POV Season 8 Episode 6 Lighting the 7th Fire

Lighting the 7th Fire is the sixth episode of the eighth season of POV, the acclaimed documentary series that showcases the best in non-fiction storytelling. In this episode, co-directors, Nadya, a young Anishinaabe woman, and her partner, Shane, a non-native environmental activist, set out on a difficult journey through the Great Lakes region, seeking to ignite the 7th fire of prophecy of the Anishinaabe people.

The Anishinaabe, also known as the Ojibwe or Chippewa, are a Native American tribe living in the Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States. According to the prophecy, the 7th fire will be lit by a new generation of Indigenous people, who will unite with non-Indigenous allies to revitalize the land and create a sustainable future.

Nadya and Shane's journey takes them through the heart of Anishinaabe territory, from the forests of Michigan to the shores of Lake Superior, as they meet with elders, activists, and community members along the way. They learn about the long history of colonization and environmental destruction that has devastated the land, water, and people of the region.

As they travel, Nadya and Shane confront the challenges of being an Indigenous-non-Indigenous couple, navigating cultural differences and power dynamics in their relationship and in their work. They also face resistance from some Anishinaabe members who are skeptical of their outsider status and motives.

Despite these challenges, Nadya and Shane remain committed to their mission, engaging in a range of actions from planting wild rice to blocking pipelines, and inspiring others to join their cause. Along the way, they celebrate the rich culture and traditions of the Anishinaabe, sharing stories and songs with their hosts and viewers.

Lighting the 7th Fire is a powerful and timely episode that offers a hopeful vision for the future of Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations in North America. Through the personal stories of Nadya and Shane, POV provides a window into the complex and urgent issues facing Indigenous communities today, and the inspiring efforts of those working to protect the land, water, and people for generations to come.