The Sovereigns
The Sovereigns tells the story of the revival of “indigenous burning‚” the management of forest ecosystems with fire that was widespread in California before being outlawed by European settlers.
Every year California is devastated by gigantic wildfires as the effects of global warming increase, but the re-emergence of an ancient indigenous practice offers hope of a solution. The Untitled Cultural Fire Film tells the story of the revival of “indigenous burning‚” the management of forest ecosystems with fire that was widespread in California before being outlawed by European settlers. Today, in response to climate change, three native communities of the Klamath Mountains: the Hoopa, the Karuk and the Yurok; are working with local authorities to restore the practice of controlled forest fires, in the hope of a solution to the mega- fire emergency. We follow the lives of three native Americans in their campaign to bring “fire back to the land”.