“Ooligan” SAMAQAN Season 2 Episode 21

In British Columbia, water has always provided an essential source of food for Indigenous people. “Ooligan” is a tiny fish also known as eulachon or candlefish. A traditional and staple source of food for Northwest Coast First Nations, this tiny fish is now threatened as a species. Once plentiful in over 30 river systems, the eulachon now returns to only three Canadian rivers and two in Alaska. Its loss can be tragic for the tribes that rely on the rich omega oils derived from rendering the fish. This documentary visits a grease camp in the Nass Valley and follows the Dirty Dozen as they render the fish oils for trade and consumption.

This documentary from “SAMAQAN: Water Stories”, Series 2 continues the exploration of water from the perspective of North America's Indigenous people. With a focus on Oil and Water, the programs examine dangers posed by the insatiable energy sector.

Directed by: Marianne Jones, Jeff Bear
Produced by: Marianne Jones, Kristy Assu, Jeff Bear