Everything Under The Sun: Giving Voice To Indigenous Youth

Out in the field in Nahuala, students are editing a production.

Technology abounds in today's world and it often becomes the vehicle for its users to tell their stories. Some groups have engaged in this activity more than others. There has been some reluctance among many Native American individuals to share their stories, even with the available technology.

When Donna DeGennaro was a student at the University of Pennsylvania, she was able to observe the power of technology in enhancing learning and enabling communication among the middle school students with whom she worked. Now that she is a seasoned college professor, she took that knowledge, plus her accumulated experience, and founded UNLOCKING SILENT HISTORIES (USH), an organization that is enhancing creative expression and communication skills among Native American and other indigenous youth.

Ms. DeGennaro explained, "Many indigenous communities have been taught to keep their histories silent and therefore have been reluctant to express themselves for fear of criticism. Furthermore, in today's technological world, the voice of indigenous [peoples] continues to be absent from the escalating digital landscape."

Just this month, Unlocking Silent Histories was invited by the Smithsonian to be part of Maya Creativity and Cultural Milieu. There were actually two events, both under the sponsorship of the Museum of the American Indian. The event on Sept. 10 and 11 was held in New York City, while the one on Sept. 16, 17, and 18 was held in Washington, DC. Under USH, Maya Guatemalan Filmmakers presented youth-produced films from nine indigenous communities.

FIGHTING WOMEN, filmed by 18-year-old Jose Maria "Chema" Perez Vasquez, examined the lives of women living in San Juan la Laguna, including the type of work in which they engage. There are also themes of gender equality and messages of empowerment directly from the women of the area. LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS was directed by Franklin Cholotio, with a team of other youths filling the other roles. The film is about a young man, Manuel Yojcom Mendoza, who lives a successful life in San Juan la Laguna, despite his physical challenges. ALCOHOLISM was filmed by 12-year-old Emilio Tzoc Portillo. The film looks at the issue of alcoholism in one indigenous community and how it influences and impacts the family and the alcoholic person. It also takes on the issue of why this needs to be addressed.

Those who participated in making the films had the opportunity to talk about filming their pieces. Carmen Tzoc Portillo, who had participated in the creation of Life Without Limits, discussed being inspired when viewing When The Mountains Tremble, which presented stories about the civil war in Guatemala by a non-resident filmmaker. She felt inspired to become a filmmaker of her own community's stories. Carlos, who came from Solola, near Lake Atitlan, wanted to become a professional filmmaker, so he could help his people change their view of their indigenous heritage and see it as a source of pride.

Some of the youthful filmmakers at the Smithsonian.

A number of the videos that were presented were filmed in their native, indigenous language, rather than the dominant tongue. That becomes, also, another way for these youth to help in preserving their native language, rather than seeing it die out from lack of use. It is also a great service that the Smithsonian provided in presenting a venue for the works of these wonderful youth to be seen by a wider public.