Spirit of the Peaks | Hunkpapa Lakota skier balances athletic passion and cultural obligation

“Spirit of the Peaks” is a film about the struggle for balance between two worlds. For Hunkpapa Lakota skier Connor Ryan, skiing in Ute Territory has always raised questions about being in reciprocity with the land and its people. As a skier who connects with the land through sport, he empathizes with the injustices that have displaced the Utes and ongoing colonization, erasure and extraction impacting the Ute people. This story connects conflicted pasts to an awakening in cultural awareness that can create an equitable future for Indigenous people and skiers. The film was produced in partnership with REI Co-op Studios, Wondercamp and NativesOutdoors with additional support from Salomon, Peak Design and Protect Our Winters. LEARN MORE about the film here: - CREDITS -