“United by Water” documents the inspiring journey of the Columbia River tribal communities to Kettle Falls, the fishing site of their ancestors, for the first time in 80 years. It is a film about reconnecting with tribal traditions and with the river that once was so integral to their way of life.

The film follows the first tribal canoe journey and gathering at Kettle Falls since the Ceremony of Tears in 1943—the building of the dugout canoes, the physical and spiritual journey on the Columbia River, and finally the historic landing at Kettle Falls.

This timely film highlights the need to recognize the importance of reconnecting to the Columbia River and restoring our salmon runs. Not only does the film bring attention to the historic wrongs that blocked salmon from the Upper Columbia River, but it shares the current efforts by Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT) and other tribes to bring forward tribal traditions to help better understand what is lacking in our contemporary society. We need to forge a deeper connection to the waters that bring life to our communities.

UCUT Executive Director DR Michel will speak following the screening.