Keepers of the Land
In the heart of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, one Nation is reclaiming the power they held for a millennium. As the impacts of colonial exploitation and mismanagement take an increasing toll on their territory, the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation finds strength in its stories and culture, emerging as a stewardship leader in a new age of reconciliation in Canada.
Filmmakers: Deirdre Leowinata, Douglas Neasloss
Running Time: 28 mins
Language: English with Open Captions
Type: Short
Douglas Neasloss is the visionary elected chief of the Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation, and the director of the Nation’s Stewardship Authority. Doug envisioned Keepers of the Land as an inspiration for his people and as a tool to show the world what is possible through re-empowering indigenous people, by showcasing in cinematic beauty his territory and the work his people are doing to protect it.
Deirdre Leowinata is an emerging director and cinematographer driven by a passion for strong multimedia narratives that address our relationship with the planet. Her formal background in ecology and visual communication instilled in her a rigorous commitment to evidence-based storytelling, which she brings to every project she works on. She combines this formal background with a strong technical skill set in digital film and a knack for personal and evocative stories.
