
Mother, Sisterhood in the Wild
- Thu, May 8
Director: Chad Brown Event Runtime: 100 min.
TICKETS $15
Doors 6:30 p.m.; Event 7 p.m.
Select Showtime to Purchase Tickets
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THE EXPERIENCE
Joining us for this event from the film “Mother Sisterhood in the Wild” are Aiyesha Christian, Dr. Lisa Collins—who also served as Love Is King field production support—along with director Chad Brown and guest moderator, local artist Kalimah Abioto, for a post-film discussion. There will also be a raffle by sponsors Grayl at the beginning of the evening.
ON SCREEN:Mother, Sisterhood in the Wild
2024. Directed by Chad Brown. Runtime: 54 minutes.
Mother is an emotional documentary of an arduous expedition set in the Arctic Circle National Wildlife Refuge, where the original name of this land before the government was established; the native name is Izhit gwandaii goodlit, meaning “where life begins.” Mother is a testament to the majesty of Mother Nature in contrast to newly discovered friendship, survival, the resilience of the human spirit, and the raw power of SISTERHOOD. They arrive at a complex, intimidating, physically, philosophically, and personally daunting intersection facing conservation issues and themselves as women in this space. They will learn to survive and thrive on the strengths they’ve always carried with them. They will learn to embrace the exuberance of Mother Nature and adapt, evolve, and transcend . . . beyond the sense of self they once understood. This story is told in 5 different perspectives in 5 distinct voices and spirited conversations. The Arctic Circle National Wildlife Refuge is a magnificent stage. Together, they explore existential questions about the sacredness of belonging in the outdoors and the power of nature to heal and transform one’s soul. They find insights and answers to questions about how they, as BIPOC women, fit into nature, what role they can play in preserving our outdoor spaces, and advocating for the preservation of indigenous cultures guided by mother.
ON STAGE:
Aiyesha Christian
Aiyesha Christian is a guide leader for LIK-ROAM and a Love is King board member. As the founder/owner of Nomad Trail Mix, Aiyesha is an independent biracial one-woman-owned business. Growing up in the PNW, Aiyesha spent her childhood fishing in its beautiful rivers, camping in the lush wilderness, and swimming in the frigid ocean. During her adventures, trail mix was the go-to snack, and as she matured so did her taste buds. She began to find conventional trail mix too salty or too sweet. Every brand seemed to have the same ingredients. As founder and owner Aiyesha wanted a mix that utilized the diversity of endless flavors. Tapping into her creativity, love, and knowledge of food, Nomad was born. Founder / Owner – NOMAD TRAIL MIX
Dr. Lisa Collins
Dr. Lisa Collins, Ed.D. is an author, educator, and trauma practitioner who has mastered the art of blending education, trauma healing, and environmental advocacy into a unique career mix, with a solid foundation of over 30 years in education, including teaching, leadership, and educational research publications. Lisa is devoted to exploring the environment and advancing racial healing. Her collaboration with the nonprofit Love Is King, where she serves as a guide assistant, is a testament to her commitment to encourage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color leaders to dive into the natural world, acknowledging the therapeutic value of such experiences.
Chad Brown
Chad Brown is an award-winning documentary-adventure photographer, filmmaker, and conservationist. As a Navy veteran, Chad’s journey has been marked by resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to environmental and social justice. He is the visionary founder and president of two pioneering non-profits: Soul River, Inc. and Love is King. Chad’s unique work merges outdoor adventure travel, the preservation of threatened wild spaces, and the empowerment of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. Through his compelling projects, Chad connects the public to endangered lands and their people, capturing the essence of human spirit and passion in moments of vulnerability and strength. His striking documentary portraits, captivating photographic exhibitions, and thought-provoking films advocate for social and environmental justice. Chad’s impactful work has garnered national attention, with features on BBC, CBS, Good Morning America, and NatGeo/Disney’s Called to the Wild, as well as in publications like Outside Magazine and The Drake. He was the inaugural recipient of the Breaking Barriers Award presented by Orvis and the Bending Toward Justice Award from Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. Most recently, Chad received three prestigious IndieFest Film Awards in 2024, including the African American Theme Award of Recognition, the African American Filmmaker Award of Merit, and the African American Theme Award of Merit.
Kalimah Abioto
Kalimah Abioto is a boundary breaking writer, filmmaker, musician and community ecologist specializing in Afrofuturistic, sci fi and fantasy stories and creations. Their visionary work can be found at www.KalimahAbioto.com