“Spirit of the Peaks” film - elevated storytelling
Not only is Spirit of the Peaks a beautiful film, but it is also a great example of brands like REI, in this case, can work with athletes of diverse backgrounds to elevate their stories and inspire others. As brands seek to increase representation in the outdoors through DEI efforts and recognizing Indigenous perspectives on recreation and land, it’s important to see examples like this. To bring the film to life, REI worked with Executive Produce Len Necefer and his company Natives Outdoors and the film’s Co-Writer and CO-Director Connor Ryan, along with the rest of the production team. As we’ve explored in our post about Land Acknowledgement, creating ongoing relationships with Native-led organizations is important to centering their stories and perspectives in your brand’s efforts.
About the film:
“Skiing in Ute Territory has always raised questions for Connor about being in reciprocity with the land and its people. As a skier who connects with the land through sport, he empathizes with the injustices that have displaced the Utes and ongoing colonization, erasure and extraction impacting the Ute people. This story connects conflicted pasts to an awakening in cultural awareness that can create an equitable future for Indigenous people and skiers.
Connor's mission with the film is to do his part in restoring balance with all inhabitants of these mountains by illuminating the Utes' culture and traditional knowledge that can benefit everyone in the fight to preserve the land and dissipating snowpack.”