These Sacred Hills Screening

These Sacred Hills follows the Rock Creek Band of the Yakama Nation as they fight to protect their sacred land from the proposed Goldendale Pump Storage project. After centuries of displacement and loss, they are forced to share parts of their culture never seen before in a desperate effort to preserve what remains. The film style is immersive and fluid, inviting viewers on a journey as it follows the community on their seasonal round of food gathering, from the Columbia River to the hills and canyons along the Columbia, as far north as the Sawtooth Range near Mt. Adams and as far south as the meadows of the Blue Mountains in Oregon. It weaves together traditional activities, activism, community laughter, and human moments, against the backdrop of the fight to protect their sacred lands from the encroaching green energy projects.

At its core, These Sacred Hills deepens the conversation about green energy development, addressing the critical and timely intersection of Indigenous rights and the climate crisis. As we rush toward energy solutions, it is vital that we recognize the sovereignty, wisdom, and lived experience of Indigenous communities. This film challenges us to consider how we can develop sustainable energy solutions while respecting and preserving the lands and cultures that have been stewarded for thousands of years.