Help Preserve Huottoja's Sacred Lands and Culture

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We are Churuata Collective Who are we and what's our mission?

The "churuata", the traditional home of the Huottoja people, is much more than just a dwelling: it is a space for shared knowledge, collective decision-making, and the preservation of ancestral memory. We are inspired by this model to work as a multidisciplinary collective that brings together creativity, innovation, and respect for our roots. We have the privilege of working and connecting with the Huôtoja (Piaroa) community of "Diyocoy" for 10 years. This community is led by Chief Jattupa (Rufino Pónare), and it's located in the Venezuelan Amazon Jungle by the Orinoco basin. During this time, we have built important alliances to improve the quality of life for the families in the community. Through donations, workshops, and financial support, our vision is to try to educate and be of support to this community in order to be self-sustainable and taken care of. We defend indigenous rights and try to protect their history and culture. Our mission is to amplify the voices of indigenous peoples and plant seeds of change through art and education.

Vision and Importance of this Crowdfunding Campaign.

On this occasion, we are developing an audiovisual project that intertwines art and environmental / social impact with the mission of safeguarding the cultural memory of the Huôtoja indigenous people, preserving their stories, traditions, and ancestral knowledge, while also supporting them to succeed with their efforts to be good guardians of their territory, which is essential to protect their identity.

The goal is to bridge the gap between the ancestral and the contemporary, showing how tradition and technology can come together to protect the cultural and spiritual legacy of the Huôtoja. In this way, we not only seek to honor their living heritage, but also pursue the possibility of educating and inspiring a global network to join in the defense of the guardians of the land and the Law of Origin.

"JUTTOQUIYU" : Synopsis

This documentary takes us on a profound journey with Grandfather Jattopa (Rufino Pónare), spiritual leader of the Huottoja indigenous people, as he leads us through their sacred lands in the Amazon. As the last living guardian of the ancestral practice of sung prayers, Jattopa’s mission is to weave, activate, and protect his territory, ensuring the survival of his people's sacred traditions amidst growing threats.

The film chronicles Jattopa's journey through his ancestral land, showing us the ways in which the Great Mother's soul will always provide and talks to us if we know how to dialogue with here coherently. Along the way, he shares essential stories of his people's cosmovision, reinforcing the deep connection between the Huottoja and the land that sustains them. (The Law of Origin)

As environmental pressures and external encroachment threaten their way of life, Jattopa's journey is not just a spiritual one—it is a desperate and urgent fight for the survival of his culture and land. Through breathtaking visuals and the powerful intersection of tradition and technology, this documentary captures the timeless struggle to protect a people's identity, spirituality, and ancestral knowledge for future generations.

The documentary film project is planned in several phases, divided into chapters that showcase Chief Jattupa's journey through his ancestral territory in the state of Amazonas. The land is not merely a physical space, but a living, sacred entity that forms the foundation of Huottouja culture. Jattopa gathers in the churuata, the community’s sacred space, where teachings are passed on through rites of passage, stories, and chants. These chants weave together Jattopa’s role as the spiritual leader, connecting the community to their sacred sites and higher powers.

Each chapter delves into the cultural and spiritual significance of the sacred sites, while incorporating Jattopa's teachings about maintaining balance and harmony with the natural world. The narrative trajectory follows a cyclical pattern, mirroring the Huottouja view of time as an interconnected flow. As Jattopa revisits each sacred site, he reconnects with the spiritual essence of his people’s past, present, and future, calling for a renewed respect for the earth and its sacred spaces.

About the Terriotorial Conflict

The history of this community's struggle is deeply rooted in their past. Since the time of Shaman José Antonio Bolívar, the father of Grandfather Jattopa, they have endured forced displacements and relentless efforts to erase their culture. First, they were forced to flee the religious colonization that aimed to eradicate their spiritual practices and traditions. Now, they face an equally dire threats in the evironment in the which silently but systematically devastates their lands, pollutes their rivers, and undermines their health and cultural survival.

Importance of Indigenous Lands.

