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If indigenous mountain communities are to remain strong in the globalizing world, they must have a means of advocating for themselves. Video has exciting potential to be used as a tool to respond to this need.

Complementary to the oral traditions of indigenous communities and increasingly simple to learn, video provides a familiar and accessible format through which isolated communities can network with each other, reach key political players, and connect with international institutions that support their rights.

At the community level, documenting traditional knowledge and cultural practices strengthens community identity, while producing videos for political advocacy leads communities through self-evaluation and problem-solving processes that can themselves provide solutions. Video documentation can also be used as proof of a priori knowledge, supporting indigenous communities in claiming intellectual property rights for their traditional knowledge. Finally, the technology skills learned through video are an asset to individuals and communities far beyond video production.

Isn’t the introduction of modern technology an imposition on these isolated communities?

Isolated communities are becoming less isolated every day and it is not up to any individual to decide what parts of the outside world should or should not be introduced to them. In the case of the Communities of Q’eros, the two roads being built to its communities are about to drastically decrease their isolation, bringing with them great potential for positive development but also the threat of miners and other forms of exploitation. If the Q’eros can use video technology to benefit their community, we believe that every effort should be made to provide them with the knowledge and the ability to do so.

How will the community continue to produce videos after Mana Studios instructors leave?

Mana Studios left the Q’eros Video Collective entirely self-sustaining at the end of December 2007. Between October and December of 2007, Fredy Flores Macchaca was trained as the community video-expert and will be responsible for passing on this knowledge, leading the community in video production and maintaining a video studio consisting of two laptop computers and one camcorder.

How can I support the Q’eros Video Collective?

The Q’eros Video Collective is very grateful for any kind of support you can offer. We are always accepting donations of video cameras, tripods, laptop computers, and DV tapes. To support transportation costs, community instructor salaries, or equipment purchases through a monetary donation, please click here.