Voices from the Barrens: Native People, Blueberries and Sovereignty
ABOUT
Each August, First People from the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet Nations cross the US-Canada Border to participate in the traditional wild blueberry harvest with their Wabanaki brothers and sisters, the Passamaquoddy. But this way of life is threatened by border politics and 21st century world food production.
Nancy Ghertner is a visual artist and filmmaker working in experimental and documentary film. Her 2011 feature documentary, “After I Pick the Fruit,” was screened at film festivals and received a Documentary achievement award at the Southern Appalachian International Film Festival. The film toured extensively at college, community, church and government screenings. In previous related work Nancy co-produced and was cinematographer for “330 Miles to Justice,” which documented the 2003 NY Farmworker’s March across NY. She has directed and produced the film and video installation “In Our Own Backyard: The Hidden Realities of Women Farmworkers.” In 2019 she created a film history of the NY State Fair Labor Practices Act. Nancy is active in human rights organizations in New York State, where she advocates for Immigrant rights, farmworker justice, and Indigenous Peoples’ rights. “Voices from the Barrens,” was started from her research into agriculture labor across international borders.
CREDITS
Brian Francis
WATCH
