El Río Es Familia tells the story of the Canihuante family and their community in Chile’s Valle de Elqui, who are fighting to protect the Cochiguaz River from the long-term impacts of mining, and why sharing their journey is so meaningful for inspiring conservation. The river is more than water; it sustains crops, wildlife, and Indigenous traditions that have endured for generations. Led by Rafael Canihuante, president of the Indigenous community, and Carmen Canihuante, who is petitioning to designate the river as a natural sanctuary, their efforts unite neighbors in defense of both nature and culture. By telling this story, the film shows that rivers are not abstract environmental issues but deeply personal connections that define identity, family, and future. El Río Es Familia inspires us to see rivers everywhere as kin, reminding us that protecting them is ultimately about protecting who we are.