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It is now clearer than ever: if we want to have a future we need to listen to the voices of indigenous people, embrace the traditional ecological and spiritual knowledge they have so carefully preserved, and together give birth to a transformative new vision to heal ourselves and our planet.

In this time of crisis—as health workers and earth protectors are cheered on by those of us fortunate to be sheltering in our homes—let us take refuge in storytelling. We all find solace in good stories, just as we find sanctuary in our homes and sacred places. The Sacred Land Film Project would like to meet this sad, terrifying moment in history by offering the stories we spent seven years gathering for the Standing on Sacred Ground film series.

Over the next month, to celebrate Earth Day every day, we are presenting a free online film festival. Each of the four episodes of Standing on Sacred Ground will run for a week, followed by an online discussion with key indigenous leaders from the sacred cultural landscapes we were honored to film and whose stories we have endeavored to tell. Join us Thursday, April 23 to meet Winnemem Wintu Chief Caleen Sisk and hear an inspiring update on her efforts to restore endangered salmon to the rivers below Mt. Shasta while she fights U.S. government plans to raise the height of Shasta Dam which would drown out more Winnemem sacred sites.

To watch the films and participate in inspiring discussions please go to our Bullfrog Films Event Page.

Here’s the schedule for the free screenings, with one week for each film:

Pilgrims and Tourists

Free streaming: Friday, April 17 to Thursday, April 23

Discussion: Winnemem Chief Caleen Sisk, Thursday, April 23, noon PT/ 3 pm ET

In the Altai Republic of Russia and in Northern California, indigenous shamans resist massive government projects that threaten nature and culture.

View the film for free here. Sign up for the discussion here. We’ll send you a Zoom link in advance of the discussion.

Sample scenes: Winnemem and Altai

Profit and Loss

Free streaming: Friday, April 24 to Thursday, April 30

Discussion: Tar sands activist Clayton Thomas-Muller (invited), Thursday, April 30, noon PT/ 3 pm ET

From Papua New Guinea to the tar sands of Canada, native people fight the loss of land, water and health to Big Oil.

View the film for free here. Sign up for the discussion here. We’ll send you a Zoom link in advance of the discussion.

Sample scenes: Papua New Guinea and Alberta Tar Sands

Fire and Ice

Free streaming: Friday, May 1 to Thursday, May 7

Discussion: Gamo elder Wolde Tadesse, Thursday, May 7, noon PT/ 3 pm ET

From the Gamo Highlands of Ethiopia to the Andes of Peru, indigenous communities in mountain highlands battle threats to their forests, farms and faith.

View the film for free here. Sign up for the discussion here. We’ll send you a Zoom link in advance of the discussion.

Sample scenes: Ethiopia and Peru

Islands of Sanctuary

Free streaming: Friday, May 8 to Sunday May 17

Discussion: Native Hawaiians Emmett Aluli and Davianna McGregor, Friday, May 15, noon PT/ 3 pm ET

Aboriginal Australians and Native Hawaiians reclaim land from the government and the military and resist the erosion of culture and environment.

View the film here. Sign up for the discussion here. We’ll send you a Zoom link in advance of the discussion.

Sample scenes: Australia and Hawai’i

To watch films and sign up to participate in the webinar-style discussions via Zoom go to our Bullfrog Films Event Page.

Please join us—and tell your friends!

Blog Post Categories: Blog, North America, SLFP News