MICHAEL "POM" PRESTON’ STATEMENT: Sawalmem, "sacred water," is how the Winnemem Wintu tribe has always been in relationship with water. Coming from Northern California, where water is abundant, the tribe decided it was time to share this meaning of Sawalmem to help change the concept of water as "resource" to water as sacred life giver. As a member of the tribe, I decided to do my part in telling the world what my tribe is saying about water and became part of making this documentary happen.