Erinn Drage - Co-Director
Erinn Drage is a conservationist, outdoor enthusiast, and filmmaker passionate about telling stories that matter and help convey connections between people and the planet. Originally from Nova Scotia, she now calls Canmore, Alberta home. In recent years, Erinn has worked as an expedition guide in the Arctic and Antarctica, directed, shot, and edited digital media series for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and conducted research on nature-based tourism economies in Alaska’s Denali region. Her first feature-length documentary, In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors, follows the story of the Sahtú Dene and the Canol Trail in the Northwest Territories. Erinn’s research and professional work spans environmental governance, conservation policy, and protected areas management, with a focus on equity, storytelling, and systems change.
David Borish - Co-Director
David Borish is a social science researcher and visual artist who uses documentary film to co-explore and communicate an array of environmental, social, and health issues in collaboration with underrepresented communities. As an award-winning filmmaker that has a PhD in Public Health & International Development, his visual work is grounded in evidence-based research. David has worked with wildlife co-management boards across the Canadian Arctic to co-create visual media about Indigenous knowledge of species like polar bears, caribou, and beluga. He has also worked with Indigenous communities on socio-ecological film projects in Uganda, Kenya, Nepal, Malaysia, Peru, and other parts of the world. He currently manages Cloudberry Connections. David is part of the Explorers Club’s annual “50 People Changing the World” class of 2023.
Sabastien Twesigomwe - Producer
With over 15 years of experience in public health and community development, Sabastien Twesigomwe is a registered nurse and researcher deeply committed to supporting Batwa communities in Kanungu, Uganda. Since 2010, he has worked in healthcare delivery, public health education, and culturally respectful care through the Batwa Development Programme and Bwindi Community Hospital. His long-standing relationships have led to roles in community-based research, where he coordinated fieldwork, facilitated Batwa participation, mentored students, and contributed to publications. He brings deep insight, trust, and cultural understanding to this work, and is dedicated to advancing Batwa health, well-being, and self-determined development.
Edward Byaruhanga - Field Producer
At just 27 years old, Edward Byunduga is already a shining star in his small community of Kihembe. As a Mutwa, graduating from secondary school was already an achievement, but Edward has also been the youngest Chairman of any of the Batwa communities, earning him deep respect amongst his peers and community members. Currently working toward a diploma in construction, Edward is hoping to find practical work near his community to support his young family. At the same time, he is already flourishing as a leader and an advocate and has big dreams of improving the lives of his people. To do so, he sees Batwa representation in all levels of government as a priority worth fighting for. In the Ihamba Project, Edward is one of the key voices in the film, sharing his experiences from a youth perspective. Edward also was a researcher and field producer on the team, conducting interviews and guiding the translation process.
Sherilee Harper - Executive Producer
Sherilee Harper is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Climate Change and Health at the University of Alberta, whose research focuses on the intersections of climate change, health equity, and Indigenous leadership. She has worked closely with Batwa communities in Uganda for over a decade, supporting research and advocacy efforts that center Batwa knowledge, health priorities, and experiences of displacement. Through long-standing partnerships, she has helped mobilize resources for Batwa-led storytelling and research, including the Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change (IHACC) initiative. Globally, she contributes to climate-health policy as an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Vice Chair, a Lead Author on two United Nation's IPCC reports; served on the Gender Task Group for the IPCC; and has led major national and international climate-health assessments and advisory groups.
Andrea Hanke - Impact Producer/Researcher
Andrea Hanke (they/them) is a social science researcher who works across multiple knowledge systems to reach a bigger picture understanding of wildlife. They focus on knowledge accessibility, legislation connections, co-management, and community-based research using thematic analysis, participatory mapping, and various data visualization techniques. Andrea worked closely with three Inuit communities – Kugluktuk, Ekaluktutiak (Cambridge Bay), Ulukhaktok – in the central Canadian Arctic throughout the duration of their PhD, documenting and connecting knowledge of the Dolphin and Union caribou herd to support population-level conservation actions. Having been a part of a research group in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary for 7 years, Andrea is skilled at communicating social science techniques to highly trained natural scientists. Andrea is passionate about effective communication, that is, communication that achieves its intended purpose.
