We welcome Maritza Alvarez and Isaiah Mendoza, film makers with the Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples, to Talking Water.

For more than 20 years, Maritza Alvarez has been documenting the experiences of the Xicana and other Indigenous communities throughout Turtle Island, Abya Yala, and beyond colonial borders. Maritza has worked as a cinematographer on more than 30 short and feature film productions ranging in formats from celluloid to digital. Their work has been recognized internationally, nationally and locally through various film festivals and awards. Maritza’s storytelling reflects her background as a community organizer and advocate for Indigenous culture, land, water, and identity. As of 2018 she has worked with the Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples (SPI) and assists in directing the Indigenous Media and Indigenous Waters programs.

Isaiah Mendoza (Tongva/Chicano) is a member of SPI’s Indigenous Media Team. Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Isaiah studied film and photography at Pasadena City College. Through his work at Sacred Places Institute, Isaiah seeks to gather Indigenous perspectives on land and water to protect California native homelands. His pronouns are he/him.

We will be talking about the film Our Water Ways and the role of film makers in bearing witness to water's story.

Talking Water with Maritza Alvarez and Isaiah Mendoza