Wədzįh Nəne’
Now streaming on Knowledge Network
WATCH THE TRAILER
ABOUT THE FILM
Set against the stunning backdrop of northern British Columbia’s wilderness, Wədzįh Nəne’ (Caribou Country) takes viewers on a contemplative journey through a rugged and remote landscape. Along the way, we meet those who live and work on the land – First Nations guardians, government biologists, and guide outfitters – each confronting the stark reality of declining caribou populations. This meditative film explores the profound connection between people and nature, and the enduring impacts of modernity on an ancient species.
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
Wədzįh Nəne’ was originally pitched as a short, experimental film. A love letter to a place of deep personal importance, and one of the last remaining intact western corridors for the Chase caribou herd in Tsay Keh Dene country. As a member of the Tsay Keh Dene Nation, I saw this area as a culturally important place to bring elders and youth together on the land, but the landscape is changing at such a rapid pace and more and more of these places are disappearing under the weight of development. The reality of declining caribou populations is very real, yet public discourse is often shaped by misguided narratives that can lead to a very narrow set of questions, or worse, a lack of questioning altogether.
The decline of ungulate populations across British Columbia is a deeply complex issue, influenced by many interconnecting factors. With Wədzįh Nəne’, it is not our intention to present answers, but rather to start a discussion. To create space for reflection. To invite viewers to consider what’s really happening with caribou declines, and to encourage them to learn more about a species that was once plentiful in the not-so-distant past. The film is a meditation on our relationship with nature, and the lasting imprint of modernity on an ancient species.
BIOS
Meet the Filmmakers
Luke Gleeson
Director
Luke Gleeson is a multidisciplinary First Nations artist and a member of the Tsay Keh Dene Nation, a Sekani-speaking people known as “People of the Mountains”. A former Lands and Resources Director for Tsay Keh Dene Nation and current environmental consultant, Luke Gleeson integrates themes such as water, natural states, and Tsay Keh Dene culture into his music, art, and film. He also creates work under the name Glezhe Nache, a cultural appellation he uses for music and specific projects. His debut feature documentary, DƏNE YI’INJETL | The Scattering of Man, was completed in 2021 and has screened at film festivals in Canada, the U.S., and internationally. Wədzįh Nəne’ – Caribou Country is his second feature-length documentary.
Tim Cote
Director of Photography
Tim Cote is a Director of Photography with a deep passion for visual storytelling. For over 20 years, he’s worked on everything from music videos and branded content to feature-length documentaries—each project offering a new way to explore emotion, atmosphere, and truth through the lens. Tim’s work is driven by a curiosity for people and their stories, and a belief that the right image can say what words can’t. Whether shooting in controlled studio environments or chasing natural moments in the field, he aims to create visuals that feel honest, cinematic, and alive.
Yves Grundler
Editor
Yves Grundler is a Swiss-Canadian filmmaker with a lifelong passion for the art of moving images. Renowned for his collaborative work with agencies across Europe and North America, he has earned acclaim for crafting award-winning documentaries. His expertise lies in deep storytelling and an intuitive understanding of the director’s vision.
