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Braiding the Sacred

"Braiding the Sacred" weaves together the voices of traditional indigenous corn cultivators from cultures of maize. They share wisdom, experiences, stories, resources and seeds. As our climate changes and natural food is assaulted by GMOs worldwide, indigenous farmers are organizing and planning by creating their own seed banks and exchanges. Maize has for untold generations been the keystone crop for cultures across the Americas, and now it is the food that is bringing together this diverse alliance of resilient communities struggling for food sovereignty. This documentary emerged from the network gatherings throughout 2016, highlighting knowledge-keepers and seed-keepers from the following communities: Onondaga, Mohawk, Seneca, Kawaik (Laguna Pueblo), Tesuque Pueblo, Quechua, Diné (Navajo).

  • Mateo Hinojosa
    Director
    Spectacular Movements
  • Melissa K. Nelson
    Producer
  • Karen Swift
    Producer
  • Kaylena Bray
    Producer
  • Oren Lyons
    Key Cast
    The 11th Hour
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Braiding the Sacred
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Indigenous, Food, Spirituality, Education
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 30, 2017
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • American Indian Film Festival
    San Francisco, California
    United States
    November 7, 2017
    World Premiere
  • United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
    New York
    United States
    April 16, 2018
    West Coast Premiere
Director Biography - Mateo Hinojosa

Mateo Hinojosa (M.A. in Documentary Film, Universidad del Cine in Buenos Aires; B.A., Northwestern University, summa cum laude) is an educator, facilitator, filmmaker and artist. A mestizo Bolivian-American based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he works worldwide, exploring issues of social justice and education; public space and art; politics and performance; spirituality and health; and individual identity in collective struggle. He has worked teaching at Bolivian orphanages and in US high schools, leading theater workshops and facilitating staff retreats, as well as filming neurosurgeries, street art, local cuisine and theater. He has taught cross-cultural documentary skills to Native American youth and U.S. college students. His feature documentary, Spectacular Movements, follows young indigenous and mestizo actors in Bolivia as they struggle to revive the critical spirit of the recent revolution through popular theater and street interventions. He is the Media Director at The Cultural Conservancy.

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