Just north of the Arctic Circle, the Gwich’in people are fighting to protect the lands and caribou from oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—a place that has provided them with a rich and bountiful existence since time immemorial. Indigenous groups in southeastern Utah are doing much the same, seeking to defend their homeland and cultural heritage from energy and mining exploitation in Bears Ears National Monument. "Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee" is a short film that explores the commonalities and differences between the two, and why the Gwich’in people need our support.
To learn more, visit gwichyaazhee.us
Co-Directors:
Greg Balkin
Len Necefer
Producer: Lulu Gephart
Cinematographer + Editor: Greg Balkin
Sound Design + Music - Cleod9 Music (cleod9music.com/)
Special Thanks to:
The Wilderness Society
Patagonia
Cleod9 Music
Gwich'in Steering Committee
Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich'in Tribal Government
Nativesoutdoors