Empowering Indigenous Youth in Mexican Communities

This project aims to strengthen meaningful bonds between local youth and their indigenous community culture, carrying out workshops to increase awareness and foster creative expression regarding fundamental community practices. During this period, the UMCO team carried out a state-wide workshop in Santa María Cuquila, and coordinated the participation of young people in the activities to celebrate the 8^th anniversary of the Community Museum of San Pedro Molinos and the 29^th anniversary of the Community Museum of San Miguel Tequixtepec.

From June 6 to June 8, 25 young people participated in a three-day workshop held in Santa María Cuquila. Previous on-line workshops had prepared the groundwork, and during this in-person workshop participants had the opportunity to speak with elders regarding community government and community service. Precisely during these months, all the municipalities governed through the system of usages and customs (usos y costumbres) in Oaxaca were electing their authorities through their community assemblies. It was a moment in which young people could relate the experiences and reflections of elders with the processes they were undergoing in their own communities. In the workshop they developed questions for dialogue and reflected on the significance of community service. Elders from Santa María Cuquila came together to share their experiences regarding the process of elections and how community service is fulfilled on a daily basis. After an evening of telling stories around a bonfire, participants prepared the presentation of their reflections, which were broadcast through UMCO’s YouTube channel.

 During this period, there was also significant participation of Middle-school students in the celebration of the anniversaries of the community museums of San Pedro Molinos (June 25-27) and San Miguel Tequixtepec (September 23-25). In both cases, students came together with the community museum committee, authorities and elders to discuss the history of their museum. Afterwards, they helped design and mount the exhibitions showcasing the museum’s activities. The young people also participated reciting poetry and presenting dances during the celebration of the anniversaries, as well as giving a tour of the exhibition they had helped to mount.

 In summary, during this period 25 young people from 6 communities (Santa Ana del Valle, San Miguel Tequixtepec, San Pedro Tututepec, San Miguel del Progreso, Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán and Santa María Cuquila) participated in a three-day workshop reflecting on community service and government, while 45 students of San Pedro Molinos and San Miguel Tequixtepec participated in the commemoration of the anniversaries of their community museums. In this way, 70 young people expanded their knowledge and appreciation of their traditional way of life.