Our first medicine is the sacred water in our mother’s womb. As a collective body of creatives, we will embark on a journey to share Indigenous knowledge as water protectors and environmental stewards of this land, illustrating how these roles manifest on the big screen to raise global awareness for Mother Earth.
ADDRESSING CLIMATE ACTION THROUGH A NATIVE INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE
An innovative think tank within the Entertainment Industry, uniting Native and Indigenous filmmakers, creatives, and communities from around the world. Together, we envision fresh climate narratives and explore the economic potential of green energy for the benefit of all.
It’s the women who are leading the fight to protect and defend water all over the world.
“The primary difference between the Western and Indigenous ways of life is that Indians experience and relate to a living universe, whereas western people reduce all things, living or not to objects.”
“Indigenous knowledge has always shown us the way forward. The time to listen - and act - is now.”
“In 53 countries with available data, women and girls spend 250 million hours per day on water collection – over three times more than men and boys,” the UN writes on its website. “The global water crisis affects everyone – but not equally. Where people lack safe drinking water and sanitation close to home, inequalities flourish, with women and girls bearing the brunt. They collect water. They manage water. They care for people made sick by unsafe water. They lose time, health, safety, and opportunities… This makes the water crisis a women’s crisis.”
Red Nation Celebration Institute
Statement
Climate change is not a distant threat – it is a lived reality impacting communities, ecosystems, and future generations now. For Native and Indigenous Peoples, caring for the Earth is not an ideology or trend; it is a sacred responsibility rooted in ancestral knowledge, cultural practice, and lived experience.
The Red Nation International Film Festival elevates films that reflect this truth – stories that expose environmental injustice, challenge systems driven by greed, and uplift the voices of those protecting land, water, and air. These films remind us that clean water, breathable air, and a livable planet are fundamental human rights.
RNIFF calls for bold, collective, and non-partisan action that centers humanity over profit, holds corporations accountable, and advances a just transition to renewable energy. Through cinema, we honor Indigenous stewardship and affirm that protecting the Earth is inseparable from protecting life itself.
The future depends on what we choose to protect today.
“Climate change is not a future threat – it is happening now. For Native and Indigenous Peoples, protecting the Earth is not political or trendy; it is a sacred responsibility passed down through generations. Clean air, clean water, and a livable planet are fundamental human rights, not privileges.
Through the Red Nation International Film Festival, we elevate films that speak truth to power – stories that confront environmental injustice, reject the politics of greed, and honor those on the front lines protecting our land, water, and ecosystems. These filmmakers remind us that humanity must come before profit, and that bold, collective, and non-partisan action is required to safeguard our planet for future generations.
Indigenous knowledge has always shown us the way forward. The time to listen – and act – is now.” – Joanelle Romero Apache, Founder & President, Red Nation Celebration Institute
ONLY ONE WATER™
HUMANS & ANIMALS ARE EATING PLASTICS ITS IN MOST EVERYTHING – STOP THE USE OF PLASTICS!!!
Microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size—have become pervasive in our environment, infiltrating the food chain and posing potential risks to both human and animal health. These particles originate from the breakdown of larger plastic debris and are found in various ecosystems, including oceans, rivers, and soils.
Addressing the pervasive presence of microplastics requires concerted efforts from individuals, industries, and policymakers to safeguard environmental and public health.
Play your role in preserving our planet’s well-being by engaging with the Native Indigenous Narrative.
ONLY ONE WATER™
HUMANS & ANIMALS ARE EATING PLASTICS ITS IN MOST EVERYTHING – STOP THE USE OF PLASTICS!!!
Microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size—have become pervasive in our environment, infiltrating the food chain and posing potential risks to both human and animal health. These particles originate from the breakdown of larger plastic debris and are found in various ecosystems, including oceans, rivers, and soils.
Addressing the pervasive presence of microplastics requires concerted efforts from individuals, industries, and policymakers to safeguard environmental and public health.
Play your role in preserving our planet’s well-being by engaging with the Native Indigenous Narrative.
We are building a way of life for future generations.
Courtesy of Montano Rain
Red Nation Celebration Institute
Statement
Climate change is not a distant threat – it is a lived reality impacting communities, ecosystems, and future generations now. For Native and Indigenous Peoples, caring for the Earth is not an ideology or trend; it is a sacred responsibility rooted in ancestral knowledge, cultural practice, and lived experience.
The future depends on what we choose to protect today.
“Climate change is not a future threat – it is happening now. For Native and Indigenous Peoples, protecting the Earth is not political or trendy; it is a sacred responsibility passed down through generations. Clean air, clean water, and a livable planet are fundamental human rights, not privileges.”
Red Nation International Film Festival
Statement
Through the Red Nation International Film Festival, we elevate films that speak truth to power – stories that confront environmental injustice, reject the politics of greed, and honor those on the front lines protecting our land, water, and ecosystems. These filmmakers remind us that humanity must come before profit, and that bold, collective, and non-partisan action is required to safeguard our planet for future generations.
WE ARE NOT A MOVEMENT
WE ARE A WAY OF LIFE
TAKE ACTION
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
ONE WATER
ONE EARTH
ONE SKY
ONE SUN
ONE MOON
Only One Water Tour 2026
Artists, Activists, Water Protectors
March August November
ONLY ONE WATER VIRTUAL SUMMIT
Kicked Off the 28th Red Nation International Film Festival
November 1. 2023
JoDe Goudy
JoDe Goudy
Joanelle Romero
Joanelle Romero
Roberto Mukaro Borrero
Roberto Mukaro Borrero
Sharon Day
Sharon Day
Only One Water Conversation Series
Water Back + Indigenous Peoples + Climate Change + Water Governance + Water Health + Water Justice + Water and Land Rematriation
ONLY ONE WATER campaign was first launched in 2003 with this global PSA.
Produced by Red Nation Celebration Institute.
Joanelle Romero Founder, CEO and President of Red Nation Celebration Institute was invited by Holiness Dalai Lama in 2015 to speak and sing on Native Indigenous Women and the Sacredness of Water-Mni Wakan at his 80th Birthday party, reaching globally millions of viewers.
In 2016 – President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey on June 5th to attend the first ‘United State of Women’s Summit’ there Joanelle Romero met with congressional members to address Native Women in Film & Television Initiative. The seeds have been planted.
Joanelle Romero Founder, CEO and President of Red Nation Celebration Institute was invited by Holiness Dalai Lama in 2015 to speak and sing on Native Indigenous Women and the Sacredness of Water-Mni Wakan at his 80th Birthday party, reaching globally millions of viewers.
In 2016 – President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey on June 5th to attend the first ‘United State of Women’s Summit’ there Joanelle Romero met with congressional members to address Native Women in Film & Television Initiative. The seeds have been planted.
Native Youth Woke the World to Standing Rock & Beyond.
STANDING ROCK started with Native YOUTH when they were invited to lead the First Indigenous Women RISE March held Red Nation International Film Festival in Los Angeles – November 2015 and went on to organize the run to Washington DC to speak out against the Dakota Access pipeline. Native Youth Woke the World to Standing Rock & Beyond. Supported by our WOMEN, backed by our ELDERS & ANCESTORS.