Support Afro Indigenous Journalist's Education

Hi, I'm Ari Tison, and I'm so thrilled to share with you that my cousin Johan Dominguez just got his student visa approved, and he is officially coming to the States to study in an English program at the University of Minnesota. His housing and transportation are covered while he's in the States, but we'd love support for his tuition!

We all are aware that representation of Native peoples in journalism is sorely needed in our world. Native peoples in Costa Rica have made a large impact in protecting the rainforest and caring for this world, and yet have historically and systemically kept from being at the table, from sharing our story. Johan is part of this change in action! We couldn't be prouder. Anything you give is part of changing this narrative.

A little about Johan—he's from the same tribe as me and my brother and was one of the first ever Afro Indigenous (Bribri) journalists in Costa Rica from our people. We were born in the same year, and he found his way to this career through generous scholarships from patrons in Cahuita, and then got through college by working for an orphanage that covered his stay and helped with his bills when he lived in the capital city of San José to go to school. Johan is incredibly driven and kind. He grew up in a family of five, a single mother, and his family has worked tirelessly for Johan's future, everyone pitching in. We'd love to invite you into this labor with us. Johan would love to have English as a second language under his belt to be able to be a journalist around the world and bring awareness and power to Indigenous and Black voices everywhere. This means a school learning English in the States, which he was (yay!) already accepted into.

We are thrilled for him and would love your support! We have loved watching Johan chase after his dreams and we're excited for you to too! Whether it's a big donation or $5, please pass it on and share, we'd be so grateful. We're hoping to get support from broader communities, not just our own! :)

Mia mia! Thank you!

Big love,

Ari & The Dominguez Fam

A little about our tribe & Johan's work in the field of Journalism—

The Bribri people are one of 8 Indigenous people groups of Costa Rica. We are located in the mountainous central valley and also to the Caribbean coast and our territory extends into Panama as well. Our people are among the poorest in the country, and, for context, our tribe's current allotted territory is about an hour's drive from where Columbus arrived on his 4th and final trip to the Americas. And yet, we have kept our language, our history, and still live on much of our territory. There are currently only 4 Bribri people living in the States, and Johan is it for Bribris in media in Costa Rica. Anything you give is supporting Indigenous folks in this very real space.