Workshops
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We are excited to be able to provide you a list of the
current workshops that have been approved for the conference.
The presenter, sessions presenting and day will be listed
in the conference program received at Registration.
Thecategories are:
Nuestra
Historia
Nuestra
Cultura
Nuestro
Futuro
Nuestra
Historia
The 21 Year-Old Struggle for the
Sangre de Cristo Land Grant
Session(s): 1, 3
This session will discuss the legal and grassroots efforts
of a Chicana/o community in southern Colorado to regain
their historical use rights to La Sierra. This struggle
is one of the most significant and greatest victories
for Raza in the Southwest.
Lowriders in Aztlan
Session(s): 1
A brief overview of the history and impact of Lowrider
Culture among Chicana/os and the Chicana/o Community
What is National Liberation?
Session(s): 1, 2
The workshop will present views on National liberation
within the context of the Chicano Movement and the recent
repression against our communities by ICE.
The Legal Racist Institution: The
Prison Industrial Complex
Session(s): 1, 3
The 13th amendment to the US constitution “abolished”
slavery in 1865. However, the exceptions include “except
as a punishment for crime, where the party shall have
been dually convicted”. Is the racist institution
of slavery still alive today in other forms? Join us for
a critical analysis on the institution that is the Prison
Industrial Complex to find out!
M.E.Ch.A. 101
Session(s): 1
A brief look into Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana y Chicano
de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A.); Past, Present & Future. This
workshop will also go over Los Planes, the Philosophy
of M.E.Ch.A., and the structure of our organization. Q
& A’s will also be addressed through out the
workshop.
Ricardo Falcon: Hero and student
activist of the Chicano Movement
Session(s): 2, 3
Ricardo Falcon was killed on his way to the National La
Raza Unida Convention in El Paso Texas in l972. This workshop
will discuss the role of student activism in political
movements.
We Must Tell Our Own Stories, or
They Will Die With Us
Session(s): 2, 3
Let us tell our own stories that reflect our lives, our
experiences, to rediscover the heroes in our families,
and be able to express our struggles and triumphs. The
stories of pride and victories from struggles of a Mexicana,
Chicana, and Indigena are how she came to be. What will
happen to our stories if we don't share them, who will
pass them on to our children or to others for generations
to come?
Chican@ student movement; fight
for survival. Yesterday, Today, &
Tomorrow
Session(s): 1,5
A fast-paced presentation defining why an effective national
Chican@ student organization is needed to fight for the
educational rights of the Chican@, Mexican@ community,
now more than ever. We will discuss how campus, state,
and federal agencies can create major interferences to
block the sincere efforts of minority students trying
to increase minority enrollment at their schools, including
provoking activists into violent confrontations.
Chicana/o Literature in the Midwest
Session(s): 2, 4
Our focus will be on Chicana/os that came out of Chicago.
We will be discussing Chicana/os from the Midwest such
as Ana Castillo, David Hernandez, Paul Martinez Pompa,
and Carlos Cortez. We will also study how solidarity between
Chicana/os and other groups help push for social justice
in the city. Moreover, we will analyze how Chicana/os
from the Midwest have felt an obligation to help out our
compañera/os in the struggle for rights for farm
workers in the Southwest. We, as a M.E.Ch.A chapter in
the Midwest, feel it is necessary to examine Chicanismo
in the context of the history that surrounds our region.
The History and Legacy of the Crusade
for Justice
Session(s): 3, 4
A panel of three generation of activists will give oral
histories, philosophies, and undocumented histories and
stories, of one of the most progressive Chicano Political
Movement organizations. Historical videos, musica, art,
and literature will transform the minds as we honor La
Raza, through the experience of the people who lived,
died and struggled for self- determination. A history
of Chicana/o familia organizational structures: 1965 to
indigenous Xikana.o Kalpulli. Viva La Raza!
