AWASQA

  • Ca dxiibi [Fear]

    Ca dxiibi [Fear]

    When I was seven years old, an aunt came by my house to tell us about a murder that had taken place in the community. It happened during a rodeo, a community event where men ride large bulls and compete against each other. This activity takes place during the town’s patron saint festivities. In short,…

  • Artesanías Aramara

    Deer Eyes, Circle Mind: Reflections on Pandemic & Philanthropy

    There is the old adage of the elegant deer—perhaps white-tailed, perhaps antlered—who the scientist kills for study, to hold the crimson heart, to peel back eyelids and see the earth reflected in orbs of night. Once dead, gone. No more spirited flight, deft movement, dainty leaps through tall grass, lightness alert. This metaphor is not…

  • Physically Distant but Socially Close: Indigenous Resilience and COVID-19

    Ideas to adapt our cultural practices and love our people in new ways Native people have cared for one another through greetings, food, dance, ceremony, and much more. These cultural practices have sustained our people through many hardships and joyful moments. We value and care about our families and communities and have always adapted to…

  • Ka Kuxtal Much' Meyaj A.C

    Indigenous Health Manuals, A Contribution to the Pandemic

    One of the primary sources of ancestral knowledge, treasured by humanity, is herbal medicine. Traditional indigenous medicine has its main foundation in the learning and millennial teaching of the healing power of nature, mastery in the use of infusions, poultices, mixtures , and remedies created with various plants, barks, leaves, roots, petals, juices, that applied…

  • Los Ultimos Hijos del Monte. Foto: FAPI

    Paraguay: Facing Hunger, Poor People Help Themselves

    Paraguay is mostly a mestizo country: 97% of the population speak and understand Guaraní and Spanish, their two official languages. The strong linguistic presence of the Guaraní indigenous language (it is the only country on the continent that is bilingual in a native language) is not enough for it to consider itself an indigenous country.…

  • Chile: A trans and Mapuche midwife at COVID-19

    How to survive discrimination and bring life in the midst of the pandemic SOURCE: Presentes Agency Photos: Josean Rivera/Archivo Presentes A round of applause surprised her completely. They could be heard outside their house, but they sounded very close. Claudia Ancapán Quilape did not expect it, but those of the night of April 7 were…

  • Ecuador: Agrarian revolution in the midst of crisis COVID

    With the COVID-19 crisis, the Ecuadorian nation state, like many other failed states, panicked and its reactions were late, with omissions and negligence towards its civilian population. For example, two months ago, salaries to state workers were suspended , but they have not stopped paying the foreign debt, nor have they suspended oil and mining…

  • Photo: Alaska Wilderness League

    Diverting Tribal COVID-19 Relief Funds into For-Profit Corporations

    In an unprecedented demonstration of unity, Native nations and tribes across the United States are taking measures to prevent the US government from misappropriating funds meant for COVID-19 emergency relief. Six tribal governments from Washington state, Maine, and Alaska teamed up in a lawsuit against the US Department of Treasury to prevent losing the $8…

  • Picture: NDN Collective

    Facing COVID-19: A Time of Spiritual Fortitude

    Originally published on NDN Collective, an organization that works to develop the collective power of Indigenous Peoples. We encourage all of our relatives throughout Turtle Island and beyond to take every precaution to protect yourselves, your loved ones, families, and entire communities. NDN Collective Statement on COVID-19 and Indigenous People As the new COVID-19 (Coronavirus)…