Isabela Santana on How Indigenous Representation Can Transform Climate Narratives

Isabela Santana is an actress and producer at the international NGO If Not Us Then Who. Her indigenous Pataxó roots from the south of Bahia (Brazil) are the starting point and guide of her creative processes and projects. Her acting debut begins in the most recent Globo TV series, Histórias Impossíveis premiere, released on the most prominent media outlet in Brazil and Latin America and open television channel and streaming platform GloboPlay. As a multi-artist actress, she aims to use herself as a tool to contribute to diverse narratives and indigenous representativity in cinema. 

Isabela was a panelist at our 2023 EMA Impact Summit, participating in the discussion How Can Indigenous Cinema Transform Our Climate Imagination? 

We are delighted she sat down with us to share her insights on the power indigenous stories can have in the mission for a sustainable future. Read more below in this latest EMA Exclusive!

Did you always see storytelling as part of your journey? 

My journey into the filmmaking space began with storytelling. I grew up learning teachings and hearing the stories of my father and other family members. Art and storytelling have always been a way of life for me. Indigenous communication was my starting point: it was a space where I began researching and sharing stories of indigenous art and artists in Brazil through social media in a network called Visibilidade Indígena. That space made me connect even more with the film industry, so I began getting invitations to be involved in film production and other cultural projects; this led to me working at If Not Us Then Who. By developing myself as a producer globally, I got the chance to use this bridge to share my work as an actress. My acting journey started in the theater when I was eight years old. I'm happy to share that at 22, this dream is becoming a reality with my debut in the Globo TV series Impossible Stories, the biggest media outlet in Brazil and Latin America. 

Why do you believe having indigenous representation in cinema is more important now than ever? 

We are facing the climate crisis, and now more than ever, we can't deny that we need climate solutions — and that will only come within the diversity of narratives, cosmovisions, and perspectives. Indigenous professionals in the film industry (filmmakers, directors, screenwriters, actors/actresses, etc.) do transparently share our narratives with the world through cinema. Our work at If Not Us Then Who supports indigenous filmmakers to transform climate narratives through storytelling.

The world is multicultural and multi-linguistic, which the industry must show in cinema. If cinema is not diverse, it does not show the real world. In filmmaking, we need to mirror what humanity is, all its colors and cultures. Cinema is one of society's most significant influencing forces, so it can be a game-changer for indigenous creatives to reclaim our narratives. 

Do you recommend any books, podcasts, or films for those who want to learn more about indigenous cultures? 

I always say that the best way to learn about indigenous cultures and peoples is through indigenous authorial work. In Brazil (but also internationally), we have two native book authors that are changing the climate narrative through storytelling: Ailton Krenak, writer of "Ideas to Postpone the End of The World"; and Davi Kopenawa, the narrator of "The Falling Sky". I would also recommend watching films directed by indigenous filmmakers, such as Graciela Guarani, Olinda Yawar, and Priscila Tapajowara (all indigenous from Brazil) — you can find many in our archive at If Not Us Then Who? and other archives such as NFB's. 

I also host the Indigenous Impact Storytellers Podcast (available on Spotify and Youtube). In this heart-centered podcast, I interview indigenous professionals worldwide, such as Indonesia, Tonga, Colombia, and the United States. We weave conversations connecting myself(host), guests, and listeners to a global community through our diverse narratives. 

What excites you most about the work that you do? What do you want to achieve in 2023? 

What excites me the most about my work is exploring the human soul in its many facets to share with the world how we, as indigenous actresses and actors, can do anything anywhere. The fact that we are all storytellers makes us able always to be versatile and transformative. I dream of achieving the opportunity to dive into indigenous characters, but all characters that come my way. 

At EMA, we strive to bridge the gap between science and communication. What benefit do you see that storytelling can bring to the movement for positive change? 

Every native community has its science. We have the science to communicate to our ancestors and naô (spirits) through native languages, chants, and prayers; the science of living in harmony with the land without the need to destroy it, as our ancient ones did for centuries; the science to heal wounds and diseases with plants, resins, and roots. I see storytelling as one of our sciences — how we keep our memories and narratives generationally alive. Through the storytelling of my father, aunties, and great-uncles, I learned our narratives of displacement and our strengths. It is a science that can communicate our teachings, perspectives, and understanding of nature, providing solutions and change to climate narratives. That's the positive change that storytelling can bring different perspectives, possibilities, and the opening of other paths on a global scale. 

Thank you, Isa!

Written by Demitri Fierro, ISSP-SEA (MBA Candidate in Sustainable Management)