Oaxacan Perspectives on the Binational Struggles of Mexican Indigenous Migrant Communities

On April 24th and 25th, Centolia Maldonado Vasquez and Bernardo Ramirez Bautista, Oaxaca-based members of the Binational Front of Indigenous Organizations, gave presentations in Greenfield and at UC Santa Cruz on indigenous Mexican migration to the U.S. and its impact in the communities of origin, the current political situation in Oaxaca, the role of women in the movement for social justice in Oaxaca, and current challenges of indigenous governing community institutions in Oaxaca.

Audio recordings of the presentations by Centolia and Bernardo are available for download at the link below. Each recording is approximately 40 minutes (81 minutes total) and the language is Spanish.

Centolia Maldonado Vasquez
Bernardo Ramirez Bautista

There was also a screening of "Women Who Organize Make Progress", a documentary film about the accomplishments of a group of Mixtec women in Oaxaca who have organized a network of savings and loan to promote community development.

* Centolia Maldonado Vasquez
Binational Advisor, Economic Development Director and District Coordinator

* Bernardo Ramirez Bautista
Mixteca Region Coordinator and Legal Advocacy Program Director

The mission of the Binational Front of Indigenous Organizations (FIOB - Frente Indigena de Organizaciones Binacionales) is to contribute in the development and self-determination of migrant and non-migrant indigenous communities, as well as to struggle for the defense of human rights with justice and gender equity at the binational level.

FIOB is a community-based organization and a coalition of indigenous organizations, communities, and individuals settled in Oaxaca, Baja California and in the State of California in the United States. The organization was founded on October 5, 1991 in Los Angeles, California.

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Crossposted at Indybay.org.