Movie1976Released8.0

Salmon People

Name: Salmon People
Genre: Documentary
Released: 1976-01-01
Rating: 8

Release Date

January 1, 1976

Runtime

24m

Language

Director

Tony Westman

Writers

Documentary

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Overview

Contrasting ancient myth and modern reality, this short documentary examines the legendary relationship between West Coast Indigenous people and salmon, once their staple food. In the mythical realm, we learn how Raven finds riches in the harvest of the salmon, only to lose everything through a thoughtless act against the Spirit of the Salmon. So too does modern man jeopardize his living from the sea by heedless action. Images of ancient spear-fishing and smoke-houses contrast with images of today's Indigenous people operating a seiner and working in a cooperative cannery.