HUICHOL PEOPLES - Improvements for the Huichol Cultural Center

WHO ARE THE HUICHOLES?

CURRENT CHANGES IMPACTING THE HUICHOL

With the building of roads in the Huichol Zone in the last ten years, new influences are impacting the social fabric of the Huichol. Where mules, horses and burros used to be the main forms of transport, trucks are becoming more prominent, importing food, medicines and beer. Although this, of course can be beneficial, it was also degrading to the culture as a whole. In 1986, the Huichols continued to live isolated lives very traditionally in every aspect, but since this contact from within their own country, they have had to adapt and change.

HOW THE INTI RAYMI FUND HELPED THIS CAUSE

The Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Traditional Arts Facility is operated by another 501c3 Public Charity, which we discovered while searching for “Indigenous Peoples Projects” in need of help. The Inti Raymi Fund visited and researched this facility and found it to be “Our Poster Child” of how best to sustain with Dignity and Respect, these wonderful Indigenous Peoples. Susana Valdez is the Director of the Huichol Center.  Susana has personally dedicated her life and energy to the Huichol Peoples’ sustainability efforts for over 30 years. Susana has a Masters Degree from UCLA in Latin American Studies and was in an interdisciplinary program which focused on Anthropology, Ethnobotany and Art in Mexico.  We believe in a “Good is Good” approach, whereby we will support other 501c3 organizations when we come across them during our travels if they help to enhance and sustain the same causes we came to help.  The Inti Raymi Fund provided $25,000 in funding for a myriad of improvement projects for the continued operations and successes of the Huichol Center. The items include art supplies for “Handcrafts not Hand-Outs”, aid to Huichol Traditional Keepers for pilgrimages to sacred sites, a vehicle for safe transport of children, tribal officials and medical emergencies, audio visual the equipment for the school and Huichol Center and the construction of the Huichol Center Community Gathering and Permaculture Demo Site.  At the Inti Raymi Fund, we believe that “re-inventing the wheel” made absolutely no sense on this project so the best use of our $25,000 grant was to help Susana continue on their path of excellence in this model project she created. We are so proud to be a sponsor of the Huichol Center and encourage others to become involved directly by visiting, volunteering and or through direct donations.  If their message resonates with you, please contact them directly at the link below.

WWW.THEHUICHOLCENTER.ORG

Images on this page are a mix of Inti Raymi Fund and Huichol stock images from community.