Indigenous Interpreting program

Bene Shde Dixha Dao

Indigenous Interpreter Training Program by indigenous communities for indigenous communities

The Frente Indigena de Organizacion Binacionales (FIOB) has been a
trailblazer in the training of indigenous interpreters for the past 24
years. The FIOB held its first training for indigenous interpreters in
1993. We have trained 36 indigenous interpreters in languages such as
Mixteco, Triqui and Zapoteco. It has been our tenacity to serve our
indigenous migrant communities that have continue to fuel our work and
vision. Now we are approaching a new milestone, we are developing new
curriculum to address new situations in the field of indigenous
interpretation. Due to a unprecedented surge in the need of indigenous
interpretation, some place the demand at 100 a day in the U.S., we
have seen a need to train a new cohort of interpreters and strengthen
their understanding and abilities to interpret in court and medical
settings. We are currently working with community partner such as
California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA), Comunidades Indigena en
Liderazgo (CIELO) and other professional interpreters to build the
most comprehensive curriculum that considers these new challenges.

There is an estimated million indigenous immigrants from Mexico in the
United Sates primarily from Oaxaca, Guerrero, Chiapas, and Hidalgo by
el Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Geografia (INEGI, 2015). The
immense need of indigenous interpreters reflects the needs of the
numerous populations residing in the United States. The training Be
Shde Dixha Dao will train 10 new interpreters for 72 hours by two
federally certified interpreter trainers. The interpreters will
acquire the skills needed not only to deliver high quality
interpretation but also convey understanding. The course will provide
the participants the ability to interpret in criminal procedures as
well as develop an understanding of court terminology along with
glossary building strategies. It will also explain the role of court
interprets and the code of ethics.

We ask for your solidarity with the FIOB and our community
organization to make this training a reality. Therefore we are asking
you for a donation that will cover the cost of the trainers, food and
overhead costs. We greatly appreciate, any amount you can donate. If
at this moment you are not able to make donation please share with
your network.