The Fairy Creek (Ada’itsx) valley sprawls across Pacheedaht First Nation territory on southwestern Vancouver Island and its old growth forest ecosystem thrives with lush foliage, ancient tree trunks, and a variety of wildlife. However, the decimating chainsaws and tractor machinery of the Teal Jones lumber corporation disrupt this equilibrium as they ravage an environmental haven into pavement for their road-building project. Amidst the tumult, Jen Muranetz’s FAIRY CREEK captures the vast collective protests against this destructive logging operation: a movement which has spawned both the largest demonstration of civil disobedience in Canadian history and the mass arrests of 1200 people.  With nuance, Muranetz captures divisions between settler protestors and Indigenous activists. The film also elucidates stark disagreements between Pacheedaht youth and their band council, refuting the misconception of a monolithic Indigenous perspective. FAIRY CREEK depicts this historic struggle to defend Canadian old growth forestry as a dialogue of voices, where unity and disagreement constitute a growing movement.

June 6th 7PM Screening will include a special Q&A with film protagonist Elder Bill Jones and Fairy Creek blockaders