Speakers – Indigenous Cultures Institute

The Indigenous Cultures Speakers Bureau provides lectures and presentations by professional presenters, on a sliding-scale-fee basis. Topics include little known historical and cultural information about the Coahuiltecan people and general education about Native Americans in Texas. We offer lectures for college and community audiences, and presentations are available for schools.

Our presentations inspire a new awareness and deep appreciation for the past and present-day contributions of Native Americans. Please contact us to inquire about the speakers’ fees and to schedule one or more of the following lectures or presentations.

Mario Garza, Ph.D.

Dr. Mario Garza is an elder of the Miakan/Garzas Band of the Coahuiltecan, a state-legislature-recognized tribe of Texas. He has a multi-disciplinary Ph.D. from Michigan State University and he currently researches and presents educational lectures about Native Americans. Dr. Garza has decades of involvement in the Native American community, including repatriation of remains, successful development of indigenous nonprofits, re-establishment of ceremonial sites, Native arts and events, and political issues. His lectures cover a range of topics including local efforts in repatriation, indigeneity of Hispanics, and contributions of Native Americans.

Carlos Aceves, M.ED.

Carlos Aceves is a teacher, published author, and an elder among many indigenous communities. He has been teaching in the public schools for over twenty years, focusing on elementary school levels. He is a founder of the Xinachtli Project, a multi-disciplinary, indigenous based pedagogy that successfully teaches students how to acquire knowledge rather than learn by memorization. He is available to speak on this remarkable pedagogy as well as other topics about indigeneity.

Marika Alvarado

Marika Alvarado (Apache) is a traditional healer trained in the use of Native methods that have been handed down to her, generation to generation, from the women in her family. Working in harmony with the plants of the earth and the rhythm of the body, she uses her hands to assist the body, mind, and spirit in healing itself. She also uses knowledge of native plants in the forms of teas, tinctures and creams that she creates. Her work is in its purest, traditional form; nothing has been changed or newly created. She teaches classes in traditional medicine and conducts plant walks.

LYDIA CdeBACA, Ph.D.

Dr. Lydia CdeBaca earned her doctorate degree in American Literature at the University of Texas at Austin where she also studied Mexican American Studies and Native American and Indigenous Studies. She is currently the Director of the Teaching and Learning for Student Success Peer Mentoring Program at Catch the Next. She is also faculty at Houston Community College District. Dr. CdeBaca provides lectures on the indigeneity of Hispanics.

Marleen Villanueva

Marleen Villanueva is currently earning her Master’s degree in education and indigenous studies at U.T. Austin. She is active in the Native American and Indigenous Collective student group and is the Youth Director for Indigenous Cultures Institute. Her presentations focus on water and indigenous rights, and she presents workshops on implementing culture-based pedagogies.