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"The trees were our first teachers."

In this 23-minute documentary, nationally-acclaimed artist and Skokomish tribal leader, Gerald Bruce Miller (subiyay) interprets the sacred teachings of the natural world to anyone who wants to learn. This gentle and generous film is the parting gift of a great teacher, artist and orator.

The film traces Bruce’s family roots on the Skokomish Reservation, young adulthood in California, Viet Nam, and Manhattan, and his return to the Hood Canal area to bring about a renaissance of art and culture in his homeland.

In a four-part season structure, Bruce delivers lessons from our first teachers, the trees. "Well researched and superbly produced, this documentary is truly successful in sharing native reality and environmental knowledge with many people."
-Professor Donald L. Fixico, Distinguished Foundation Professor of History, Arizona State University.

"This inspiring film will help young Native American students understand their culture’s contributions to the larger society and develop a positive sense of identity."
-Professor William Demmert, CREDE Center for Resaerch on Education, Diversity &Excellence, Western Washington University

"Teachings of the Tree People" curriculum guide, created under a grant from the National Geographic Education Foundation

More about the film and Gerald Bruce Miller (subiyay):
http://www.islandwood.org/videos/treepeople

More about the Skokomish: www.skokomish.org

About the Producer:
Katie Jennings, Producer has created documentary films for over 20 years as a producer and executive producer for public television and independent projects. Huchoosedah: Traditions of the Heart (PBS/BBC 1997) received awards from the American Indian Film and Video Competition and the 21st Annual American Indian Film Festival. Threshold: Preston Singletary’s Tlingit Glass Art, Teachings of the Tree People, and The Artist Behind the Art accompanied exhibitions in the Native American galleries of the Seattle Art Museum. Teachings of the Tree People also screened at the Smithsonian Museum of the Native American, National Geographic All Roads Festival, the United Nations, Big Sky Film Festival and the American Indian Film Festival, where it was nominated for Best Feature Documentary in 2007.

Teachings of the Tree People is a production of IslandWood, an outdoor learning center in the Puget Sound area, where Katie serves as Head of Educational Media. IslandWood’s mission is to provide exceptional learning experiences and to inspire lifelong environmental and community stewardship.