First Nations Development Institute 347d ago

Through a series of mini-documentaries, First Nations Development Institute is showcasing Tribal ecological stewardship practices that are protecting natural resources essential to the culture and sustainability of Native communities. The new films, featuring four of the grantee community partners, amplify these strategies, raising awareness of stewardship successes in Native communities and generating greater investment in Native approaches and traditional ecological knowledge. This third installment of our series showcases the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and their work to restore culturally relevant white oak tree stands through the reintroduction of cultural fire. The Tribe is using traditional practices to protect these culturally significant trees from invasive species, and redefining what forest management means through a Native lens. This film is directed and produced by Loren Waters, of Waters Media production, in partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.