Indigenous Cultures Institute

Welcome

We work to preserve the cultures of the Native Americans indigenous to Texas and northern Mexico while maintaining our covenant with sacred sites.

Indigeneity

The legacy of Texas Hispanics

There may be more than 11 million people in Texas who are labeled Hispanic and Latino and have ancestors who are Indigenous to the Americas. Our programs educate about how these people were deprived of their true history and experienced the attempted annihilation of their culture, through violations like the brutal Spanish colonization process and Indian-extermination policies of the Republic of Texas. We provide an Indigenous framework to support the growing number of Hispanics embracing their indigeneity, based on the initial instructions from our ancestors on how to survive and thrive – community first, the value of relationships, respect for ancestors and elders, and our responsibility to restore balance to Mother Earth. We strive to unite human-kind in seeking ancestral knowledge for the sake of our continued survival.

About

Our Community

Possibly as many as 600 Native American groups were populating what is now central and southern Texas and northeastern Mexico when the Spanish invaders first arrived. Some historians erroneously report that these bands “disappeared”. The Indigenous Cultures Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to actively preserve the culture of this population, collectively known as Coahuiltecans. The Institute presents educational programs on the identity and ancestral legacy of these Native Americans who may have millions of descendants living in Texas and the U.S. Many of these descendants continue to practice their Indigenous ceremonies, pray in their Native languages, and hold true to the values of their ancestors.

Programs

& Projects

Indigenous Cultures Institute is based in San Marcos, Texas. From its first year of programming in 2007 the Institute has expanded from six school presentations in Austin, to twelve volunteer staff persons and twelve major programs. The Institute expanded because it established a reputation of professionalism and high quality programming with local residents, audiences, and funders. As the board of elders explored community needs they developed new programs that fit within the organization’s mission. These new programs were only implemented when qualified indigenous leaders stepped forward to take responsibility for each project, and when funding was assured. This careful planning has served the Institute well, as its shareholders carefully expanded to the current level. Please check back for updates on the latest activities.

SUBSCRIBE to the TLOKE NAUOKE YouTube channel for indigenous lessons for children.

Below is information on three major projects.

Sacred Springs Powwow

2021 11th ANNIVERSARY
Online, virtual celebration of Native American culture featuring video dance contests and cultural education articles. Join us for the grand finale and awards on OCT 16, 2021 at: www.SSpowwow.com.

Repatriation

RESTING IN PEACE – The Miakan-Garza Band, a state-legislature-recognized tribe of Texas, seeks to rebury three ancestral remains held by UT Austin HERE. Also, a fight to rebury Native remains in Texas, written by Mary Huber, published by Compass Cultural, HERE.

Yana Wana's Legend of the Bluebonnet

B. Iden Payne award winning play: Best Production, Best Director Rudy Ramirez – TYA category. This indigenous play for young audiences available for online viewing in Spring 2021. Contact us to book viewings for classrooms, theaters, and community forums.

For more children’s programming subscribe to the Tloke Nauoke YouTube channel.

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with us

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