Cherokee Nation and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Premiere Red Wolf Documentary

The Cherokee Nation, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, has premiered an evocative documentary, ᏩᏯ Waya, Saving Our Red Grandfather, highlighting the critically endangered red wolf. Directed by Jennifer Loren, an Emmy award-winning filmmaker and senior director of Cherokee Film, the film delves into the natural history of the red wolf, its cultural significance to the Cherokee people, and the role of Indigenous stewardship in its conservation.

The red wolf (Canis rufus)—the most endangered wolf species in the world—is also among the most misunderstood. Once roaming vast regions of the Southeastern United States, fewer than 20 individuals remain in the wild today. This 30-minute documentary highlights the Cherokee people's deep connection to the red wolf and explores how Indigenous knowledge is integral to current conservation efforts.

In Cherokee tradition, wolves symbolize loyalty, community, and independence, traits that reflect the red wolf's nature. James Mooney’s Myths of the Cherokee captures this symbolism in stories like “The Wolf and the Dog,” a tale of a wolf choosing freedom over the comfort of servitude. This narrative resonates with the red wolf’s struggle to remain wild and free amid increasing environmental challenges.

Conservation efforts, led by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, have aimed to reintroduce red wolves to their natural habitats, such as North Carolina’s Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. These efforts have faced numerous challenges, including habitat loss, hybridization with coyotes, and public misconceptions. However, recent successes, like the birth of red wolf pups in captivity, provide hope for the species' survival.

The documentary emphasizes the red wolf’s role as a keystone species in the ecosystem. Red wolves are monogamous, living in small family packs and hunting small mammals, deer, and carrion. They travel significant distances daily in search of food, demonstrating resilience and adaptability despite their dwindling numbers.

Jennifer Loren’s leadership ensures that this film is not only a call to action but also a celebration of Cherokee values and the red wolf’s place in the natural world. By showcasing the intersection of cultural heritage and modern conservation science, ᏩᏯ Waya, Saving Our Red Grandfather offers a path forward for protecting one of nature’s most endangered species.

image courtesy of National Wildlife Federation.