Accessibility: Film: Subtitled / Captioned
Told through the waters of diitiida/the Jordan River, this documentary explores the intricate connections between life, balance, and transformation. Once a thriving ecosystem, industrial activities in the region disrupted this harmony, leaving behind a fractured landscape. Through stunning visuals and powerful storytelling, the film traces the river’s journey — from abundance to degradation — while offering a vision of revitalization. As the story unfolds, it asks a vital question: Can we move beyond destructive routines and embrace new practices of renewal?
Elder Bill Jones, the second oldest Elder of the Pacheedaht Nation and a survivor of the Alberni Residential School, is a committed defender of old-growth forests on his ancestral territory. As a child, he listened to his grandfather’s stories of Diitiida—a seasonal fishing village of such abundance that Pacheedaht people welcomed others from across the region to share in it—and he remains committed to a future where life is restored to this place.
Jordan River Watershed Awareness (JRWA) is a diitiida/Jordan River-based non-profit run by a small group of passionate volunteers committed to telling the little-known story of a landscape intensely degraded by industrialism. In recent years, JRWA has turned to film as a tool for healing this sick ecosystem.
Jillian is a self-taught photographer turned cinematographer with a passion for telling compelling stories about people and the natural world. Drawing on her background in psychology, she builds trusting relationships that create space for authentic narratives to unfold. Jillian works on both personal and commissioned projects that educate audiences and shift perspectives through powerful storytelling and imagery.
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