A Sacred Purpose: Supporting Wixarika Pilgrimage

What is the cost of saving an ancient culture? The Wixarika are a tribe of first peoples from northern and central northern Mexico. They are the guardians and gatekeepers of our older relative the hikuri (peyote) which we know as a sacred medicine to commune with in ceremony. Throughout the year, the Wixarikas travel to different Sacred sites throughout Mexico to make offerings to the spirits of the land and to feed the elements which give us all life, like the ocean, fire, wind, and earth. They believe this practice is essential to maintain balance on the planet. We have been working closely with a Marakame(medicine man)named Don Julio and his family throughout the years, walking with them and learning the sacred relationship of feeding the spirits of the elements. Sometimes these pilgrimages must be made on foot due to a lack of funding, and it can take about a month between sacred sites at this pace. Their mission in life is clear to them, and it is all they ask for. Whenever we ask what we can help them with, they ask for support in continuing their sacred pilgrimage. Don Julio and his family have reached out to us asking for help acquiring a minibus for them in which the entire community could travel to do their ceremonies. The Wixarika make visual medicine jewelry they sell, but due to high competition from other families, it is tough for them to make a healthy living from their jewelry. If they leave their villages and get city jobs, they will stop creating their sacred beadwork, and their ancient culture slowly dwindles.. what is the cost of saving a culture? Through donating, we support the Wixarika in preserving their sacred ways and continuing their sacred life mission to bring their offerings to power centers on the earth. We plan on purchasing the van here in the US and driving it down to them in Jalisco so we can also fill it with clothing donations for the community. Any contributions help. Thank you for supporting!