M.E.Ch.A. 101
Session(s): 3, 4
This workshop provides students the history of the Chicano
Movement, what MEChA represents, and how the organization
came about. The main purpose is to give a historical overview
to the conditions that existed in the past and how it
relates to Chicana/os today. MEChA 101 addresses issues
of self identification through terminology and the importance
of the label Chicana or Chicano. In doing so students
will gain a better understanding about who we are, where
we come from and the importance of Chicana/o activism
in the progression of deconstructing oppressive institutions
for the advancement of all oppressed communities.
Jesus Helguera: Heroic scenes of
a proud and triumphant race
Session(s): 3
In this workshop we will present visual images by Jesus
Helguera that depict the rich indigenous stories of Pre-Columbian
symbols based on Aztec spirituality. These images celebrate
the ancient cultures with the assistance of social and
artistic movements set up by the new, post-revolutionary
government. “La Leyenda de los Volcanes” is
one of the most important paintings that assisted in promoting
this new attitude towards the ancient indigenous.
Gang Formations in Our Communities
Session(s): 3, 5
A brief history of gang formations in California, looking
closely at the Bloods and Crips, and Surenos and Nortenos
(in Califas), and how these gangs were form initially
as a form of protection from guards, police brutality,
and other gangs, and not as a form of violence against
other gangs. Then, discussing why people join gangs, affects
of being a gang member, and solutions— focusing
on solutions, and what has been done in the past, the
present, and what we can do in the near future.
From Maria to Dora: Chicanas in
the Media
Session(s): 5
Raza women are often objectified and only allowed stereotypical
roles in film and television. We will look at such films
as West Side Story, Mi Vida Loca and more recent portrayals
such as Ugly Betty and Dora the Explorer. We will discuss
how we can change these portrayals and empower our communities.
Venceremos
Session(s): 4, 5
Presentation about the U of U’s progressive newspaper
from 1992-2003. Followed by a discussion about how progressive
newspaper and media can contribute to the Movimiento.
Chican@ Art: Expression and Identity
Session(s): 4, 5
This workshop will highlight Chican@ artists including
local, national and international. We will also go over
Chican@ Art History and highlight empowering portrayals
and alternative media our Raza has used in the movimiento.
M.E.Ch.A. 101
Session(s): 2
Explaining the his/her story of M.E.Ch.A., and the role
M.E.Ch.A. played/plays in the Chicano/a Movement. Summarizing
the founding documentos, checking out the relevancy today.
Emphasizing how M.E.Ch.A. is part of the movement, and
only a step towards your future as a MEChistA to take
back to your community all the skills and consciousness
M.E.Ch.A. provided for you. And finally, how can M.E.Ch.A.
be improved in your opinion?
Chicana Experiences: A Look at Education
and Identity
Session(s): 4
A muxerista and feminista approach to the way we teach,
learn and know. We will use the works of Gloria Anzaldua,
Dr. Dolores Delgado-Bernal and Sofia Villenas to create
discussion.
The Political Battle for Comprehensive
Immigration Reform
Session(s): 2, 3
The workshop will cover the historical, political, social
and cultural aspects of immigration reform and its deleterious
effects on the Raza community. The presenters will discuss
various aspects of immigration including the ICE Raids
in Colorado.
The History of Danza in Coloraztlan
Session(s): 1
Come hear about the history and culture of Grupo Tlaloc.
The Danza group will also discuss how Danza has grown
in ColorAztlan.
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Nuestra
Cultura
Tonalmaxiotl: Aztek Calendar (Intro
to the Sun Stone)
Session(s): 1, 4
This is an introduction to the tonalmaxiotl (Aztek Calendar).
The lecture will cover the Nahuatl language and philosophy.
I will discuss the symbols in the stone and their significance.
Many which are based in science and math. Science is our
basis for investigation. I will attempt to present at
least one thing that will make u say "I did not know
that?" The presenter takes a critical look at history
from the mexika perspective. We will discuss things that
are not found in books. There is always two sides to every
story....
When “Gay” is not enough:
Theorizing Queer Identity
Session(s): 1, 2
Historically, "Gay" as an identity has been
used to homogenize a broad, diverse community, ignoring
and silencing issues of race and gender. This workshop
will discuss the limitations of a gay identity and offers
queer as an alternative that better includes those living
in the intersections of identity.
