THE FILM

This story has many layers. On one layer, we follow explorers as they endure the many challenges of the wilderness: devil’s club, mosquitos, fording rivers, etc. On another layer we uncover some of Canada’s unknown history, examine historical and current conflicts regarding jurisdiction and use of lands.

The audience will be moved by stunning imagery and an unforgettable story. They will ponder the doctrine of discovery; the idea that european settlers were somehow superior to natives; our place as humans in nature and our relationship with this land's original inhabitants. We will certainly need to have a sense of humour about bush-wacking all this way with a bunch of camera gear, giving a personal touch to this amazing historical story!

BACKGROUND

BC’s tallest mountain bears the name of Sir Alfred Waddington, a colonist in Victoria who endeavoured to build a road from Bute inlet to Fort Alexandria in the Chilcotin. Waddington assumed ownership of the lands at the mouth of Bute inlet and built a town (named Port Waddington). His ambition was to open a wagon road to the Cariboo Gold fields and tax the thousands of American miners bound for the gold mines in the interior. Waddington’s road was stopped by Klattassine, legendary war leader of the Tsilhqot’in people who revolted and killed the road crew at ‘Murderer’s bar’ on the Homathko River and so this wilderness remains unbroken.  This, along with ensuing events are known to history as Western Canada’s only official “Indian War” - The Chilcotin War of 1864. Ghosts of war remain in the shadow of these mountains, seen by few in modern times. There is incredible natural beauty worth sharing here, and an exceptional story, steeped in legend.