LEAD Agency’s screening series aims to empower and inspire communities through film – Newstalk KZRG

MIAMI, Oklahoma — Local Environmental Action Demanded (LEAD) Agency, Inc., programmed
is organizing a free film screening series for
the community that tells groundbreaking stories about pollution and the right to
clean water.

LEAD Agency curated the screening series with Working Films, a national non-profit
Organization that uses the power of documentary film to promote social justice and
Environmental protection. Working Films chose LEAD Agency this year as one of its
Participants in Rural Cinema 2024, which enables leaders in rural communities to present films as
resource in their work.

The Rural Cinema programme provides film projection facilities and solar systems, technical
Support, virtual training and ongoing support and training from Working Films
Staff.

“The Rural Cinema program was an incredibly unique and inspiring experience,” said
LEAD Agency Education & Engagement Coordinator, M. Bailey Stephenson. “As part of the
As part of the cohort, LEAD has received special training and equipment to conduct film screenings.

Films are a powerful tool to help us achieve our goals by connecting with community members.
through exciting and captivating storytelling!”

From July to October, films will be shown at various locations. The next LEAD Agency show
The film screening is scheduled for Friday, July 12th at 8:30 p.m. at the Riverview Park Pavilion in Miami.

Four films will be shown, including “Save Our Creek” by Friends of Tar Creek, “A Healing
Journey” by Julian Matthews and Luci Simpson, “ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ” (Meet Me at the Creek) by
award-winning filmmaker Loren Waters and “The River is Me” by award-winning filmmaker and
Journalist David Freid.

“Films, whether fictional or not, are stories that have the power to educate and motivate
people,” said Stephenson. “With our series we want to show films that
Environmental struggles in Ottawa County, and we believe that films can be useful
Bringing people together to make a difference! In addition, the communities here have a
much loss and suffering, and we hope that our film series can provide spaces for joy and
connection while encouraging action for a more hopeful future.”

LEAD Agency raises alarm over environmental problems affecting public health
since 1997 to raise awareness among residents of northeast Oklahoma and provide them with an opportunity to
Changes at the local, state and federal levels.

Participants of the LEAD Agency summer camp in May made a moving documentary with
Original recordings, interviews and music called “Save Our Creek”, which celebrates the historic
Mining pollution in Tar Creek and the goals of new generations for a healthier future. The young
The filmmakers created and directed the documentary themselves from start to finish.

“Storytelling through filmmaking is a powerful way to convey messages about human
experience for a wide audience,” said award-winning filmmaker Loren Waters. “Filmmaking
allows us to look into other worlds and learn about the experiences or solutions of others
Problems through stories. We all have to tell our stories.”

“A Healing Journey” follows the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) tribe in Idaho, the historically
drifted on the Snake River for several generations, reviving a native tradition and building their first
canoeing for more than 100 years. Earthjustice has partnered with Nimiipuu to protect the environment
about the process of canoe building, its cultural significance for the tribe and what this
Funds for their future. Four dams were built along the Snake River in the mid-20th century, the
the tribe’s access to its traditional waterways, its ancestral sites and its way of life. The canoe
marks the rebirth of a long-standing tradition of the Nez Perce tribe (Nimiipuu) and plays a
important role in their healing process.

“ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ” (Meet Me at the Creek) was created by Cherokee and Kiowa filmmaker Loren
waters. The film documents how water pollution affects indigenous communities and the
Efforts by Tar Creekkeeper and LEAD Agency Executive Director Rebecca Jim, the
She spent much of her life raising awareness about mining pollution in Tar Creek.
“We hope the Ottawa County Film Series will inspire the local community to continue
advocate for one of the most valuable relationships in our lives, and that is our relationship with
the Earth,” said Waters. “This program will help the LEAD agency to
exciting series of film screenings that will bring us closer to our goal of a clean Tar Creek. We
decided to use the film as a resource because authentic and accurate
Storytelling based on community collaboration. The films we show are narrated by
community and for the community.”

The last film, “The River is Me”, deals with the controversial ownership of the Whanganui River in
New Zealand, which was granted citizenship status in a groundbreaking law in 2017. The law
The passage was part of an agreement with the Whanganui Iwi, who used the Whanganui River as
Creature.

At each screening there will be an opportunity to engage with the themes of the film and
Opportunities to get involved and active with the LEAD Agency. The outdoor film series is free and
open to all ages. The film will be shown with a solar-powered film projection system provided by
Working Films and EPIC Outdoor Cinema. Visitors are requested to bring their own grass
Chairs. Popcorn will be provided.

Upcoming screenings of the LEAD Agency Film Series:

● Friday, July 12, 2024 — 8:30 p.m. at the Riverview Park Pavilion in Miami. “Save our
Creek” by Friends of Tar Creek, “A Healing Journey” by Julian Matthews and Luci
Simpson, “ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ” (Meet Me at the Creek) by Loren Waters and “The River is Me”
by David Freid.
● Friday, August 9, 2024 – 8:30 p.m. at the Peoria Housing Authority, 3606 Sencay Ave.
in Miami, Oklahoma – “ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ” (Meet Me at the Creek) by Loren Waters,
“Awaskinawason” by Antony Dubé (Atikamekw) and “Tiny” by Ritchie Hemphill.
● Tuesday, October 8, 2024 — 3 p.m. at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Student
Ballroom – “ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ” (Meet Me at the Creek) by Loren Waters, “Save Our Creek” by
Friends of Tar Creek and “Take Care, Tar Creek” by Aaron Gibson.
For more information or to volunteer with LEAD Agency, call the office at 918-542-9399 or visit
https://www.leadagency.org.