During production, we filmed an interview with Don Rearden, writer, poet, and associate professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He is a produced screenwriter, a Rasmuson Foundation Project Fellow, and author of The Washington Post Notable novel from Penguin, The Raven’s Gift. He lives in Anchorage, Alaska.

While production took place in Anchorage for only one day, Don was kind enough to allow the production crew to stay with his family and connect with several retired and current scientists studying birds in Alaska. This provided the perfect filming environment to record several interviews as well as join him in several hikes through the woods surrounding their home. Over the years, Don and his family have established a special connection with the ravens that inhabit Anchorage and Bear Valley up the hillside. The birds would flock to and from the hills each day, swarming the family’s property, and allowing an intimate connection between man and raven.

Don is an established writer and creative mind in Alaska with roots in Montana and living alongside indigenous tribes in SW Alaska. His work is inspired by Alaska native oral tradition and creation stories like those involving Raven, as well as other nonfiction topics and poetry. He grew up on the tundra and rivers of southwest Alaska. In his own words, his experience and adventures in Alaska have shaped both his writing and his love and concern for humanity and our planet.