Karuara, People of the River

Part of Climate Action! Festival: Women in Activism

Mariluz Canaquiri says her river is more than just a body of water — it’s a living being. Beneath the waters of Peru’s Amazon lies a world of spirits led by the Karuara, the ‘people of the river.’

But Mariluz says the old ways are being forgotten and her people face cultural genocide. While foreign companies earn millions from the Amazon’s resources, indigenous communities lack basic development like schools, healthcare, and clean water.

She leads a federation of Kukama women who file a groundbreaking lawsuit demanding the Peruvian government recognize the Marañón River as a legal person, with rights.

In a world that puts a price tag on nature, this film takes viewers inside the magic and beauty of the Amazon region and reminds us of our sacred connection to water.