The drive to the south by Ofelia Rivas.
Some of the food, greens, frozen chicken, eggs and canned goods.
"Because of an illegal gate, we had to walk the donations across." -- Ofelia Rivas
"We also brought a rooster and two chicks to a family." -- Ofelia Rivas
O'odham land to the south, O'odham land in what is called Sonora, Mexico.
Photo by Ofelia Rivas, O'odham
Article and photos by Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham
Special to Censored News
French translation by Christine Prat
To begin this story is somewhat difficult, we are not facebook warriors. We are just following the ways of our ancestors, we help any person and we share what we have. The political International boundary does not stop our efforts.
The decades of neglect of O'odham communities on the southern side of this border is shameful. The O'odham as a whole has lost tremendous vast lands of cultural significance, very vital in the lives of all O'odham.
Generations of young O'odham have never set foot on the shores of the sea or climbed the mountains to collect foods and medicines, nor do they know the names of these places.
Institutions that display maps of O'odham lands abruptly end at this political border. The political system creates documents of guidance and authority such as the Tohono Oodham Constitution that states implicitly that all O'odham are united, that O'odham culture is protected, just as all such documents are just written words often repeated methodically without connection or understanding.
In these fruitful times of the gaming enterprises, the lands to the south are just a nuisance to politicians to write a word or two and budget funds for politicians to travel into Mexico fully stipended.
Meanwhile, O'odham are living without safe drinking water and without electricity and many times without food.
This effort is by donation only.
"We have no Go Fund Me accounts and are not a non-profit. Compassion is a great O'odham virtue."
Mail donations to Ofelia Rivas
PO. Box 1835
Sells, Arizona 85634
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| Ofelia Rivas on her O'odham homeland. Photo by Jason Jaacks |
E-mail: Ofelia Rivas
4oodhamrights@gmail.com
Copyright Ofelia Rivas, Censored News. May not be used without permission.
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