WASHINGTON — Cherokee Nation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently premiered “ᏩᏯ Waya, Saving Our Red Grandfather,” a documentary exploring the historical and cultural significance of the Red Wolf and the efforts made by conservationists, governments and other partners to save the world’s most endangered wolf from extinction.

Earlier this week, the tribe hosted a special screening of the project as well as a Q & A panel with producers and conservationists for tribal, federal, state, local and industry guests at the Landmark E Street Cinema in Washington, D.C.

“As a tribe, we take the protection of our lands and wildlife very seriously and are proud to partner with the Department of Interior in its mission to protect and manage America’s natural resources and cultural heritage,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “It is a great day when our agencies find even more ways to work together to address our shared concerns and to solve important problems, such as the looming threat against an animal we hold with great reverence.”

The documentary was produced for the purpose of raising awareness of the plight of Red Wolves while highlighting the animal’s cultural significance to Cherokee people who regarded the Red Wolf as a relative. It also features Cherokee National Treasure and Spiritual Leader Crosslin Smith and includes a special dedication to his life and legacy of service.

The 30-minute film, which explores the differing world views that contributed to the animals’ decline, was created through a partnership with Cherokee Nation’s Natural Resources Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Cherokee Film Productions. The documentary will also be screened at Circle Cinema in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Dec. 12.

“The Red Wolf is an iconic species on the American landscape and holds deep significance to the Cherokee Nation,” said Martha Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “This documentary shines a light on the vital connection between culture and conservation while addressing the challenges Red Wolves face today. We are honored to work alongside the tribe and other partners to recover this species to secure a future for this critically endangered species.”

The project is already receiving industry recognition, including being named Best Indigenous Short Film at the Montana International Film Festival and Best Indigenous Film at Outer Banks Environmental Film Festival.

It is estimated that less than 20 Red Wolves are currently living in the wild and approximately 267 are captive in breeding facilities throughout the United States. Historically, Red Wolves lived in the southeastern U.S., in and around the homelands of the Cherokee people. The world’s only remaining wild population is now in coastal North Carolina.

“The Fish and Wildlife Service is fighting an uphill battle in conserving the Red Wolf, and we are proud to lend our capabilities to helping this effort,” said Jennifer Loren, senior director of Cherokee Film. “Through this film, we hope to share the importance of the Red Wolf while providing a new perspective that encourages further conservation of this culturally significant animal.”  

Cherokee Film is owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses and based in the Cherokee Nation Reservation in Oklahoma. The tribe’s film ecosystem includes four distinct branches — Cherokee Film Productions, Cherokee Film Studios, Cherokee Film Commission and Cherokee Film Institute — all working toward a shared goal of innovating narrative sovereignty while creating economic development within the tribe’s reservation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the American people. Through the agency’s work to conserve natural resources, it provides communities with healthier environments, clean water, flood control and a strong economy.