Marie-Cécile Dietlin

"Without a Whisper" is the untold story of how Indigenous women influenced the early suffragists in their fight for freedom and equality. Mohawk Clan Mother Louise Herne and Professor Sally Roesch Wagner shake the foundation of the established history of the women’s rights movement in the United States. They join forces on a journey to shed light on the hidden history of the influence of Haudenosaunee Women on the women’s rights movement, possibly changing this historical narrative forever.

"Without a Whisper" is the untold story of how Indigenous women influenced the early suffragists in their fight for freedom and equality. Mohawk Clan Mother Louise Herne and Professor Sally Roesch Wagner shake the foundation of the established history of the women’s rights movement in the United States. They join forces on a journey to shed light on the hidden history of the influence of Haudenosaunee Women on the women’s rights movement, possibly changing this historical narrative forever.

For generations, Indigenous peoples have asked humanity to raise its consciousness for our Mother Earth. Now, Indigenous women are raising their voices to demonstrate what living in balance looks like, by sharing gifts given to them by Creation. Rematriation Magazine centered the voices of 10 Indigenous women to share stories of resilience, leadership, spirituality, healing and honoring life. Led by an all women team, director, Katsitsionni Fox (Mohawk), producer, Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida) and cinematographer, Marie Cecile Dietlin. Rematriation Magazine’s film series furthers the current national dialogue about dismantling social injustice through a spiritually grounded lens.

This documentary follows two Mohawk girls on their journey to become Mohawk women. Friends since childhood, Kaienkwinehtha and Kasennakohe are members of the traditional community of Akwesasne on the U.S./Canada border. Together, they undertake a four-year rite of passage for adolescents, called Oheró:kon, or "under the husk." The ceremony had been nearly extinct, a casualty of colonialism and intergenerational trauma; revived in the past decade by two traditional leaders, it has since flourished. Filmmaker Katsitsionni Fox has served as a mentor, or "auntie," to many youth going through the passage rites.