Saskatoon filmmaker Alex Williams exposes a little-known piece of Canadian history - one in which First Nations people required permits issued by an Indian Agent in order to leave their reserves. Purportedly in response to the Northwest Resistance of 1885, Sir John A. Macdonald enacted a system of racial segregation that denied First Nations people in parts of Western Canada the basic freedom of mobility that other Canadians experienced. Although the pass system had no basis in law, it stayed in effect for over 60 years and prevented First Nations parents from visiting their children in residential schools, limited access to relatives, and discouraged travel to towns and cities. This film includes archival research as well as the oral histories of Elders.--Ministry of Education website.

Originally produced as a documentary in 2015. Music, Cris Derksen ; editor, Igal Hecht ; cinematography, Alex Williams. Narrator, Tantoo Cardinal. DVD-R. Produced in association with Tamarack Productions ; executive producer, James Cullingham ; directed by Alex Williams. History 30. Native Studies 30. Social Studies grade 8 (2009). Treaty Education grade 8. Treaty Education 30.