"Meet Me at the Creek": A Journey of Environmental Justice and Cultural Survival in Oklahoma
“Filmmaker Loren Kasey Waters and Cherokee Elder Rebecca Jim Unite to Restore a Toxic Legacy”
Loren Kasey Waters, a Cherokee and Kiowa filmmaker, has long been passionate about storytelling and environmental justice. Her latest project, “Meet Me at the Creek, is a documentary that sheds light on the impacts of the Tar Creek superfund site in Miami, Oklahoma, and the community's hope for a better environment.
"Meet Me at the Creek" began as a collaboration between Waters and Rebecca Jim, a Cherokee elder and dedicated environmental advocate. Jim is the executive director of the Local Environmental Action Demanded (LEAD) Agency. Known as the Tar Creek Keeper, Jim has spent years fighting for the cleanup and restoration of the Neosho River Watershed.
Legacy of Tar Creek
Tar Creek is paradoxical. The United States government forced Tribal Nations like the Quapaw, Peoria, and Cherokee from their homelands in the North and Southeastern U.S. to northeastern Oklahoma, but those people found home here. The natural landscape is beautiful but the water runs orange. The elements that sustain a community now threaten it. Decades of zinc and lead mining from the world wars lead to contaminated waters.
Jim’s connection to the creek goes back to her childhood. She lives in the watershed near her property in Vinita, Oklahoma. Jim built her house near the waters with her father, dedicating her life’s work to restoring this once-vibrant ecosystem for future generations.
The documentary showcases the deep connection between the people and their land. In “Meet Me at the Creek,” Jim recalls a time when the waters were teeming with life, where fish swam freely, and plants could forage from the banks for medicine and basket weaving.
These practices are under threat due to Tar Creek’s contamination. Still, the film also depicts moments of joy and hope, such as a family's day at a clean creek on Jim’s land and a baby's first experience with water—a significant cultural rite for Cherokee people. Jim talks about how her family came to this land on the Trail of Tears and how familiar the landscape must have felt
Making of the Film
The film mentions northeastern Oklahoma was not a place that any of the Cherokees, Quapaw, Peoria, or other Tribal nations wanted to come. But this is where her family ended up and where they made home “So I would imagine the longing was to be as near the land that was as close to what we might have left behind,” Jim said.
Waters first visited Tar Creek in 2021, drawn by Jim’s vision and commitment. Jim took Waters on a toxins tour, revealing the red running creek and the environmental damage chat piles have left in the waters. Jim shared her dreams for a revitalized creek. The result is a documentary that captures the struggles and hopes of the community in Miami.
One of the film's most poignant scenes is when Jim recalls a time she found a red-eared sunfish in the polluted waters of the creek. Jim had not seen a fish in Tar Creek for decades, and this small sign of life showed the environment’s potential for renewal.
"Meet Me at the Creek" is not just a film; it’s a call to action. Screenings nationwide, from film festivals to small community gatherings, have sparked discussions on environmental advocacy and preserving cultural heritage. Jim and Waters often attend these events, leading workshops and sharing their journey.
The first public screening in Oklahoma was particularly impactful. With officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and city leaders in attendance, it highlighted the urgent need for action. The film made it clear that Tar Creek is more than just a waterway—it’s a lifeline for the community.
Rebecca’s message is powerful: the restoration of Tar Creek is not just about environmental cleanup but about reclaiming a stolen heritage and ensuring a healthy future for the next generations. "Meet Me at the Creek" has become a symbol of resilience and hope, a testament to the power of storytelling to drive change.
Through the lens of Loren Waters and the unwavering spirit of Rebecca Jim, "Meet Me at the Creek" tells a universal story of environmental justice, cultural survival, and the enduring bond between people and land.
To learn more about Tar Creek and the film visit lorenwaters.com.