What's Happening?
During New York City Climate Week in September 2025, Counterstream Media and the Frontline Resources Institute (FRI) collaborated to present 'Reframing Resistance,' a Story Salon aimed at shifting narrative authority in climate justice. This initiative
sought to elevate frontline media makers as primary authorities on the realities they document, rather than merely using their stories as communication tools. The event featured films by Chantel Comardelle, Alexandra Norris, and B. Preston Lyles, focusing on Indigenous climate migration, toxic prisons, and petrochemical harm. The Story Salon was designed as a closed-door space for narrative shift and power building, emphasizing listening over interpretation or justification.
Why It's Important?
The 'Reframing Resistance' initiative highlights a critical shift in how narrative authority is perceived and utilized within the climate justice movement. By recognizing frontline media makers as primary authorities, the event challenges traditional power dynamics where institutional actors often control the narrative. This approach not only empowers communities most affected by climate issues but also encourages deeper accountability and systemic change. The initiative underscores the importance of narrative infrastructure as a tool for reshaping power and decision-making processes, moving beyond performative inclusion to genuine engagement with frontline expertise.
What's Next?
The collaboration between Counterstream Media and FRI sets a precedent for future narrative spaces that prioritize frontline voices. As these organizations continue to develop story-based spaces, they aim to foster partnerships that are aligned on values and practice, ensuring that narrative authority is redistributed. This approach may influence other environmental and philanthropic institutions to reevaluate how they engage with frontline narratives, potentially leading to more inclusive and effective climate justice strategies. The ongoing challenge will be to maintain this momentum and ensure that narrative infrastructure is supported by sustained investment.
Beyond the Headlines
The 'Reframing Resistance' initiative also raises broader questions about the role of narrative in social movements. By treating narrative as core infrastructure rather than an add-on, the event challenges the sector to unlearn habits that prioritize institutional convenience over genuine engagement. This shift requires a willingness to change how power is held and who controls narrative spaces. The initiative highlights the potential for narrative authority to not only move audiences but also shape decisions and expand possibilities for long-term systemic change.
