Watch Nourished by the Same River - Growing Together

Nourished by the Same River - Growing Together is a beautifully crafted documentary that takes a deep dive into the lives of three indigenous communities that are making strides towards a sustainable future, all while protecting their cultural heritage. The film, directed by American anthropologist and filmmaker Michael A. Glass, is a work of art that shows the potential of what happens when we prioritize community-led solutions to problems rather than imposing outside agendas.

The movie follows three different communities - the Wampis, the Quechua, and the Kichwa peoples - who live in the vicinity of the Marañón River, which is one of the tributaries of the mighty Amazon River in South America. The three indigenous communities have been living in the region for centuries and are proud of their cultural heritage. However, in recent times, their lives have been impacted by extractive activities like oil extraction, mining, and agriculture, most of which are carried out by large multinational corporations.

Despite facing immense pressure to adapt to modern ways of life and westernization, these communities have come together to resist these activities and have formed alliances to protect their environment and cultural heritage. The film follows the daily lives of the people in these communities, from fishing in the river to farming on the hillsides, and shows how their actions have a direct impact on the environment.

The documentary is dotted with several interviews with community leaders, activists, and environmental experts who provide insightful commentary on the situation. We hear from indigenous leaders like Diana Rios, who is a Wampis leader and a vocal advocate for indigenous rights. She shares how her people have been self-sufficient for generations and have taken a holistic approach to nature. We also hear from Julio Cusurichi, who is a Quechua leader and the founder of an organization that promotes sustainable Amazonian development. He shares his views on how modern technology and traditional knowledge can work together to achieve sustainable growth.

The documentary also highlights the challenges that these communities face as they attempt to balance development and environmental conservation. For example, we see how the Wampis people are skeptical of renewable energy projects, such as solar panels and wind turbines, due to doubts over their sustainability. They prefer to rely on traditional sources like watermills and hydroelectric power to power their homes.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the film is how it showcases the similarities among these three communities. Despite their different languages and cultures, they are united by their love for the environment and their determination to protect it. The title of the film, Nourished by the Same River, is a metaphor for the interconnectedness of these communities, as well as the entire world. The film also touches on how the challenges facing these communities are not unique to them but are reflective of the challenges faced by indigenous communities all over the world.

Overall, Nourished by the Same River - Growing Together is a poignant and thought-provoking film that reminds us of the importance of protecting the environment and cultural heritage. It highlights the importance of community-based solutions and demonstrates how effective these solutions can be in achieving sustainability. It is a must-watch for anyone who cares about the environment and wants to learn how indigenous communities are working to protect it.