The film: “Once Were Warriors” is a deeply moving story about Jake and Beth Heke and their five children - a family in crisis. Although the story takes place in New Zealand, and the characters portray an urban Maori native family, many of the scenarios, situations and characteristics that are presented in the film are relative to our own country and culture. I found the viewing and reviewing of this film to be extremely triggering …showed first 75 words of 1885 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1885 total…slaves). Grace’s traditional funeral assists this process. Beth adopts “Toot” into her family, which will no doubt provide him with chances and experience he never dreamed possible. Beth delivers her final lines and leaves Jake in the parking lot of the bar, from there returning to her culture where we assume she will regain her pride, heal her family’s wounds and rebuild their self identity as a people whose ancestors “Once were Warriors”