Community documentary ‘The Klabona Keepers’ will be screening at the REM Lee Theatre in Terrace on Nov. 3. 

The film focusses on the story of land defenders who stopped two industrial projects from impacting their sacred headwater: the documentary features footage spanning a nearly 15 year fight. 

"Klabona" is the Tahltan word for the headwaters in the Klappan Mountain area which feed into three major river systems: the Skeena, Stikine and Nass. All three rivers are rich sources for wild salmon and oolichan. The Klappan area also provides a traditional space for hunting and cultural practices. 

Starting in 2005, blockades were lead by elders in the Tahltan communities. They faced multiple arrests, but were successful in their work when Shell Canada and the provincial government announced in 2012 that their exploration for methane in the area would end immediately.

At the same time, a proposed coal mining project from Fortune Minerals was also being blocked. In summer 2013, filmmaker Tamo Campos was approached by a couple of community members to capture some footage covering a blockade against the company.

Over the following seven weeks, Campos filmed various shorter media clips of the blockade leading up to the eviction of the mine workers. 

“We want it to get out there, to gain support to have Klappan protected,” Rhoda Quock, community member and producer of the film, said of the decision to make a feature length documentary.

Since 2015, the provincial government and Tahltan Nation have been working towards a plan for the Klappan area. The partnership came after the government bought 61 coal licenses in the area.

After seven years, filming was complete. The documentary was first screened in Iskut before having a world premiere at the Toronto Human Rights Watch Film Festival in May 2022. 

As the film makes its rounds in the north, it will be screened at the R.E.M Lee Theatre in Terrace on Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Listen to the CFNR story featuring Rhoda Quock, Tamo Campos and Robert Jakesta below: