'We Are the River' documentary

The majestic waters of the Mississippi River meander 650 miles through Minnesota’s prairies, valleys and cities, yet its constant presence is easily taken for granted. We’ve lost sight of the powerful story the river has to tell – the story of us.

"We Are the River," the new PBS documentary (see the trailer above), seeks to share these stories from diverse perspectives and timeframes. 

To the Dakota, the river is a sacred relative; to the early Europeans, it was the key to economic power. The Mississippi gave birth to thriving communities along its winding path, and the Falls of St. Anthony were harnessed to make Minneapolis the flour-milling capital of the world. But we paid a steep price for this economic progress: the destruction of sacred places, communities and habitat.

“We Are the River” explores the conflicts and contradictions that have surrounded the Mississippi for hundreds of years and celebrates signs of hope in this resilient ribbon of flowing water.

Although the river is the star, the film features several FMR board members and executive director Whitney Clark as well as the voices of many of our long-term partners and collaborators, such as Shelley Buck from Owámniyomni Okhódayapi, amongst others. 

This movie is just under 90 minutes and will air on TPT PBS.

We will share any additional viewing opportunities in future issues of the FMR e-newsletter, Mississippi Messages.