Xica Media

16/08/2024

🎉 New Video Alert! ¡Alerta de Nuevo video!🎉

We’re excited to share our latest project, offering a glimpse into the 24th National Gathering of Indigenous and Traditional Sports and Games of Mexico 2023! 🌍🇲🇽
This historic event brought together 600 participants from 18 states and 4 countries, celebrating the deep roots and rich heritage of Indigenous and traditional games. 🎮🏹

Our short video features inspiring interviews with youth and adults from Chihuahua, Colima, Estado de México, Guerrero, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, and Guatemala, showcasing the vibrant connections between generations and communities.

Produced by Colectivo Chaneques in collaboration with Xica Media (Yanawana / San Antonio, Texas), this intergenerational project is a labor of love and cultural pride.

🎥 Watch Now and join us in celebrating this incredible cultural revival: https://youtu.be/Lwkfv1Vxm6Q?si=kOp7wRhPwTNfh4fy

Special Thanks to:
Axolotl Nahui Calli Ceci Gabia Gricelda Xocoyotzin Jorge Romero Guzman Ce Acatl Borsegui and Colectivo Chaneques Youth
Ana Claudia Collado García, Presidenta de FMJDAT
La Federación Mexicana de Juegos y Deportes Autóctonos y Tradicionales A.C.
Instituto Colimense del Deporte

***************
¡Estamos emocionados de compartir nuestro último proyecto, ofreciendo un vistazo al 24° Encuentro Nacional de Deportes y Juegos Autóctonos y Tradicionales de México 2023! 🌍🇲🇽

Este evento histórico reunió a 600 participantes de 18 estados y 4 países, celebrando las profundas raíces y la rica herencia de los juegos indígenas y tradicionales. 🎮🏹

Nuestro breve video presenta entrevistas inspiradoras con jóvenes y adultos de Chihuahua, Colima, Estado de México, Guerrero, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Veracruz y Guatemala, mostrando las vibrantes conexiones entre generaciones y comunidades.

Producido por Colectivo Chaneques en colaboración con Xica Media (Yanawana / San Antonio, Texas), este proyecto intergeneracional es un trabajo de amor y orgullo cultural.

🎥 Míralo ahora y únete a nosotros para celebrar este increíble renacimiento cultural: https://youtu.be/Lwkfv1Vxm6Q?si=kOp7wRhPwTNfh4fy

10/05/2024

With great respect, I am proud to present and share our latest video with you, "Traditional Indigenous Dances of Colima." Watch: https://youtu.be/8VmQnFoW2AE?si=cvc7SnPGGIw8LeKD

(Version español en el primer comentario.)

Join us for an immersive journey into the heart of Colima as we explore the vibrant traditions of Indigenous dance and culture. From ancient rituals to modern interpretations, witness over 600 dancers from four states come together in a celebration like no other!

This short film features footage from the 9th annual gathering of Indigenous Pueblos "Tonelhuayo" (Our Roots) in Colima this past August 2023. This video was filmed by youth from our Chaneques Colima program under the guidance of Axolotl Nahui Calli, who is also the featured videographer and host. This video was co-produced by Xica Media. Music for the event was provided by Maestro Jorge Romero Guzman and Ce Acatl Borsegui. Over 600 dancers from four states (Colima, Jalisco, Michoacan, and Guerrero) participated in this historic event!

Delve into the rich history of traditional Indigenous dance as we uncover how Indigenous cosmovisions and ancient rituals have evolved over centuries, intertwining with Catholicism while preserving their roots in nature.

Bear witness to these ritualistic performances, some of which emerged as beacons of hope during times of adversity, and discover their enduring significance in Indigenous culture.

Join us on a spiritual journey through dance, as we uncover the timeless wisdom embedded in these age-old traditions.

