The newest project I learned about last month, Pixan Ixim Maya Comunidad is for Guatemalans who have lived in Omaha as displaced native people . Their motto is: Reinforcing Our Roots, Living Our Maya Heritage. Pixan Ixim Community Center has been in the south Omaha neighborhood since 2007. They have their own language, live in a close knit collective community and make decisions as a group. This indigenous minority group has adapted their lifestyles in the 20+ years since they emigrated here to escape persecution by the Guatemalan government.

All activities focus on education: educating the health care system, the educational system, the legal system and religious groups. With darker skin, they are often assumed to be Hispanic or Latino, being non-English speaking they usually just nod when they are asked questions by health care personnel.

First phone call to discuss the Pixan Ixim project, with Gus and Graham.

They are interested in gaining access to gardening ground so they can grow their own food and Luis Marcos, wants to provide that for the Pixan Ixim but also wants food access for the neighboring families and friends. So in addition to constructing raised beds, filling them with soil and getting ready to plant we will be working on food sovereignty issues. This is the part that excites me…I know a bit about gardening but want to learn about creating food access for all.

I’m meeting with their Executive Director, Luis, this afternoon with Graham of RegeNErate Nebraska, Gus of Omaha Permaculture and several of the Sacred Seeds team. My plans are to incorporate another Mosaic group of Magic Makers into this new community once we all get back together! The latest news from Mosaic is June 1 as a tentative start date. Couldn’t be soon enough for me!