Pernell Bad Arm, a member of the Kanai Nation in Alberta, Canada, became an unintended meme when a photograph of him emerged in the early 2010s. In the image, he is depicted wearing a windbreaker, fists raised in a fighter's stance, with a somewhat vacant expression. Initially, the photograph circulated predominantly on platforms like 4chan, where non-Indigenous users shared it to mock and perpetuate stereotypes about Indigenous people. Filmmaker Damien Eagle Bear was one of the few who immediately recognized Bad Arm, leading to a mix of horror and anger as he reflected on how the image was used and shared.
Despite the negative portrayal, Indigenous users began to reclaim the meme by captioning it with the word "skoden," which translates to "let's go, then." This transformation turned the meme into a rallying cry for Indigenous communities. Still, Bad Arm’s life holds complexities that are often overshadowed by the viral image. Bad Arm passed away in a Lethbridge homeless shelter in 2015 at the age of 52, and Eagle Bear aims to honor his story through his documentary titled “#Skoden,” which premiered at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto.
Eagle Bear is striving to reshape the public perception of Bad Arm by highlighting the realities faced by Indigenous individuals and those experiencing homelessness in southern Alberta. He expressed his commitment to showing the human side of people who are often viewed through a lens of violence or negativity. Eagle Bear first encountered Bad Arm while working as a security guard at a homeless shelter in Lethbridge. Inspired to document the lives within the shelter, he began filming, with Bad Arm being one of the first individuals to partake in his project. Portions of this original footage, alongside interviews with Bad Arm's family and friends, form the narrative structure of “#Skoden.”
According to Eagle Bear, Bad Arm exhibited kindness and a caring nature, which starkly contrasts the public image derived from the viral photo. As an example, he recounted an incident where Bad Arm went out of his way to care for an elderly war veteran residing in the same shelter. This kind demeanor and compassion, which Eagle Bear witnessed, are essential facets of Bad Arm's life that he hopes will emerge through the documentary.
The viral image itself is deliberately excluded from “#Skoden,” following requests from Bad Arm's family who believe it represents one of the darkest times in his life. The film is crafted to evoke discussions about how cities like Lethbridge, along with others across Canada, approach their unhoused populations. Eagle Bear asserts the necessity to shift societal perceptions towards those living on the streets, emphasizing that people often harbored misconceptions that strip individuals of their humanity and complexity.
Eagle Bear observes that as Indigenous communities learn more about Bad Arm's story, the term "skoden" has evolved into an emblem of resistance against colonialism and the actions of settler governments. He reflects on the paradox of a meme—initially utilized to demean—transforming into a powerful symbol of resilience. It not only memorializes Bad Arm but also prompts broad discussions on societal attitudes toward Indigenous peoples and the unhoused.
As audiences engage with “#Skoden,” they are invited to confront their assumptions and recognize the full humanity of individuals like Pernell Bad Arm. Through his film, Eagle Bear seeks to illuminate the challenges faced by his community, fostering empathy and understanding in a society grappling with deep-seated prejudices.
