Luna: Spirit of the Whale (2007) - full transcript

- How many we got?
- Six so far.

These are Jerry Emmer's
traps, you know.

Jerry man, what a loser.

Come on baby,
come to daddy.

Hey. Hey!

Yo, whack job ok, knock it off.

Hey stupid!

-When I tell you something,
you listen!
-Hey!

We came out here to steal his
traps not wreck his boat.

- Eli leave him alone.
- He's carving up the seat.

What your mother drop you on
your head or something?



Eli! That was real stupid.

- Eli, don't!
- Get off!

What was that?

Holy crap man.

-Oh my God.
-Where did he come from?

Did you see that?

- That was amazing.
- -Hey come on, let's get out of here, now!

Hey come on,
let's rock.

Oh man, he bust through
the prop.

As our people count
time we have lived here,
since the beginning.

Between the mountains,
and the sea.

It's ok mom.

To us, two animals
are sacred.

The whale protects
the ocean.



And the wolf protects
the land.

When a Chief dies,

his spirit can choose to
join with either one.

My father was a Chief.

Just like his father
before him.

Soon after he passed on,

a whale showed up
in our waters.

Some of our people
called him Sukit.

My father's traditional name.

They believed that his spirit
had stayed here with the
whale to protect us.

Chief Ambrose McConnor
may be gone,

but his spirit is still here.

Within each and every
one of you,

within his wife, Gloria,

and their son, Mike.

Finally,

returned to be with us.

I don't know why the
whale came to our people.

But I was about to find out.

-Hi honey.
-I'm so sorry.

Hi Mike.

It's really nice
to have you back.

Gloria, Mike.

Bill.

I said it's a sad day,
losing our Chief.

Yeah.

So what's it been,
six years since you've
saw him last?

Five.

He's here now Bill,
it's what Ambrose wanted.

You uh, still logging
up in Bella Coola?

-Yeah.
-Can't you find that kind
of work around here?

Not with my kind of pay.

Excuse me.

Come on mom, let's go home.

I think that's Adam.

They were stranded inland
in a stolen boat.

Claim that they were just
out there for the crabs.

But then Adam starts cutting
up the seats.

-Any other damage?
-Tickers busted.

Had to tow them in.

They said
it was a whale.

-A whale?
-Yeah.

-Look, I think that maybe--
-We-we'll deal with it.

Hey Bill, you know I support the
whole community justice thing.

-But this kid--
-He has to come home.

I know you've been doing
your best Ms. Maquinna.

But it's only been three days
since the Chief passed away,

and he's already back
to his old tricks.

- Well, Mike you know?
- Sorry?

Ambrose Maquinna's
son, Mike.

Our new Chief.

Officer Bardecki,
my sympathies.

Ambrose said that this boy
was his responsibility.

As Chief.

So you want him?

So you knew my father, huh?

Oh, let's just go home.

So how long has he
been living with you?

-About six months.
-Who's his family?

Maggie Ross.

That's Maggie Ross's kid?

Well where the hell is she?

Died last year.

Your dad was the closest thing
to a father he had.

Whoa!

What the he--

Charlie, Walker.

He's after the fish.

I think he's turned the net!

I see, I see, ok.

Hey!

Get out of here!

What are you gonna do?

Beat it!

Get out of here!

Come on!

This is
fishery, stop what you're
doing immediately.

You know it's a criminal
offense to interfere
with a marine mammal.

He's after my catch, officer,

what are you gonna do about it?

Whoa.

He's coming round!

Well hello there.

Man, he's big.

he looks young,
he was snooping around the
Tanifarm the last few days.

His pods probably around.

Hey there buddy.

Where's your family, huh?

He likes you.

Alright look,
I'm gonna try to lead him away,

if he comes back, you leave
him alone and report it.

-Got me?
-Oh I got you.

Well let's check the damage.

You know his door
is still shut.

Is that what he does?

Sometimes.

You know you got enough
on your plate mom.

They'll put him
in foster care.

Another lost Indian kid
in the system.

They'll boss him around,
until he breaks.

It'll be different,
now that you are here.

I can't stay, I told you.

There's always been
a Maquinna Chief, Mike.

That's who you are.

I'm a recovering alcoholic,
that's who I am.

Yes.

And when I see you like this,
healthy again, strong.

It fills my heart.

You understand, Mike?

My boy goes away
and come's back a man.

Ready to carry that strength.

Ready to be Chief.

It's not that simple.

Yeah, I have my own plans, ma.

You know I got a promotion
last month.

And it's a good job,
it pays a lot of money.

But if I'm not there within
the week, it's all gone.

And that job I know I can do.

So you understand that?

If you leave, Bill will get the
council to make him Chief.

