'Bad River' Documentary: A Celebration of Native Culture and Resilience
April 30, 2024
Miceala Salas, tribal liaison with Madison College, worked closely with Overture’s Equity & Innovation, Event and Production teams to bring the “Bad River” documentary film to Overture Center this spring. The documentary chronicles the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewas’ ongoing fight for sovereignty and its powerful legacy of defiance and resilience to protect its land against the Enbridge pipeline. This pipeline runs through their land and poses a biological hazard that could permanently disrupt their way of life for future generations. The film shows the ongoing battle to protect the largest freshwater source in North America.
As elder Corbine, a Bad River Tribal leader, declares “We gotta protect it… die for it if we have to.’”
The documentary was presented to a packed house on Monday, April 29. At the conclusion of the film, a panel representing various Native American communities (Dejope, Lac De Flambeau, Ho Chunk and Bad River) from across the state showed their support of the efforts of Bad River. The panel discussion provided the audience with much of the back story of the film and the ongoing political battle that continues today. Faculty from the UW-Madison native community were also in attendance to show their support for the film.
In addition to the film showing, to honor Native American customs and traditions, the event featured a traditional Native food menu, prepared by the executive chef of Catering a Fresco, Vina Cloud, in collaboration with Salas. Other culturally relevant elements to honor the event included a drum circle and spiritual smudging ceremony.
Salas shared, “As a member of the Bad River community, I feel deeply connected to this film, as it resonates with my upbringing on the reservation. We have always cherished the unique beauty and strength of our land, and this film allows us to share that with the world. It also highlights the ongoing challenges to our sovereignty and rights, with Enbridge's continued trespassing threatening our spiritual, environmental, and physical well-being. I hope that events like this will raise awareness and garner the support needed to stop Line 5. I am incredibly grateful for the collaboration with the Overture Center and their willingness to work closely with me and Madison College to host such a meaningful event.”
The event was a powerful and moving experience that received two ovations, one after the film concluded and another after a brief postscript that featured one of the Bad River elders who spoke in his native Ojibwe language to future generations of Ojibwe. As a tear streamed down his face at the conclusion of his speech, the crowd erupted in applause.
We were honored to present this event to the Madison community in conjunction with Madison College, and we look forward to future collaborations with our indigenous communities.
