This film could not be more topical. With the Bush administration trying to push through legislation that would extract oil from the pristine North Slope of Alaska, the Gwch’in, who have lived there for centuries, are fighting to protect their way of life.

The film follows Apache singer Robby Romero as he travels through Gwich’in territory describing the land, the people and the issues that affect them. Interspersed with music and song, the plight of the Gwich’in is chronicled with interviews and stunning visuals.

“This is the last frontier, a sacred place where the environment and the way of life of Native Alaskans have not been desecrated,” said Romero in an interview with The Eastern Door. “There is no compelling reason for the Bush administration to threaten this area with oil development.”

At stake is the Artic Wildlife Refuge in Northern Alaska; a pristine area of land which Congress has declared off limits to development. However, beneath the ground is America’s last oil reserve and new legislation is threatening to open up this area to oil exploration and development which has the potential to destroy the last wildlife refuge in America and the homeland of the Gwich’in.

“The rockumentary demonstrates that domestic laws are not enough to protect the Human Rights of the Gwich’in People. International standards are needed to prevent the destruction of their way of life and the protection of their land. The United Nations has drafted a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which outlines the rights that the Gwich’in need to defend their land and way of life,” said Romero.

Through interviews with people such as Sarah James, Thunderstorm relates the concerns of the Gwich’in and visuals of the disaster of the Exxon Valdez.

“What happened with the Exxon Valdez can happen again with more oil being shipped out from Alaska,” said James. “We can’t expose our land and waters to more environmental catastrophes.”
You have to see Thunderstorm: America’s Last Frontier and decide for yourself if you think America should develop the North Slope and what you are going to do about it.