Also featuring:

Embroidery and Cross-Stitch of Ixtlahuacán
Journey into the world of Indigenous craftsmanship with Bertha Ramos Arias and Patricia Carrillo Olivares as they showcase the intricate art of embroidery and cross-stitch. Discover the cultural significance woven into each stitch, reflecting the rich tapestry of Colima's heritage.

Acapán Hammocks: Weaving Tradition and Comfort
Unravel the secrets of acapán hammock weaving with Leobardo Quinto as he shares the ancient techniques passed down through generations. From river soaking to spindle spinning, experience the artistry behind these timeless treasures.

Crafting the Colimote Hat
Dive into the world of hat making with Juan Aguilar as he crafts the legendary Colimote hat from pure palm. Follow the journey from palm cutting to hat shaping, and discover the meticulous process behind each iconic four-stoned masterpiece.

Credits:
Host: Julio Cesar Ramirez Luna
Videography: Julio Cesar Ramirez Luna & Colectivo Chaneques Youth
Production: Iris Rodriguez / Xica Media
Music: Maestros Jorge Romero & Ce Acatl Borsegui
Muchas gracias a Ceci Gabia por tu apoyo y colaboracion!

Xica Media is a proud member of Colectivo Chaneques.

Join us for an immersive journey into the heart of Colima as we explore the vibrant traditions of Indigenous dance and culture. From ancient rituals to moder...

27/09/2023

Check out our latest production desde Mexico! We at Xica Media Yacatsol Yetlanezi are proud to be a part of Colectivo Chaneques: A cultural, digital, and intergenerational media project from Colima, Mexico to the world.

¡Mira nuestra última producción desde México! En Xica Media estamos orgullosos de ser parte del Colectivo Chaneques: un proyecto de medios cultural, digital e intergeneracional desde Colima, México para el mundo.

We are currently sharing videos on Youtube and just published our first video:

Etnomatemáticas y juegos prehispánicos en Colima / Ethnomathematics and pre-Hispanic games in Colima

Lecturer / Maestro
Julio César Ramírez Luna

Festival 9no Encuentro de Pueblos Originarios Tonelhuayo "Nuestas Raices"
Festival 9th ​​Meeting of Native Peoples Tonelhuayo "Our Roots"

Colima, Colima, Mexico
10 Agosto 2023 / August 10, 2023

Lecturer / Maestro Julio César Ramírez Luna Festival 9no Encuentro de Pueblos Originarios Tonelhuayo "Nuestas Raices"Festival 9th ​​Meeting of Native People...

03/03/2022

Amplify Austin Day is this week!

Consider making a donation to support the work of Indigenous-centered organizations in Central Tejas.

Visit the link in our bio to learn more about Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, Red Salmon Arts, Luz de Atabey Midwifery Project, Great Promise for American Indians, and Cine Las Américas!

https://msha.ke/amplifyculturalsurvival/

Donate

02/03/2022

Amplify Austin Day is this week! Consider making a donation to support the work of Indigenous-centered organizations in Central Tejas.

Visit the link below to learn more about Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, Red Salmon Arts, Luz de Atabey Midwifery Project, Great Promise for American Indians, and Cine Las Americas!

https://msha.ke/amplifyculturalsurvival/

Hashtags:

23/11/2021

Some Texas public schools have our work BLOCKED online...so here is a little gift...

Our work is going to be streaming on PBS in Dallas this Thursday!

Emma Tenayuca & Workers Alliance official, standing in front of counter after being arrested in connection with pecan shellers strike. Booking desk. City Jail. San Antonio, Texas. January 31, 1938. The Light Collection / UTSA Libraries Special Collections “Emma” Broadcasting on Frame of Mind on ...

12/10/2021

Yesterday on 135 Indigenous Water Protectors and allies were arrested in front of the White House.

We're already in a climate emergency. It's .

12/10/2021

Day 2 of : 155 arrested outside of the White House demanding take drastic action to stop climate change. White allies were not met with the same violence Indigenous peoples were met with on

12/10/2021

I am being blocked from posting this action on my other Page so I am sharing here. Yesterday for Indigenous People's Day they shot LRad sonars on the Abuelas.

