About
Renowned Hopi filmmaker Victor Masayesva, Jr. explores the centrality of corn for the Hopi, Nahua, and Maya, tracing the role of corn from creation stories to today's struggles against climate change. The film presents complex interrelationships between humans, plants, food systems, animals, birds, ceremonies and the cycles of the earth, sun and moon within the universe from a Hopi, Maya, and Nahua perspective. By tracing the lineage and mysterious origins of corn, we gain a deeper understanding of the ancestry of communities that transcend borders.
Masayesva writes, "The idea of sanctuary in our time is colored by the politics of human immigration. As contemporary media consumers, we are saturated with threats and security measures originating from alerts about immigration into our neighborhood. Today state borders have restricted and closed the numerous routes blazed by migrants and only wild birds and animals move freely without visas but nonetheless restricted to wildlife refuges.
Humankind has been in constant movement since the emergence, intent on leaving an oppressive order, seeking a better life, seeking sanctuary. For our age, sanctuary cannot be only within familiar beliefs and borders but beyond in the hope we carry in our soul. Sanctuary is the best we can be at the moment, and in the future."
"Waaki presents Hopi knowledge with a self-assured visual sovereignty." – Dorothy Christian, Simon Fraser University
"The film is a fascinating blend of genres - part ethnographic, part documentary and part animation." – Vicky Westover, Hanson FilmTV Institute Director, U of Arizona
Reviews
"Waaki presents Hopi knowledge with a self-assured visual sovereignty."– Dorothy Christian, Simon Fraser University
"The film is a fascinating blend of genres - part ethnographic, part documentary and part animation."
– Vicky Westover, Hanson FilmTV Institute Director, U of Arizona
Film Links
Filmmaker BioCredits
Our gratitude to the Hopi, Maya, Nahua, Otomi communities for sharing their knowledge
Hopi Community
Abbie Talashoma, Story teller
Ross Macaya, Storyteller
Piivayouma, Lloyd Masayumptewa,
Lyle Balenquah, Hopi Archaeologist
Victor Masayesva Sr. and family
Maya Community
Sra. Dona Maria Aguilar Demeza
Sr. Don Bartolo Estrada Jimenes
Children on stage
Carlos Daniel Estrada Rivera
Diana Lucero Rivera Estrada
Maria Natalia Estrada Rivera
Bartolo Eduardo Estrada Rivera
Field Worker
Sr. Don Eduardo Rivera Soria
Nahuatl Communities (Acatlan, Chiepetepec)
Sr. Niceforo Travieso
Sr.Delfino Calzada Néjapa
Sr. Luis Vázquez Herculano
Sr.Camilo Marcial Ayala
Investigación
José Luis Matías, Ojo de Tigre Communicacion
Rosalba Díaz Vásquez
Otomi Communities (Tultepec, Florida, Veracruz)
Sr. Mindahi Bastida Munoz
Sra. Ermila Muñoz
Sr. Lucas Bastida,
Sr. Ralph Bastida
Dr. Luis Pérez Lugo
Niña: Deni Dashi Mérida Petronilo
Muchacho: Ramón Oliver Petronilo
Abuelo :Ángel Petronilo Bonilla
Señor: Juan Mérida Secundino
Mapuche: Geraldine Patrick
Executive Producer/Director
Victor Masayesva Jr.
Producer/Director
Mariano Estrada Aguilar
Bachalon Tzeltal
Producer
José Luis Matías, Ojo de Tigre Comunicación
Associate Producer
Robert Warrior, University of Kansas
Jorge Garcia, University of New Mexico
Field Producer
John McKinn, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Camera
Victor Masayesva Jr.
Mariano Aquilar
Daniel Campos
Ronyk
Supervising Editor/Colorist
Brad Stoddard
Sound Design and Master Mix
Kathleen Edwards
Tor Kindon
Hear Kitty Studios
Music
“Tekanatsyaslith” and “Kalunyaha Wi” performed by Joanne Shenandoah.
Courtesy of Silver Wave Records. www.silverwave.com
Sound Score
Richard Dancu Trifan
Narrators
Vanessa Vance
Beatrice Norton
Amalia Cordova
Andrea Lopez
Eljean Joshvaema
Interviewees in order of appearance
Lyle Balenquah
Lloyd Masayumptewa
Gary Nabhan
Dr. Francis E. Smiley, Professor of Anthropology NAU
Professor Kelley Hays-Gilpin, Northern Arizona University
Professor Jane Hill, University of Arizona
Polly Schaafsma Research Associate, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
Glenn Roberts, Anson Mills
Denise Costitch-CYMMT, Mexico
Graphics Design & Illustrations
V. Masayesva Jr.
Carl Onsae
Ronyk
Marcial Ayala
Globe Animation
Courtesy of Chronicles Group
Translation Tseltal to Castilian
Mariano Estrada
Translation Castilian to English
Axel Kohler
Our heartful thanks to Friends of Corn
Linda Cordell
C. Elliott
Matt S. Gilbert
Joanna Hearne
John McKinn
Tona Osher
Godfrey Reggio
Jason Silverman
Melanie Walker (in memory of Todd Walker)
Phillip Tuwaletstiwa
This program is made possible with the generous support of non-profit groups
The Christiansen Foundation
Indigenous Media Foundation
Tewa Women United
Black Mesa Trust
Hanson Film TV Institute, University of Arizona
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, Harvard University