The 2018 Frozen River Film Festival kicked off with a screening of “First Daughter and the Black Snake,” a film that follows Winona LaDuke as she stands up for sacred wild rice lakes against the threat of proposed oil pipelines.

The prophecy of the 7th fire states that, “A black snake will bring destruction to the earth. We will have a choice of two paths. One is scorched, and one is green.” Winona believes that this black snake is oil trains and pipelines.

When she hears that Enbridge decides to place a pipeline through her tribe’s land, which is protected by an  1885 treaty, she springs into action to save their way of life and the purity of the wild rice lakes.

After Winona’s courageous decision to stand up against Enbridge, she envisions herself riding her horse against the tide of oil, and takes this inspiration into forming an annual spiritual horsehide along the proposed route of the pipeline, while also giving speeches at community meetings to encourage the fight against Big Oil and the injustice of pipelines cutting through sacred land.

Not only is Winona the Executive Director of ‘Honor the Earth,’ a native-led environmental justice organization, but also a daughter, mother, and grandmother.

“In this time, more than any other I can remember, the voices of native women must be heard, our faces seen, and our messages shared.” LaDuke has said.

Annie Galke and James Greshik spoke with  Winona LaDuke, and Keri Pickett, the director of the film, prior to the screening at St. Mary’s University’s Salvi Auditorium on Wednesday, February 7.

For more information about the film click here.