11/10/2021

IT IS AN HONOR TO BE A PART OF THIS. JOIN US!
https://peoplevsfossilfuels.org

Via the warriors at IEN:

Somebody tagged up the Andrew Jackson statue in front of the White House with the words “Expect Us”.

—
Over the next few days over 1000 people are risking arrest at the White House & President Biden to uphold the climate promises that he made during his campaign.
To achieve that, we have two very clear demands of President Biden:
Stop the Bad — Declare a climate emergency. Stop approving fossil fuel projects that are fueling climate chaos. Take executive action to curb existing production and protect the Black, Indigenous, Brown, AAPI and working-class communities that are disproportionately harmed by fossil fuel pollution and the climate crisis.
Build the Good — It is time to Build Back Fossil Free to repair the harm caused by environmental racism, deploy the solutions we already have to this crisis, and deliver jobs, justice, and clean energy for all. President Biden should declare a climate emergency and launch a renewable energy revolution to free us from fossil fuels.
Now is the time!

29/09/2021

Please donate

Wopila tanka, Myron Dewey!!!

Myron Dewey was one of the greatest water protectors and land protectors of our time. He has progressed ahead of us all to the spirit world. Thank you for helping his family with expenses. The link to donate is below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-expenses-for-myron-dewey

27/09/2021

Prayers up! Myron Dewey, Nikan Ka! We honor you and the waves of change and consciousness you wove through this world. Thank you for sharing your light with us. We salute you, yaotecatl.

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/award-winning-native-american-journalist-myron-dewey-founder-of-digital-smoke-signals-passes-away

YOMBA, Nev. — Myron Dewey, a filmmaker, professor, and journalist, passed away in a fatal car accident early Sunday morning in Yomba, Nev., sources confirmed to Native News Online. He was 49.

10/09/2021

Friday Morning Cantos with Xica Nation / Week 2 featuring Iris Rodriguez (Yacatsol)

Lyrics in English and Spanish below

-- Manifesto and prayer of the day by

"May I love in ways that devastatingly disrupt organized state violence.

May I hope in ways that stand in direct and fervent opposition against white cis hetero patriarchy.

May I rest and play in ways that trouble and tremble the forces and figures that exploit and capitalize on the fear of lack.

May I create and strategize in ways that destroy pipelines, the legacy of the rich and of landlords, and the passive illusion that we don’t have what it takes to do so.

May I sing, write, speak — communicate in ways that invite you to become a student and practitioner of a new world—where we count on each other for safety, resources, accountability. Where all are free.”

=============
"Solo Un Instante" sung by Iris Rodriguez (Yacatsol)
Written by Juan Axixic Sanchez Hernandez

yacatsol.com
xicamedia.com
xicanation.com
=============

LYRICS

"Solo un instante" Spanish (followed by English translation)

Lo dicen los danzantes
lo dicen los abuelxs
lo dijo Nezahualcoyotl
y los temazcaleros

Lo dicen los del norte
lo dicen los del sur
el águila y el condor,
y el colibrí azul

Venimos a la vida
venimos a soñar
venimos a cantar
venimos a danzar

Venimos a la vida
nomas de pasadita
solo un instante aqui
Madre Tierra bendita

Dejemos al menos flores
dejemos al menos cantos
dejemos al menos flores
dejemos al menos cantos

Hagamos alabanzas
hagamos nuestras danzas
Dejemos al menos flores
dejemos al menos cantos

Como fugaz estrella
como la flor más bella
como un sútil suspiro
de sublime pajarillo

Venimos a la vida
nomas de pasadita
solo un instante aqui
Madre Tierra bendita

====================
ENGLISH TRANSLATION "Just One Instant"

The danzantes say it,
the grandparents say it,
Nezahualcoyotl said it
also the sweat lodgers

The ones from the north say it
the ones from the south say it
the eagle and the condor,
and the blue hummingbird

We come to life
we come to dream
we come to sing
we come to dance

We come to life
just passing through
just here for one instant
blessed Mother Earth

Let's leave at least flowers,
let's leave at least songs,
let's leave at least flowers,
let's leave at least songs.

