Watch White Water Black Gold

White Water Black Gold is a 90-minute documentary that explores the environmental and social impacts of the oil industry on the water resources and communities of Alberta, Canada. The film is directed by David Lavallee and narrated by Peter Coyote. The story begins with the breathtaking beauty of the Athabasca River, which originates in the Rocky Mountains and flows through the vast forests and wetlands of northern Alberta. The river is at the heart of a crucial ecosystem that sustains countless species of plants and animals and provides livelihoods for many Indigenous communities.

However, the Athabasca River is also home to one of the largest oil deposits in the world, known as the oil sands or tar sands. The oil sands are a mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen, a thick, heavy oil that requires a lot of energy to extract and refine. The film shows how the oil sands have become a major source of energy for North America and a big business for the oil companies that exploit them.

But at what cost? White Water Black Gold exposes the dark side of the oil sands, revealing the damage done to the environment, the health of the people, and the rights of the Indigenous nations. The film features interviews with scientists, activists, scholars, and residents of the affected communities, who share their perspectives and experiences of living in the shadow of the oil industry.

The film also shows the incredible resistance of the Indigenous peoples who have been fighting against the oil sands and the pipelines that transport them. The First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples of Alberta have a deep connection to the land and the water, and they see the oil industry as a threat to their sovereignty, culture, and survival.

White Water Black Gold shows how the oil industry has caused air and water pollution, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. The film explains the science behind these impacts and the long-term consequences for the planet. It also exposes the political and economic forces that drive the oil industry, including the role of governments, corporations, and global markets.

Despite the grim realities depicted in the film, White Water Black Gold offers hope and inspiration for a better future. The film highlights the solutions that are being proposed and implemented by grassroots movements, renewable energy initiatives, and innovative technologies. The film also celebrates the beauty and resilience of the natural world and the human spirit.

Overall, White Water Black Gold is a powerful and compelling film that raises important questions about our relationship with nature, our obligations to future generations, and the choices we make as a society. The film challenges us to think critically about the true costs and benefits of the oil industry and to envision a more sustainable, just, and equitable future.

White Water Black Gold is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes.