“The River is Our Relative" — Brand Video
The Penobscot River is the lifeblood of the Penobscot people. It is an ancestral food source, an ancient waterway, and a spiritual home — they call it their relative.
Overview:
In the past, the Penobscot people respected and valued the river. Unfortunately, they were marginalized with time, and the river was polluted. As a result, fish and animals started dying, putting tribal life in danger. It was clear that something had to be done to change the situation.
This story is about the Penobscot River and a small group of tribal conservationists working to save her.
Role: Art Direction, Storytelling, Storyboards, Illustrations, Brand Foundation, Strategy
Challenge:
How can we accurately represent the cultural significance of the Penobscot River to the Penobscot Nation while highlighting the role of Posit Open-Source tools in preserving tribal heritage and promoting environmental stewardship?
Approach:
This brand video by Posit highlights the importance of preserving the Penobscot people's cultural heritage, emphasizing the Penobscot River's significance. The video demonstrates how technology, specifically the Posit Open-Source tools, can address environmental concerns and safeguard tribal traditions.
Narrative Story:
A voiceover interview from Jan Paul brought us an aspirational story exploring the Penobscot people's history, the Penobscot River's importance, and how Posit open-source tolls are helping tribal members preserve their culture through data.
Jan Paul, a Water Quality Field Technician, uses Posit Open-Source tools to analyze, visualize, and share water monitoring data throughout her team and in collaboration with state and federal environmental agencies.
Execution:
Art Direction + Creative
We start on a visual journey through the Penobscot River, highlighting the history of the Penobscot people, the significance of water in their culture, and its utilization in daily life. Textures, characters, and natural environments bring a personal touch to the 4-minute video. We want the audience to feel this is an uplifting story about the power of data, community, and the greater good—an open-source legacy.
Characters + Textures
Character design was essential in telling the story of Penobscot River and the Penobscot People. Textures and frame-by-frame hand-drawn style visuals significantly gave the video a warmer, more unique human touch.
Animals + Environments
The Penobscot River and its tributaries are places of great cultural significance to the Penobscot Nation. Not only is the river an ancestral food source, but also an integral way of life.
Penobscot + Posit Open Source
Storyboards
“The People of the Penobscot have always believed that this river was our lifeblood. In honor of our Ancestors and for the protection of future generations, we must continue the efforts to restore the sacredness of the river.”
Credits:
Client: Posit PBC
Head of Storytelling: Jason Restivo
Art Direction/Illustration/Storyboard: I-Nu Yeh
Animation: Jay Keeree
Sound Design: Caleb Theimer
Content Producer/Writer: Shannon McGarvey
Special thanks to Jan Paul, Angie Reed, and The Penobscot Nation. The short animated film was shown during the Posit Conf 2023 in Chicago.
2023