Documentary on watershed protection premieres

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The Huu-ay-aht First Nation have just premiered a new film celebrating efforts to restore a major salmon river.

More than 350 people jammed into the Discovery Theatre at the Plaza of Nations the evening of Nov. 29, for a film showcasing the benefits that can come from First Nations, governments and industries such as Weyerhaeuser and MacMillan Bloedel working together.

Nominated for best documentary feature at this year's American Indian Film Festival, Return of the River is a story of struggle and survival. It's about the Huu-ay-aht First Nation's ongoing efforts to bring back the Sarita River (located near Bamfield on the West Coast of Vancouver Island), which was destroyed decades ago by clear-cut logging and commercial fishing.

In a bold move, unique in Canada, this Aboriginal community has partnered with industry to achieve their goal of restoring the river valley. Faced with little government support, the Huu-ay-aht First Nation made the tough decision to strike up partnerships with logging companies such as Weyerhaeuser to selectively log their land, then use the money from the sale of the wood to fund restoration of the river.

A sequel to the international award-winning film Heart of the People (1997 Gemini nominee), this documentary traces the progress the Huu-ay-aht have made restoring their river, culture and language since embarking on this project in the early 1990s. Return of the River is a powerful, emotional film that shows how strong leadership and the will of the people can move mountains-and rivers.

"Restoring the Sarita watershed and resources has a phenomenal impact on the cultural revival and the rebirth of our Nation," said Ha'wilth Tom 'Mexsis' Happynook in his narration of the film.

Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Robert Dennis said, "Following the mandate of my people, the council and I have given watershed restoration and salmon enhancement top priority. As a proud community, we are determined to restore and enhance our 35 salmon streams. We are ecstatic to see our work succeed and see over 3,000 Chinook return this year . . . return of the river truly does apply."

"It's a phenomenally positive feeling you get from rebuilding the natural environment that has sustained us for thousands of years," added Happynook. "This also tells the story of the cultural revival and rebirth of the Huu-ay-aht First Nation because of the work we've done to restore and rehabilitate the Sarita watershed."

Written and directed by award-winning Vancouver filmmaker Peter von Puttkamer and produced with Sheera von Puttkamer of Gryphon Productions Ltd, the 57-minute documentary will be broadcast in April. The $110,000 video project was funded by the Huu-ay-aht First Nation and Weyerhaeuser.

"If B.C. and Canada want to help First Nations, the place to start is the restoration of our natural resources," said Happynook, who is the Huu-ay-aht forestry negotiator and treaty co-negotiator. "With Return of the River we hope to bring forward a model of co-operation in watershed restoration projects that prove you can forge a relationship with the companies that caused the damage in the first place," he said.