“Avatar is real” say tribal people

Yanomamö Elder

While James Cameron’s film has been breaking box-office records and generating a lot of hype, it has been interesting to hear reports of how indigenous audiences have received the film. We’ve heard Native American friends say that it made them feel good that the ‘Indians finally won’ and have heard reports of screenings in South America for indigenous groups meeting with resounding approval. Here’s a recent article that repeats some of these reports.

One thing that encourages us about this article is that it comes from a Catholic news agency. It reflects our belief that respect for the rainforest and its people is compatible with Christian teachings.

From Independent Catholic News

We don’t believe our Yanomamö friends have seen the film yet – no bootleg copies have made it upriver to Coshilowäteli. However, we think they will resonate with Avatar’s message of respect for the natural world. You can see the (slightly lower budget but more realistic) story of their interactions with the spirit and natural world in their own film, Yai Wanonabälewä: The Enemy God.

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