We joined up Expo 50 Tribal Pillar leaders, Jeff Ferguson and Margo Hill Ferguson and other environmental and community leaders for the Indigenous and Environmental Film Festival at the Garland Theater. This festival celebrated the Expo 50 Tribal Culture Pillar with thought-provoking and inspiring films that explored themes like tribal culture, environmental stewardship, climate change, human rights, and the return of salmon.
From locally produced favorites like Smoke Signals to an epic, historical story of resilience told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch Aline Spears in Bones of Crow, the festival concluded with the film, Inhabitants showcasing indigenous perspectives on restoring our natural world together. Many of the films are available to the public. Find the full line up below:
Water Bandits by Lucy Martens: International film. In Rajasthan's Dolphur region, once plagued by banditry due to water scarcity, a remarkable transformation has occurred. Dr. Rajendra Singh, known as the "Water Man of India," spearheaded this change with indigenous water management techniques. His team collaborated with local communities to rebuild traditional water structures, replenishing underground aquifers and restoring wells. This community-driven initiative, independent of government aid, relied on trust and collective effort. The local bandits turn in their guns for shovels and become guardians of water. This short film tells the story of water as a healer and unifying force.
The Twelve by Lucy Martens: International Film. Twelve Elders share wisdom about our connection with the Universe and all of humanity, showing us what it means to live in harmony with ourselves, one another and the Earth. This film is an invitation to transform our mindset, behaviors, actions and relationships, to come back into alignment with ourselves and all life on Earth. A film by Le Ciel Foundation, a UK based charity whose mission is to reverse the current societal and environmental collapse to create greater connection by quickly and widely integrating, or reintegrating, primordial wisdom in society. For balance and harmony with all life on Earth, for us and the 7 generations to come.
Water Quality Standards on the Spokane River by Jeff Ferguson: Local film. A short history of what led the Spokane Tribe to establish tribal water quality standards on the Spokane River through the EPA and the Clean Water Act by applying for and receiving the "Treatment as a State" designation in order to save the water, the fish, their culture and way of life. Featuring Spokane Tribal Historian Warren Seyler, Spokane Tribal Elder David BrownEagle, Spokane Tribal member Devon Peone, Eastern Washington University History Professor Bill Youngs, Spokane Tribe Water and Fish Program Manager Brian Crossley and former Spokane Tribe Attorney Margo Hill JD MURP.
nmúslstn: Spokane River Salmon Release by Rogue Heart Media: Local film. nmúslstn - that which is hoped for A story of resilience, persistence, and hope!
Covenant of the Salmon People by Nez Perce Tribe: Local film. COVENANT OF THE SALMON PEOPLE is a 60-minute documentary portrait of the Nez Perce Tribe as they continue to carry out their ancient promise to protect Chinook salmon, cornerstone species and first food their people have subsisted on for tens of thousands of years. As a dammed river system and climate impacts threaten the extinction of Chinook salmon, a cornerstone of their culture and ancestral diet, they continue to do their part to uphold this relationship–but will it be enough to save wild salmon from extinction? The covenant with salmon is woven into their culture, history, and now their modern-day species restoration work. The Nez Perce people are the oldest documented civilization in North America, with archaeological sites along Idaho's Salmon River dating back 16,500 years.
Meet Me at the River by KSPS, Skyler: A film remembering Expo, its great leaders, and the impacts it has had on our River and community.
Smoke Signals: Classic film written by Spokane tribal member Sherman Alexie (available to rent on Prime Video). Young Native American man Thomas is a nerd in his reservation, wearing oversize glasses and telling everyone stories no-one wants to hear. His parents died in a fire in 1976, and Thomas was saved by Arnold. Arnold soon left his family, and Victor hasn't seen his father for 10 years. When Victor hears Arnold has died, Thomas offers him funding for the trip to get Arnold's remains.
Tony Louie HIstory by Colville Tribal Artist Tony Louie: Local Film. A captivating spoken word piece poetically displaying the historical traumas of indigenous peoples through the lens of Native American. Written and performed by Tony Louie.
MMIW by Jeff Ferguson, Margo Hill-Ferguson and Counting Coup Media: Local PSA. PSA Short about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People of the US.
Birth Justice Center with Dr. Evan Adams by Jeff Ferguson and Spokane Tribal Network: Local PSA. PSA Short about the Indigenous Birth Justice Center in Spokane
Reconnecting Fish Water and People by Upper Columbia United Tribes: Local film. Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples of the Columbia basin relied on a healthy and connected ecosystem that supported abundant salmon runs and resilient resident fish populations. That all changed with the development of dams along the Columbia River and its tributaries, which fragmented the ecosystem and limited fish movement. To right these historic wrongs, the five member Tribes of UCUT have taken the lead on reintroducing salmon, restoring resident fish habitats, and reconnecting fish, water, and people. See the video below for more information on the dedicated work of the Upper Columbia United Tribes.
Taking Flight Guatemala by local Spokane tribal descendent producer Abby Pflueger: Short film. In an area where traditional education fails students, one Mayan woman starts her own school in order to rebuild her community from the ground up. Through her integral education, which includes meals for students and workshops for their parents, Ingrid Villaseñor strengthens her home of Panajachel one step at a time.
Bones of Crows: Canadian Film (not yet available in USA). Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, Cree musical prodigy Aline and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival. Bones of Crows is Aline's journey from child to matriarch, a moving multi-generational epic of resilience, survival and the pursuit of justice.
50 Hour Slam EXPO Film Winner “Rivers of Reckoning” by Gary's Name Taggers: Local film. This film was completed for the 50 hour slam and won judge’s choice. The 50 hour slam is an annual competition where contestants have 50 hours to shoot, edit, and complete an entire short film project! This year the theme was the River.
Spokane Climate Project by Rogue Heart Media and Gonzaga: Local film. The Climate Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC) partnered with the Spokane community to create a comprehensive report to analyze how our region will be impacted by climate change. This became known as the Spokane Climate Project, and this film explores the project's findings along with local experiences and perspectives to help ignite our hope & action.
Inhabitants by Colville filmmaker Ben Alex Dupris: For millennia, Native Americans successfully stewarded and shaped their landscapes, but centuries of colonization have disrupted their ability to maintain their traditional land management practices. From deserts, coastlines, forests, mountains, and prairies, Native communities across the US are restoring their ancient relationships with the land. As the climate crisis escalates these time-tested practices of North America's original inhabitants are becoming increasingly essential in a rapidly changing world.
We hope you will be able to enjoy some of these selected films. If you would like to see more Indigenous programing in Spokane, consider supporting our partners at Elk Soup. Elk Soup is a nonprofit with the mission to empower Native American communities right here in Spokane.
