Biodiversity: Relationships between people and their environment

Being Caribou

- Leanne Allison, & Diana Wilson,
- 2004,
- 72 min 19 s

- 30,995 views
- 180 Like
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Synopsis
Point Of View
Education

In this feature-length documentary, husband and wife team Karsten Heuer (wildlife biologist) and Leanne Allison (environmentalist) follow a herd of 120,000 caribou on foot across 1500 km of Arctic tundra. In following the herd's migration, the couple hopes to raise awareness of the threats to the caribou's survival. Along the way they brave Arctic weather, icy rivers, hordes of mosquitoes and a very hungry grizzly bear. Dramatic footage and video diaries combine to provide an intimate perspective of an epic expedition.

Katerina Cizek

Manifesto Point # 4: Work closely with the community partner, but respect each other’s expertise and independence. Some people have called my Filmmaker-in-Residence role as “embedded” in the hospital. I have serious concerns about the term “embedded,” especially in the context of journalists working within the confines of the U.S. army in the war in Iraq. But I can’t help but draw some parallel to the work of Leanne Allison and Karsten Heuer, who “embedded themselves” amongst a herd of migrating caribou in the film Being Caribou (2004), directed by Leanne Allison and Diana Wilson. In their efforts to understand the fragile yet resilient porcupine caribou, it’s pretty clear that all parties truly respected each other’s expertise and independence.

From the playlist : Manifesto for Interventionist Media - because Art is a Hammer

Grade 6 - 12

Science / Life Systems/Ecology

Geography / Territory: Regional

Physical Education / Outdoor Education

Social Studies / Development/Global Issues

Teaching Guides

Guide 1

Educational purpose:

Discuss the conditions of the refuge grounds and whether they should be preserved. How can we contribute to these animals’ survival? Map the expedition to see the amazing journey. Have the class make a written diary to accompany the video diary of the scientists. If appropriate, arrange a wildernesses camping trip with older students and keep a video/written diary of the experience.

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Comments

Being Caribou

Deniesjeo

“This was an amazing movie and shows us the importance of making sure that we need to keep this conversation going and to let everyone know that Bush still doesn't know and understand the impact of the life of the caribou has on everyone of us. Thanks so much for not giving up. ”

4 Feb 2012
Being Caribou

pawright

“I looked forward to watching Being Caribou for weeks. Finally I watched it by myself. What a beautiful film; perhaps one of the most important films I have ever seen. It reminded me of the moments where I was closest to our source. I hope to share this with my loved ones soon. Thanks you Leanne, Karsten and Diana. As much as humans need energy, we also need these sacred places, because this is where all of us came from. Without these sacred places we would be lost.”

21 Jul 2011
Being Caribou

oldbuck

“Our family lived there for 6 years. Your film only got to see part of the Journey. Maybe someday the world will under stand. Lets hope your film,and others like it will tell the whole story. This place is wild and should always be wild and not be drilled,and have gas lines run as far as the eye can see. Thank you for your story. I have walked the same trails and know what is at stake. (priceless) yours in conservation. Elton Hunter.”

19 Apr 2011