Peregrino Shanocua, the Indigenous communicator committed to his people

Peregrino Shanocua Chaeta is not only an Indigenous leader from the native community of Palma Real, part of the Ese Eja People in the Peruvian region of Madre de Dios, but also a prominent member of the Network of Indigenous Communicators of Madre de Dios—an initiative led by the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA) and the Native Federation of the Madre de Dios River and its Tributaries (FENAMAD). His story is truly inspiring, and the quality and purpose of his work reflect great talent and a deep commitment to communicating the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples.

One such example is “Sha’á”, a short film named after the woman who raised him and whom he considers the most important person in his life: his grandmother. While rooted in his personal experience, the film explores the many challenges Indigenous youth face in preserving their rights, culture, and Amazonian territory. This audiovisual piece, developed with the guidance of Diego Pérez, audiovisual specialist from SPDA’s Communications Unit, has been subtitled in Spanish, English, and French.

In addition to this short film, Peregrino has produced other audiovisual reports, including one focused on the impact of COVID-19 on the Palma Real native community. This piece highlighted the severe consequences many Indigenous communities suffered during the pandemic, which claimed numerous lives. These works were presented at the 2021 edition of the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) Amazonia, further affirming the remarkable work of this young community leader from Madre de Dios.

In 2022, “Sha’á” was presented during New York Climate Week, one of the world’s largest climate events, bringing together the most influential leaders in climate action. The aim of the event is to strengthen commitments made by companies, governments, and society at large. The inclusion of Peregrino Shanocua’s work in such a space reinforces his outstanding talent in the field of communications.

A testament to this was his participation, in March 2023, in Our Village, a training program held in Los Angeles, United States, that brought together 25 young Indigenous filmmakers. The program’s purpose was to strengthen their storytelling skills and connect them in a shared mission: protecting the planet. When asked about the experience, the leader from Palma Real expressed his excitement for all he had learned and reaffirmed his commitment to continue working as a communicator to support his people.