Premiering at the 2020 Human Rights Watch Film Festival, the Gather documentary faithfully portrays the growing food sovereignty movement, a prominent Climate Justice (CJ) initiative, amongst various Indigenous Peoples throughout the United States, as they cope with and heal from generational-colonial trauma. Directed by Sanjay Rawal, and in collaboration with the First Nations Development Institute, this film presents an interconnected story of frontline individuals from many Tribes, including: the San Carlos and White Mountain Apache Nations (Arizona); the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation (South Dakota); the Yurok Nation and the Klamath River (Northern California); and the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation (Massachusetts). 

Contrasting with a solemn tune, the beginning of Gather Film opens with the following quote:

“The Red Nation shall rise again and it shall be a blessing for a sick world, a world filled with broken promises, selfishness and separations, a world longing for light again.” - Crazy Horse, Oglala Lakota Nation

From there, viewers meet Master Forager Twila Cassadore of the San Carlos Apache Nation, and 12 year-old Mae, as they practice traditional harvesting in the once-lush, now barren desert. “What we’re doing is reintroducing our young people to the land, the food, and the traditional ways of healing,” Cassadore explains. This heartfelt yet somber beginning is the jumping point for the story to come — full of suffering, but hopeful for a better tomorrow.

Prevailing themes of coping, healing, tradition, future generations, and empathy carry throughout the film. Through these themes, it is clear that the reclamation of Indigenous spiritual, cultural, and political identities are paramount to the individuals and their communities that are highlighted. CJ plays a monumental role in that reclamation.

A main takeaway of this film is centered around Indigenous food sovereignty. The intersectional CJ movement has long strived to achieve food sovereignty, which refers to a myriad of local efforts to fortify and reclaim sustainable food systems by combating hunger, increasing access to healthy and traditional foods, enhancing community health, and creating food policies that serve as mechanisms for more just models of economic development. Food sovereignty is incredibly prevalent to the Indigenous communities within this film, as Chef Nephi Craig of the White Mountain Apache Nation explains that healing and food go hand-in-hand. Looking through a CJ lens, food sovereignty is an idea born out of recovering land, culture, and overall way of life that was torn down and almost lost through harmful colonial practices.

Alcoholism, diabetes, homicide, and suicide rates on reservations far surpass the rates of White Americans. According to Craig, these statistics represent the physical manifestations of colonialism today. In order to decrease rates and counteract this historical trauma, Craig’s ambitious plan to open Café Gozhóó (replacing the once gas station) will result in “an example of food sovereignty in action,” where it currently partners with the local Indigenous Ndée Bikíyaa (The People’s Farm). The Café serves as a promising win for the CJ movement, as it regenerates Indigenous food autonomy in the community.

“When you have food sovereignty, you’re free to be self-reliant, to grow your own food, to choose the foods you want to eat, choose the foods you want to put in school systems, and really be self-sustaining or sustainable...We’re not transforming food so much. The food is transforming us.” - Nephi Craig, White Mountain Apache Nation

In South Dakota, another dream is brewing. In an effort to revitalize their once self-sufficient economy, Fred DuBray and his daughter Elsie, of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation, attempt to repopulate buffalo back on the land. A sort of unity between the buffalo and his People has emerged, as both populations were almost wiped out by colonialism. Now, the DuBrays believe that both man and beast must work together in order to survive. As a young scientist, Elsie takes a slightly different approach to aid the cause. According to her father, Elsie “wants to educate the scientific community with traditional knowledge” as she researches nutrient differences in grass-fed buffalo and grain-fed cattle meat. Citing that the westernization of Indigenous diets have led to many diseases and other adverse health effects, her research takes a heavy CJ approach in addressing a vital aspect of what food sovereignty means to her People.

Back West, Samuel Genshaw III of the Yurok Nation attempts to save the salmon in the Klamath River while educating youth as a part of the Ancestral Guard, an Indigenous organizing network. Wild salmon are vital to his People’s culture and way of life; without it, there is very little to no access to healthy or affordable food. Genshaw and members of the Ancestral Guard can frequently be seen attending protests that call for the removal of lower Klamath River dams that threaten the survival of the critically-endangered salmon. In addition, attaining food sovereignty would be a just and sustainable way to keep those who rely on the salmon afloat. Knowing this, Genshaw strives to fight against governmental control over the culturally significant food source through a CJ focus.

“There’s people all over the world that are fighting for their resources and their rights to live healthy lifestyles.” - Samuel Genshaw III, Yurok Nation

Toward the end of the film, Genshaw makes the trip across the country to meet Culture Bearer Danielle Hill of the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation. The Mashpee Wampanoag Nation was one of the first Tribes to be contacted by colonists, whereas his own Yurok Nation was one of the last. Despite the difference, both individuals bond over similar losses, and viewers witness the empathetic intercultural relationship of shared solidarity.

Restorative solutions, including the use of traditional Indigenous foodways, will aid in the recovery from traumatic pasts and promote healing and self-determination amongst Indigenous Peoples in the United States, and hopefully, the world as we know it. As a metaphor of an ecological food chain, the interconnected stories of foraging (Cassadore) to farming (Ndée Bikíyaa), cooking (Craig), food science and conservation (DuBrays), and to environmental and cultural activism (Genshaw) all form together to create a powerful story of Indigenous physical, spiritual, and cultural healing through food sovereignty of the CJ movement.

“All different cultures...hear the same drum. And it’s Mother Earth and Mother Earth’s heart is beating, and she’s talking to us that we need to do something.” - Twila Cassadore, San Carlos Apache Nation

The Gather Film can be accessed via Kanopy, iTunes, Amazon, or Vimeo on Demand.