Protecting indigenous territories is safeguarding stories, cultures, and knowledge that are essential to humanity. For the Huottoja, as for many other indigenous peoples, the land is a sacred entity where spirituality, culture, and life are intricately woven together. Their connection to the land is not just cultural—it is a deep, sacred bond that teaches them to live in harmony with nature. As stewards of the earth, their wisdom and way of life embody a profound understanding of balance and sustainability, offering vital lessons in how to care for our planet. To lose this land is to strip them of their identity, their memory, and their role as guardians of the world’s ecological balance.

Social and Environmental Impact.

This project aims to support the Huottoja community in preserving their culture and protecting their territorial rights. By documenting their sacred sites and stories, we seek to raise awareness about the importance of living in reciprocity with nature and empower leaders like Grandfather Jattopa to safeguard their heritage and land.

Through this audiovisual initiative, we will bring global attention to their fight to preserve their ancestral traditions and highlight the sacred places that shape their worldview. As we geolocate these sites, we will mark the beginning of the legal process to ensure the custody and protection of their land. This project not only serves as a vital step in securing their future but also amplifies their voices in the fight for environmental and social justice.

Phases:

Consultation and Pre-Production: We will embark on a journey (On December 14) to the community for two weeks to sit and listen the elder about the community's needs and the ways we can move forward with this project. We will start gathering some footage and recording some interviews that will be useful for the application of grants, and enrichening of our crowdfunding campaign.
Editing of the Trailer / Project Awareness: Have a trailer that can serve as application material for grants, funds, pitching and raising awareness about the project.
Communitary Link and Production Phase: We will embark on a second journey to the community to start working on the documentary production and helping the community start their geolocalization process of their lands' perimeters.
Post-Production: Editing of the final piece
Distribution and Exhibit: Distribute the film on film festivals, make screenings in Venezuela and United States, and exhibit the results in different ways.

Budget.

We are currently focusing on recollecting the funds we need to advance with the First Phase mentioned above. The expenses of this first phase include:

Transportation Services (From US - Venezuela, and from Caracas - Puerto Ayacucho roundtrip) for a crew of 10
Goods and Foods for the crew and as donation for the community for the time being there.
Lodging
Production Equipment and Services
Support for the community with goods, tools, donations

How we've tried supporting the community in the past:

Our projects have made significant strides in supporting the Huottoja community, focusing on material assistance, cultural exchange, and strengthening their sustainability. We facilitated cultural exchange through the participation of Grandfather Rufino Pónare in a bird-watching workshop, promoting learning and sharing. We have provided donations of clothing and essential supplies to improve the community's basic living conditions. Through Web3 technology, we created decentralized networks to raise funds independently, supporting urgent needs, improving infrastructure to receive visitors, and helping to build a cultural center to preserve their ancestral knowledge. We have also contributed to key projects, including fundraising a total of 2000$ to:

Buy essential tools like brooms, machetes, and medical supplies
Build multi-use spaces and a latrine for the community
Equip the camp's kitchen and dining area with utensils.
Support emergency medical costs and facilitating trips to the Amazon.
Invest in a carpentry workshop to promote economic sustainability
Contributing to the repair of a bridge
Implement water filter system

Additionally, the community camp, which hosts students, tourists, and individuals seeking spiritual and physical healing, has been strengthened with these infrastructure improvements, ensuring it remains a hub for cultural exchange and community growth.

THANK YOU

As we embark on this important journey, your support is critical for the success of this project and for the future of the Huottoja community. By contributing to this campaign, you are helping to protect their sacred land, preserve their ancestral knowledge, and amplify their voices in the fight for territorial rights and cultural survival. Every donation, no matter how small, helps us move closer to documenting their stories, raising global awareness, and providing the tools they need to defend their land and strengthen their community.

Together, we can bridge the gap between the past and the present, honoring the deep connection between the Huottoja people and the earth. Your contribution is not just a donation; it is a seed of change—a step toward ensuring that the Huottoja, and communities like them, continue to thrive and inspire us all with their wisdom and resilience. Let’s make this project a reality, and show the world the power of unity, respect for the environment, and the right to self-determination. Join us, and be part of something that will resonate far beyond the Amazon—helping to safeguard the planet's harmony for generations to come.