads of this story. We invite you to stand with us in honoring Rod’s legacy and the resilience of the Kamloops community.
Support the Film:
Become a steward of the story.
Help us bring this medicine to the world.
We are looking for those who feel called to protect and propel this medicine. Your support isn't just a contribution; it’s an act of stewardship for the wisdom we are carrying together.
If this vision resonates with your own path, let’s explore how we might walk this next stretch of the journey together.
Festival & Programming
Inquiries
Request a private screener for your community or festival.
Approximate runtime ~55 minutes
Ready for screening mid-2026
English, Spanish, or French subtitles
Availability pending festival and distribution exclusives.