Your dad didn't want that.

Yeah well he knows the
language, the politics.

The band could do a lot worse.

So you'll stay for the week?

Yes, and I'll do whatever you
need me to do around here.

Just tell me.

Well there's two things you need
to finish for your dad.

Ok.

He was trying to block
the new fish farm.

He was working with Bill
on that, you'll have to
talk to Bill,

and figure a way to stop
the fisheries.

I haven't been here
for about five years!

Like what am I supposed
to say about a fish farm.

Don't say anything,
just listen.

It's what your dad
would have done.

Ok, the second thing.

Adam.

In want you to spend
some time with him.

Show me he has things inside.

Good things, strong things.

Just like your dad showed you.

Ok, but I'm not good
with kids.

I bet you she has
a glass somewhere.

Hey, you wanna go for a ride?

Wanna try?

People come down here much?

I don't know, not much.

You know we used to live down
here, when I was your age.

- My dad ever bring
you down here?

- I can't.
- It has to be smooth.

See.

Not so fast.

Patient.

Touch the water.

Go on.

What do you feel?

-Wet.
-You feel anything else?

You have to let it talk
to you again.

Before you throw the stone.

Then you have to learn
how to wait.

How to listen.

You keep on bringing me here,
how come?

It's where you're from.

We used to hunt from those
canoes back there.

We knew how then,
cause we knew who we were.

Chief always has to remember
who we are.

Is the water talking
to you yet?

That's it Mike.

Hey, come on.

Wow.

It's like they've
been here forever.

Come on, let's clean them up.

Take 'em out.

See if they float.

-Here.
-Why?

Well to make up to the elders
for what you've done.

What, because you say,
means I got to do it?

Hey, hey!

I could help you now,
or you could do it yourself.

You got a choice.

Grab the tarp.

You know I knew your mom.

Maggie.

She was a good person.

She had a good heart.

You lost your mom
and I lost my dad, huh.

When we were out on
the boat yesterday.

Yeah?

I saw a whale.

Oh really? You know they come
out here sometimes.

Well...

Ambrose told me that
when a Chief dies,

his spirit can come
when a as a whale.

It's what he told me.

Do you think it's true?

He's gone, Adam.

Fathers dead.

Let's grab that.

One, just pull it up.

I think home's
what you need right now.

Mm.

I think you and me,
see things differently.

You can't run away
from yourself.

So you even know what
it's like to be me, huh?

I mean, do you even
have a clue?

People look at you,

the man, the guy who doesn't
make any mistakes.

Me, I'm just a little idiot kid
who is stuck in the corner.

Can't even tie his
own shoelaces.

- You have a choice to make.
- -Yeah well, I'm making it now.

I'm getting the hell
out of here.

I'm sorry dad.

I'm so sorry.

He needs you too, kid.

that's your spirit.

This is
Jane Kimball reporting
from Gold River.

A small Vancouver Island town
with an unusual visitor.

A stray orca whale.

Ok, let's get set up, over here.

Some of their farm salmon broke
out of their nets last year.

Mixed with that wild fish.

-And died.
-What did the company do?

Apologized.

Was my father talking
to these guys?

Yeah they started talking
then it all fell apart.

Well we gotta put
a stop to this.

If the fisheries dealt with
my father, they're gonna
have to deal with me.

This is the one thing
I want to work out.

- Good.
- Then it's all yours.

What do you mean?

I'm going back
to Bella Coola.

Does the uh, rest of
council know about this?

You know, you can tell them.

biologists say it's
not rare to find a visiting
orca in the inland up here.

There are significant resident
whale pods that migrate up
and down this coast.

But this whale doesn't seem
to be passing through.

Locals report him as,
uncharacteristically friendly.

And eager to make contact
with boats and humans.

So the sleepy community of
Gold River may yet find
itself playing host,

to this spunky lost
killer whale, for a while.

- And as word gets out,
maybe to the world.

Jane Kimball, channel 6 news.

Don't be such a
chicken. Just go talk to him.

He's looking at me.

Hey.

So... Hi, how's it going?

-Good.
-Good.

Uh, you know Adam...

He kinda needs some help
down at the old village.

With what?

You know with those
old canoes.

We plan on taking the out,
but they need to cleaned up.

What if we're busy?

Well then get un-busy.

Cause you know that crap
old you guys stealing that
boat the other day...

I think you guys need to
make it up to the elders
as much as Adam does.

Alright, see you
in half an hour.

Bring some friends.

Hey, look who's here.

Hey a sight for sore
eyes, how you doing?

- Good.
- Good.

Really sorry to hear
about your dad, Mike.

Thanks.
How have you been?

Hey, a whale in the bay
keeps the tax man away, right?

