Indigenous Peoples' connection to Mother Earth places them on a collision course with these chemicals. Continued survival within a contaminated environment means making life and death decisions that could alter whole cultures, diets, ceremonies and future generations.

Currently, the United Nations is negotiating a worldwide treaty on a group of 12 of these chemicals that includes PCBs, DDT, and dioxin. The UN involvement reflects the ability of these chemicals to travel long distances across international borders. Unfortunately, the official U.S. position does not support elimination of these compounds. Many tribal people consider this to be a continuation of the government's genocidal history.

The video features testimony from a variety of Indigenous Nations in the U.S., Central America, and the Arctic as well as interviews with scientists, activists and the chemical industry.

This video is also available in an English version.



Grade Level: 7-12, College, Adult
US Release Date: 2000     Copyright Date: 1999
VHS ISBN: 1-56029-085-4

Reviews "A highly informative but disturbing video...In a supreme irony that borders on the absurd, the documentary informs us that after 150 years of fighting to keep their fishing and hunting grounds, the U.S. government has told certain tribes that their local fish and game are too laden with chemicals to be eaten." Chicago Tribune "A must-see for anyone concerned about the effect of these common chemicals on our waters, in the air we breathe, and in the food that we all share...a very compelling story which should be viewed by every caring and thinking soul." Stuart Lieberman, Environmental Attorney "Recommended for academic libraries with nonprint collections in environmental issues." Buzz Haughton, Shields Library, UC-Davis, MC Journal