A Thunder Bay, Ont. filmmaker is bringing a story of strength and survival to the screen, with her first full-length feature.

Filming is currently underway on Angelique's Isle, written by Michelle Derosier of Thunderstone Pictures and co-directed by Derosier and Marie-Helene Cousineau.

The movie is based on the true story of Angelique Mott, a 17-year-old Indigenous woman, who was abandoned along with her husband on Isle Royale, on Lake Superior, during the copper rush of 1845.

Thunder Bay filmmaker Michelle Derosier wrote and is co-directing Angelique's Isle. (Michelle Derosier)

"Angelique and Charlie lived there without provisions for ten months," said Derosier. "She survived some unbelievable hardships during her time on Isle Royale."

Derosier, who adapted the story for the screen from the book Angelique Abandoned, written by James R. Stevens, said it is one that has long stuck with her.

"There was just something that resonated deep within me about this woman's story. And about my own as an Indigenous woman," said Derosier.

'It kept driving me'

"And I think as our voices, as Indigenous women ... grew louder, whether it was through things like Idle No More several years back, or the strong voices that have been speaking up around the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, that ... it kept driving me."

The film is being shot in northwestern Ontario, with scenes set at Fort William Historical Park and the Cascades Conservaton Area in Thunder Bay, as well as along the shores of Lake Superior in Terrace Bay, Ont.

The leap into full-length feature filmmaking has been a "terrifying and beautiful" experience, said Derosier, noting that it's a thrill to work with seasoned crew and cast members.

The film stars Julia Jones, Charlie Carrick and Tantoo Cardinal.

Angelique's Isle is a co-production of Thunderstone Pictures, Circle Blue Films and Freddie Films, and is supported in part by the CBC Breaking Barriers film fund.

It's expected to be released in the summer of 2018.