- Can I get you a coffee?
- Yeah, but can I get it to go?

Sure.

-You remember Jill.
-Hi.

Um, I-I don't think
we've met before?

Actually we have.

I was up here doing my field
project on herring.

It's like seven years ago.

I don't remember
much from seven years ago,

if you were here,
you'd know that.

Uh, it's good to see
you again, Mike.

So you're with Fishers?

Yeah, a job opened up
two years ago and,

I really wanted to come back.

- My condolences, by the way.
- Thanks.

I really admired your father.

He was uh, very clear,

about where he stood,
even if my bosses didn't
always agree with him.

Yeah well listen, uh, as far
as that's concerned,

I'd love to book some time with
you, so we could sit down,

go over a few things
about the salmon farm.

-Whenever you want.
-Here you go.

Thanks.

Oh, it's on the house,
welcome home.

-I'll see you around, Mike.
-Yeah.

Oh.

Hey Adam, finish off
the backseat, Brenda can
take care of that.

Yeah but I'm
already here.

- No go!
- These boats are ancient.

-Hey Bill.
-What are you doing?

Just trying to get the people
back to the water.

Figured we'd try them out.

They're traditional canoes,
you know this stuff, I wanna
make sure we do it right.

-Hey!
-Hey nothing.

Show some respect, don't be
smoking around these boats.

- Bill.
- Just a little punk.

I don't have to do this, ok.

Eli it's ok I'll take
care of this. You know, Bill.

We have to give these
kids a break.

These kids are
nothing but trouble.

They're young and bored,
we just gotta keep them focused.

Must be nice to come home
and be a hero for a week, huh?

Look are you gonna help us out,
or not?

Thanks Bill.

Ok guys let's get something
straight up front.

I know none of you guys have
been in this type of canoe.

Our ancestors used them back
in the day, for hunting.

Btu we have to be safe, ok?

So do exactly what Bill
tells you.

Alright?

Cool. Bill.

Ok let's get it in the water.

Hey that's where we saw
the whale the other day!

Can we go back there?

We're gonna go where Bill
tells us to go.

- Oh come on it's right there, why can't we just check it out.
- -Adam, keep paddling.

Keep paddling,
we're heading for Mooyah Bay.

Stop! Stop!

- Oh my God!
- Holy cow!

Amazing. Oh my God.

-Whoa.
-It's ok, he's not
gonna hurt us.

Oh, sweet!

He's coming right beside us!

Whoa, keep it
steady guys.

-Oh look at it, he's coming in.
-You got it?

Oh amazing.

Try touch him.

Touch his nose.

- Adam, keep your hand in!
- He won't bite.

Whoa, it's so cool.

You have to feel him.

Feels so weird.

Try and touch him,
he's awesome!

- See! He knows you!
- Adam, sit down!

It's not funny.

- Whoa, what did you guys see?
- We saw the whale again!

- It was amazing!
- It went right up to me.

You saw Tuket?

Yeah.

He came up to the canoes.

Hey! He followed us in!

Whoa, he's swimming
after us!

What's he doing?

Hey Adam,
get away from there!

-Everybody away from the water,
he's gonna beach himself.
-No!

He wants to be with his people.

He's a wild animal,
you don't know what he wants.

Look I need everybody to keep
their distance, alright?

Mike's right.

When Tuket joined with
the whales, he doesn't
mean to do any harm.

Alright everybody.

It was a good day,
let's go home.

Hey Mike, he knew you.

Did you see the way
he came up to you?

Look, Adam.

It's a whale, ok?

And I know it's great that he's
here and everybody's happy,
but it is a whale.

-Ok...
-Ok.

You don't think it's like a sign
or something?

I think it's a whale.

- Hey Adam.
- Let him go.

Look ma, I don't mean to be
disrespectful...

You know, I know what
he means to you.

What does it mean to you?

This is Jane Kimball with
an update on the story of Luna,

the newly named stray orca,
who's mysteriously taken
up resident,

near the tiny community
of Gold River.

- We'll catch you later.
- Any time.

Yeah, yeah that's Jane Kimball
from the six o'clock news
channel 6.

Six o'clock news, bish girl.
Tonight.

I told them we love orcas,
any and all.

Well between them and the
tourist, we get crazy
around here, really fast.

Hey you know, maybe I
should get some merchandising.

Like those stuffed killer whales
or, you know, key chains.

- Ooh hats are good.
- Maybe he'll just leave.

Are you kidding,
maybe he'll bring friends.

And t-shirts.

'See Luna, from Lucy's.'

What's a Luna? Thanks.

Jane was saying that they
were having some kind of
a naming contest,

at the Seattle
newspaper yesterday.

You don't like it?

Wow, Seattle?

There was presumption
earlier this year, that
the missing orca was dead.

