“Defenders of the Sacred”
Produced and Directed by Maya Salganek.
The lives of the Gwich’in people of the Arctic are inextricably tied to the Porcupine Caribou herd. The Gwich’in people in Vashrąįį K’ǫǫ (Arctic Village) have been defending their sovereign right to live on their tribal lands and maintain their traditional practices and way of life since colonization. After a lifetime of protecting the land from oil development, these Gwich’in Elders are witnessing the profound effects of climate change on their Arctic Tribal Lands. With both insight and foresight, these Elders are passing on not only their Gwich’in traditions and knowledge of the land, but also the tools for protecting it from development.
Documentary film runs 46:23. Featuring 1st Traditional Chief, Trimble Gilbert, his sister, Florence Newman, community leader, Sarah James and her brother, Giddeon James. Executive Producer, Dr. Linda Green. Assoicate Producers: Canaar Chanar, Alisha Gilbert Carlson, Princess Daazhraii Johnson, Dr. Joshua Moses, Destiny Reimers, Dr. Charlene Stern.
Maya Salganek 