Climate Justice: Narrative Sovereignty of the Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala
Asociación Sotz’il
Country (ies): Guatemala
Territory: Chimaltenango (Iximche' & San José Poaquil)
Scope: National
Year: 2024
01
CONTEXT
A critical representation gap persists in Guatemala: Indigenous voices, especially those of women and youth, remain underexposed on the national and international public agenda. This project was developed alongside the Mayan association Sotz’il, within the framework of climate justice in the country. The objective was to contribute to advocacy through audiovisual pieces that highlight demands and proposals from the voice of the territory, positioning communities as strategic actors in the response to the environmental crisis.
02
CHALLENGE
Communicating elements of the Mayan worldview and ancestral knowledge through high-impact audiovisual narratives for climate agenda advocacy. The challenge consisted of avoiding victimization and exoticization, positioning ancestral knowledge as current, scalable solutions for decision-makers, grassroots communities, and global audiences.
03
SOLUTION
An audiovisual advocacy kit was designed and produced, based on three key audiovisual products ready for multi-channel publication (web, presentations, social media). A co-creation methodology based on Design Thinking was applied to build narrative approaches directly from the voices of Indigenous communities, ensuring cultural relevance. The videos featured the participation of community members, male and female leaders, women, and youth, reinforcing territorial legitimacy and narrative sovereignty.
Strategic themes and products:
- Indigenous vision of water: Water as a living, sacred, and interconnected being, rather than a mere resource.
- Traditional knowledge: Practical application of Mayan calendars and agricultural techniques for climate adaptation and mitigation.
- Women's contribution: Multifaceted leadership as guardians of biodiversity, native seeds, and traditional medicine.
04
IMPACT
- Perception reframing: Shifts the framework from "vulnerable communities" to authorities in knowledge and climate action, presenting Mayan Indigenous Peoples as legitimate interlocutors.
- Enabled advocacy: Provides clear narrative and technical arguments for integrating Indigenous knowledge into climate decisions and policies.
- Territorial legitimacy: Reinforces pride, leadership, and community cohesion through dignified representation and narrative control, strengthening the autonomy and influence of the Sotz’il Association in the territories.
