CLICK TO HEAR COMMENTS FROM AUSTIN LOWES, SAULT TRIBE CHAIRMAN
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians announced today that its recently unveiled short film documenting its sustainable fisheries management efforts will be made available online.
The 15-minute film, Sacred Waters: Anishinaabeg Naagdawenmaanaanig Giigoonhkewin (The First People Taking Care of the Fishery), explores the tribe’s ancient connection to the Great Lakes and how Sault Tribe biologists are leading efforts to restore whitefish populations, whose numbers have been severely diminished by invasive species.
“The Anishinaabek have always had a deep history and connection to our local lands and the waters. We are very proud that our fisheries program has been a longtime leader helping to protect and sustain the Great Lakes and its resources, but we’ve only recently started focusing on telling that story,” said Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes. “This film proactively showcases the cultural significance of fishing to our tribe and documents our biologists’ groundbreaking work to restore Adikameg (whitefish) populations.”
Sacred Waters was developed on behalf of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors by film director Finn Ryan, whose work focuses on stories of empowerment and revitalization around community, conservation and the outdoors. Marquette-based Aaron Peterson Studios led on videography, photography and editing on the project.
The film features interviews with Sault Tribe elders, commercial fishers and staff biologists who discuss their cultural ties to fishing and the decline of whitefish populations due to invasive species. Viewers will also learn about pioneering methods the tribe is developing to pond-raise and stock whitefish back into the Great Lakes, something that has not traditionally been done with whitefish species.
“We are very thankful for the thoughtful storytelling that our video team brought to the table to help share our relationship to Adikameg. The initial showings here in the U.P. have been very well received, and we look forward to now sharing this story online to a much wider audience,” said Lowes.
Sacred Waters first premiered at the Fresh Coast Film Festival in Marquette on October 18 and 19, 2024. It was then screened again to local Sault Tribe members at the Dream Makers Theater within the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie.
Sacred Waters will be available beginning Jan. 17th on the Sault Tribe YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@SaultTribeTV.
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