Sockeye salmon swim en masse up the Nushagak river in Alaska.

On Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. the environmental documentary “Red Gold” will be shown at Lopez Center. The film centers on the Bristol Bay region of Southwest Alaska home to the Kvichak and Nushagak rivers, the two most prolific sockeye salmon runs left in the world. Foreign mining companies Northern Dynasty Minerals and Anglo American have partnered to propose development of what could be one of the world’s largest open-pit and underground mines at the headwaters of the two river systems. “This development is important for people to know about,” island resident Jordan Dyer said, who is hosting the showing. “This issue not only affects residents of Alaska. It affects all of us.”

Produced by Felt Soul Media in 2008, “Red Gold” has since gone on to win a number of awards including director’s choice award, and the audience film award at the Telluride Mountain Film Festival. The film company based in Colorado has shot a number of independent films, “Red Gold” being their first feature length picture. The film features captivating cinematography of a region many people have heard much about but never seen.

Currently the Pebble Project is in the exploration, planning, and baseline study phase. The information will then be gathered and presented to the State of Alaska for the permitting process to extract the estimated 300 billion of mineral reserves that the proposed mine holds. Historically, Alaska has never rejected a mine once the permitting process has begun. The permitting process is expected to begin sometime within a year or two.

Inspired by a recent trip up the Kvichak River, Jordan has been working to spread awareness of the proposed mine. The evening will also include additional information about the area and resources on how you can help the fight to save Bristol Bay.

“If you are at all concerned by the amount of salmon that return to Washington’s rivers and streams, then I encourage you to attend this showing on Sunday, Oct. 18. The collective history of the Pacific Northwest is directly concerned with salmon. It would be a tragedy if we stood silently while what’s left of our natural resources are taken away.”

More information about the film can be found at http://www.redgoldfilm.com/. More information about Pebble Mine can be found at http://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/