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Preserving indigenous cultures
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Discussions about ethnic communities in the United States are often limited to groups of people who have immigrated to the U.S. from elsewhere. We talk about immigration issues, notions of identity, assimilation and cultural retention, often with the assumption that ethnic groups in America are immigrant groups. However, there are ethnic communities in the United States that cannot be considered a diaspora at all -- our indigenous Native American communities.
When Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca reached Texas in 1526, approximately two-hundred Native American groups inhabited the area from central and south Texas to northeastern Mexico. These small groups of Native Americans hunted deer, bison and smaller game, and gathered wild foods, including prickly pear and pecans. They all shared a common language and culture, collectively known today as Coahuiltecan. As the Spanish colonized inland, Coahuiltecan groups were displaced north and west, while many succumbed to smallpox and measles. As displacement occurred and the Spanish introduced livestock to the region, the Coahuiltecans shifted from hunting and gathering to relying on livestock and raiding parties. The Coahuiltecans were caught between Spanish retaliation in the south and Apache dominance in the north. Some sought refuge in the Spanish missions, while others grouped together and found security in the highlands of Central Texas.
Today, the Indigenous Cultures Institute sponsors programs, speakers and performances that effectively preserve the cultures of Native Americans in Central Texas and the surrounding areas. The Indigenous Cultures Institute was founded by members of the Meakan/Garza band, one of the Coahuiltecan groups living in Texas upon the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. Its Executive Director, Dr. Mario Garza gives lectures and publishes articles in order to debunk myths about Native Americans and educate those who wish to learn more about indigenous cultures. He will be giving a lecture on Native American contributions tomorrow (6/27/09) from 12p-1:30p at the Mexican-American Cultural Center on 600 River Street in Austin, Texas.
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