Empower Indigenous Cultural Heritage

Your contribution can be a turning point in protecting our shared human cultural heritage.

Hello, I'm Angel Hernandez, and I invite you to join me in a mission of cultural preservation and global balance. Our fundraising campaign aims to raise €10,000 for the Wixa Foundation, a project close to my heart. Let me share the story behind this cause with you.

The Wixarika people, located in Mexico, possess a cultural heritage as ancient as time itself. They stand as a testament to pre-Columbian civilization in the northern hemisphere, safeguarding traditions that have healed humanity and our planet for generations. Their spiritual practices and deep connection to nature have helped maintain the delicate balance of our world.

Yet, this precious heritage is at risk. The Wixarika people face the dual challenges of climate change and societal transformation, threatening the very essence of their culture. As someone who has had the privilege of working closely with the Wixarika community over the years, I've experienced profound personal healing through their wisdom and practices. Now, I'm on a mission to make this transformative experience accessible to more people and ensure the preservation of this ancestral knowledge.

It is heart-wrenching to witness the potential loss of such a rich cultural heritage simply because our modern world does not always recognize the value of indigenous wisdom and traditions. The Wixa Foundation is not just about helping one community; it's about creating a blueprint that can empower communities worldwide facing similar challenges.

Our initiative is an opportunity to bring balance to our world – a world that often seems focused solely on economic growth and development, neglecting the fundamental values and knowledge that our ancestors and nature provided.

Key Initiatives of the Wixa Foundation

Anti-Corruption Measures and Sustainable Development: We plan to establish a legally independent non-profit organization owned by the Wixarika community to ensure that international funds directly benefit them, bypassing that the money goes to people who are not transferring the income back to the community.

Creating Sustainable Income Opportunities: By establishing a professional distribution channel for Wixarika artwork and healing products, we offer the community a secure source of income and a way to preserve their ancestral storytelling.

Ensuring Environmentally Responsible Water Supply: We will collaborate with experts to ensure that the community's clean water supply is secured, as the increasing level of dryness in 2022 resulted in the loss of nearly 50% of their livestock. Additionally, not all families have access to clean drinking water, which poses hygiene and health risks.

Solar Power for Sustainable Energy: Installing solar panels will provide a stable power supply, reducing reliance on wood for cooking and opening doors to modern facilities and education.

Preserving Sacred Pilgrimage Sites: We aim to protect these sacred sites from mining operations and tourism practices that threaten the Wixarika culture, advocating for their political preservation.

The Wixa Foundation's vision is to empower the Wixarika people holistically, preserving their culture, protecting their environment, ensuring animal welfare, and providing economic stability for a sustainable future. Together, we can create a flourishing environment where the Wixarika people live with dignity and autonomy while preserving their unique culture and wisdom for future generations.

Project Milestones

In order not to impose our 'Western' ideas one-sided, we aim to develop these initiatives in close co-creation with the Wixarika people themselves. That's why our first-year goal is to engage in meaningful conversations with them, understand their needs, empower a local team, and establish a legal entity for the common good of the Wixarika Community. The first project we'll start is launching the artwork distribution channel, which will pave the way for future projects.

Project Financing

To initiate this project, we need a starting budget of €10,000, primarily for travel expenses, foundation costs, legal, and tax advice. We're grateful to the Amali Foundation for securing the 12-month development costs of the Artesania distribution channel.

Project Initiators

Juan Carrillo Carrillo, a respected representative of the Wixarika people, and myself, Angel Hernandez, an engineer and a lifelong advocate for sustainable solutions, join hands in this mission of preservation and balance. In the picture above, you can see us standing in front of the United Nations Office in Geneva, addressing Cultural Preservation.

Join us in preserving this unique Indigenous Culture, and together, let's make a difference in the lives of the Wixarika people and beyond. Your contribution can be a turning point in the fight to bring equilibrium to our world.

Watch Juan talking about their culture and efforts to preserve their sacred lands. Thank you Chris Santiago for this wonderful video production.

Watch Angel sharing about the intention and approach of this project.

And if you want to have detailed information, you find here the Project Presentation.