YINTAH

(Feature Documentary Film)

 

YINTAH, meaning “land” in the Wet’suwet’en language, tells the story of an Indigenous nation’s fight for sovereignty as they resist the construction of multiple oil and fracked-gas pipelines across their territory. Over the period of a decade, the film follows Tsakë ze’ Howilhkat Freda Huson, Tsakë ze’ Sleydo’ Molly Wickham, and their fellow land defenders as they reoccupy their traditional territory and galvanize their nation in a fight against several of the largest fossil fuel companies on earth. YINTAH is about an anti-colonial resurgence—a fierce and ongoing fight for Indigenous and human rights. The film reveals the hypocrisy of the Canadian government’s espousal of reconciliation, as Indigenous land is still being seized at gunpoint for the purpose of resource extraction. The Hereditary Chiefs’ claim to jurisdiction over the territory is supported by a 1997 Supreme Court of Canada decision. When a lower court effectively sidesteps this decision, granting pipeline companies access to Wet’suwet’en land, Wet’suwet’en leaders put their bodies on the line, building barricades to keep the companies out. Ultimately, YINTAH is the story of the Indigenous right to stewardship and sovereignty over their territories. Freda, Molly, and the land defenders are part of a centuries-long fight to protect their children, culture, and land from colonial violence. For the Wet’suwet’en, their very future is at stake.

Streaming now on NETFLIX (Theatrical version) and on CBC Gem (88 minute version)

 
 

Awards & Recognition

  • Best Feature-Length Documentary – Canadian Screen Awards

  • Best Cinematography in a Feature-Length Documentary – Canadian Screen Awards

  • Rogers Audience Award for Best Canadian Feature – Hot Docs 2024

  • Audience Award – Hot Docs 2024

  • Best International Documentary Feature – Red Nation Film Festival

  • Impact Grand Prix – FIPADOCS (France)

  • Human Rights Human Wrongs Award – Human International Doc FF

  • Special Jury Mention – Elevate Award – DOXA Documentary Film Festival

  • Special Jury Mention – Colin Low Award (Best Canadian Director) – DOXA

  • Finalist – Social Justice Award – Lane Doc Fest

  • Nominee – Cinema for Peace Dove International Green Film Award

  • Nominee – Best Original Music in a Feature Length Documentary – Canadian Screen Awards

  • Nominee – Best Sound Design in a Feature Length Documentary – Canadian Screen Awards

  • Nominee – Best Documentary – Toronto Film Critics Association

  • Winner – Best Editing (Documentary) – Canadian Cinema Editors Awards

CREDITS

Featuring

Tsakë ze’ Howilhkat Freda Huson, Tsakë ze’ Sleydo’ Molly Wickham

Directors

Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Michell, Michael Toledano

Producers

Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Michell, Michael Toledano, Bob Moore

Executive Producers

Sam Vinal, Doris Rosso, Daniel Cross, Mila Aung-Thwin

Co-Producer

Katie McKay, Valerie Shamash, Franklin López

Editor

Ryan Mullins

Director of Photography

Michael Toledano

Camera

Melissa Cox, Dan Loan, Jesse Freeston, Sam Vinal, Keir Knight, Grace Burke, Alexandra Kotcheff

Music

Olivier Alary

Additional Music

Johannes Malfatti

Sound Design

Benoît Dame, Catherine Van Der Donckt

Produced with the Participation of

Canada Media Fund

Produced in Association with

Ford Foundation

Produced with the Participation of

Telefilm, Rogers Doc Fund, Indigenous Screen Office,
International Documentary Association, Québec Production Services Tax Credit,
Creative BC, The Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit

Produced in Association with

CBC Docs

Impact Partners

Story Money Impact, Doc Society, Chicken & Egg