Ancestors y Lunas
Integrating cultural wisdom to advance immigrant advocay and peace futures at the US/ Mexico border.
Ancestors y Lunas
Our group emerged from collaborative efforts between Las Imaginistas and Voces Unidas. The legacy of this work is now led by Xi’im Ek Balam with support from ARISE, the University of Texas, RGV and Voces Unidas.
We are based in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where we lead four primary initiatives in this region:
1) the rematriation of 14 acres of undeveloped land to develop an intercultural peace sanctuary that advances global demilitarization and re-indigenization
2) community development for mixed indigenous immigrations that integrates ancestral cosmologies and healing justice strategies
3) cultural revitalization and communities of practice for liberated, sustainable and decolonial futures
4) capacity building and somatic support for regional leaders (including trainings in mindfulness, conflict resolution and wellness)
We are healing the border and ancestral timelines.
We are building sustainable futures
for immigrants and all life on Earth.
We began by listening to the community.
In 2018 Las Imaginsitas (co-founded by Ixchel Xochitlzihuatl) conducted a number of listening sessions with migrants living in the RGV. Xi’im Ek Balam (in collaboration with numerous regional partners) now takes these ideas forward.
We are listening to our ancestors.
Our strategies integrate our cultural wisdom into community advocacy. This method deepens our impact by creating community and cultural reinforcement that is echoed by intergenerational wisdom.
Check out our write up in the NY Foundation for the Arts newsletter!
“The reindigenization of people within the United States, especially women, is one of the most important pathways to environmental and social justice of our time… We are remembering our ancestral traditions, reactivating our cultural DNA to build more sustainable, peaceful, and harmonious futures, not just for the nation but for the entire universe.”
-Ixchel Xochitlzihuatl
digital collage by Michelle Serrano for Voces Unidas and Las Imaginsitas
photo by Cielo Zuñiga for Voces Unidas and Las Imaginistas
photo by Cielo Zuñiga for Voces Unidas and Las Imaginsitas
photo by Cielo Zuñiga for Voces Unidas and Las Imaginsitas
photo by Cielo Zuñiga for Voces Unidas and Las Imaginsitas
photo by Cielo Zuñiga for Voces Unidas and Las Imaginistas
photo by Cielo Zuñiga for Voces Unidas and Las Imaginsitas
photo by Cielo Zuñiga for Voces Unidas and Las Imaginistas
photo by Cielo Zuñiga for Voces Unidas and Las Imaginsitas
The Moon Group continues into 2024 and beyond with community workshops, charrettes, ceremonies and cultural gatherings.
Pictured here Lilia Ortiz, Ixchel Xōchitlzihuatl and Blanca Delgado after a ceremonial gathering by the water in the RGV, spring 2024.
