I was accompanied by Cassie Meyers and Javier Kinney of the 7th Generation Fund. The film showed on Sunday to a full house at the Kabuki Theatre with a short film and another 1 hour documentary. The film was recognized as Best Environmental Documentary. More important than the film's accolades is the recognition by audiences of the tremendous threat persistent organic pollutants or POPs are having on Native Americans across the country. POPs are released into the environment through the production and incineration of chlorine-based chemicals.
Food is the most common route of exposure.
As illustrated in the film, POPs have become a silent plague on Native American communities whose lands and waters have become contaminated by these chemicals. Their traditions, diets and livelihoods are compromised by industry and the US government who have both failed to eliminate the poisons. Drumbeat's recognition comes just two weeks before US negotiators are set to travel to Bonn, Germany for another round of United Nations-sponsored talks to eliminate the production and use of POPs. The ability of POPs to travel long distances across national boundaries has resulted in the need for international cooperation. In response to the growing concern of Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples throughout the world, the German government, is planning a reception welcoming Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples.