Origins: The Last Reefnetters

Join Cascade PBS for a preview screening of Origins: The Last Reefnetters a documentary series on the history and culture of reefnet fishing in the Salish Sea, followed by a discussion with local filmmaker Samuel Wolfe of Fishboat Media and special guests.
Date: Feb. 26, 2025
Time: Doors @ 6:00 PM, Program @ 7:00 PM
Venue: SIFF Uptown
Tickets: Free and open to the public with RSVP

ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY:
Wolfe’s story follows the Salish Sea’s last reefnetters, examining the legal, spiritual and cultural subtext that intertwines them. Reefnet fishing is an innovative method developed by the Lummi Nation and other Northern Straits Salish tribes thousands of years ago. Following punitive legislation, environmental damage and devastation caused by a budding cannery industry looking to capitalize on a seemingly abundant resource, they were all but removed from the practice. Today, just 12 captains with a reefnet fishing license are left in the world, and only one of them is an enrolled tribal member. Upstream Battle is the story of the Salish Sea’s last reefnetters, and the legal, spiritual, and cultural subtext that intertwines them.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER:
Samuel is a husband, father, tribal member, filmmaker, and business strategist – some of the most common nouns he reaches for when someone asks, “So what do you do?” His professional background consists of creative work involving everything from old school broadcast, to virtual reality, to AI.

Some of the highlights born out of that work include directing credits on Microsoft product release films, media collaborations with McLaring Racing and the Seattle Kraken, and earning a 2024 regional EMMY award for his commercial campaign work for Maritime Washington.

He is currently a Sr. Manager of Design & Creative Strategy at Smartsheet, where he leads a talented team of brand marketing designers, animators, and copywriters.

ABOUT THE SERIES:
The evening will also include the official unveiling of the fourth docuseries initiative from Cascade PBS, Origins. This annual grant will reward a local documentary filmmaker $40,000 to produce a series grounded in ancestry, connection, culture, influence, and that reflect our place, values and people. Find out more at this event!

Host or Publisher Cascade PBS