‘The biggest strides in hemp-crete construction are going down on one of the smallest reservations in America.’ That’s how the bill reads on Patagonia Film’s latest production, The Green Buffalo, launching online globally today. It’s referring to the Lower Sioux Indian Community, on the southern bank of the Minnesota River about 100 miles SW of Minneapolis. Turns out we had driven close by after leaving Kelsey Scott’s place on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, where we recorded episode 222. But it took getting to Charleston, South Carolina, to meet filmmaker Joel Caldwell, and learn of this ‘against all odds’ redemptive story – one that holds so much promise for the Lower Sioux, and the rest of us.

Joel is a photographer and writer hailing from rural Washington State. Having turned his hand to film making, he found himself transformed by five years following stories of regeneration, together with wife and project partner Hailey Wist. Then come 2024, he was blown away all over again by this story. It’s ended up becoming Joel’s first production with Patagonia, and as you’ll hear, has an incredibly poignant moment for me personally too.

This episode has chapter markers and a transcript (available on most apps now too). The transcript is AI generated and imperfect, but hopefully provides greater access for those who need or like to read.

Recorded 30 September 2024 (intro recorded in Baltimore).

Title slide: Danny Desjarlais, from the film (supplied).

See more photos on the website, and for more from behind the scenes, become a subscribing member via the links below.

Music:
Green Shoots, by The Nomadics.

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden, from Regenerating Australia.

The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests (thanks to Josie Symons).

Find more:
Trailer & how to host a screening of The Green Buffalo.

Joel on Substack.

Premiere live screening of The Green Buffalo is this Friday 25 October, in Charleston, followed by discussion with Danny Desjarlais from the Lower Sioux, alongside Joel, and April Magill from the local Root Down Building Collective. All welcome. 

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