help us SAVE a cultureScroll to learn more
The Huichol people in Mexico
are considered to be one of
the last pre-Columbian
cultures in the world.
Join us in our
MISSION
to sustain the Huichol culture. And in that process, create a model for cultural preservation around the globe.
HELP
SUPPORT
5 Vital Values
Environmental Protection Fund
The Environmental Protection Fund acts as an important financial reserve to help protect the Huichol territory.
Huichol Archives
The Archive documents and preservers the Huichol cultue through archival storage and digitalization techniques. The contents are used for global educational objectives.
Seed Integrity Fund
The Seed Integrity fund helps to protect native heirloom crops from genetically modified gene intrusion and supports traditional agricultural methods.
Native Language Initiative
The Huichol Foundation documents the indigenous language and supports the linguistic education non-fluent tribal members
Dental Clinics
Mobile Dental Clinics deliver needed care to remote regions of the Sierra Madre Mountain range
Cultural School
The Huichol Cultural School strives to maintain and pass on the ancient Huichol cultures for future generations.
Artisan Apprenticeship Program
The Artisan Apprenticeship Program provides direct economic support to individuals and familial groups of artists in training.
Are
You
aware?
“Of the estimated 7,000 languages spoken in the world today, linguists say, nearly half are in danger of extinction and are likely to disappear in this century. In fact, they are now falling out of use at a rate of about one every two weeks.”
• There are more than 5,000 different groups of indigenous peoples living in more than 70 countries (IFAD)
• In Guatemala 86.6% of indigenous peoples are poor, and in Mexico 80.6% of them are poor (World Bank)
• Latin America’s 50 million indigenous people make up 11% of the region’s population (IFAD)
“Reconciliation should also be a specific commitment to address human rights, like the rights to health and housing, education and employment, rights to culture and identity so that the quality of life for indigenous peoples…”
– Read more about the how the UN is striving to honor and assist indigenous peoples
Nearly half of the world's languages are in danger of being forgotten
Indigenous people account for 1/3 of the world's extremely poor people
Indigenous people now make up only four percent of the global population
3 Simple
WAYS
to get involved
Support
One-time Donation
Support our programs through a simple one-time donation
- Provide needed funding for all of our projects
- Offer direct support to Huichol villages
- Support our local/global approach for cultural preservation
Sustain
Monthly Donation
Become a sustaining member
- Help us sustain our vision
- Guarantee long-term funding for projects
- Provide peace of mind for Huichol people
Inspire
Inspire Increased Support
Help by inspiring others
- Create your own events and fundraisers
- Decide what projects you want to support
- Utilize our fundraising tools
“Open your heart to the light
and there will be no room
for darkness.”
– Don José Matsuwa
We
Work
as a team
Brant Secunda
Co-Founder • CEO
Brant lived among the Huichol for over 12 years and has helped support the tribe for over 35 years. It is his special connection to the Huichol that allows us to do what we do. His vision guides the work of the Huichol Foundation.
Nico Secunda
Co-Founder • CFO
Nico grew up steeped in Huichol culture. Having traveled to the Huichol Sierra over 60 times, his insight into the villages, people and way of life helps guide our programs and projects.
Hali Nurnberg
Event Coordinator
Hali is our awesome event coordinator. She oversees our events and strives to share our vision through all that she does. Her enthusiasm and creativity uplift our entire team on a daily basis. Come to one of our events and you’re bound to meet her.
Lauren Lindstrom
Communications Coordinator
Lauren handles our public outreach and messaging. She is an outgoing socialite working to bring global awareness to our cause. Our team benefits from her bright attitude and keen sense of communication.
Our goal is to create a model for cultural preservation
Learn more about all the characters on our team, board and global advisory council.
Local / Global
Our programs and projects are designed to have both direct local impact within Huichol villages and far-reaching impact around the globe.
The Way
We Think
Thoughts behind our action
Ancient & Modern
From our perspective, the modern world has a place for ancient cultures. As the world gets smaller, our diversity should grow.
We believe that ancient cultures can exist within modern society and that children can learn their indigenous language, while excelling in contemporary education.
We strive to foster a balance of the old and the new in all that we do.
5 Vital Values
Our holistic approach to cultural preservation involves a well-rounded infrastructure.
In order to truly sustain a group, a community, a tribe… …the whole picture has to be taken into account. Our goal is to SUPPORT, SUSTAIN and INSPIRE the five vital aspects intrinsic to any community.
These are Health, Education, Culture, Art, and Environment.
Balance = Stability
Our multi-faceted approach creates integral stability. Ensuring a balanced approach to the assistance we provide is critical to creating sustainable impact.
If only a particular aspect of Huichol heritage is supported, the cultural foundations will begin to crumble. Focused Funding requires that we support more than a single aspect of Huichol life, creating a self-imposed system of checks and balances that helps guarantee the preservation of the culture as a whole.
Local•Global
In order to effectively sustain our value-based objectives we manage an array of projects. Our projects reside both in Huichol villages and around the globe, therefore contributing to local and global impact. Projects secure quality education, provide environmental protection and utilize artistry in the development of a sustainable economic structure. Each project is deliberately designed to have local and global impact, in addition to immediate and longterm results.
30 Years
Supporting
Huichol Culture
Decades of support lead us to found the Huichol Foundation
For over 30 years, founding members of the The Huichol Foundation have dedicated themselves to creating real and meaningful impact. They supported the construction of primary schools and created educational programs, both of which allowed children to gain self confidence and equality when confronted with modern society. Their direct economic support through purchases of traditional Huichol artwork has promoted cultural traditions and economic development. They have advocated for the Huichol ancestral way of life and indeed have helped to maintain it through encouraging traditional ceremonial practices, age-old integrated agricultural methods, and international cultural consciousness.
The Global Tribe
The preservation of small tribes, such as the Huichol, strengthens the global tribe through diversification. Our social ecosystem mirrors the jungle. Each plant contributes to its equilibrium.
Get
In Touch
with us
Contact Information
Please get in touch with us for additional information about our programs and projects.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please check out our volunteer opportunities.
You are
Awesome
Don’t ever forget it
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Huichol Foundation is a 501(c)3 international public charity non-profit organization. All images are the sole property of the Huichol Foundation.