But his sudden appearance here
on Northern Vancouver Island,

is a cause of celebration
in the scientific community.

- A-ha.
- -Now they want to figure out...

Plus the fact that it's
all over the internet.

Yeah, and it's on TV.

Right now, I'm watching it.

So I've got all these tourists
hanging around and...

Yeah well, he broke another
sonar yesterday, so the
fishermen are going nuts.

Now the fish farm says he ripped
one of the nets open,

which means we're dealing with
escaped Salmon, which is
an entirely dif--

it's not my point Bryce,
I could use some help.

Uh, excuse me?

Hang on a second.
Can I help you?

Uh yeah, Michael Solomon, OAG.

Orca advocacy group.

We were just on the water
trying to monitor the whale.

And we're sure he's the missing
juvenile from our pod.

That's what we figure.

Well-yeah but he's being buzzed
by power boats out there.

We assume the fisheries will
step in and protect him.

Mr. Solomon, I'm doing my
level best on my own--

Six boats in the last half hour.

Bryce, I'll uh, call you back.

Ok.

I'm gonna need you to fill
out a report for me.

-Thank you.
-Can you show me on
the map where this was?

Hello Luna, hello!

Luna! Hello Lu! Hi Luna! Oh!

All boats, all boats
there is a marine mammal
warning in effect.

All boats must stay
away from the whale.

- I repeat, you're
breaking the law.

I don't want to have to
suspend your licenses, go please
back away from the whale.

She loves them, come on.

You need to be 100 meters
away from the whale!

What the heck is your problem,
he loves us! Hello!

You are in violation of
fisheries regulations,

everyone move back 100 meters.

Oh, sorry.

Excuse me, excuse me.

And now this amateur
video, showing a local fisherman

-shooting at and missing
the young orca.
-What!

Environmental groups
concerned about the
safety of the animal.

Here you go Jill.

To take Luna, the problem
will just go away.

- We want the fisheries to protect the whale.
-Thanks.

So far government
officials have declined
to comment,

on the activities of
the fishermen, or Luna.

And now to Vancouver where...

I was just
trying to scare him.

If I wanted to kill him do you
think I would have missed?

Your license is suspended
for a month.

If I see your boat on the water,
Ernie, I'll impound it.

I've got a right
to make a living,

that's my right and you people
are supposed to protect it.

Why don't you just do your job?

Officer Mackay?

Uh media requests have to go
through head office.

I am head office,
couldn't you tell?

Ted Jefferies, operations.

Uh, Jill Mackay,
am I glad to see you.

So, the whale?

Uh yeah, the orca, um well,
technically he's a dolphin.

Everyone calls him Luna,
but we know him as L98.

Has seemed to have had a bonding
problem with his mother,

because he disappeared from
the L-pod in the Salmon Islands,
last year.

We have to fix this.

Your gun slinging fisherman is
all over the internet.

And the minister's office
is getting hammered.

We're getting complaints from
Turkey for crying out loud.

Plus, the fish farm
keeps calling.

Apparently he torn
their nets or something?

Yes he tore the nets, and I told
them to file a report, just--

We're in business
with these people.

Just like we're in business
with the fishers and the
general public.

They are our key client groups,
ok? And your Luna,

is butting heads
with all of them.

This is, a bad thing.

-Yeah.
-So.

-Solution.
-Please.

Seeing as this pod is in
American waters right now,

we called our friends
in Washington state.

Uh, to do what?

We're giving him back.

Which means we have
to capture him.

So he follows your boat?

That's the problem,
he'll follow any boat.

Well that works, it makes
it easier to lead him in.

That's Mooyah Bay.

-That's where he normally stays.
-Right.

-Are those tourists?
-No.

Oh, what's this now?

Canoes please move clear,
you're in violation of
fisheries regulations.

These are our waters you
can't stop us from being here.

Hey Mike, he could flip
that canoe in a heartbeat.

Look I'm sorry but you're
required to keep a distance of
100 meters from marine mammals.

Yeah well,
I think we're good.

You can't keep us away
from our Chief.

We respect your beliefs Bill,
but, this is a, it's a
delicate situation.

-Well what do you know
about our beliefs?
-Bill.

Alright, I think we're
good here.

Come on Bill, let's take
these guys home.

Alright, let's put
some muscle into it!

Wooo!

So they think the
whale is their Chief?

Uh yeah it's...

Some of their people believe,
I heard that,

well I guess you could say that
the spirit of the late Chief is
sort of joined with Luna.

Any other details you're
not telling me?

This is turning into
A PR nightmare, Jill.

I want this thing managed, ok?

Starting now.

You want me to hire
a media consultant?

No I'd like you to take me
back to shore.

