Cultural Survival works tirelessly to contribute to the strengthening of data and capabilities inside Indigenous communities. It goals for this to occur not solely inside their very own areas, but in addition by way of the trade and encounters between communities that permit contributors to broaden views and be taught concerning the processes of different peoples, in addition to to be taught from tasks being carried out in different territories.
Over the previous 12 months, a various vary of tasks and gatherings has been strengthened within the southern area of Mexico, with the aim of fostering the technology of latest concepts and the reinforcement of assist networks for group work.
All through these months, Cultural Survival has promoted the participation of companions and fellows of the group in varied actions. These exchanges have been characterised by the willingness of the contributors, openness to dialogue, and the collective development of data.
Worldwide Convention of the Corn Peoples
The fifth Worldwide Convention of the Corn Peoples passed off from October twelfth to 14th, 2022, in Juchitán de Zaragoza, Oaxaca. On this preliminary trade, two companions from the Guardians of the Earth Program of the A lot’ Kanan I’inaj Seed Collective and two members of the Cultural Survival crew attended. For the companions, the occasion turned out to be a invaluable expertise because it allowed them to look at how the identical matter they work on is being addressed in different areas, together with the threats in each territories, resembling wind power tasks.
This trade started with a Zapotec ceremony at daybreak on October twelfth. All through the occasion, roundtable discussions have been held on matters resembling: “The restoration and use of ancestral corn,” “The protection of seeds towards genetic modification,” “The wrestle for meals sovereignty, sustainability, and the coaching of latest generations of producers.”
Individuals have been capable of share the work they do as a part of the A lot’ Kanan I’inaj Seed Collective, evaluate experiences, and trade information associated to meals, meals sovereignty, and seed safety.
Continental Gathering of Unbiased Media and Radio Tejemedios 2022
The fifth Continental Gathering of Unbiased Media and Radio “Tierra y Libertad,” Tejemedios Tepoztlán, passed off from November 18th to twentieth, 2022, in Tepoztlán, Morelos. The occasion was attended by two people from the group of Isla Area, Campeche, who’re a part of the group radio Puksi’ik‘al ha’; a member of the group Boca de Polen, and a person from Radio Ach Lequil Cop in Chiapas. This occasion aimed to strengthen the capabilities and use of other, impartial, and group communication instruments.
Tejemedios provided workshops, talks, and different simultaneous actions. Among the workshops included: “Group Archive Workshop” by the TAMIX TV Collective and TAMIX MULTIMEDIA, “Sound Fundamentals Workshop,” and “Audiovisual Transmission Workshop.” Moreover, a wide range of boards allowed attendees to increase their information on matters resembling constructing work networks and trade.
This occasion offered a invaluable alternative for attendees to share and diversify their information in radio, movie, video, and images, which may be extremely helpful for incorporating new instruments into their work in group radios.
Mayan Languages Digital Activism Summit
The third trade passed off in Mérida, Yucatán, from January thirteenth to 14th, 2023, titled “Mayan Languages Digital Activism Summit,” organized by Rising Voices. The principle theme was digital activism, and this time, friends have been people from the state of Chiapas, particularly from the Tsotsil and Tseltal communities. By way of shows, workshops, and shared experiences, the intention was to advertise the training of utilizing digital platforms, web site design, and platforms for instructing Indigenous languages.
The Mayan languages occasion achieved its purpose of bringing collectively contributors who’re making varied efforts of their communities to accumulate and increase information in the usage of digital instruments. Our invited companion, Manuel Gómez Méndez, a Tseltal participant from the Boca de Polen Community of Communicators, stated, “I’m grateful to Cultural Survival for giving us the chance to attend these essential linguistic occasions.”
Folks’s Informatics Assembly – HACKOMUN
Between February tenth and twelfth, 2023, the Folks’s Informatics Assembly passed off in Mexico Metropolis. For this trade, two people from the Las Abejas de Acteal group in Chiapas, who’ve been a part of the Group Media program, have been invited to take part. On this gathering, contributors have been capable of share their experiences and obtain coaching in the usage of software program and gear for audiovisual manufacturing.
The importance of this occasion may be summarized within the phrases of the friends: “23 years have handed since our first steps within the discipline of communication, however sadly, we’ve not acquired workshops on this matter. That is why we’re happy with your invitation to those digital expertise and free media workshops, that are crucial each personally and for our Las Abejas group.”
Tribunal of Nature’s Rights
The fifth trade passed off by way of participation within the Tribunal of Nature’s Rights (concerning the Mayan practice) in Valladolid, Yucatán, on March eleventh, 2023. Beneath the coordination of the Guardians of the Earth Program, 14 individuals from 5 communities and organizations have been invited: San Francisco Suc Tuc Group, Ka Kuxtal A lot Meyaj, Escárcega Group, and Isla Area (all from the state of Campeche), and the Km50 Collective from Quintana Roo.
This occasion reviewed the general affect of the mega-project Mayan Practice on the communities. Don Félix Ucan, a participant from Ka Kuxtal, stated, “This occasion is essential; individuals from different nations and attorneys come to hearken to us.” Israel Molas from Isla Area talked about, “This occasion has been essential as a result of we see what might occur in our group (with the Mayan Practice) sooner or later, and that issues us.”
Individuals from totally different Indigenous organizations working to defend land and pure sources within the Tribunal for the Rights of Nature.
XV Native Seeds Pageant in Xcalot
On Might 14th of this 12 months, the XV Native Seeds Pageant passed off in Xcalot Akal, Hopelchén municipality, Campeche. Round 200 individuals from totally different cooperatives, artisan networks, corn producers, and organizations from Yucatán, Campeche, Chiapas, and Quintana Roo gathered. The pageant began the night time earlier than when contributors arrived on the designated location to help in meals preparation and the preliminary phases of the ceremony.
1st Native Seeds Truthful in José María Morelos
The seventh trade occurred on Might twenty eighth, 2023, marking the primary time the Native Seeds Truthful was held in José María Morelos, Quintana Roo. Roughly 200 individuals from Yucatán, Campeche, Chiapas, and Quintana Roo attended. The occasion emphasised the significance of showcasing, buying and selling, and accessing high quality seeds for future harvests. It additionally served as a gathering level for exchanging info and suggestions about planting and harvesting and guaranteeing the conservation, preservation, and continued planting of native seeds with out agrochemicals.
Two companion organizations of the Guardians of the Earth Program from the state of Chiapas, two people from CEDIAC who’re additionally members of the group authorities of Chilón, and two colleagues from CIMICH (Chiapas Migrants Council) additionally participated within the occasion.
Conducting these actions, which facilitate the trade of data from a group perspective, is of utmost significance for increasing the contributors’ toolkit, professionalizing their efforts, studying from different experiences, and fostering areas free from hierarchies that may typically hinder interplay and studying.
Probably the most important outcomes thus far have been the chance for a lot of companions to journey to totally different territories with Indigenous siblings engaged in comparable processes. Companions have been capable of take part in occasions with shared themes, creating networks and connections. These actions have allowed them to encourage one another and take concepts again to copy of their communities. Within the coming 12 months, we are going to search to bolster these exchanges, strengthening the bonds already shaped between communities and collaborating within the occasions our companions set up.
High photograph: Beekeepers from Campeche, Chiapas, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
