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Filmmaker Cazhhmere is a 7th-generation black Canadian. Despite this deep history, she’s constantly asked to explain where she’s from — even though the answer is always “Canada.”

RUNTIME: 23:02

Cazhhmere is a proud Canadian. Her ancestors were among the first black settlers to come to Canada — her family has spent hundreds of years weaving itself into the fabric of our nation. Despite this deep history, Cazhhmere is constantly questioned about where she is originally from.

Deeply Rooted was born out a conversation she’s had hundreds of times:

Q: Where are you from?

A: Canada.

Q: No, I mean, where are you from?

A: Canada.

Q: Well, where are your parents from?

A: Canada.

Q: But where are your grandparents or great-grandparents from?

A: Canada.

In Deeply Rooted, Cazhhmere will change your perception of what a multi-generational Canadian family looks like.

She delves into the story of the Downey-Collins family, which includes fighting in WWI and WWII, standing on an Olympic podium, appearing on the silver screen and breaking through barriers in Canadian politics.

Through interviews with her family members, she shares her family’s rich history and shows an overall sense of unity that is seldom seen in black families in today's media landscape.

In a country that is widely known for being a "global melting pot," our nation can easily forget that not every person of colour is a newcomer to Canada.

Q: How can you be black, and be from Canada?

A: This is how.