'We Breathe Again' to premiere nationally on PBS WORLD

September 20, 2017

A documentary that reframes the despair of suicide in Alaska Native communities into stories of strength and resilience will air nationally next week on public television.

"We Breathe Again," a film that shares the stories of four Alaska Natives working to overcome the impacts of intergenerational trauma and suicide, will premiere on "America ReFramed" at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, on PBS’s WORLD Channel.

Alaska Native men between the ages of 15-24 have the highest rates of suicide and are 3.5 times more likely to take their own life, compared to the national average. Alaska leads the nation in the number of alcohol-related deaths with a rate that is more than double the rest of country. More than half of those deaths are Alaska Natives. "We Breathe Again" follows four Alaskans as they confront the impacts of historic and contemporary traumas. Set in the rugged landscape of the Last Frontier, the film shows how four Alaska Natives from different regions and cultures are triumphing over the lingering legacy of colonization and inter-generational trauma.

“As part of the healing process, it is important that we share our stories,” said Evon Peter, vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and one of the film’s producers. “'We Breathe Again' shares the journeys of Eddie, Paul, Jody and Keggulluk and how acknowledging the past and embracing their indigenous traditions and values have helped them heal from the impact of suicide in their families.”

The documentary was co-produced in collaboration with Enei Begaye Peter of Native Movement and Marsh Chamberlain of Crawl Walk Run LLC.

In 2015, Independent Television Service worked with the UAF College of Rural and Community Development, Native Movement, Crawl Walk Run and KUAC to finish and produce "We Breathe Again." The 56-minute television documentary was one of six films selected and the only one from Alaska. Each year, ITVS receives hundreds of applications for its initiative, which provides funding, production and distribution assistance to independent filmmakers.

“It’s an honor for us to have been chosen from more than 200 applications and as the Independent Television Service’s only university partner,” Peter said. “'We Breathe Again' shows how a cultural renaissance is rebuilding Alaska Native cultural pride and helping to heal Alaska’s most challenging social issue, suicide, which disproportionately affects indigenous people.”

The partnership also gave UAF film students the opportunity to be mentored by a veteran filmmaker and editor in post-production. Last year, 10 students spent their spring break in the darkroom earning academic credit. Over Skype, veteran film editor Vivien Hillgrove mentored the students as they sifted through more than 300 hours of footage looking for compelling moments to weave into the film.

The film also received support from the Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska Mental Health Trust, Maniilaq Association, Kawerak Inc., Bering Straits Native Corporation and Tanana Chiefs Conference. An online KickStarter campaign raised about $20,000 from 293 funders.

"America ReFramed" is a co-production of the WORLD Channel and American Documentary, Inc.. The program curates a selection of films highlighting innovative and artistic approaches to storytelling from emerging and veteran filmmakers.

Visit the World Channel to watch a preview or visit "We Breathe Again" on Facebook.