The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill by Cynna Evanoff

This film explores the lasting impact of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill on the people of Prince William Sound, particularly those who relied on subsistence living. Through personal interviews, residents share how the disaster devastated local wildlife, disrupted traditional hunting and fishing practices, and forced many families to leave their homes.

Community members describe the long recovery process, with some foods like clams, herring, and octopus taking years to return. They recall finding dead seals, ducks, and even deer on the beaches, along with concerns that the oil had tainted berries and other vital food sources.

The film also highlights the role of local villagers in the cleanup efforts, from working on the beaches to organizing supplies. Despite compensation for fishermen and jobs created by the cleanup, the loss of a way of life was immeasurable.

With powerful firsthand stories, this documentary sheds light on the resilience of the people of Prince William Sound and their determination to reclaim their subsistence traditions.

Classroom Guide

Resources

Prince Willian Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council

Workshop Info

See Stories led film workshops with youth in six Prince William sound communities in 2016 (Cordova, Whittier, Nanwalek, Tatitlek, Valdez, and Chenega Bay) with generous funding and support from the Prince William Sound Science Center (PWSSC). The PWSSC wanted to support youth to create films on their communities' profound and changing relationship to the ocean 25 years after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS). The films created during these workshops focus primarily on vibrant cultural and personal connections to water, and some of them explore the tragedy of EVOS and the long-standing impacts that ripple through to the present moment.