January 10, 2018 

Media Contact:
Erin Tofte-Nordvik, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, 509-682-6868
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436 (Mon.-Thurs.)

There will be a screening of “United by Water” at The Grove Recital Hall at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The film is being shown by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The event is free and open to the public.

Doors will open at 3:15 p.m. and a discussion with producers from Upper Columbia United Tribes will follow the film.

The film revolves around the revival of a traditional canoe journey on the Columbia River that ended when the Grand Coulee Dam was built.

The dam reservoir flooded Native American fishing grounds and nearby waterfalls. The film includes archival footage from The Ceremony of Tears – a final gathering at the historic fishery before flooding. Then, in 2016, the Upper Columbia Treaty Tribes got together with hand-built canoes and traveled the river once again.

The film is narrated by author, poet and Spokane tribal member Sherman Alexie. Directed by Derrick LaMere and produced by the Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT).

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, www.wvc.edu