Let's sing our praises,
let's dance our dances,
let's leave at least flowers,
let's leave at least songs

Like a fleeting star,
like the most beautiful flower,
like a subtle sigh of a sublime little bird

We come to life
just passing through
just here for one instant
blessed Mother Earth

02/09/2021

CONGRATULATIONS Laura Varela on being voted in the top 3 best filmmakers in San Antonio! She was voted the top female filmmaker in the city!

THANK YOU for voting for Laura and being part of the team the is making sure our community stories are not forgotten!

14/08/2021

The Emma Tenayuca film will be available for the next 24 hours only! Visit XicaNation.com to register for the family movie!

24/06/2021

TWO DAYS LEFT! bit.ly/vote-laura-varela
Please vote for Laura Varela for Best San Antonio Filmmaker!
bit.ly/vote-laura-varela

Vote 1x daily until June 25th!
****
Congratulations to Laura Varela of Laura Varela + Xica Media for being nominated as a finalist for the Best Local Filmmaker in the San Antonio Current! She also happens to be the only woman on the list! WE NEED YOUR VOTE!
PLEASE VOTE FOR LAURA here: bit.ly/vote-laura-varela
Voting ends June 25th. You can vote 1 x per day!

********
ABOUT LAURA VARELA
Laura Varela is a documentary filmmaker whose work is shaped by her roots growing up on the US/Mexico border in El Paso, TX. Her work crosses cultural, linguistic and physical borders through the use of film, social practice and contemporary art installations. She now resides in San Antonio, TX where she works as a filmmaker and artist. Varelafilm recently merged with Xica Media, a mission driven creative agency and digital networks, that sit at the forefront of social justice, healing, and art.
Varela’s documentary, As Long as I Remember: American Veteranos was broadcast on PBS from 2010 to 2016. She is currently producing and directing the documentary, raul salinas: The Poetry of Liberation for PBS. She is Producer and web developer for the documentary short Emma Tenayuca and the 1938 San Antonio Pecan Shellers Strike.
She is a recipient of awards from The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, Humanities Texas, Latino Public Broadcasting’s Public Media Content Fund, ITVS and Best Director Award from the San Antonio Film Festival. In 2016 she co-founded the Texas based non-profit organization Growing Empowered Together, whose mission is to amplify young leaders and artists voices and encourage voter and civic participation.
Her work as a media artist has been exhibited at the San Antonio Museum of Art, Blue Star Contemporary Arts Center and the UTSA downtown art gallery public art projects that include spaces like the Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral and San Pedro Springs in San Antonio.
Varela lectures and screens her work around the country at various cultural centers and Universities and in recent years has taught courses on documentary film at the University of Texas San Antonio. She is alumni of the CPB/PBS Producers academy, the NALAC Leadership Institute, the NALIP Producers Academy, and Creative Capital Professional Development Workshop. Artist Residencies include Swarthmore College, Art for Change in NYC, and the Hochschule Niederrhein and Faust Academy in Germany. Varela is currently a Producer for VoxFem whose mission is to unearth women artist and changemakers from every occupied territory.
Artist Statement:
As a filmmaker and artist my work is shaped by the influences and awareness of growing up on the U.S./Mexico border. My work embodies the lived experience of cultural, linguistic and physical borders through the use of documentary film, social practice, multi-media and contemporary art installations; challenging iconography and discourse of popular culture. I identify as a Xicanx artist whose work is in service to her community; uncovering stories that were hidden. My goal is to decolonize our stories and give myself, my community and the general population a deeper understanding of Xicanx/Tejano/Indigenous history and culture.
My goal with everything I create is to connect it to a larger movement for social change and liberation within our communities. Through subject matter and my insider lens I feel that my work subverts the mainstream narrative. My projects provide a glimpse of those whose roots have been part of the Americas for hundreds if not thousands of years; nevertheless, our stories have been omitted from mainstream literature, films, and television. It is a digital resistance, of sorts, where I get to re-write our histories back into the “books” and psyche of those willing to bear witness. These medicine stories allow us to heal, recover, and remember.

