Sleeping Children Awake is a Canadian feature-length, documentary video outlining the history of the residential school system and its effect on generations of First Nations’ people.

Prior to recording the video, Hanah had heard Shirley Cheechoo read a poem she had written about her experiences in the residential schools.

Also in following the acts of Cheechoo’s 1991 autobiographical play, Path with No Moccasins, Hanah hoped to reinforce the healing that comes from exposing these stories.

Sleeping Children Awake was one of the earliest independent feature documentaries to be broadcast about the history of the residential school system.

[3] Sleeping Children Awake is both a personal record of Canada’s history and a tribute to the enduring strength of Native cultures.

Phil Fontaine, then Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and a residential school survivor, was quoted at the opening of the video stating that "first step in healing is disclosure."

[citation needed] The documentary features the music of R. Carlos Nakai, sacred songs from Maria Linklater, and the artwork of various accomplished artists.

[4] Sleeping Children Awake has been broadcast on CTV, CBC and TV Ontario, and has been used within schools, hospitals, and universities.

The film examines first and foremost the personal experience of First Nations students in residential schools, and that of the families and communities from which they were torn.