CSKT documentary chronicles Tribes’ Covid struggles

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Education Department has released a short documentary titled “Calling Our Warriors.” Produced by CSKT Education Department Head Michelle Mitchell and artist Shadow Devereaux, with directing, videography and editing support from Colter Olmstead, the documentary is just under 14 minutes in length and features members of the CSKT community who have been impacted by Covid-19. Emergency medical physician and Tribal member Dr. Michael “Cubby” Pierre also provides first-hand reflections of his experience treating patients with Covid in his role as an ER doctor at Community Medical Center in Missoula.

“We have all lost loved ones, some of us now struggle with long-term illness because of Covid, and it has just changed life as we know it,” Mitchell said in a press release.

“We are calling on our community to remember our Tribal values and be warriors by protecting each other, and each doing our part like masking, social distancing and getting vaccinated to preserve our Tribes and future generations.”

For more information, and to watch “Calling Our Warriors” visit www. callingourwarriors.com. The documentary comes at a time when the new Covid variant omicron is raging across the world, and there is an increase of new Covid cases locally.

For more information about how to get vaccinated, visit the CSKT Tribal Health Department at www.cskthealth.org.