We Breathe Again

For centuries, Alaska Native peoples survived the harsh conditions of life in the far north, while their social, cultural, and spiritual practices thrived. In the 1900’s, the battle to claim Alaska and its peoples began, setting in motion disruptive changes that led to many painful inter-generational scars. In a landscape as dramatic as its stories, We Breathe Again is a documentary film that intimately explores the lives of four Alaska Native people, each confronting the impacts of historic and contemporary trauma.

Supported in part by ITVS and Visionmakers Media.  Released on America Reframed in September 2017 as part of a National PBS broadcast. America Reframed. Season 5 Episode 12. Produced in part by UAF FRAME Film Productions.

We Breathe Again intimately explores the lives of four Alaska Natives who are determined to break free from personal histories of trauma and suicide.

 

"We Breathe Again" Poster

 

Watch on Amazon Prime
See more about this project and download the discussion guide

Speakers

Paul Nagaruk

     Keggulluk Polk

Jody Potts

     Eddie Tate

Production Crew

Producer ...

 Enei Begaye, Marsh Chamberlain,
Ryan Jacobi and Evon Peter

Consulting Producer ...

 N'Jeri Eaton and Georgiana Lee

Executive Producer ...

 Sally Jo Fifer and Shirley K. Sneve

Associate Producer ...

 Vivien Hillgrove, Nathan Nagaruk, Maya Salganek
Bree Swanson and Bridie Trainor

Supervising Producer ...

 Shana Swanson

Music By ...

 Paola Prestini

Cinematography ...

 Marsh Chamberlain

Editing by ...

 Marsh Chamberlain, Flavia Fontes,
Vivien Hillgrove and Ryan Jacobi

Sound ...

 Marsh Chamberlain

Re-recording Mixer ...

 Josh Heilbronner

Music Recording and Mix ...

 Gintas Norvila and Sascha von Oertzen

Additional Sound Recordist ...

 David Riffey

Additional Camera ...

 Marshall Andersen

Colorist ...

 Rick Broat

Assistant Editor ...

 Heather Hinzman and Bahron Thomas

Director of Finishing ...

 Keith Shapiro

Consultant ...

 Deann Borshay

Story Consultant ...

 Ryan Jacobi

Cultural Advisor ...

 Evon Peter

Archival Researcher ...

 Maya Salganek

Transcription ...

 Timothy Maureen Cole, Karin Fleming, Paul M. Garton,
Pat Holland, Kevin Moseley and David Stawarz

Interns ...

 Quaid Brinker, Ian Buoncore, Janis Carney,
Makenzie Demmert, Alexander Frania, James Johnson,
McKenzie Mitchell, Stephanie Rivet,
Rodney Rutherford and Christopher Tucker

Photos

Students listen to a speaker about fighting against suicide. Photo still from We Breathe Again, 2017
A suicide survivor group works to rebuild. Photo still from We Breathe Again
Two people lean on each other for support. Photo still from We Breathe Again
On the red carpet for the release of We Breathe Again. Photo courtesy of Maya Salganek
UAF students Erin, Joe (‘Wáats’asdiyei) Yates, Montana Troyer, Jill Shipman, Maya Salganek (faculty) and Daniel Walker on the red carpet for the release of We Breathe Again. Photo courtesy of Maya Salganek
On the red carpet for the release on We Breathe Again. Photo courtesy of Maya Salganek