There are two economies that live along the waterways; the monetary economy driven by capitalism and profit, and the Indigenous economy driven by a symbiotic relationship with what swims in the rivers and grows and walks on the land. The Spirit Who Swims highlights this ‘clash of cultures’ by focusing on the spiritual significance the Salmon has for Indigenous peoples along the Fraser River.
Through stunning aerials and vivid underwater cinema, we join the Spirit Who Swims as they travel over 1000 kilometers on their annual migration route from the ocean to their spawning grounds in the lake and streams of the mountains. Along the way, we encounter Indigenous people in four unique, riverside communities, and learn of their deep connection to the Salmon and the struggles endured by each.
The Spirit Who Swims is more than just a documentary, it is a record of the challenges facing First Nation communities along the Fraser River. It is an Indigenous-rooted manifesto for restoring balance to our natural world.
Bev Sellars is the award winning author of “They Called Me Number One,” a memoir and historical record of her experiences at the St.Joseph’s Residential School. She was the elected chief of her Secwpemc community, Xat’sull First Nation, for 12 years. She is an outspoken leader on indigenous rights and environmental protection, delivering keynote addresses at conferences and universities. She is the founder of the Indigenous led charity, Moccasin Footprint Society.
Garry is a director and multidisciplinary creative who has forged an award-winning career as a documentary filmmaker. He has produced stories on location from Mt. Everest, remote regions of the Arctic and Antarctic, and directed TV series and documentaries around the world. He has worked on broadcast projects with Discovery Channel, CTV, CBC, DisneyXD, and TV5. His work has been honoured at SxSW, the Canadian Screen Awards and the Banff World Media Festival.