Culture, Connection, and Change Through Film: Movie Monday Spring Recap
Each week for Movie Monday, we spotlight a student- or educator-produced film from one of See Stories’ digital storytelling workshops across Alaska. These short films highlight cultural traditions, environmental and social change, and deeply personal reflections that help us understand Alaska’s diverse communities through the lens of those who live and teach there.
This past spring, we featured powerful educator-created films that explore themes of cultural resilience, environmental awareness, food sovereignty, language preservation and more place-based stories. Each of these were created as part of See Stories’ inaugural Anchored Histories Alaska! Professional Development Workshop. This cohort is made up of Alaskan educators participated in our professional development course focused on culturally responsive teaching, place-based education, and community storytelling. During a weeklong retreat in Homer and through online sessions, educators learn to bring Indigenous perspectives, local history, and digital storytelling into their classrooms, culminating in powerful, educator-created films like these. Each film is a conversation starter. We invite you to watch, reflect, and share your thoughts with us and others!
SitHere: Glacial Reflections Glacial Connections
by Liz Gifford – Juneau, Alaska
The Mendenhall Glacier (Sitaantaagu) has been a steadfast presence for the Aak’w people for generations. Liz Gifford’s film invites us to reflect on the glacier’s deep cultural and personal significance as both a marker of time and a powerful reminder of climate change.
Discussion questions:
- How do natural landmarks shape the identity and memory of a place?
- What do changes in the environment tell us about our responsibilities to future generations?
Local Foods in Lunches
by Stefanie Kondro – Kodiak, Alaska
Imagine students harvesting hydroponic lettuce in their classrooms or enjoying freshly caught salmon at school lunch. In this film, Stefanie Kondro captures the inspiring efforts in Kodiak to reconnect students with local, healthy food—and how these practices foster community and sustainable living.
Discussion questions:
- Where does your food come from, and why does that matter?
- How can local food systems empower schools and communities?
Siberian Yupik Language: Moving Onwards
by Janine Banguanga – Gambell, Alaska
Only about 1,000 people still speak Yupigestun, the Siberian Yupik language spoken on St. Lawrence Island. This heartfelt film by educator Janine Banguanga serves as both a tribute to the language and a call to action for cultural preservation.
Discussion questions:
- Why is language preservation vital for cultural identity?
- What roles can educators, youth, and technology play in revitalizing Indigenous languages?
Yuraq – The Forbidden Dance Restored
by Mary Matchian – Alaska Native educator
Yuraq, or the Eskimo dance, was once suppressed—but never lost. In this moving film, Mary Matchian shares the story of how this dance has returned as a source of strength, remembrance, and celebration in Indigenous communities. The film highlights the Final Farewell Yuraq, performed to honor loved ones who have passed.
Discussion questions:
- Why is dance such a powerful tool for cultural expression and healing?
- What does the resurgence of Yuraq tell us about the resilience of tradition?
The Palmer Musk Ox Farm
By Mary Rockey
This short documentary traces the unique story of how musk oxen became part of Alaska’s agricultural landscape. Centered around The Palmer Musk Ox Farm and the legacy of Dr. John Teal, the film explores the cultural, environmental, and historical importance of these animals. Viewers will also learn about qiviut—the prized underwool of musk oxen—and how Alaska Native women helped build a sustainable artisan industry around it.
Discussion questions:
- How do you see the connection between cultural preservation and sustainable agriculture in this story?
- How can the musk ox farm further promote sustainable agricultural practices and raise awareness about the unique musk ox species?
Rooted in the Land – Ethnobotany in Alaska 
By Alexis Griffee
This film explores the profound relationship between Alaska Native cultures and the plants that sustain them. From medicine to food, it invites us into the world of ethnobotany—where science and Indigenous knowledge intertwine. This documentary is a moving introduction to the ways plants are not only used, but respected and understood as essential parts of a larger ecosystem and cultural tradition.
Discussion questions:
- How do Alaska Native peoples traditionally use and manage plant species, and how does this knowledge contribute to modern scientific understanding of ecosystems?
- How does the relationship between humans and plants reflect broader principles of interdependence and sustainability in both traditional and scientific contexts?
- How can we best use/leverage technology to document these connections and preserve both scientific information and Alaskan Native ways of knowing?
These films aren’t just powerful learning tools, they’re also accompanied by lesson plans and community discussion guides, available through our new Teacher Tools site, now available for sign-up! Whether you’re an educator or community member, these films invite all of us to listen, learn, and take part in meaningful conversations.
All of these films were created during See Stories’ Anchored Histories Alaska! Professional Development Retreat. If you’re an educator interested in integrating storytelling and cultural preservation into your classroom, explore our Teacher Tools—a free, online community offering access to lesson plans, conversation guides, and digital storytelling resources.
🔗 Explore more resources and register to join Teacher Tools here
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Thank you for joining us on this journey!