This documentary from the Shining Mountains series asks a hard question: are we loving our mountains to death? In this installment, filmmaker Guy Clarkson examines human encroachment in our mountain regions. Between recreation, resource exploitation and residential development, how much pressure the mountains can withstand? Can we save it before it’s too late? The film takes us skiing down virgin slopes with a heli-ski pioneer, hill climb with snowmobilers and ride boundary trails with National Park wardens. We also meet a First Nations chief who sees her tribe's future in the development of a casino and golf course.
Ages 12 to 17
Geography - Environmental Issues
Indigenous Studies - Issues and Contemporary Challenges
Social Studies - Contemporary Issues
Social Studies - Environmental Challenges
Prepare students to explain these terms after viewing: industrial tourism, land trust, zoning, watershed, habitat, extensive/intensive land use, buffer zone. Questions: What were the objectives of residential schools? Do humans and animals have a RIGHT to pure water? Is helicopter skiing “better” than snowmobiling? Activity: Students role-play stakeholders in a mock community meeting where opposing sides of a land-use issue are presented.