Join us for a special documentary film screening of Voices from the Barrens: Native People, Blueberries, and Sovereignty, including panel discussion with director Nancy Ghertner and Wabanaki participants in the making of the film, at the Performance Hall on the UMM Campus in Machias. We will be introducing the panel in September.

Film Synopsis: “Voices from the Barrens, Native People, Blueberries and Sovereignty,” documents the wild blueberry harvest of the Wabanaki People from the USA and Canada. The film focuses on the Passamaquoddy tribe’s challenge to balance blueberry hand raking traditions with the economic realities of the world market, which favor mechanical harvesting. Each August, First People of the Canadian Wabanaki, the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet (Wolastoqiyik) tribes, cross the US/Canada border into Maine to take part in the tradition of hand raking blueberries with their Passamaquoddy brothers and sisters. This crossing to Maine’s blueberry barrens isn’t considered “agricultural labor,” but is a part of the traditional harvest from the earth.

For more information on the film visit: https://www.voicesfromthebarrens.com/

Limited Seating! Registration Required email cathy@downeastcoastalconservancy.org to register. Social distancing seating and masks required.

This activity is subject to change if COVID-restrictions change. Updates will be sent to registered participants.