We'll pulling up
the capture date.

Is it a good time to talk?

Absolutely.

Sure. Grab a seat.

You guys and my father were
trying to work out something,

out around the fish farms.

Ah, yes, there were
talks, but, things kind of,

fell apart at the end
of last year.

Ted.

Chief Maquinna, Ted Jefferies,
saw you on the water, yesterday.

-Yeah, how you doing?
-Good, good.

To what do we owe the honor?

Well I was just looking
over my father's papers.

The back and forth with
fisheries about not licensing
any new fish farms.

Well I was hoping that maybe we
could start talking again.

The existing farm is wrecking
our fisheries.

And a new salmon farm would
basically kill us.

Maybe we need to restate
the Mowachaht position
to the minister.

You know, put it back on
the front burner.

Well uh, that would help a lot.

But what we'd like is you
to just shut down the,

existing fish farm.

Well, I can't make
any promises, but,

but fisheries considers your
people to be priority clients,

now I know there's been some
friction in the past, but...

We just gotta keep the
communication thing going.

Sure.

-And uh, about the whale?
-Right.

Well you saw, he's very
significant to our people.

Yes I did.

And I know you have to enforce
your regulations,

but I was hoping you could
cut us some slack?

You know, nobody on our side is
going to hurt the whale.

Our side just wants to make
sure everyone's needs are
taken care of.

Including the whales.

Ok, well if you just uh,

you know consult with the band
before making any decisions.

Yeah, just so everyone is ok
with what's going on.

That communication thing, huh.

-Thanks for your time.
-Yeah.

Mike.

We just signed a contract to
build a net pen for Luna,

and, how can you just
lie to him like that?

I didn't lie.

Excuse me?

I'm trying to
buy us some time.

If we leak to the media that
Luna's best chance for survival,
is reunification,

then these guys with there
reincarnation thing are
just gonna look goofy.

Problem on solved.

Problem two,

I want to control the media,
from now on,

we trickle feed the story
just we're ready for full
blown coverage.

The dock, down by the old mill,
if we put the pen there,
can we control access?

- I suppose--
- Alright then let's
get the dock cleared,

because the pen stuff will be
here in about an hour.

What is this,
a steering contest?

No, I'll make the call.

Ok try her!

ok stop!

Stop!

maybe you got to take her
up to the garage.

Oh
give me a chance.

I don't want to be pouring any
more money into this baby,
than I have to.

But I don't need her stalling
while I'm on the road tomorrow.

- Where are you going?
- Home.

Hey, some of us have to
work for a living.

-Yeah but--
-But nothing.

If I don't get back,
I lose a job.

But you've got a job.

Hey Adam.

Everything is going
to be alright.

Ok? Bill is going to be
a great Chief.

Adam.

Hey Adam, I need you
to help me, here.

There you are.

Here read this.

Fisheries already approved
the whole fish farm thing.

Last month!

It's a done deal.

That guys must have seen me
coming from a mile away.

You tried Mike.

It looks like they're
building something down at
the old mill dock.

If we can wrangle
out here, do you really--

What's going on!

Oh Chief Maquinna, I'd like
you to meet Murry Novak
from the aquarium.

It's a pen, they're gonna
trap Sukit.

Best thing for him, Chief,
back with his pod,

our biologist says he won't
survive otherwise and she knows
what she is talking about.

You told me, you'd consult.

I certainly did.

When can we all sit down?

Band council office,
one o'clock.

Yeah we can do that, sure.

Call the police, I want this
area properly secured.

Ok.

Luna is what's known
as a solitary social able.

Orcas who exhibit the highest
degree of contact with humans,

are generally at the greatest
risk of injury or death.

You're kidnapping our Chief and
you want our support on that.

We're just trying
to protect him.

I mean, you guys have been
seeing what's been happening.

Yesterday I found a guy in the
dock, he was pouring beer
down his blow hole.

Last night he collided
with a float plane.

His nose is all banged up.

Don't even get me started
on the damage to the plane.

The owner is screaming
about law suits--

We just don't think he can
survive without his pod.

Reunification is the only way
to go and we were hoping,

we could get your
support on this.

He's here with us, because he
belongs here, end of story.

So what's your plan?

Or can you share that with us?

Well, we'd um...

Pen him and then transport him
down to Washington state.

Over land?

We work with completely
professional teams,

they're used to moving
large marine mammals and
they do so safely.

I'll let Murry explain
the details.

We plan to led L98 into a net
pen and then close it.

We'll take a few days
to assess him,

then move him to
Tedder Bay, near Victoria.

-Yeah well how are you
going to do that?
-By truck.

- Oh.
- -It's a flatbed truck, outfitted with a special tank.

That'll take hours.

We estimate 12 hours.

Once we get him there we will
keep him in another net pen.

When we know the pod is passing
we'll look for signs of
audible communication,

once that's established...

- We release him.
- What if it doesn't work?

-I'm sorry?
-Well what if he doesn't
want to join his pod?

What if he winds up swimming in
Victoria harbor, Seattle.

If we're having problems with
him and boats here,

it's gonna be ten times
worse over there.

M-Murry has a very high
expectation of success.

Or first dibs on the whale if
the plan doesn't work out.

The aquarium hasn't kept
orca's for a number of years,

we have no interest
in resuming that program.

I'm sure there's
someone out there who
wants a beer drinking orca,

with a banged up nose.

So you're just gonna do
this no matter what we say,
right?

Yes we are.

You're two for two buddy.

Just so we understand
each other.

-Well that went well.
-Who do you think
you're working for?

-Excuse me?
-How did he know we are
trying to see the thing?

Uh let's see,
he took a wild guess.

You're telling me
you didn't tell him?

You didn't answer his quest--

I'm asking if you supplied
the question?

What I had to say about your
marine land idea, I said to you.

And I meant it Ted,
I'm filing a complaint.

It's the absolute wrong
thing to do.

No, you giving information
to the band, that's the
wrong thing to do.

I told you,
I didn't say anything.

I can't believe you
actually trusted that guy.

Y-You know what those
people understand?

Trouble. Angry Indians
that's trouble.

This is our territory Mike
and that is our Orca.

Right, so let's occupy the
inland with two canoes
and a rattle.

-Come on Bill.
-I could call in reinforcements.

You know what we need to do,
is just get him out of here.

What? He's our Chief.

I don't know, you're convinced
he wants to stay here, right?

What are you
talking about?

Let's lead him out to the
ocean and let him make up
his own mind.

If he swims back to his pod
then they have no reason to trap
him and do the overland thing.

We probably save his life.

- That's crazy.
- Bill.

It's worth a try.

H-Hey!

What are you doing?

Oh just getting ready
for tomorrow.

We're gonna lead the whale
out into the ocean, let him
find his way home.

What? He is home!

He's supposed to be here,
with us!

Look Adam, we're just
giving him a choice.

You know what, you just want him
gone so you can leave too.

Look Adam the government wants
to chuck him away,

and that just might kill him.

Alright, I'm just trying
to make the best out of
a bad situation, pal.

Hey is this how we're gonna end
every conversation, cause it's
getting a little boring.

Ok guys.

This may not be what
everyone wanted.

We have to see what
the whale wants.

If it's lost maybe we can help
it's way back home.

It's really up to him, but...

Let's just give him that choice.

Let mother nature
take its course.

Ok boys, let's go.

Come on buddy.

Where are you?

Over there!

Ok, pick it up!

Woo, woo, woo.

Come on Mike,
strong voice.

You have to sing it
to make it yours.

For when you're Chief.

I don't like it.

Why don't you like it?

It took me a while
to learn it too.

How come you had to be Chief.

It's always been that way.

What if you wanted
to be something else?

You want to be something else?

Maybe.

Learn the paddle song anyway.

In case you change your mind.

Ok guys, he's with us.

Let's push on through.

Let's go.

Murry says we'll make it.

We better, I'm a hundred
grand over department budget,
on this thing already.

Hey Adam, what're you
doing here?

They're taking the
whale out to sea.

Who?

-Chief Maquinna.
-When?

Right now.

You've done good kid,
go buy your mom something nice.

Let's go.

Don't you think we should
just let them try?

I mean if Luna just leaves--

Do you think Luna's just gonna
leave like the inland has been
blocked this whole time?

I think he's
disorientated,

I tried leading him out
but he wouldn't leave.

But he seems to respond to
the Band though, so if,

I mean if they can,
just get him pass the sound.

So he can turn around and come
back, then have two days
behind instead of one,

forget about it.

I'll take care of this myself.

He's with us,
let's push on through!

Ok buddy, here's your chance.

Let's take him out.

- It's fisheries!
- -let's pick it up guys, go!

Go!

Watch out!

Stop!

Stop.

Gotcha.

Interring with marine
mammals is a criminal offense.

You are in violation of the law
and I am asking you to return
to the dock immediately.

These are Mowachaht
waters, you've got no
jurisdiction here!

Yeah!

I warned you.

So arrest them.

Can I try sir?
I kind of know him.

Come on Mike be
resemble, do as he says.

Right now you are breaking
the law, and there's a
100 thousand dollar fine,

if you turn the canoes around we
can talk about this on shore.

Well we're not turning around!

Chief Maquinna,
this is my last warning.

Turn the canoes around.

If you want us out of here
you're gonna have to drag
us out, you hear me!

