Somos Anahuac
We are migratory seeds, having traveled by land, water and air from our native lands of the South to the Pacific Northwest Territory of our continent. We understand what it means to adapt to survive a new climate as much as what it means to preserve our culture and protect our way of life. We are resilient as we learn to grow in new soils but are reminded no matter where we grow on this continent we are the people of the corn, the indigenous peoples of Anahuac (what is now referred to as the Americas) who have something valuable to contribute to humanity.
Our Vision
We envision a world in which communities are empowered with the freedom of choice, accessibility and restoration of responsibility to practice the ways of their ancestors to sustain humanity, all life and our Mother Earth for many generations to come.
Our Values
COEXISTENCE : to honor interconnected relationships with all living beings and the natural elements of life
TEQUITL : of the Nahuatl language; to practice our indigenous custom of work or labor in service for the benefit of the community
RECIPROCITY : to carry mutual respect in our hearts for all life by practicing exchange and giving back for what is received
TRADITION : to reclaim and promote our ancestral traditions and knowledge in agriculture, food, wellness, language and cultural arts
EQUITY : to acknowledge the systemic and historical oppression that has impacted communities, all life and the heart of Mother Earth while exercising inclusion and fairness to heal future relationships
COLLECTIVISM : to support and work in partnership with multigenerational families and other communities who share our values
GOODNESS : to practice good intention for the wellbeing and prosperity of the community
BALANCE : to create space for ancestral ceremonies where we silence the mitote and live from the heart to best engage with our inner self and surrounding world
Our Mission
Anahuac is a community centered program of Capaces Leadership Institute located in Woodburn, Oregon surrounded by the Willamette Valley of the Pacific Northwest. The farms in our valley rely on our community, who are often referred to as farmworkers, to sustain our country’s food supply and monoculture system. Our mission is to support our community made up of indigenous peoples of America to reclaim our ancestral culture, traditions, knowledge and values and restore sacred relationships with all life and Mother Earth for generations to come. Acting as a bridge between ancestral and contemporary times, we offer traditional education in agriculture, culinary and cultural arts, wellness and native languages. We also believe that in order for humanity and Mother Earth to heal we must walk together with our brothers, sisters and two spirits from all four directions who share our values for a greater common good. Through Anahuac, the wisdom and values of our abuelos y abuelas remains strong in our hearts and lives on for many generations to come.
The Anahuac Program is currently being offered in partnership with both the Farmworker Housing Development Corporation (FHDC) and MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility.