Didas Namanya - Advisor
Didacus Namanya is a senior public health expert with over 20 years of experience working with Uganda’s Ministry of Health and the Uganda National Health Research Organisation. He holds a BA in Geography, an MSc in Public Health, and is completing a PhD in Public Health. His work focuses on Indigenous health, climate change, and natural resource governance, with years of experiences of working with the Batwa of Kanungu District. He has co-led major international research projects such as IHACC and the COVID Observatories, contributing to all stages from design to dissemination. Namanya brings deep experience in policy-relevant research, cross-sector collaboration, and publishing impactful findings to improve community well-being. For the Ihamba Project, Namanya has played a key advisory role, guiding how this film can influence policy and discourse in Uganda.
Abius Ekibahigne
Abius of Kitariro is a Mutwa full of energy. A natural leader, she stands as a fierce advocate for her people, the Batwa of Kunungu district. Despite day-to-day hardships including poverty and food insecurity, Abius dedicates her energy to speaking up on behalf of the Batwa. Tired of empty promises, she is ready to see action taken to ameliorate the situation of the Batwa. Abius is one of the key voices in the Ihamba film.
Byaruhanga Justus
As the elected chairperson of his community Byumba Batwa settlement, Justus has been instrumental in advocating for the importance of formal education among Batwa children in his community, who are now pursuing their studies at various levels. His leadership is rooted in an intimate understanding of Batwa knowledge, representing a people deeply connected to the Bwindi forest. He represents the interests and challenges of his community in collaborations with different organizations that work with the Batwa. Additionally, he is employed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as a porter, a role that, despite being modestly compensated, contributes to his ability to provide for his family along with subsistence farming and working for the neighboring Bakiga communities.
John Kaheru
John is from Mpungu and straddles two worlds. As both a Mutwa man and a conservation ranger employed by UWA, his relationship with the forest is profound. From his ancestors, he inherited some of the most intimate forest knowledge available. Today, as a gorilla tracker keeping tabs on the endangered Eastern Mountain Gorillas, John spends most days deep in the tropical forest. One of only a few Batwa rangers, John brings a unique perspective to the current situation of the Batwa, understanding both the importance of forest conservation and the need to adequately compensate and acknowledge Batwa communities and their connections to the forest.
Nyamihanda Violet:
Violet has taken on the role of primary caregiver for her family, shouldering the responsibility alone as a single mother. In her role as the chairperson of her settlement of Mukongoro, she has been instrumental in achieving progress for her community. Understanding the Batwa as a people originally from the forest, she is acutely aware that limited educational opportunities have left many with less knowledge, a situation she seeks to change. She ensures the well-being of her family through farming and crafting, and also through traditional dancing in front of tourists at the Bwindi Park. Her pride in her Batwa heritage is strong.
Barugahare Moses
As a devoted spouse and parent, Moses has nurtured and provided for four children, despite a lack of regular income. His resourcefulness has been evident in securing vital resources such as agricultural tools, seeds, shelter, and land for their community by actively engaging with organizations like Empowering Vulnerable Communities (EVC) and Batwa Development Programme (BDP). As the chairperson of Kebiremu Batwa settlement, Moses has taken a leadership role, representing and advocating for their people's needs. Previously, he worked as a support worker in a tea factory, but he is currently without formal employment. However, he contributes to his family's livelihood through farming, crafting, and working for the Bakiga community in exchange for food. Moses takes great pride in Batwa identity.
Evas Nissiima
Evas is one of few educated Batwa, having completed her secondary studies in the Kunungu district. Originally from Kitariro and now residing in Buhoma, Evas uses her education as a tool to raise her voice on behalf of Batwa throughout south-western Uganda. Despite her high level of education though, she struggles to find stable employment, citing widespread discrimination and marginalization of Batwa as an ongoing barrier for her people. Evas is passionate about furthering the education for Batwa children, insisting that through education, the Batwa will collectively be empowered to speak on their own behalf.
Bunane Moses
Moses is the chairperson of Bikuto batwa settlement. He tirelessly cared for his family, including a child with disabilities who requires constant attention and care, marked by an inability to stand and frequent distress. Moses’ life has been marked by the historical displacement of his people from their forest home, a traumatic event compounded by a lack of subsequent support. He works as a farmer, and some paid work has come in the form of labor for the neighboring Bakiga community. He is aware of the poverty that afflicts the Batwa people, including issues such as landlessness and food scarcity.