
Unearth
Unearth follows Alaskan siblings, fishermen Aube and Dune Strickland and sisters Cristina and AlexAnna Salmon, as they confront the proposed Pebble Mine, poised to become North America’s largest copper mine in their home of Bristol Bay.
The Stricklands fish for wild Sockeye Salmon in a pristine ecosystem, while the Salmon sisters descend from a tribal community that has stewarded this land for 10,000 years. When Pebble representatives arrive promising cash and coexistence, the siblings investigate, uncovering backdoor deals and dismissed science.
Trading their boat for a camper van, the brothers travel the American West, visiting mining sites and speaking with executives, scientists, politicians, and disaster survivors. Their journey exposes an industry built on extraction, colonialism, and deception, fueled by consumer demand for green technology.
While the brothers dig for truth, the Salmon sisters lead the fight, mobilizing their community to defend their land, livelihoods, and culture, culminating in a hard-won victory and a hopeful vision of community power.
Director
Hunter Nolan, Auberin Strickland, and Dunedin Strickland
Producer
Auberin Strickland, Dunedin Strickland, Hunter Nolan, Gina Papabeis, and Eyal Levy
Runtime
93 minutes
Rights Represented
Educational
Captions Available
None
Language
English
Press
“This film reminds us of the promise that activism holds in the face of fatigue and disillusionment.”
- Erin Brockovich, Executive Producer (Variety)
“UNEARTH is a real kick in the pants. A low key measured exploration of the dangers of mining the film makes it’s points by simply telling and showing us what we need to know. “
- Unseen Films
“…the entire film feels like a race against time, impressive given the five years of footage they had to work with.”
- ReelNewz
Festival & Awards
DOC NYC 2024 – Â Official Selection, World Premiere
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection
DOXA Documentary Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection