Peregrino Gonzalo Shanocua Cha is an Indigenous storyteller from the Ese Eja People in the Madre de Dios region of Peru. For the past two years, he has trained as an Indigenous communicator, developing a passion for photography and filmmaking. In 2021, he created a short documentary about his community’s experience with illegal mining, which led to an invitation to present his work at the Jackson Wild Summit.
As part of the Residency Program, Peregrino recently worked on his second documentary while contributing to the media coverage of COP16. Through his lens, he captures the resilience, leadership, and cultural richness of Indigenous Peoples, offering a powerful narrative that bridges tradition and modern advocacy.
In this feature, Peregrino shares his journey, experiences from the field, and the lessons he’s learned while using storytelling as a tool for change.
Communication Training with SPDA: From Los Angeles to Madre de Dios
For one week, a group of 13 young Indigenous communicators from the Native Federation of the Madre de Dios River and Tributaries (FENAMAD) and the Management Contract Executor of the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve (ECA Amarakaeri) participated in an enriching workshop under the Indigenous Communicators Training Program led by SPDA.
During this workshop, these communicators honed their skills to amplify their communities’ voices. The session focused on social media management, security measures, leadership, and environmental journalism, all aimed at enhancing their ability to advocate for their territories and cultures.
Amplificando tu voz – Workshop by If Not Us Then Who
Empowering Young Indigenous Leaders Through Storytelling and Digital Media
This session aimed to empower young Indigenous leaders by teaching them how to use digital media to share their stories. Participants learned to create content with their voices and mobile phones, highlighting the importance of cultural identity.
The workshop included film screenings, a panel with Indigenous storytellers like Yurshell Rodriguez, Tirza Ixmucané, and Eric Terena, and a creative workshop on crafting pitches. The session concluded with a special screening of We Are Guardians.
The Residency Program at COP16: Unforgettable Lessons
What was your first reaction when we contacted you for COP16 in Cali?
Peregrino: I felt admiration; it was a surprise for me. It was an international event, and I was amazed to be invited to collaborate and be part of it. It was much more than I expected. I gained invaluable experience and learned a lot during this stage of covering the event. Normally, we are not invited to COP events, so hearing the leaders and sharing with my colleagues was an eye-opening moment. I thought, Wow! They called me? This is a positive sign that we are on the right path.
If we are consistently participating in these spaces and engaging in constant practice, we are developing ourselves professionally. Covering these events is a strength because we are interacting with society and collaborating where communicators are needed. It is crucial to maintain this profile as Indigenous communicators to focus on our work and reflect on our communities. Our people should be proud of their communicators.
What were the three things in Cali that stood out to you about its culture?
Peregrino: Oh, what a valuable experience it was to have this encounter, right? Meeting other Indigenous filmmakers and photographers really caught my attention. I thought, Wow! Others are out there taking incredible photos—beautiful, high-quality work that I truly admire. And then I saw another colleague creating amazing videos. For me, that was a source of strength—to come together with them and have opportunities like this.
Experiences like these wake up your mind and inspire you to be just as active and engaged as they are. And that’s exactly what happened to me. Seeing my colleagues present such outstanding work and learning about their cultures was truly enriching. Some of them had stunning photography that beautifully showcased their traditions, and I thought, Wow, this doesn’t exist in my community. But here, I saw a new example—something we could adapt and integrate in our own way, aligned with our customs and traditions.
That was one of the most beautiful moments I had—the opportunity to connect with them, learn from them, and put that knowledge into practice. That’s what it’s all about.
Experiencing Cali: Meeting the Colombian Guardia Indígena
Peregrino: Yes, it was an incredible experience.
Seeing how they are organized as Indigenous guards to protect their territories really stood out to me—I loved it. That kind of autonomy and defense of the Amazon is so important, and it was one of the things I admired most.
During that encounter, all of us, Indigenous filmmakers, had the chance to share a bit of our work and showcase our films. They emphasized the importance of our stories because they preserve cultural values, ancestral practices, and the significance of our territories.
One thing that really struck me was when they mentioned that many of them had never seen this kind of filmmaking before. There aren’t many Indigenous people or land defenders creating films specifically about territorial protection, and they truly appreciated that.
Their words made me reflect and motivated me to keep going—to continue creating more content and films. I believe it’s essential to share our stories so that other communities can also become more aware of the importance of their cultures and lands.
These exchanges of experiences are invaluable, and that’s why I want to keep walking this path—creating content that helps bring visibility to our realities.
Teaming Up at Our Village: Working with INUTW
How did you feel about working with the team? What stood out to you, and what could we improve?
Peregrino: I love being in a space where everyone is united. I’ve had several encounters with Mis Notas—I’ve been to Mexico, the Indigenous Imaginarium in Los Angeles, and twice in Cali.
For me, these experiences have been incredible because they have strengthened me, helped me grow, and shaped me into an Indigenous filmmaker—something I never had the opportunity to learn elsewhere. I couldn’t find a place where I could gain this knowledge, but here, I’ve received that support. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity, which has truly empowered me.
Inspiration: New Generation of Indigenous Artists as a Tool for Resistance
What inspired you in Cali? Was there a cultural moment or an interaction that deeply moved you?
Peregrino: Well, this time, it was about meeting leaders—leaders who came from far away, from the other side of the world, from different countries. Listening to them, hearing their words and their emotions really motivated me to become a good leader myself, to develop a strong leadership profile. I learned from them, especially from the women leaders who were present at COP.
That really caught my attention because in my region, we don’t have many women leaders—there are very few. So, it was important to see these women actively participating, representing not only themselves but their communities as well. I loved hearing their expressions, their feelings. It was beautiful to see them there, standing strong.
The third thing, well, what can I say? It was an amazing experience being with all of you. We are like a family. That’s how I felt—we are united. We support each other. I loved that sense of togetherness. I felt welcomed, like I was part of a family. That’s one of the most beautiful things we have. This sense of family is what makes everything so special. It’s truly wonderful.
Peregrino’s Message to Young Communicators
What message would you give to young Indigenous communicators based on your experiences?
Peregrino: There are many opportunities and countless ways to learn and protect our territory. We have talents, and we must discover and nurture them.
I always remember a moment, during a difficult time, when we were at James Cameron’s museum in Los Angeles, California. I recall his quote
“If what you feel in your heart about what you are doing is true, then you are doing it right. Keep going, continue, and achieve that dream. When the result comes and turns into success, it will be another victory for you. You will feel happy and content with yourself because you have fulfilled the desire and dream you’ve always had. That is the feeling of your heart.”
That has stayed with me, and I believe that all young people should follow their dreams, insist, persist, and never give up. We must triumph and reach success this way.
What was the most memorable moment for you at COP16?
What inspired you in Cali? Was there a cultural moment or an interaction that deeply moved you?
Peregrino: Today, I remember many things. Apart from the women leaders who were sharing their experiences and how they are rising not only in their territories but also as leaders telling their stories, I remember all of that because every leader and representative who came to COP is connected by a shared purpose: to defend and protect the Amazon. That’s what I was able to capture at this event.
I clearly remember, and I have photos of it—the paintings of the women leaders. The way they represented themselves, the image they portrayed, the culture, and the identification of their traditional clothing. All of this speaks volumes about what they represent. They aren’t just representatives; they are the voices of the Amazon. They are the embodiment of nature, always present in their land and territory. They are the pure jungle, the very essence of their homeland.
Listen to Peregrino
The 10-year Journey of Our Village
For over 10 years, Our Village has been a space of magic where artists, activists, Indigenous leaders, and Local and Afro-Descendant Communities come together to weave stories of hope, resilience, and action. Our work is rooted in amplifying Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and Afro-descendant communities’ voices in climate decision-making spaces. Together with allies and partners, we curate impactful moments that elevate voices, foster long-term collaboration, and inspire solutions on the ground to heal our planet.
Learn more and connect with Peregrino
Peregrino Gonzalo Shanocua Cha
Peru | Ese Eja