#skoden

#skoden tells the story of Pernell Leonard Bad Arm, the Blackfoot man behind the infamous “Skoden” meme. What started out as a social media post to bond Indigenous people across Turtle Island over rez slang and relatable uncle material opened our eyes to something much more: a man whose life on the streets became a mockery to some and a figure of Indigenous empowerment to others but was most beloved by those who knew him personally. Damien Eagle Bear’s heartfelt and compassionate documentary humanizes the man behind the image, sharing stories from Pernell’s family and friends about his life and struggles, and serves as an anecdote to a bigger issue — the harsh reality of street life for many Indigenous people living in urban centres across so-called Canada. Niitsitapi, amateur physicist, and frybread-eating machine, Damien Eagle Bear is a multifaceted filmmaker from the Kainai First Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Damien’s films have premiered at the American Indian Film Festival and the Vancouver International Film Festival. He has returned with feature documentary #skoden, which delves into the origins of NDN country’s most iconic meme to redefine the man at the centre of it all. Available in-person and online via imagineNATIVE's watch platform from June 9-15, 2025 Canada Only.