22/06/2021

The is now! We are excited to announce an upcoming request for proposals for creatives, artists, and cultural workers. More info coming soon.
SAVE THE DATE for the info session: June 26 at 10am PT/ 1pm EST.
Share far and wide
Climate Justice Alliance Movement Generation New Economy Coalition

19/06/2021

"When it is finally ours, this freedom, this liberty, this beautiful / and terrible thing, needful to man as air..."

On this Juneteenth, an excerpt from "Frederick Douglass" by Robert Hayden. My profound admiration for Douglass, Hayden, Opal Lee, Ida B. Wells, Langston Hughs, James Baldwin, and so many more for their words and actions as lights guiding us on our journey to a society that loves and protects us all equally. An active democracy!

For the full poem
https://poets.org/poem/frederick-douglass-0

15/06/2021

Please vote for Laura Varela for Best San Antonio Filmmaker!
bit.ly/vote-laura-varela

Vote 1x daily until June 25th!

****
Congratulations to Laura Varela of Laura Varela + Xica Media for being nominated as a finalist for the Best Local Filmmaker in the San Antonio Current! She also happens to be the only woman on the list! WE NEED YOUR VOTE!

PLEASE VOTE FOR LAURA here: bit.ly/vote-laura-varela

Voting ends June 25th. You can vote 1 x per day!



********
ABOUT LAURA VARELA

Laura Varela is a documentary filmmaker whose work is shaped by her roots growing up on the US/Mexico border in El Paso, TX. Her work crosses cultural, linguistic and physical borders through the use of film, social practice and contemporary art installations. She now resides in San Antonio, TX where she works as a filmmaker and artist. Varelafilm recently merged with Xica Media, a mission driven creative agency and digital networks, that sit at the forefront of social justice, healing, and art.

Varela’s documentary, As Long as I Remember: American Veteranos was broadcast on PBS from 2010 to 2016. She is currently producing and directing the documentary, raul salinas: The Poetry of Liberation for PBS. She is Producer and web developer for the documentary short Emma Tenayuca and the 1938 San Antonio Pecan Shellers Strike.

She is a recipient of awards from The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, Humanities Texas, Latino Public Broadcasting’s Public Media Content Fund, ITVS and Best Director Award from the San Antonio Film Festival. In 2016 she co-founded the Texas based non-profit organization Growing Empowered Together, whose mission is to amplify young leaders and artists voices and encourage voter and civic participation.

Her work as a media artist has been exhibited at the San Antonio Museum of Art, Blue Star Contemporary Arts Center and the UTSA downtown art gallery public art projects that include spaces like the Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral and San Pedro Springs in San Antonio.

Varela lectures and screens her work around the country at various cultural centers and Universities and in recent years has taught courses on documentary film at the University of Texas San Antonio. She is alumni of the CPB/PBS Producers academy, the NALAC Leadership Institute, the NALIP Producers Academy, and Creative Capital Professional Development Workshop. Artist Residencies include Swarthmore College, Art for Change in NYC, and the Hochschule Niederrhein and Faust Academy in Germany. Varela is currently a Producer for VoxFem whose mission is to unearth women artist and changemakers from every occupied territory.

Artist Statement:

As a filmmaker and artist my work is shaped by the influences and awareness of growing up on the U.S./Mexico border. My work embodies the lived experience of cultural, linguistic and physical borders through the use of documentary film, social practice, multi-media and contemporary art installations; challenging iconography and discourse of popular culture. I identify as a Xicanx artist whose work is in service to her community; uncovering stories that were hidden. My goal is to decolonize our stories and give myself, my community and the general population a deeper understanding of Xicanx/Tejano/Indigenous history and culture.

