Winona LaDuke focuses on Enbridge’s pipelines for fracked oil, its dangers and how the shale oil boom is adversely affecting Indian Country. LaDuke had a dream about how to fight Enbridge’s proposed pipeline expansion which threatens sacred wild rice beds: a sacred horse ride against the current of oil. Creating a “Love Water Not Oil” tour, she gathers musicians, young people and native leadership, puts them on horses, organizes in northern Minnesota lake communities and creates a movement. While focusing on her goal of stopping Enbridge, this Native grandmother mixes a Midwestern work ethic with indigenous wisdom to create a blend of spiritual, political and humorous actions to chase away the black snake.
Keri Pickett (she/her) is an award-winning Producer, Director and Director of Photography (DP) whose work centers on family, community, often focusing on those trying to right a wrong or showing how much one person can make a difference. She is the Co-Director/DP/Editor of FINDING HER BEAT, 2023 (87 minutes) which follows the making of a historic first-time gathering and concert with the best female taiko drummers in the world; smashing stereo-types and claiming centerstage. The film premiered at Mill Valley Film Festival and select festivals include DOCNYC, Heartland and Hot Springs. FIRST DAUGHTER AND THE BLACK SNAKE, 2017 (94 minutes) follows environmental activist Winona LaDuke and her family and community efforts to keep big oil out of her tribes' sacred wild rice territory. The films' many documentary feature film awards include Best MN Made Documentary Feature at MSPIFF and Frozen River Film Festival, Best Feature Film from Portland EcoFilm, the Courage Award from Red Nation Film Festival and is distributed by Virgil Films & Entertainment. Pickett is the producer/Director/DP for THE FABULOUS ICE AGE, 2013 (72 minutes) The story spans a century of dancing on ice featuring the skating pioneers who changed the world along with one show skaters’ quest to ensure their history is not forgotten. The documentary premiered as a Netflix Original (2014-2019), in ten languages. Virgil Films & Entertainment is the distributor. She is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
