Planeta Indigena - A New Indigenous Awareness Center to Open in Fall of 2010 in Sayulita, Mexico
 Bonnie Metzger - PVNN
June 10, 2010
| | For further information on the Planet Indígena Indigenous Awareness Center, scheduled to open in Sayulita this Fall, contact Bonnie Metzger at bonmetz(at)yahoo.com or 044-322-779-1242. | |
The small pueblo of Sayulita, one of Mexico´s foremost tourist destinations, popular for its surfing and restaurants, now features Planeta Indígena - a new Indigenous Awareness Center. Located at #22 Avenida Revolución, just before the bridge leading into Sayulita´s center, Planeta Indígena has been created to build awareness about local and international indigenous cultures through: art exhibitions, lectures, workshops, classes and international symposiums, video conferencing with schools that will provide a rich exchange of cross-cultural information.
| | The focus of Planeta Indígena is the revival and dissemination of indigenous knowledge and spirituality between Huicholes and other tribes across the globe through a variety of activities including: cultural exchange workshops, seminars, lectures, special events and other public activities. | |
The core focus of the center is one of Mexico's oldest living treasures - the Huichol indigenous people, who have gained international prominence for their cultural endurance in the modern world. The Huicholes are renowned for their colorful clothing, jewelry, beaded art sculpture and yarn paintings.
Much of the symbolism depicted in their art forms originates from the culture´s religious belief system that is rooted in the ceremonial use of peyote. This visionary cactus is used by religious practitioners to communicate with supernatural entities at the source of their creation myths.
Huichol art portrays dream landscapes and cosmic consciousness, and is a rich cultural legacy that anthropologists such as Susana Valadez (the founder of the Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and the new Planeta Indígena) have dedicated their lives to protecting.
According to Valadez:
"The opening of the Planeta Indígena is a major step forward in the past 30 years of my life´s work. Having lived among the Huicholes while raising three children with my former Huichol husband, I have developed a deep awareness of how important it is that indigenous wisdom from endangered tribes, like the Huicholes, be protected and passed on to future generations.
These cultures are an important piece of our past as well as our future, as we continue into an unpredictable century. Many of the planet´s ancient cultures have disappeared, and our only knowledge of their customs lies in the excavation of their burial sites and in the museums featuring shards of their cooking utensils and homes.
The Huicholes, however, are a tribe that exists today; their customs, beliefs and spiritual lives are very much a part of this century. It is our goal to sustain this ancient tribe and its culture, and to provide visitors to Sayulita with a destination for authentic interaction among one of the oldest tribes on the planet."
The focus of Planeta Indígena is the revival and dissemination of indigenous knowledge and spirituality between Huicholes and other tribes across the globe through a variety of activities including: cultural exchange workshops, seminars, lectures, special events and other public activities.
The Center Will Feature:
Galería Tanana - The renowned retail store, Galeria Tanana which was previously located in Sayulita's centro, opens it doors in the new Planet Indígena location in June 2010 for limited hours. The Galeria features high quality Huichol Indian yarn paintings, beaded art sculpture, jewelry, hand decorated cards and unique collectibles.
The sales from this fair trade store support the beneficial work of Valadez's twenty year old non-profit foundation, the Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Traditional Arts. Galeria events will include: anthropological slide shows, children's activities and other activities related to indigenous themes.
"MUMAS" - Manos Unidas de Mujeres de las Americas (United Hands of Women of the Americas) - An information exchange via: networking, workshops, discussion groups, spiritual events, yoga, lectures, book-signings, craft sales events, artists events, fashion expos and much more among international, local and Huichol women.
The Huichol Event Space - Available for rent for community activities.
Sayulita Visitors' Center - Tourist information about local businesses, restaurants, activities and tours in Sayulita and surrounding areas.
Community Bulletin Board - A one-stop information board for members of the community and visitors.
Planeta Indígena will rely on corporate and individual funding, grants and annual memberships, as well as ticket sales and event space rentals. The Center is currently seeking corporate and individual donors and in-kind donations to support start-up costs and future projects. Major sponsorship packages are available upon request.
Current Needs Include:
estimated costs in pesos
• Signage $10,000
• Furnishings $2,000
• Lighting $15,000
• Landscaping $5,000
• Fixtures $10,000
• Palapas $10,000
• Painting $10,000
• Office equipment $30,000
• Operational expenses $40,000
Immediate Funding Needed: $132,000 ($11,000 USD)
Future Projects Include:
a) A Planeta Indígena museum in the Sayulita area that features anthropologist Susana Valadez's renown collection of Huichol art, photography and ethno-graphic archive as well as material from other tribes of interest.
b) The Huichol Indigenous Awareness Center in Huejuquilla, Jalisco, Mexico - a "living museum" and cultural center to be located near the Huichol homeland that will provide an interface for the Huichol people to share their culture, art and history with the world.
c) A certified university curriculum in Huichol Studies for local, national and international students that will offer accredited degrees in: anthropology, arts, museography, ethno-botany and other culturally relevant subjects.
For further information on the Planet Indígena Indigenous Awareness Center, corporate or individual sponsorship, the Huichol Center for Cultural Survival or Susana Valadez, contact Bonnie Metzger at bonmetz(at)yahoo.com or local Sayulita cell phone (322) 779-1242; from the US, call 011 52 (322) 779-1242. |
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