Great Lakes Water Warriors is a documentary project about the Great Lakes Water Protectors working to safeguard water and enforce healthy water policies. It's told through a series of interviews featuring the women leading the movement.
The Story
I’m a Lebanese American filmmaker, a collector of stories, and a media activist who uses my camera to film and photograph issues censored, misrepresented, or ignored by the mainstream media. My films are character driven and explore culture, community, grassroots activism, creative expressions, and environmental stewardship.
Great Lakes Water Warriors, a documentary film in the production stage, was inspired by my concern and outrage over several water issues in Michigan. I first heard the term Water Warriors during a speech by Nayyirah Shariff during the early days of the Flint Water Crisis.
Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes and has an abundance of water, yet many Michiganders don’t have access to clean or affordable drinking water due to unethical policies and man-made disasters. The challenges facing communities like Flint and Detroit could happen anywhere, and public support is needed to address these human rights violations. Another dangerous water issue in Michigan is Enbridge, a Canadian oil company with a history of deceit and causing harm to the environment. Currently, the company is ignoring an order by Michigan's Governor to decommission the pipeline known as Line 5. The pipeline built in 1958 has exceeded its intended lifespan and is a threat to the Great Lakes. Enbridge has a long history of unleashing environmental damage. In the last 50 years, the pipeline has had 29 spills, releasing a total of 1.1 million gallons of toxic oil into the environment.
The goal of the film is to educate and advocate for humane and environmentally centered water policies in Michigan and the USA. While collecting stories for this project, I realized that women are leading this movement like so many other movements throughout history. I wanted to shine a light on their messages and educate and inspire other activists by their example. Great Lakes Water Warriors is the story of neighbors from many communities coming together to heal and protect water and reclaim water rights.
Since 2015 I’ve been collecting stories from the many Water Warriors living in the Great Lakes region who have been seeking solutions and justice. The documentary is told through a series of interviews filmed around the Great Lakes region with water protectors, experts, and advocates, who are working to protect water and enforce healthy environmental policies. The film highlights the Anishinaabe Water Protectors who are fighting efforts to extend the life of Line 5 which runs through their tribal territory and one of the world’s most sensitive ecosystems. The film also includes footage and interviews with female leaders involved in the Flint Water Crisis, Water Shutoff’s in Detroit, and the Poor People’s Campaign. The interviews reveal the inter-connectedness of all human and environmental rights issues and the power of change-makers.
I’m thankful and honored to be in a unique position to collect the Water Warrior's stories in a very personal way. After spending the past six years protesting and working with people from around the state, we have become a community of dedicated activists, citizens, and friends. We support one another because we know that we are all interconnected and there is power in truth and solidarity. Water Protectors, and Water Warriors have much to teach the world and deserve to have their stories told.
I hope this documentary brings greater awareness to the work of the grassroots Water Warriors who are fighting for justice in Michigan and the entire Great Lakes Region. And for the film to encourage the needed changes in water policy. The Great Lakes provides critical resources to the entire region and holds 20 percent of the world’s surface freshwater. It’s our responsibility to protect water for generations to come. Please take action to help support the people and the water of the Great Lakes region.
Petra Daher, Producer/Director
Great Lakes Water Warriors, a documentary film in the production stage, was inspired by my concern and outrage over several water issues in Michigan. I first heard the term Water Warriors during a speech by Nayyirah Shariff during the early days of the Flint Water Crisis.
Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes and has an abundance of water, yet many Michiganders don’t have access to clean or affordable drinking water due to unethical policies and man-made disasters. The challenges facing communities like Flint and Detroit could happen anywhere, and public support is needed to address these human rights violations. Another dangerous water issue in Michigan is Enbridge, a Canadian oil company with a history of deceit and causing harm to the environment. Currently, the company is ignoring an order by Michigan's Governor to decommission the pipeline known as Line 5. The pipeline built in 1958 has exceeded its intended lifespan and is a threat to the Great Lakes. Enbridge has a long history of unleashing environmental damage. In the last 50 years, the pipeline has had 29 spills, releasing a total of 1.1 million gallons of toxic oil into the environment.
The goal of the film is to educate and advocate for humane and environmentally centered water policies in Michigan and the USA. While collecting stories for this project, I realized that women are leading this movement like so many other movements throughout history. I wanted to shine a light on their messages and educate and inspire other activists by their example. Great Lakes Water Warriors is the story of neighbors from many communities coming together to heal and protect water and reclaim water rights.
Since 2015 I’ve been collecting stories from the many Water Warriors living in the Great Lakes region who have been seeking solutions and justice. The documentary is told through a series of interviews filmed around the Great Lakes region with water protectors, experts, and advocates, who are working to protect water and enforce healthy environmental policies. The film highlights the Anishinaabe Water Protectors who are fighting efforts to extend the life of Line 5 which runs through their tribal territory and one of the world’s most sensitive ecosystems. The film also includes footage and interviews with female leaders involved in the Flint Water Crisis, Water Shutoff’s in Detroit, and the Poor People’s Campaign. The interviews reveal the inter-connectedness of all human and environmental rights issues and the power of change-makers.
I’m thankful and honored to be in a unique position to collect the Water Warrior's stories in a very personal way. After spending the past six years protesting and working with people from around the state, we have become a community of dedicated activists, citizens, and friends. We support one another because we know that we are all interconnected and there is power in truth and solidarity. Water Protectors, and Water Warriors have much to teach the world and deserve to have their stories told.
I hope this documentary brings greater awareness to the work of the grassroots Water Warriors who are fighting for justice in Michigan and the entire Great Lakes Region. And for the film to encourage the needed changes in water policy. The Great Lakes provides critical resources to the entire region and holds 20 percent of the world’s surface freshwater. It’s our responsibility to protect water for generations to come. Please take action to help support the people and the water of the Great Lakes region.
Petra Daher, Producer/Director
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
Watch a sample of what inspired the Great Lakes Water Warriors Project
This visual essay was created for the Water Water Concert Fundraiser that was postponed due to Covid-19. You can still help with the production costs of the film. Make a tax-deductible donation through The Peace Education Center 501(c)3. Find the link below.
Want to be a Water Warrior? Here are some ways you can help support the film.
Any Amount helps.
Ways to Donate Online
1. Make a tax-deductible donation through The Peace Education Center 501(c)3. Donations of $500. or more will be thanked in the film credits.
The Process
You can make a tax-deductible donation at the Peace Education Center Website with your credit card.
Make sure to write Petra’s Film Project in the Designation Line.
The Orange Link will take you to the Peace Education Website,
"PEC Secure Network For Good Online site"
https://www.peaceedcenter.org/donate
2.Or Make a donation to Petra Daher on Venmo or PayPal.
Mail Donations
Send a check to
The Peace Education Center c/o Petra Daher. Write Petra Daher’s Film in the memo or send with the downloadable donation card.
The Peace Education Center c/o Petra Daher
1120 S. Harrison Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
The Process
You can make a tax-deductible donation at the Peace Education Center Website with your credit card.
Make sure to write Petra’s Film Project in the Designation Line.
The Orange Link will take you to the Peace Education Website,
"PEC Secure Network For Good Online site"
https://www.peaceedcenter.org/donate
2.Or Make a donation to Petra Daher on Venmo or PayPal.
Mail Donations
Send a check to
The Peace Education Center c/o Petra Daher. Write Petra Daher’s Film in the memo or send with the downloadable donation card.
The Peace Education Center c/o Petra Daher
1120 S. Harrison Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
| Download Great Lakes Water Warrior Donation Card |
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