Documentary Short - WaterBear Network

In early 2021, Canadian and US land defenders and organizations successfully stopped the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. From a small group of people to forming unlikely alliances and gaining global attention, the power of the people prevailed. Many of the various threats were underpinned by water security.

The increasing vulnerability of watersheds to the risk of spills brought indigenous, non-indigenous and climate organization groups to fight together for a common purpose of protecting their lands from devastating environmental destruction, creating a turning point in environmental activism history.

After the victory of stopping the pipeline in early 2021, the big question remains: What is to stop the project from resurrecting under a more ‘preferable’ government? How can marginalized communities ensure their opinions and legal rights aren’t disregarded with similar projects? This documentary film project will celebrate the people and efforts behind stopping Keystone XL and will serve as a reference for similar case studies to stop oil pipelines and Tar Sand developments in the near future.

Role: Producer (WaterBear)

Director - Cristóbal Ruiz
Producer - Olli Dickerson
Researcher & Associate Producer - Megan Robinson
Editor - Anna Shannon
Director of Photography - Christopher Clark
Consulting Producer - Mack Stanndard
Assistant Director - Thomas Silcock
1st Camera (Jamie Interview) - Zac Staffiere
Grip - Cory Jacques
Sound Recordist - Peter Robinson
Key Animation - Jared Popescu

Interviewees
Melina Labouchan-Mssimo
Angeline Cheek
Paula Antionette
Jon Harter
Jamie Henn
Mathew Campbell

WaterBear Team
Andrea Walji - Head of WaterBear Studios
Tilly Compton - Producer
Jessie Saville - Impact Producer

Archive Footage
Greenpeace
350.org 
Garet Bleir
Jon Whittle (Rolling Stone Magazine)
Sarah Hylton
Paula Antoine
Gil Aegerter 
AP Photo / Jason DeCrow

Special Thanks To:
Native American Rights Fund (NARF)
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribe
Sacred Earth Solar
Fossil Free Media
Pacific Backlot
The Pachamama Studio
Simon Fraser University
350.org
Northern Plains Resource Council
NRDC
Eagle Hawk & Antoine Family