GUADALUPE MARIO VALENCIA
BORDERLANDS REGION, 2022 - 2023
Guadalupe Mario Valencia (he/him) is best known for his figurative work of the Yaqui Deer Dancer that communicates between the Sewa Ania (Flower World) and Our World. His work blends contemporary and abstract backgrounds with visuals he acquired as a ceremonial participant in the community of Old Pascua. He grew up immersed in the Yaqui culture and is on a lifelong journey to learn the oral stories and customs of his people and Kohtumbre Ya’ura (Lenten Society). Valencia has begun to experiment with modern mediums such as screen printing and digital arts in creative works focused on ceremony, religion, rebellion, and tradition. Particularly, on raising awareness of the current issues faced by all tribal nations. Valencia is a co-founder of 1519 Rebellion, a Native American art collective aimed at reframing Indigenous cultural imagery to highlight the proclamation by many tribal nations, “We Are Still Here.”
Mario is working with Yaqui tribal elders and youth to find creative ways to preserve their language and culture. Offering space for intergenerational sharing and reflection to address the challenges they face, Mario is creating visual responses to the stories and experiences they share. So far Mario has created two paintings representing the seweyalio, The Enchanted World, to be hung in Pascua Yaqui Assisted Living. More projects, including plans to make a language book, are forthcoming.
CULTURE HUB
Southwest Folklife Alliance’s mission is to build more equitable and vibrant communities by celebrating the everyday expressions of culture, heritage, and diversity rooted in the greater Southwest and U.S.-Mexico Border Corridor. Nationally, we amplify models and methods of cultural work that center traditional knowledge. We are a non-profit affiliate of the University of Arizona in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the State Folk & Traditional arts partner for the Arizona Commission on the Arts through the National Endowment for the Arts. We do this by 1. Producing festivals and public programs that increase understanding and respect for folklife practices, 2. Providing direct support to heritage-based artists in the region. 3. Documenting folklife and amplifying the voices of artists and cultural workers engaged in folklife practices. Our role is to create, uplift, and maintain the platforms where artists and ethnic/traditional/heritage innovators animate the foundation of community, and their folklife, on their own terms.
SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVE
The Pascua Yaqui Tribe, has created the Department of Language and Culture to preserve, perpetuate and transmit the Language and Culture of the Yaqui People. The commitment today builds upon the efforts and guidance of eminent elders who have made it their life work to protect and secure the Yaqui language and culture for future generations.
To counter the current trajectory of language loss within our Tribe, the department creates learning opportunities for all tribal members, building partnerships and collaborations with governments, organizations, schools, universities, but most importantly strengthening the connection with Yaqui Communities on both sides of the international border.
The collaboration with community largely focuses on listening and learning from our elders in all matters Yaqui. We understand that our elders are imperative in retaining our collective world view, spiritual balance, pride, and care for the Yaqui People. The Department of Language and Culture continues the work of many knowledgeable elders who have contributed in the establishment of the department and critical services that support fluency and language and Culture in Yaqui homes.