Reynaldo Morales

Morales is currently an Assistant Professor of Northwestern University with a joint faculty appointment with the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, and with the Buffett institute for Global Affairs, being affiliated to the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR) and the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program. Morales earned a joint PhD with the University of Wisconsin-Madison with the School of Education (Curriculum and Instruction – Science Education) and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies (Environment and Resources). Previously, he earned a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Science Education with UW-Madison School of Education. His research inquiries about shifts in science and environmental research related to knowledge integration between science and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, as well as to global biodiversity governance with emphasis on World Indigenous Peoples. Morales has used digital media and documentary production as a method of inquiry during his graduate research and professional practice. He has conducted international research in South and North America, South Asia, and Southeast Africa since 2017, being distinguished with prestigious fellowships and academic awards during his doctoral research. Prior to his doctoral research, Morales worked since 2011, during his graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, on research around science and traditional knowledge integration in environmental education with tribal communities in Wisconsin. He facilitated the seminar "Global Indigeneity and Sustainability" with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) and the Title VI Program of Department of Education National Resource Centers during 2016-17 semesters, and previously served at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Social Sciences Department for 4 years teaching a course about Native American History with a focus on environmental issues and policy.

A life-long filmmaker, Morales completed undergraduate studies in Peru in the 80’s during intense political violence climate in his native country of Peru, working on national and international press and media projects related to sustainable development, human rights, education, health and Women rights. Morales co-produced dozens of documentaries and IEC (Information, Education and Communication) media programs funded by International Cooperation in Peru as associated producer of the Peruvian NGO TV Cultura and investigative documentary producer and researcher. Many years later, he produced peer-reviewed educational digital media publications under federal and state grants in the US and developed capacity building programs for tribal youth.

Morales continues mentoring today Tribal Youth from Native American/ American Indian and international Indigenous Youth, around participatory environmental science education. In international contexts, he served as honorary Mentor of United Nations Environment Program UNEP-Nairobi Office for African Youth, assisting young African participants of the Multilateral Environment Agreement Program (MEA) to develop a report on stakeholders’ engagement in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2022.

Morales became involved with the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in 2016 and with the Convention of Biological Resources since 2018 as part of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB). He holds a board member appointment with the UN Indigenous Media Caucus since 2018. He held an international honorary research fellowship with the Forum for Law, Environment, Development and Governance (FLEDGE) based in India since 2019, working on international research and outreach projects related to the protection of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ genetic resources and biodiversity conservation in Northern and Southern India. Finally, Morales became part of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland, as observer of the Buffett Institute of Global Affairs, becoming part of the negotiation team for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement at COP26 until the present. Morales is also part of the negotiation team of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources as expert consultant of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity for COP16.

Opinion/Editorial/News / Academic Journals

Indigeneity and Territoriality in Peru: The Politics of Recognition and Citizenship. Cultural Survival. April, 24, 2024. https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/indigeneity-and-territoriality-peru-politics-recognition-and-citizenship

Maya Peoples’ Territorial Governance and Vulnerability in Climate Change Policy and Action - Nov 06, 2023 | Cultural Survival. Co-authored with Northwestern University Political Sciences Doctoral Candidate Diana K. Elhard. The links between climate change and Indigenous Peoples’ territorial and environmental governance. https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/maya-peoples-territorial-governance-and-vulnerability-climate-change-policy-and-action

The National Indigenous Media Commission in Colombia and the Rights to Media: A Model for the Global South - Oct 05, 2023 | Cultural Survival. https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/national-indigenous-media-commission-colombia-and-rights-media-model-global-south

State-controlled Conservation and USAID Aid Green Grabbing against Indigenous Peoples in Peruvian Amazon - Oct 13, 2023 | News. Co-authored with Dr. Abou Farman (New School University)

Shipibo-Konibo Indigenous Amazonian Communities Occupy a Peruvian Regional Conservation Area Office Demanding the Restitution of their Territorial Rights – at “Indigenous Voice”. September 11, 2022. https://english.indigenousvoice.com/news/shipibo-konibo-indigenous-amazonian-communities-occupy-a-peruvian-regional-conservation-area-office-demanding-the-restitution-of-their-territorial-rights

“Mbororo Peoples’ Journey for Survival:Transhumance and Territoriality in Central Africa” Multimedia article - With United Nations Department of Political and Peace Building Affairs. September 20, 2023. https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/mbororo-peoples-journey-survival-transhumance-and-territoriality-central-africa

UNEP Report “Afrikan Youth Perspectives on the Wisdom of the Indigenous Peoples and Local communities Towards Ecosystem Restoration. The Future We Create”. – UNEP 2021. Nairobi Office, Kenya. Editor and Mentor. Authors: Njuiri, Nkirote, Ahmed and Nyanje - (Multilateral Environmental Agreements) Youth Empowerment and Training Initiative (YETI) to Empower Youth on Environmental Governance. November 2021 Pp. 21. https://www.acpmeas.com/resources/stakeholderengagement-indigenous-peoples-and-local-communities-afrikan-youth-perspective

