Reciprocity

The way of life that centers mutual exchange and sharing amongst all beings — past, present and future, seen and unseen — and Earth.

Facing a climate crisis, Reciprocity Project embraces Indigenous value systems created in kinship with Earth.

This short film series and multimedia platform, made in partnership with Indigenous storytellers and their communities worldwide, invites learning from time honored and current Indigenous ways of being. Each project is created by media makers and their communities within their home territories.

Our first season invited Indigenous creators to explore what reciprocity means to them and their communities. Season Two is a journey through return.

Watch Films from Season One

About the films

A Return to Relationships

In Season Two of Reciprocity Project, we ask: “What does a return to land, language, and reciprocal relationships mean to you and your community?”

CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR SEASON ONE

Official Sundance 2022 Film Festival Laurel
Māoriland Film Festival Official Selection 2022
Official Selection Hot Docs 2022 Laurel
Official Big Sky 2022 film festival laurel
Official Selection Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2022 Laurel
2022 Official Selection Blackstar Film Festival

“The Reciprocity Project is a beautiful example of culture’s power to remind us all that we are part of nature and that the survival of the Earth cannot be separated from the health of society."


-Yo-Yo Ma, Co-EP, Cellist

Who we are

We believe diversity is a source of strength

The Reciprocity Project is a US-based production that works alongside Indigenous storytellers and communities worldwide. Our team is made up of people with diverse Indigenous and non-Indigenous identities and life experiences. We view this diversity as a source of strength as we strive to inspire global audiences.

Round multi layer collage of natural images and people

REciprocity project by Nia Tero and Upstander Project in association with REI CO-OP Studios

Reciprocity Project Logo

Reciprocity Project seeks to embrace the value of reciprocity through Indigenous perspectives through storytelling, film, podcasts, and other creative mediums. In doing so, we aim to create a paradigm shift that reframes our relationships to the Earth, other living beings, and one another.

Nia Tero Logo

Nia Tero is a US-based non-profit working in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and movements worldwide with a mission of securing Indigenous guardianship of vital ecosystems. We are committed to an antiracist and inclusive culture centering Indigenous rights, wisdom, practices, worldviews, and protocols.

Upstander Project Logo

Upstander Project encourages decolonization and upstander behavior through compelling documentary films and learning resources. Their goals are to overcome indifference to social injustice, develop the skills of upstanders, and contribute to action-oriented campaigns in response to vital social issues.

REI CO-OP Studios Logo

Across films, podcasts, and editorial programs, REI Co-op Studios develops and produces stories that entertain, enrich, and explore the power of time spent outside, while complementing the co-op’s broader climate and racial equity, diversity, and inclusion commitments.

Reciprocity Project Season One is distributed through American Public Television. https://aptonline.org/