Local shamans believe that the boiling water is birthed by Yucamama, a giant serpent spirit known as the “Mother of the Waters.” The river is shrouded in stories and legendary across Peru, however this is the first time the source of heat has been studied by outside scientists.

A Paiute man, William Anderson, asked "As president, how would you ensure that our public lands remain in public hands, and preserve our heritage and lives by stopping corporations from destroying Mother Earth?”

As climate change makes it more difficult to practice agriculture in their ancestral homelands, indigenous communities are exchanging seeds in hopes of finding the hardiest varieties.

From December 10 to 13, Mitú’s maloca hosted a gathering of local communities. Called the Ipanoré Festival, it welcomed indigenous groups from throughout the region, some of whom traveled days on the river by boat for a weekend of cultural exchange, ritual dancing, traditional food and camaraderie.

On February 20, the country’s only powwow welcoming Two-Spirit and gender-nonconforming participants will be held in San Francisco.