Zhashagi, The Echo Maker
Hypha Film Project, 2012-2014, HD video, 00:30:00

Zhashagi, The Echo Maker, is an indigenous human rights film exploring the right to water, the environmental impacts of mining and the lack of protection for sacred sites by the federal government. Focusing on the construction of Eagle Mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula along the shores of Lake Superior, Echo Maker tells the story of industry and the impact of choices upon the environment and peoples of the region.

Rio Tinto Kennecott initially built the mine entrance on the Yellow Dog Plains at the sacred site called Migi zii wa sin (Eagle Rock), where the Anishinaabe peoples and many other cultures have held religious ceremonies for thousands of years. Echo Maker shares the voices of the Anishinaabe peoples from the shores of Lake Superior and the surrounding Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and brings to light the stark contrast of viewpoint between people and industry, not only in treatment of land and water, but also prioritization of resources and consideration of long term impacts upon future generations.