Video Description (from the publisher)
Definition:
(ya'ko'a'na) n: dust from the resin of the virola elongata tree used by Yanomami Shamans to perceive the breath of the planet, the song of the Earth.

In Brazil, one week prior to the famed United Nations Earth Summit, The First World Conference of Indigenous Peoples on Environment, Territory and Development was attended by nearly one thousand Tribal representatives from around the world. It's purpose: to unite the voice of global Indigenous Peoples in regard to human rights, land rights, intellectual property rights, culture, biodiversity, development and science. This was the first ever world gathering of Tribal leaders and a cogent voice for sustainable life on Earth.

YAKOANA is a one hour documentation of this global gathering of tribes. From Amazonian shamans to Native American chiefs, a Batwa/Pygmy, West Papuan warrior and Maori grandmother these dignified tribal leaders speak straight to the heart with an urgent message to listen to and respect the voices of Mother Earth. They fire the notion of protection of biodiversity and a life in honor of all nature. They tell the story of colonialism, expose the current oppression and silencing of their cultures and present an uncensored view of environmental ruin. They introduce us to their world-view, radically different from the Industrialized world-view, which sees humans as not separable from nature, not separable from spirit.

While YAKOANA stings with stories that tell of loss of life, loss of nature and the damage wrought by greed, it also offers hope for the future, brimming with a spiritual wisdom, a rooted determination and an unmatched celebration of life.

YAKOANA is the story of warriors, whose beliefs stem from ancient Earth-centric cultures, who are fighting for life on Earth. It is an education, a spiritual journey, a warrior's insight and a politically potent message. Out of the 5,000 Indigenous nations, whose cultures live in harmony with the Earth, the United Nations invited one Indigenous leader to address the global summit allotting him five minutes to speak.

Reactions to YAKOANA

...a beautiful film..... -Peter Matthiessen, author

Eloquent and inspiring voices of Indigenous leaders with passionate and powerful messages for the future of the planet. A beautiful and important film. -Institute of Noetic Sciences

This is our chance to listen to a message from people closely connected to the Earth. The industrial world has put their very existence at stake... Stop and listen to their world. -Mickey Hart, musician

YAKOANA will become a classic. -Sandra S. Wright, President, BSW Foundation

...provocative...compelling... -Boston Research Center

...dreamlike... -San Francisco Bay Guardian

A reverence for all forms of life pervades this uniquely eloquent and beautiful documentary. -Joseph Kulin, Executive Publisher, PARABOLA Magazine

I am very moved. It is so inspiring to hear the voices of the people of the Earth. -Angeles Arrien, anthropologist, educator, author

BRAVO!!! - Ann Roberts, Fund of the Four Directions

WOW! It's fabulous. It's a masterpiece. I just loved it. YAKOANA should be required viewing for everybody. -Boris Said, Executive Producer, MYSTERY OF THE SPHINX, Emmy Award

YAKOANA is a very important work that voices the concerns of Indigenous leaders about the destruction of their homelands and cultures around the globe. What is really unique about YAKOANA is that it brings us messages from Indigenous Peoples themselves. - Jose Borges, Rainforest Action Network

Hearing these deeply and differently accented voices is like being honored to sit among the tribes as they tell their story of this Earth and her protection. -New Age Journal

YAKOANA is such a wonderful, deeply moving work. -NYC Sierra Club Film Festival

You woke me up. -Sissi Marini, United Nations

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