Did you know Drum Song: The Rhythm of Life, a documentary featuring University of Alaska researchers premiered at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference?

November 26, 2024

Did you know the film Drum Song: The Rhythm of Life, featuring researchers from the University of Alaska, premiered at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)?

As the Arctic faces rapid environmental change, Alaska’s Indigenous communities are blending ancestral knowledge with modern science to address challenges like eroding coastlines and melting ice. The documentary elevates these voices, showing the world how innovation and tradition can work together to face modern challenges.

The story:

  • Directed by Alaskan filmmaker Kelly Moneymaker, Drum Song takes viewers deep into the Arctic’s shifting landscapes.
  • Through intimate interviews, Shishmaref Elder Clifford Weyiouanna and other Alaska Native leaders share personal accounts of adaptation and survival.
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks’ International Arctic Research Center (IARC), in collaboration with the Eskimo Walrus Commission and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, provide critical expertise that shape the film’s narrative.

Key voices:

  • Haijo Eicken, director of IARC, explains how Arctic science connects with local decision-making.
  • Roberta Tuurraaq Glenn-Borade, Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub (AAOKH), and Jackie Qataliña Schaeffer, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), highlight the power of community-led solutions.

Global recognition:

  • Drum Song premiered at COP 28 in Dubai and was screened at the Greenpoint Film Festival in Brooklyn.
  • The film is the recipient of 19 awards, including accolades for cinematography and its original song.

Where to watch:
Drum Song is currently being featured at film festivals and special events. Upcoming screenings include:

Anchorage International Film Festival: December 14, 2024, at 4:00 PM, Bear Tooth Theatrepub, Anchorage, Alaska. Learn more

Go deeper:

Official Website: drumsongfilmsllc.com