Yan Guinaiya

Saipan (Sa'ipan/Seipel), Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands
"Yan Guinaiya", is an interview led documentary highlighting indigenous knowledge and figures within ocean advocacy as well as conservation. The intention behind this film was to promote local involvement within community ocean advocacy and conservation efforts, meant to remind everyone that they have a voice. And to document our indigenous cultures within these spaces going back to our origins of ocean stewardship.
A little background:
As a 2024 an Earth Echo International Ocean Protection Ambassador,I was tasked with completing a campaign project based on promoting the 30x30 Initiative and the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the CNMI. Yet, I had one issue, I had come to realize that the awareness of what the 30x30 Initiative and MPAs were little to none within my community. And I had been a part of that majority. So basing my documentary on those two topics seemed as if I would have to prompt or shape answers from the interviewees if they did not have a well-rounded understanding prior to being interviewed.
Imploring me to go back to our roots, choosing to focus on how indigenous knowledge and culture has ocean advocacy along with conservation impeded within it since the very beginning. I wanted to highlight aspects of our community and culture in a positive light to remind everyone that we all are already ocean stewards, not needing broad acts to be one because merely small acts could make all the difference.
Produced by Emma Chong
Edited by MJ Arboleda
Filmed by Janiy Mohammed and Siana Tasi
This documentary was made under the Earth Echo International Ocean Protection Ambassador Program along with the local partner MANGO/FOMT.