Home  *  News  *  Tour  *  Biography  *  Discography and Lyrics  *  Photos and Videos
Setlists  *  Calendar  *  Correspondence  *  E-Mail List  *  Activism  *  Side Projects
Buy Merchandise  *  BBS  *  Contact Info  *  Links

5/23/05
CIESAS
We spent the day at a place called CIESAS (Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Anthropologia Social del Sureste)- a center for research and advanced studies in social anthropology. My take is that there is a relatively new movement in anthropology of activist-anthropologists who's work is dedicated to helping community development and cultural sustainability, rather than the old negative associations of colonial/voyeuristic anthropologists, studying people like wild animals for imperialistic gains. CIESAS allowed us a place to meet and talk with community activists. Most of the folks we met with are indigenous. It was a very diverse group of anthropologists, midwives, Mayan doctors, videographers, feminists, coffee growers, and agro-economists. We took turns introducing ourselves and giving presentations. There were translators to bridge the language gap between Spanish, Mayan languages, and English. Our host from CIESAS, Xochitl Leyva said she felt our purpose in meeting was to construct common agendas between artists, activists, and academics. Winona represented our delegation and helped start the discussion off with a brief overview of Ojibwe struggles and successes in the U.S., as well as the work of Honor the Earth.
It was a very full day with over 15 presentations.

Agripino explains his video at the CIESAS meeting. Photo by A. Ray

We heard from a member of OMIECH, an organization of indigenous doctors of the state of Chiapas. She talked about the importance of recovering traditional medicines and protecting them from patents and exploitation by other countries. We learned a lot about the tradition of midwives in the Mayan communities and how important they are. We saw the merging of art and activism when Agripino Bautista, presented a video about Mayan midwives. The video was made through the Indigenous Videomakers of the Southern Border Project (PVIFS). This project trains indigenous people to use cameras and equipment in order to let them document themselves and show us more accurately what their vision is of their own communities. We also saw another video funded by PVIFS by a young Tsotsil filmmaker, Pedro Lopez in which he returns to his homeland to interview his Grandfather and Great Grandfather about cultural / spiritual practices. These two films were incredible in their beauty and depth and showed a much more intimate picture than an outside non -indigenous filmmaker could ever show.

Winona takes a lunch break, CIESAS meeting Photo by A. Ray

There were strong women at the gathering who spoke of their struggles for rights and dignity and ultimately their success with the Declaration of Women's Rights by the Zapatistas. There are still many issues and problems but the movement is so determined and creative and really seems to be gaining ground on their own terms. There were some interesting differing opinions among the women who spoke with us. Some felt that the movement had become less unified and the Zapatistas had failed to follow through with their goals and that there were a lot of marches but not many concrete results. This was not meant to undermine the Zapatista's intent but to say that some women felt it was important to move on and form their own independent groups to achieve economic sustainability through art co-ops and other projects (This sort of made sense later to me as the Zapatistas declared a 6th Declaration and a new work plan because they felt the old one was stalled by the lack of government support). There are mixed feelings about the traditional roles of women changing and how it affects the family structure. Most of the women want to have more self-determination than they have had, but also want to keep the traditions of their families alive.

Dana takes a lunch break, CIESAS meeting Photo by A. Ray

We also heard an overview of the history of southern indigenous peoples' process of resistance and decolonization in the face of globalization. The need for self-representation and control over choices and access to technology and resources was emphasized. It was a good companion piece to Winona's presentation.
We traded back and forth as the day went on, sharing our political work and art. Anne White Hat spoke of her work with Sicangu Way Of Life, an organization committed to re-establishing and strengthening sustainable communities grounded in Lakota thought and philosophy. We also shared songs, more film, and visual art. That night we went back to our hotel and decompressed.

Dinner San Cristobal Photo by A. Ray

© 2006 Indigo Girls. All rights reserved.