Cultural Awareness of Guatemalan and Mexican Indigeneity

Hosted by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Did you know there are about 24 indigenous languages spoken in Guatemala and 68 indigenous languages spoken in Mexico? In immigration statistics, indigenous persons of the Americas, Guatemala and Mexico included, are characterized as Latino or Hispanic, which erases their cultures and ignores the persecution they often face at home. Each year, tens of thousands of Guatemalan and Mexican unaccompanied children, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking make the journey to the U.S. in pursuit of safety and opportunities. However, they represent a wide range of identities, languages, and cultures.

To increase understanding of these populations and their cultures, the ORR Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Commission (DEIAC), in partnership with the Child Services Team, is offering two free, virtual workshops on Cultural Awareness of Guatemalan and Mexican Indigeneity. These workshops are available to ORR staff and its grant recipients.

Over the course of the workshops, you will learn how to foster respectful, cross-cultural interactions with children and families from Guatemala and Mexico, appreciate the significance of indigenous heritage in modern contexts, and learn about language access rights and responsibilities. You will also improve your knowledge of the migratory histories and language access rights of Mexico and Guatemala’s indigenous communities.

Tuesday, September 19, 2pm PST
Register here.