Poesia Coral/Choral Poetry
Session(s): 1, 2
Promoting culture, education and revolution with the words
of our leaders. Movement, voice and performance using
the poems/YO SOY JOAQUIN/Stupid America/I am the Peon.
Music as a Component of Indigenous
Culture
Session(s): 2, 3
Utilizing music for self-empowerment, organizing, &
uniting the souls of every community. We will also explore
historic & contemporary roles of music within our
communities
¿Qué Dices?”
A look at el Habla de l@s Chican@s: Caló, Tex-Mex,
Spanglish, Chican@ Language and Dialect
Session(s): 4
An interactive and fun workshop designed to educate on
our Raza speech. Learn about the history and social use
of each language and dialect.
Arts, Dance, and Music of La Danza
Session(s): 3
Enjoy a first hand experience in the arts, dance, and
music of La Danza de Mexica.
Teatro: From Repression to Revolution!
Session(s): 2, 5
Using theater of the oppressed to create social change.
Tired of the repression and oppression, calling for a
revolution!
Muxerismo, Ch/Xicanismo: Nuestro
Movimiento, Our Struggle
Session(s): 3
What is muxerismo? Why is it important and fundamental
to our movimiento? This workshop explores the role of
la muxer within the Chican@ movement through a gendered
lens.
Deities within the Nahui Ollin
Session(s): 2
Learn about the Nahui Ollin and each of its deities; Quetzalcoatl,
Tezcatlipoca, Mictlantecuhtli, Huitzilopochtli, Tonatiuh,
and Tonantzin.
Labels and Identities
Session(s): 1, 2
A discussion on the various identities, names and labels
that are used to describe our community. We will look
at how terms like Hispanic, Latin@, and many others have
impacted Chican@ identity and the ways in which we can
work to decolonize our perceptions.
Xueer, “Queer with an X”
Session(s): 4, 5
Joteria will no longer be silenced; Xueer with an X is
our reclamation, our liberation. Xueer challenges the
eurocentric, male-identified spaces that exist even within
the LGBTIQ community.
The Effects of Immigration on Cultural
Identity
Session(s): 4
A bilingual analysis of the effects of immigration on
children and teenagers while exploring and understanding
various cultural roots. A visit into the unknown and/or
unacknowledged culture of the Afro-Mexican.
La Malinche: Mujer Abandonada, Golpeada,
y Humillada entre la Historia Mexicana
Session(s): 3, 4
This workshop’s purpose is to discover and explore
the role of Maliztin Tenepal (Malinche) as we reinterpret
her role and openly discuss her stereotypes about how
the Malinche affects women today. As we discuss her involvement
in Mexican History, colonization and how society applies
all women as Malinches and its ties to the women of Juarez.
La Mexica Cultura de ColorAztlan
Session(s): 5
Learn the meanings of the instruments, regalia, and altar
of Mihtotiliztli (La Danza).
X-press Yourself!! Hip-Hop, Poetry,
and Spoken Word
Session(s): 4
Step inside this workshop and learn how to express your
thoughts and feelings through hip hop, poetry, and spoken
word. Give voice to our stories of love, struggle, injustice,
and celebration.
The Beyond Chicanismo Oral History
Project: Building New Roads to Liberation
Session(s): 1, 2
This workshop will explore how to utilize oral history
as a pedagogical tool, which can enable students to become
producers of knowledge (an original goal in the creation
of Chican@ studies) as opposed to consumers and empty
vessels who receive knowledge. The intent is to empower
students and youth to take back their history through
self-determination (via oral history interviews of the
heart and soul of the movimiento) rekindling and keeping
alive the spirit of radical praxis, struggle and liberation.
Reclaiming El Rebozo y La Faja
RoomSession(s): 4, 5
This workshop will be a hands-on learning of the rebozo
and faja as part of a medicinal instrument of traditional
Mexican medicina. Participants will learn how to use it
for protection, and stress reduction. Everyone should
bring either a rebozo, a faja, a long yarn belt, shawl
or a long piece of sturdy material.
