Documentaries > Wind River

American Values,
American Wilderness

Brave New West
Caught in the Headlights
El Caballo
End of the Road
Green Rolling Hills
Killing Coyote
 Libby, Montana
Mining Seven-up Pete
Powder River Country
Southbound
Star Spangled Blues
The Element of Doom
The Naturalist
The Paper Colony
This Land is Your Land
This is Nowhere
Varmints
Wildland
Wind River




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Brave New West!


"Wind River tells a compelling story that extends far beyond questions of water rights, examining core community values and concerns relating to human dignity, self-survival and fundamental fairness." Stuart Lieberman, Environmental Attorney Read more reviews


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(Special DVD collection indludes three High Plains Films - Wind River, Caught in the Headlights & Powder River Country)

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  High Plains Films, P.O. Box 8796, Missoula, MT 59807

Institutions please contact Bullfrog Films at (800)543-FROG or visit their web site.

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"A water tale to set you on fire."
Read full review from High Country News

"The beautiful views of the river and surrounding area alone make a plea to preserve this fragile land."
Read full review from Library Journal

"Wind River is an expose of archaic water rights practices on the river of the same name, but manages to shed a kind of universal light on these same practices all over the West." Read full review from the Mountain Gazette

"A taut and impassioned chronicle of a high stakes water-rights fiasco in Wyoming." Timothy McGettigan, Professor of Sociology, University of Southern Colorado

"Wind River describes how, in Wyoming, water rights are awarded to farmers on a seniority basis. Those holding the earliest water rights receive their water first. The holder of the next water right then receives their water and so on until all water needs are satisfied. Unfortunately, this results in the de-watering of the Wind River. Wind River does an excellent job of interspersing interviews with tribe members, farmers, lawyers, biologists, authors, a State Supreme Court Justice and the State Engineer to tell both sides of this controversial subject. Wind River is well edited and makes use of some interesting historical footage to show how agriculture has changed the Wind River Valley over time. The sound track includes original music by Barrett Meigs. The video is thought provoking and will be an excellent resource for teachers. It is highly recommended for all high school and public libraries."
Read full review from the MC Journal

"The film does an excellent job of telling both sides of the story. The contrasting perspectives of the various claimants to water in the Big Horn Basin are given clear voice. The Shoshone and Arapaho people of the Wind River Reservation conceive of water as an integral part of a natural system; its highest "use" is to maintain the integrity of that system. In contrast, the local ranchers, and the government agencies that assist them, view water in utilitarian terms; water is wasted unless it is diverted and applied in a manner that produces an economic return. This film depicts the decades-long court struggle that will determine which concept of water will predominate in the Big Horn Basin." Daniel McCool, Director of The American West Center, University of Utah

"We learn from Wind River that water can do more than quench our thirsts, it can also separate the haves from the have-nots. Wind River tells a compelling story that extends far beyond questions of water rights, examining core community values and concerns relating to human dignity, self-survival and fundamental fairness."
Read full review from Stuart Leiberman, Environmental Attorney

"This presentation has potential use in law, environment, biology, anthropology, and Native American studies classes. It will inspire lively debate because so many perspectives are represented, all with valid arguments."
Read full review from the School Library Journal

"A well-crafted documentary." Read full review from DVDtalk.com

"An evenhanded and compelling look at a difficult and divisive dispute." Library Bookwatch


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