The 2014 issue of the Nakum online journal is out and it's amazing!
"I am virtually speechless...," says Dr. Roberto "Cintli" Rodriguez, one of the featured writers. "And truly, that the issue is discussed in relation to Indigeneity I think is groundbreaking." Dr. Cintli's piece is unforgettable -- Smiling Brown: Gente de Bronce—People the Color of the Earth.
This issue is truly unique in many respects. It features the NBC Learn video as part of the issue, an unusual addition in any journal. There is yet another unusual addition, El Camino, a painting by Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo. This California artist creates highly textured, brightly colored oil paintings of danzantes. Published performance poet and writer Lupe Mendez submitted Violent Before the Moon, a blood-stirring poem on an ancient story. Vivian García López submitted People, shades of the earth, color the silent truth, a strong commentary on the testimonios and vignettes in Roberto “Dr. Cintli” Rodriguez’ article. The review in this issue, Writing Greater Indigenous Mexico: Mid-Century American Indians Look South for Revolutionary Possibilty, was written by Crystal M. Kurzen, on Dr. James Cox's The Red Land to the South: American Indian Writers and Indigenous Mexico.
This issue continues to raise the bar on publishing the work of our incredible Native American authors and artists. We are extremely grateful to Dr. Lydia French and Tammy Gonzalez for contributing long hours of work and expertise in producing this new issue.
Bar-B-Q Fundraiser in San Antonio
The Miakan-Garza Band is sponsoring a fundraiser to support the Sacred Springs Powwow. The bar-b-q plate sale is set for July 19th from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 9003 Walhalla, San Antonio, Texas. The plates sell for $6.00 each and include chicken, sausage, rice, beans, and all the trimmings. Public can also buy beverages, cake slices, and other baked goodies. To help us sell tickets or to buy tickets, please contact the fundraiser organizers Roxanna and Javier Garza at 210-305-2099. We hope to see all of our powwow supporters at the fundraiser on July 19th.
The Miakan-Garza Band is a state-recognized tribe of Texas, declared by the 83rd Legislature on March 16, 2013.
Call for Sacred Springs Powwow volunteers
Our new Volunteers Recruiter, Laura Rios-Ramirez, is issuing a call for volunteers to help with the Sacred Springs Powwow scheduled for October 11th from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Meadows Center (formerly Aquarena Springs) at 921 Aquarena Springs Drive in San Marcos, Texas.
"This year we're giving t-shirts to all of our volunteers," says Laura. "We want to show our gratitude for their support and hard work to make this powwow such a success."
All volunteers will receive special training at an orientation session scheduled one week before the event. They will also receive their t-shirt and a special badge. Volunteers who work for four hours or more are hosted to lunch at the Hospitality Tent during the powwow.
Jobs and shifts vary, such as Trolley Presenter, Admissions Guide, Set-up Crew for 7:00 AM, Strike Crew from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Blanket Raffle Ticket Sales, Green Team Cleaning Crew, Parking Coordinator, and other positions. For a complete list of the Volunteer Jobs, check our website, and contact Laura Rios-Ramirez at 512-844-4107 to sign up for one or more shifts.
Invitation to Indigenous Summer Camp finale performance
The public is cordially invited to the Indigenous Summer Camp performance on July 11 at 5:30 PM at Cuauhtemoc Hall on 1100 Patton Street in San Marcos. This special event is the culmination of an extraordinary summer camp offered by the Institute. The five-day camp runs from July 7 through 11 and features Indigenous artists teaching Native arts. Highlights for the 45 enrolled students are:
- Learning how to play the Native American flute
- Experiencing a meditation to reveal your animal spirit
- Finding out their Aztec birthdate symbol
- Playing drums, rattles, and other percussion instruments
- Learning to sing a traditional song in the Coahuiltecan language
- Painting ancient symbols on their Native dance regalia (outfits)
- Learning about the American Indians living in San Marcos thousands of years ago
The July 11th performance demonstrates what the students have learned through this unique cultural experience. We hope that many of our Institute friends and relations will come out to support the students in their finale performance.
San Ygnacio repatriation supported by Institute
Earlier this year, the Coahuiltecan community in San Ygnacio, Texas reached out to Indigenous Cultures Institute for assistance in repatriating the ancient remains of a woman unearthed due to road construction. The Institute responded by contacting UTSA for the status of the remains they were holding, and the Mescalero Apache Nation to arrange for a cooperative effort on the repatriation. The Institute arranged for hosting the Mescalero Apache representatives overnight in Zapata. The federally-recognized tribe arrived in San Ygnacio on February 15th and allowed the local Coahuiltecans to hold a ceremony with the remains of their long-deceased sister. After the reburial, the Aguilar family provided a meal for everyone at their home.
"This was a very emotional experience," says Luis Aguilar, a member of the local Coahuiltecans who initiated the cooperative repatriation. "We're really grateful to ICI for helping us to rebury the remains of our sister."
Institute invites sponsors in new outreach effort
Gabriela Prieto, newly graduated from Texas State University, has joined the Institute's staff as Special Assistant to the Executive Director and is reaching out to the business community for sponsorships and support.
"Ms. Prieto is coordinating our marketing plan for the Sacred Springs Powwow," says ICI executive director Maria Rocha. "She's an outstanding new addition and brings many skills and talents to our organization."
Anyone seeking broad exposure for their business is urged to contact the Institute through the ICI website Contact Page.