Morales, R. A., Kumar Sunuwar, D., & Veran, C. (2021). Building Global Indigenous Media Networks: Envisioning Sustainable and Regenerative Futures around Indigenous Peoples’ Meaningful Representation. Humanities, 10(3), 104. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/10/3/104

Cardenas, Reynaldo A. Morales. "Transnational Interactions and Integrations of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Western Science: A Cross-Case Synthesis of Informed and Consented Educational and Policy Interventions on Biodiversity Conservation and Genetic Resource Management." PhD dissertation.,
The University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2020. Library of Congress of United States. https://www.proquest.com/openview/9158560129e3ccb7ef32f9b3534bcd4d/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2026366&diss=y

Cardenas, Reynaldo Morales. "Educational Digital Media Tools to Reformulate Activity and Object in Indigenous Science and Environmental Education." Education and Learning Review EDU REVIEW. International 8, no. 3 (2020): 127-134. https://journals.eagora.org/revEDU/article/view/2666

Caldwell, C., Thunder, C., Lauffer, H. B., Flick, K., Orie, L., Morales, R., Gauthier, J., & Grignon, J. (2018). The POSOH Project: Collaboratively supporting a community-driven perspective on sustainability and commitment to the Menominee Forest’s stewardship. Tribal College and University Research Journal, 2, 49-67. (https://resources.collegefund.org/wp-content/uploads/TCU-Research-Journal-Vol.-2-October-2018.pdf)

Morales, R. The Braiding of the Rights to Self-Determination and the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent Mechanisms across UNDRIP, SDGs and CBD Policy Platforms – Formal Submission to United Nations Human Rights Office of The High Commissioner – chrome extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/indigenouspeoples/cfi/submmissionselfdetermination/subm-self-determination-under-acad-othe-reynaldo-morales-university-wiscons.pdf

Awarded and Official Selection Films

THE FLY BACK: RESTORING TERRITORIAL RIGHTS IN THE UCAYALI BASIN
Film Documentary – Directed by Reynaldo A Morales
Duration: 1:00:28

Cannes World Film Festival. January 2024. Award Winner in 4 Categories: Best Environmental Film, Best Social Justice Film, Best Human Rights, and Best Indigenous¬¬¬/Native Peoples Film - https://www.world-film-festival.com/en/winners-janvier-2024/ - https://www.world-film-festival.com/en/certificates/ )

Nature Without Border International Film Festival. Spring 2024. Excellence Award. February 17, 2024 - https://www.nwbiff.com/WINNERS/NWBIFF_Winners_Spring_2024.html

New York Monthly Film Festival. Best Feature Film - February 28, 2024 - https://ny-film.com/2024/02/28/2024-winners-and-nominees/

Beyond Border International. Outstanding Achievement Award. 10th Season 2024 https://beyondfilmmag.com/10th-season-outstanding-achievement-awards/ May 12, 2024

Katra LatinX Film Festival. Best Feature Documentary. June 17, 2024 - https://katrafilmseries.com/katra-latinx-festival-celebrated-its-5th-anniversary-at-regal-essex-crossing/

Vancouver International Movie Awards - Best Feature Documentary Award Winner https://vancouverarthouse.com/2024/06/22/winners-june-2024/ June 18, 2024.

New York Film & Cinematography Awards – Exceptional Merit Award – Spring 2024 - https://bestfilmawards.com/official-selection/2024

Hispanic International Film Festival – Official Selection Winter 2024 Award Winner - https://hispanicfilmfest.com/Winners/Winners_Winter_2024.html

Three Fires International Film Festival – Award Winner – Best Documentary July 1, 2024 - https://3fiff.ca/muskoka-program

Festival de Cine Amazonia del Plata – Official Selection - https://festivalamazoniadelplata.home.blog/blog-feed/ - March 12, 2024

Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival – Official Selection - https://liftoff.network/los-angeles-lift-off-film-festival-2024/ - August 2024

Antakya International Film Festival – Finalist – October 18, 2024 https://www.antakyaff.org/en/antakyaff-2/filmler-movies/; https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DAPO55WcmdhTJ-GRv_pvNya9HFn0xJ6w/edit

World Culture Film Festival – Semi-finalist – July, 2024. https://www.worldculturefilmfestival.org/attend

International Multicultural Film Festival – Official Selection – October 2024 https://www.instagram.com/multiculturalfilmfestival/

Artist Emerged International Film Festival – Official Selection – November 2024 https://artistemergedfest.gumroad.com

International Film Festival The Hague – Official Selection – November 2024 - https://iffh.nl/official-selections-2024-season-6/

“Mayaland: Listening to the Bees” - Associate Producer - Winner Documentary Award Spring 2023 Socially Relevant Film Festival, NY. Winner International Social Change Film Festival 2023; Official Selection Madriff Film Festival, Madrid 2023; and Quetzacoatl International Film Festival 2022.