Over the last year, Indiana Humanities has focused its award-winning Next Indiana Campfires program on the White River watershed and the larger question of how Hoosiers relate to water and to each other across watersheds. We’ve hiked and paddled the river and its feeder creeks, learning about the efforts to restore and conserve one of our state’s most significant waterways and considering how it connects urban, suburban and rural Hoosiers.
To explore these connections further—and to document a particularly exciting moment for Indiana waterways—we also funded the creation of three short films about the White River.
Through the films, you’ll meet volunteers, artists, activists, farmers, engineers, developers, city officials, hikers and parents. You’ll paddle downstream with Friends of the White River, tunnel under the city with Dig Indy, and soar overhead with the great blue herons of our region.
Again and again, you’ll see views of the river and perspectives on Indianapolis you never knew existed. We hope these films awaken new appreciation of the White River and spark meaningful conversations about its future.
Read an essay about the project by Leah Nahmias, director of programs and community engagement.