United by Water at W.R.I.

United by Water, film by the Upper Columbia United Tribes showing in the Wenatchee River Institute’s Red Barn

Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT) is proud to present their film United by Water on Thur., Jan. 23, in the Wenatchee River Institute Red Barn, 347 Division St. in Leavenworth. United by Water follows the first tribal canoe journey to, and gathering in, Kettle Falls, WA since the Ceremony of Tears in 1940, when tribes throughout the Northwest gathered to mourn the loss of their ancestral fishing grounds soon to be flooded by the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam.

Narrated by author Sherman Alexie, the film documents this inspiring journey taken in 2016 by members of five tribes from the Upper Columbia River. United by Water chronicles the building of the dugout canoes, the physical and spiritual journey along the Columbia River and finally, the landing at Kettle Falls.

This timely film highlights the importance of fostering connections to the Columbia River and restoring its salmon runs. Not only is attention brought to the historic wrongs that blocked salmon from the Upper Columbia River, United by Water shares the current efforts by UCUT, and other tribes, to bring forward tribal traditions to help better understand something lacking in today’s society –a deeper connection to the waters that bring life to our communities.

“I am told by many of you that I must forgive and so I shall, after an Indian woman puts her shoulder to the Grand Coulee Dam and topples it… I am told by many of you that I must forgive and so I shall, after that salmon leaps into the night air above the water, throws a lightning bolt at the brush near my feet, and starts the fire which will lead all of the lost Indians home,” from Sherman Alexi’s poem, The Powwow at the End of the World, used by permission of Hanging Loose Press.

This event is by donation. Doors open at 6pm for no-host refreshments, film begins at 6:30pm. After the showing, there will be a discussion and Q & A period with John Sirois of Upper Columbia United Tribes and other Wenatchi tribal members. Please contact Rachel Bishop with questions, 509-548-0181 x5 or rbishop@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org

Event link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/event-calendar.html/event/2020/01/23/united-by-water-movie-with-q-a-following/276165 Movie Trailer: https://vimeo.com/235484266 Upper Columbia United Tribes: https://ucut.org/