Drag us out!

- Yeah!
- Eli! Sit down Eli.

Whoa!

Jane Kimball Mr. Jeffries,
channel 6 news,

is fisheries going to press
chargers against the Mowachaht?

Of course not, fisheries has the
utter most respect for the
Mowachaht and their beliefs.

But I hope Chief Maquinna saw
how dangerous this could
be for everyone.

I hope that fisheries and
the band can cooperate
from here on in,

so that we can do the
best for Luna.

-Thank you.
-Thank you.

Lance let's go.

Chief Maquinna!

Can you tell us about
what happened out there?

Why don't you ask fisheries.

I think I made my point.

If I see you out there tomorrow,
I will have you arrested,
you hear me?

Hand shake and we're done, ok?

Is Tukito ok?

He didn't leave and we
couldn't get him out.

And we lost a canoe.

Drink it.

He'd sure be proud of me, huh?

Yes he would.

I'm sorry ma.

-You asked me to do one thing--
-I asked you to try.

You tired.

See that's just what I've
been trying to tell you, I try.

I screw up.

That's just the point,
I'm not the guy.

Is that good? Understand now?

-Mike.
-Ma, I'm good.

Ok, I just gotta go for a walk.

Local residents
and the scientific community,

fisheries plan's to capture
Luna as a first step
towards moving him.

But when Luna turned around and
swam back into the bay today,

some people began to suggest
the Mowachaht right,

this is where he wants to be.

So as fisheries moves forward
with the reunification plan,

the Luna story gets complicated,

all over again.

Jane Kimball, channel 6 news,
Gold River.

Hey Mike.

I didn't know that Ted
was going to do that.

You know I tried to lead
Luna out,

first day I found him.

And he came back then too.

I guess I was hoping
that you'd make it work.

That he'd follow you out,
cause if he stays here,
he'll die.

Oh he could die, on your truck.

He could die wherever
you dump him.

No we're not dumping him.

He keeps coming back.

I figure he knows something
that I don't.

Maybe he does.

You were right about the
captivity thing.

- What?
- -What you said about someone wanting a cheap orca.

Ted's asked two aquariums
for a bid, in case the
reunification doesn't work.

But I still think that he should
be with his family, Mike.

Maybe he already is.

Mike.

Adam's gone and stuff
is missing from his room.

Hey where are you going?

I was gonna ask you
the same thing.

I'm uh, wherever.

-Someone you know?
-Uh no, hey, can I get a ride?

Get over here.

I got it.

-Is that your kid?
-Yeah.

I'm not his kid,
he's a liar!

Look, my mom makes a home for
you and you run out on her!

So? What do you think
you're doing?

Hey you think you're the only
kids who's got a raw deal, huh?

Stuff happens, get over it.

Yeah right, that's deep.

It's the best I got.

Jeez, no wonder why you are
scared to be Chief.

Guess you and I aren't so
different after all.

maybe you and I should
stop running huh?

Come on, get in.

You know my father showed me
how to build these.

So that we allow a start.

He was always trying to
show me something.

But I kind of wasn't
paying attention.

He is the whale.

You know whales saved us?

Back in the day a whale would
offer himself to the hunter.

The whole village would eat.

But it was the Chief,

who is the only one who would
connect with the whale.

I didn't know the fisheries guy
was gonna call the cops.

I told him what you
were gonna do.

I just didn't want
everybody to leave.

That's ok Adam.

Everybody's a little confused.

It's not a bad place, huh.

Compared to what?

I don't know,
Bella Coola.

Bella Coola could be different.

Sometimes
lonely.

This place is lonely.

Uh...

Not the same way.

Are you still gonna go back?

You figure.

Whoa, look!

He bought the canoe back.

Won't see that in Bella Coola.

Now do you believe
it's your dad?

What if we tried
protecting whale instead
of capturing.

I guess you could call it
a storage ship program.

We'll work out the details
with you guys later,

but we'd be on the
boats every day,

in teams, keeping him away
from other boats, fishermen,

-cause if he's not banging into
anything, he's not--
-Chief, Chief.

We can talk this round and round
until the cows come home,

what's at stack here is the
whales survival.

At marine land?

We've made some inquiries.

We're treating it as a
contentiously plan,

but I really appreciate
you guys keeping me in
the loop on all this.

That's, communication.

Now if you'll excuse me.

Are you looking for a fight,
Mr. Jefferies?

Bill.

Listen it's time to make
that call and get some
reinforcements in here.

Do you think more angry guys
at the dock is gonna
change anything?

But he'll spin this around.

And make it look like
he's saving the whale.

That's our fault if anything
bad happens.

-Listen, will you just
trust me here, please!
-Bill!

