Private Project

Weaving Across Waters

The “House of Welcome,” Longhouse Education and Cultural Center opened in 1995 at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. For the last 25 years the Longhouse has supported Northwest Native artists, reached out across oceans to build connections, and providing a cultural touchstone for Tribes in the Pacific Northwest. This documentary tells the story of the past 25 years through the voices and art of all those the longhouse has impacted.

  • Jeff Barehand
    Director
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2974809/
  • Laura VerMeulen (Grabhorn)
    Producer
  • Linley Barehand
    Producer
  • Tina Kuckkahn-Miller
    Producer
  • Amber De Villers
    Producer
  • Mike Jonathan
    Second Unit Camera
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2699821/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Historical Documentary, Educational, Art, Indigenous
  • Runtime:
    36 minutes 8 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 24, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Jeff Barehand

Jeff Barehand (Gila River/Navajo) studied film production and
screenwriting at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Sante Fe, NM, and summarily at the Northwest Film Forum in Seattle. He co-founded the award-winning filmmaker non-profit, the Olympia Film Collective, of which, he is the current Board President. He is an actor currently cast in the Native American pop musical Distant Thunder. He also sits on the board for Washington State Filmworks. Recently, he was awarded an Inspired Native grant from Eighth Generation, the NDN Collective, and the Evergreen Longhouse for his artistry and service to the community.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

When I came to the Pacific Northwest 12 years ago, I was first introduced to the Coast Salish culture with the Canoe Journey.

I was placed in what you might call the intergenerational canoe, that contained youth, adults and elders. I learned very quick that youth and elders don’t paddle very much. And to say the least, it was very difficult pulling that canoe, especially when the wind picked up.

But despite the arm and backaches, I look back at that time on the water with fond memories of laughter and singing, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and a proud feeling of celebration for the cultures of our indigenous peoples.

As a filmmaker and co-owner of Sky Bear Media, I have had another amazing journey, documenting the 25th year anniversary of the Evergreen Longhouse.

Making this documentary allowed us to sit at the feet of elders, students, artists, and the many people that came together from across the Salish Sea and from across the Pacific Rim to share stories and memories of how the Longhouse brought them together, to celebrate culture, to laugh, and again to re-unite as family.

Sky Bear Media is thankful to become part of that family. And we hope you enjoy our documentary.

Sky Bear Media raises its hands to Tina Kukkahn-Miller, Laura VerMeulen and the whole Evergreen Team. We also raise our hands to the Evergreen State College and the Evergreen Foundation for supporting and funding this project.

In my language. Ahehe.

Please, enjoy Squiguialtz: Weaving Across Water.