My goal with everything I create is to connect it to a larger movement for social change and liberation within our communities. Through subject matter and my insider lens I feel that my work subverts the mainstream narrative. My projects provide a glimpse of those whose roots have been part of the Americas for hundreds if not thousands of years; nevertheless, our stories have been omitted from mainstream literature, films, and television. It is a digital resistance, of sorts, where I get to re-write our histories back into the “books” and psyche of those willing to bear witness. These medicine stories allow us to heal, recover, and remember.

14/06/2021

Congratulations to Laura Varela of Laura Varela + Xica Media for being nominated as a finalist for the Best Local Filmmaker in the San Antonio Current! She also happens to be the only woman on the list! WE NEED YOUR VOTE!

PLEASE VOTE FOR LAURA here: bit.ly/vote-laura-varela

Voting ends June 25th. You can vote 1 x per day!



********
ABOUT LAURA VARELA

Laura Varela is a documentary filmmaker whose work is shaped by her roots growing up on the US/Mexico border in El Paso, TX. Her work crosses cultural, linguistic and physical borders through the use of film, social practice and contemporary art installations. She now resides in San Antonio, TX where she works as a filmmaker and artist. Varelafilm recently merged with Xica Media, a mission driven creative agency and digital networks, that sit at the forefront of social justice, healing, and art.

Varela’s documentary, As Long as I Remember: American Veteranos was broadcast on PBS from 2010 to 2016. She is currently producing and directing the documentary, raul salinas: The Poetry of Liberation for PBS. She is Producer and web developer for the documentary short Emma Tenayuca and the 1938 San Antonio Pecan Shellers Strike.

She is a recipient of awards from The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, Humanities Texas, Latino Public Broadcasting’s Public Media Content Fund, ITVS and Best Director Award from the San Antonio Film Festival. In 2016 she co-founded the Texas based non-profit organization Growing Empowered Together, whose mission is to amplify young leaders and artists voices and encourage voter and civic participation.

Her work as a media artist has been exhibited at the San Antonio Museum of Art, Blue Star Contemporary Arts Center and the UTSA downtown art gallery public art projects that include spaces like the Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral and San Pedro Springs in San Antonio.

Varela lectures and screens her work around the country at various cultural centers and Universities and in recent years has taught courses on documentary film at the University of Texas San Antonio. She is alumni of the CPB/PBS Producers academy, the NALAC Leadership Institute, the NALIP Producers Academy, and Creative Capital Professional Development Workshop. Artist Residencies include Swarthmore College, Art for Change in NYC, and the Hochschule Niederrhein and Faust Academy in Germany. Varela is currently a Producer for VoxFem whose mission is to unearth women artist and changemakers from every occupied territory.

Artist Statement:

As a filmmaker and artist my work is shaped by the influences and awareness of growing up on the U.S./Mexico border. My work embodies the lived experience of cultural, linguistic and physical borders through the use of documentary film, social practice, multi-media and contemporary art installations; challenging iconography and discourse of popular culture. I identify as a Xicanx artist whose work is in service to her community; uncovering stories that were hidden. My goal is to decolonize our stories and give myself, my community and the general population a deeper understanding of Xicanx/Tejano/Indigenous history and culture.

My goal with everything I create is to connect it to a larger movement for social change and liberation within our communities. Through subject matter and my insider lens I feel that my work subverts the mainstream narrative. My projects provide a glimpse of those whose roots have been part of the Americas for hundreds if not thousands of years; nevertheless, our stories have been omitted from mainstream literature, films, and television. It is a digital resistance, of sorts, where I get to re-write our histories back into the “books” and psyche of those willing to bear witness. These medicine stories allow us to heal, recover, and remember.