Horse Journals Staff

A new Canadian documentary will explore the relationship between British Columbia's Okanagan wild horses, the natural environment, and Indigenous communities whose connections with these animals extend across generations.

Titled Dead Horse, the film will follow the region's wild horses through the 13 moons of the Sqilxʷ seasonal calendar, exploring their relationships with the changing seasons, wildlife, vegetation, and surrounding landscape. The project also raises questions about what could be lost if the horses were to disappear from the region.

The documentary is being developed by Little Pine Productions, a collaboration involving Osoyoos Indian Band members Jane Stelkia and her son Aaron Stelkia, along with filmmakers Sara Turner and Lucas Margetson. The group has previously worked together on films exploring the Okanagan's wild horses and their connections with people and the land.

An important part of the documentary will be examining Indigenous perspectives on the horses and their place in the ecosystem. Aaron Stelkia, a lifelong rancher and horseman, emphasizes the distinction between referring to the animals as wild rather than feral, explaining that the terminology reflects whether the horses are considered part of the Okanagan landscape.

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The film will also explore the horses' relationships with other animals and plants, drawing on Indigenous knowledge and the experiences of people who have spent their lives observing and working with the herds. 

The project also addresses the importance of preserving Indigenous horse culture and traditional knowledge. Both Jane and Aaron Stelkia bring lifelong experience with the Okanagan's horses, contributing perspectives that connect the animals with the region's cultural history and Indigenous communities. 

Through these stories, Dead Horse aims to encourage a deeper understanding of the horses, their relationships within the natural world, and their significance to the people who share the landscape.

Watch the Dead Horse Documentary Trailer

The filmmakers are inviting supporters to help bring Dead Horse to life through a crowdfunding campaign on Seed&Spark. Donations will help move the documentary into production and support the sharing of important stories about the Okanagan's wild horses, Indigenous horse culture, and their connections to the land.

To learn more about the project and make a donation, visit Dead Horse on Seed&Spark.

Related: Canada’s Wild Horses - An Uncertain Future

Related: Alberta’s Free-Roaming Horses: Historically important or invasive pests?

- With sources from Seed&Spark and Castanet.net.

Image: Screenshot from Dead Horse documentary trailer/YouTube/Little Pine Productions.