Totem Bridge - The Film

05/09/2025

We had a few days of rest in the middle of our 14 day production stretch… we spent it sunrise chasing, tree hugging, forest hiking, food exploring, road trip singing, ocean watching and of course grabbing cameras along the way when the mood struck. We may have also briefly celebrated Cinco De Mayo.

The production road life isn’t for everyone… but we do ok with it 😉 This is a good life!

05/06/2025

After several long days on (and in) the water, picking up speed on the second half of production for our film… we stopped for a night cap.
This was our drink coaster.

05/06/2025

05/05/2025

Back on the river with Gian… literally no other way to start May and to celebrate our three year anniversary from our first TotemBridge production with Gian during the Spirit of the Waters Totem Journey. Golden sun, cold clear river, jumping trout and lots of gear. We back baby!

We have lots of exciting things happening and can’t wait to show off what we’re working on. Stay tuned.

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05/02/2025

Tomorrow marks the 3rd Anniversary of our first day on the Spirit of the Waters Totem Journey… the beginning of our production of our TotemBridge film. Coincidentally, we just began a new leg of production on the TotemBridge film almost 3 years to the day of our original start.

This documentary has been a magical labor of love and we can’t wait to reveal what we’ve been working on.

05/27/2022

Our time in Pendleton, Oregon with CTUIR (Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation) was powerful, educated and inspired.

Not only did we get to hear our leaders speak, sing and drum under the beautiful full flower moon as well as visit the gorgeous Tamastslikt Cultural Institue... We experienced something new to the schedule with Gian & the Totem carvers being able to connect with an after-school program on the Umatilla reservation. and The Umatilla kiddos left a powerfully inspired imprint on us with their outgoing, kind and smart sense of ways… not to mention hand made necklaces as a welcome gift. The program itself was mind blowing in its progressive approach of science & technology for their Native youth. Kudos to program leader Linda Sampson. Her “Every child counts” commitment is awe inspiring for future generations.

05/26/2022

Before leaving Celilo Falls Village, we stopped along the banks of the Columbia River in front of The Dalles dam. We had an incredible impromptu encounter with some young local Yakama fishermen which led Gian to an afternoon of fishing, talking and making friends. We even traded a crew members rain jacket for three Chinook Salmon. Good Trade. Good Day.

Jacket:

05/22/2022

We had the chance to stray away from the Totem Pole along the journey for just a bit to sit in observation and listen to some incredible women form a circle and speak on their truths, strengths, history, joys and traumas as Salmon people.

It was an incredibly emotional evening of wisdom and words. We are so grateful to Children of The Setting Sun Productions for the invitation to be present.

05/21/2022

This morning, we introduce GIAN LAWRENCE Aka: The Black Stonefly.

Our film will not only follow the “Spirit of the Waters TotemPole Journey” but will acutely following Gian’s experience through out, as an invited friend of the journey.

The trip begins in 10 days… Head to the link in our bio, to help support this incredible story. Donations are 100% tax deductible (thanks to our fiscal sponsorship, ). Your donations directly support the film crew during the trip as well as the post production process.

05/20/2022

GOFUNDME UPDATE: We have updated the GoFund Me page with a video from Cody and a recap of our amazing time in Eugene. We are half way to our goal in meeting crew travel expenses. We’ve humbly raised 10K of the 20K needed for the travel costs. We are full of gratitude for this.

Please share our campaign and support us on the road. Just $10 from each of our friends, would allow us to make our travel expense goal! LINK IN BIO.

05/20/2022

Our second day in Eugene, we were joined by former Yakama Nation chairman, current Se’Si’Le member & Native philosopher/activist; JoDe Goudy who brought with him an additional relative, The Salmon. She now sits in front of the Totem. He & his family had journeyed deep into Indian Country to hold ceremony with the Salmon at the head of the Snake River before joining her to our journey.

As we drive on to the next location… Reflecting on some powerful words & song from Se’Si’Le members and the House of Tears Carvers during the inaugural “Whale Protectors” movie installation presented by The Natural History museum. These were GOOD nights.

05/20/2022

Our second day in Eugene, we were joined by former Yakima Nation chairman, current Se’Si’Le co-chairman & Native philosopher, JoDe Goudy who brought an additional “family member” Totem piece, The Salmon to sit in front of the Totem. He & his family had journeyed deep into Indian Country to hold ceremony with the Salmon before joining her to our journey.

As we drive on to the next location… Reflecting on some powerful words & song from Se’Si’Le and the Carvers during the inaugural “Whale Protectors” movie installation presented by The Natural History museum. These were GOOD nights.