UNAVAILABLE Sigwan is a short video directed by Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin. The story shows a young Native girl named Sigwanis rejected by her classmates who are outdoors listening to a Native storyteller. Sigwanis leaves the group and heads to the woods where she is befriended by bears who explain why she is a valuable person and should return to her family. The bears protect and comfort her over night and the take her back to her family. The bears in this film are portrayed by actors wearing bear masks with long blankets. This parable about acceptance is designed to encourage classroom discussion about prejudice and exclusion. Teachers may want to preview this video prior to viewing by sensitive children. The title means spring in the Abenaki language. The story was filmed at Odanak. This flm is available in DVD format.