'Listen to your heart': Indigenous elders channel tough love in Earth Day film

"HERE FOR A REASON"

The team behind the film see it as a starting point for an open-ended series of events and collaborations to inspire people to ask themselves how they could make a deeper contribution to the lives of their communities and the planet.

"The film offers a gateway to ongoing connection with elders," said Violet Starkey, of the Wisdom Weavers core team.

In the meantime, Merculieff hopes that people will use the pause enforced by the coronavirus pandemic to reflect on how they could help change the "dream" of the modern world.

"It's not an easy job going from the mind to the heart and letting our heart be in charge of what we do. Because most people would think that was crazy. But indigenous people worldwide know that that's the way to go," he said.

"We're placed on this Earth now for a reason," Merculieff added. "If we have the courage to listen to our hearts, we know that this gift that we carry will be broadcast and help in some way throughout the world."

Kumu Sabra Kauka, a Hawaiian studies educator and tradition bearer, who appears in the documentary, told Reuters wildfires in California and Australia had been a wake-up call.

"One of the things that we all shared was a deep love and respect for Mother Earth. And this is a story that has to be shared today because not everyone remembers it," Kauka said.

Pausing for a moment to reflect, she summed up the message the film aims to convey: "Listen to your heart. Follow your path. May it be clear, and for the good of all."

REUTERS