#KitteryME - Film - The River is our Relative
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
6:30 pm
Star Theatre
Kittery, ME
Cost: FREE
Presented by: #YorkLandTrust, #KennebunkLandTrust, Great Works Regional Land Trust, #Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, #KitteryLandTrust, #Wells Reserve at #Laudholm, and #Arundel Conservation Trust.
"Join us for a viewing of the #documentary The River is our Relative
" 'This River is Our Relative' celebrates #PenobscotNation ’s intrinsic kinship connection to and tireless #EnvironmentalAdvocacy of the #PenobscotRiver. The story is told through the voices of 24 Penobscot people, who share their experience of historical, physical, and spiritual connection to place; of cultural identity and survival. Their narratives are interwoven with a traditional #Wabanaki story about how The People and #Glouskap defeated a greedy monster frog, #Aklebemu, who was hoarding all the water.
"This story parallels both historical and present day #environmental concerns, and is also the origin story of the Penobscot family Clans. 'You can point to any aspect of our culture from a riverine perspective,' says Penobscot Cultural and Historic Preservation Dept. Director James E. Francis, Sr.
"This documentary shows the Penobscot Nation’s dedication to environmental justice and their efforts to minimize #pollution, demonstrates the importance of respecting inherent #TribalSovereignty, and celebrates Penobscot peoples’ ongoing river-based cultural traditions. As people who have lived in reciprocity with the Penobscot River for over 10,000 years, there is nobody more committed than the Penobscot people to protecting the health of this watershed. 'It is our responsibility to care for that River, for all of us,' explains Penobscot activist and filmmaker #DawnNeptuneAdams.
"Despite many obstacles including ongoing territorial theft and a rapidly increasing number of #pollutants, the Penobscot Nation and its people continue to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the health of their beloved Relative, the Penobscot River. 'I always come back to the water because that’s where I belong. It’s my Relative,' explains Penobscot Elder #KathyPaul, 'and I want to stay and support that Relative.' "
FMI:
https://gwrlt.org/event/riverisourrelative/
#SolarPunkSunday #WaterIsLife #RiversAreLife #CulturalPreservation #RiverKeepers #MaineEvents #IndigenousStewardship #IndigenousPeoples #NativeAmericanMonth #GreatWorksRegionalLandTrust