How about you just trust me?

I think we could
so something here.

I got another plan.

I need you to back me.

Today fisheries
plans to capture Luna,

as a first step towards moving
him to Puget Sound.

Where they hope he will
reunite with his pod.

But tensions are running high as
members of the local native
band, head for the water.

They oppose the capture, arguing
that Luna should decide for
himself where he wants to live.

The cops told the
clinic to be ready for injuries.

Chief Maquinna I've been asked
to inform you that if you
enter the capture area,

you will be arrested.

-Got it?
-I got it.

Is it supposed to get ugly?

I hope not Chief,
I guess that's up to you.

Sargent,
what do you expect?

I'm sure the Chief
understands. Thank you.

- Good morning.
- Hi.

I saw your report on TV last
night, I thought it was a very
interesting angle on the story.

Trying.

Looks a little more
formal today.

-With the drums and all.
-A little, how would you like
to be closer to the action?

-Absolutely.
-Alright.

Anyone who wants
to sit this one out,

no questions asked.

Ok then.

We all know why we are here,

we have to honor Sukit.

And remember my father's spirit,

he chose to come back to us.

He chose to stay.

Some people won't accept
that choice, cause it
interferes with business,

with politics.

And whatever happens,

whatever they try
to do out there,

we have to honor my
father's spirit.

With respect.

Without violence.

And remember Sukit came to
connect us back to the water.

It's who we are.

And it's how we honor him.

This is Jane Kimball
with an update on the
Luna capture story.

Fisheries plans to lead the
lone orca into a net pen,

they've had specially built
here at Gold River.

And then move him by truck
to Puget Sound, near Victoria.

Your friends got
a one track mind.

-Like he's the only one.
-You just stick to the plan!

Is that him?

Yeah.

Alright, harder!

There he is, dead ahead.

Hey wait.

Wait.

Jill's gonna lead him into the
net pen, no-one makes a move on
those cables until I say so.

Alright Murry we got him.

Be ready.

- Now!
- Wooo!

Hard!

-We're gonna hit them.
-Just keep going.

Alright, move in, now!

Pull!

They've got a bloody
reporter with them.

They've got a reporter,
hold off!

What are you asking for,
Mr. Jefferies?

Alright, forget arresting
them, ok?

Just cover me, can you get your
boats between us and them?

We can try.

Stop!

Checkmate.

Ok Murry we're coming in,
let's make this happen.

Roger that.

He's following us.

They're coming in,
everyone get ready.

Ok good, come on Luna, come on.

A little faster.

You guys, call him!

Call him now!

Sukit! Over here!

-Come on over here!
-Come on Sukit!

Come here! Come here!

Come on Sukit!

Ok Murry he's following us,
get ready.

Wait until he's in the middle.

Hey come here!

Come on Mike you have
to sing it to make it yours.

For when you're Chief.

Murry, Murry close it now!

Close it now!

Now, now, now!

Close it! Close it!

Look!
He's out of the pen.

Yes!

He made it!
He got away!

Alright come on, turn this
boat around, let's go,
let's go get him.

Turn this boat around, let's go,
let's go after him.

Turn this boat around.

Checkmate.

Are you kidding me?

Awesome.

Come one, come on, let's go.

Over here.

Anything you'd like to
say about what happened?

Mr. Jefferies can
speak for the department.

So what's it gonna be
Mr. Jefferies?

Another attempt tomorrow?

Yeah Mr. Jefferies,
what is it gonna be?

We'll issue a press release.

Mr. Jefferies, we'd like
an official response to our
Stirred ship proposal.

Something you might want to
put in your press release.

You know if you're out there,
we're out there,

every day, every night.

As long as it takes.

You're trying to force something
that can't be forced.

All we want to do is let him
make up his own mind.

Where ever it takes him.

As I said, let nature
take its course.

Hey, I just wanna make sure we
keep that communication
thing going.

Mr. Jefferies, do you
have a response to the
Stirred ship program?

Not at this time.

Hey.

Thanks.

That's what I was
gonna say to you.

-You like it?
-Yeah it was great!

Sometimes it takes
someone else to help a
sea inside our hearts.

To help us understand what
we're capable of.

That summer,

Luna taught me
that I could be Chief.

Just like my father before me.

And he touched our people
in a way we will never forget.

And as we gather.

To honor the passing of
Ambrose Maquinna,

we welcome his son Mike,
as Chief of the Mowachaht
nation.

A hereditary Chief, a Maquinna.

As it's always been for us,
through the ages.

And when we finally
understood why he had come...

My father's spirit
was free to go.

Just like the water shaped the
land, it shaped us too.

Luna showed our people that
this is where we belong.

And he reminded us,

of who we are.

A proud and living culture.