Interview with Rush Sturges

Synopsis of Paddle Tribal Waters: When the largest dam removal project in history begins, a group of indigenous youth learn to whitewater kayak in hopes of becoming the first people to paddle the restored river from source to sea. To learn more about how you can support Paddle Tribal Waters visit riostorivers.org.

IAG: In full disclosure, I spend every summer in the Klamath River Basin. That whole region is special beyond words. What inspired you to tell this particular story?

RS: That's awesome you have spent time here. I grew up along the Salmon River, about thirty minutes from the Klamath. Being from the area and learning to kayak here I've always been interested in the dam removal and have also always had a keen interest in trying to get more local folks out on the river. The two ideas combined and I ended up working on both the film and the Paddle Tribal Waters program with Rios to Rivers.

IAG: I assume the people you profiled in the film have had a chance to watch it. What was their impression of it?

RS: The Indigenous community has been super supportive of the project and the film.

IAG: What kind of impact has your film had in the environmental discussion of the Klamath in particular and, more broadly, about watershed management and indigenous rights?

RS: I think the film has the ability to reach across the aisle and help folks understand the broader picture here. The reality is that the dam removal isn't popular with everyone in the area. However, I've shown the film in places where I think it helped folks empathize with what this means to Indigenous communities who call the river home. I think seeing youth navigate their ancestral waters is something we should all be able to get behind, regardless of what your thoughts are on the removal.

IAG: What’s your next project?

RS: Right now we are working on a feature film that highlights the entire process of the Indigenous youth learning to kayak and ultimately leading the first descent of the river. We hope this will come out sometime in 2025.

IAG: Last but not least, what are three films that have inspired you?

RS:

• 2001 Space Odyssey

• Minding The Gap

• Eating our Way to Extinction