Panama: Kuna Yala

The Kuna Indians of the San Blas Islands row across the sea to farm the rich coastal foothills of the vulnerable rain forest.  Wearing gold nose rings, beaded arm and leg bands, and colorful, hand-sewn textiles called molas, the Kuna are promoted by the tourist industry as cultural icons. A largely matriarchal community, the tribe meets nightly to debate civic issues, a uniquely effective, true democracy. This is a collaboration with Archipelago Films and Andrew Young.