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Nuestro
Futuro
The Future of Danza
Session(s): 4
Learn how the preservation for our future generations
relies on the responsibilities, commitments, and obligations
of danzantes.
Getting Into College Fundamentals
Session(s): 1, 2, 3
This presentation will provide students with an overview
of how to plan and then apply for College and Financial
Aid. Students will be given a timeline to use as a resource.
We will also discuss college resources available to student.
We want to have students be aware of all the possibilities
and some requirements to help them succeed in their higher
education goals.
Abolish Columbus Day!
Session(s): 1, 2,
Through grassroots efforts, the movement to abolish Columbus
Day has informed a new generation to decolonize and transform
Columbus Day. To eradicate this racist holiday changes
are needed in legislation and, education; from Washington
to the streets.
From the Fields to the Table: The
Struggle for Dignity and Food
Session(s): 1, 3
This participatory workshop will explore the Coalition
of Immokalee Worker’s (CIW) campaign against McDonald's
and the crucial role that students and youth have to play
in it. We will discuss aspects of the Student Farmworker
Alliance 's (SFA) and CIW's unique organizing philosophies,
on-the-ground concrete victories, and current campaign
and strategies to confront the Golden Arches. Because
the MEChA Nationals will be taking place in Denver, the
workshop will also involve discussion about Chipotle,
based in Denver. Solidarity from MEChistAs across the
country has always been very important and will continue
to be.
Mujer 2 Mujer
Session(s): 3, 5
Empowering Mujeres to know their bodies. We will discuss
everything from STD/STI’s to HIV/AIDS along with
birth control, safe sex and womyn’s health. Join
us in our discussion and share your stories with us. Men
are encouraged to attend.
Making Sure Our Schools Respect
Labor Rights
Session(s): 1, 4
As students, we have a lot of power on our campus to work
in solidarity with workers and ensure that our schools
respect workers rights. Find out how you can get involved
in this!
Economic Justice and Worker’s
Rights in the US
Session(s): 1
Ever wonder why the over 45 million workers, who want
to form a union, can't seem to get one? In this workshop
we will find out more about the concerted attack against
workers' rights to organize and the union-busting industry.
We'll talk about the ramifications of students and workers
being denied a voice at work and how students can play
an active role in ensuring that the right to organize
is respected.
SPEAKING OUT: English-Only in Utah
Session(s): 1, 2
Examine the English only law within the state of Utah,
related to bilingual education. Explain the role of Jackson
Elementary Adelante program, a bilingual/bicultural education
program, and how they surpassed this obstacle. This workshop
will also discuss English-only laws that also affect the
rest of the United States.
21st Century Preparation
Session(s): 2, 3
The presenter will provide a historical overview of Raza
in the United States, their current political, economic
and educational status, their contributions to the development
of the United States and what is necessary to succeed
and survive in the 21st Century.
Human Trafficking and Modern-Day
Slavery
Session(s): 1, 2,3
This workshop will examine the issue human trafficking
and modern-day slavery at an international and national
level. It will cover the legal definition of human trafficking,
as well as its various forms, elements, common myths,
statistics, and factors contributing to the trafficking
of persons. Additional topics will include “pimp
control”, and examining the characteristics of victims
and traffickers. Finally this workshop will discuss how
human trafficking affects the Raza community and what
is being done to combat the issue.
Reclaiming Our Spirit from La Virgen
de Guadalupe
Session(s): 1, 3
To reclaim our spirit, we must first be critical of ourselves
and our heritage. We must decipher what is culture, what
is tradition or mere habit and what is the indiscriminant
indoctrination. Within the Mexican and Chicana/o community,
there is no larger culprit of spiritual conquest than
the Catholic Church and no greater instrument of control
than the symbol of “La Virgen de Guadalupe”.
This presentation rebukes, debunks and exposes the official
Catholic Church’s (City of Mexico Vasílica)
version of the story of La Virgen de Guadalupe and presents
the task to retake the spiritual life voided to a degree,
but which was never made extinct.
HIV/AIDS 101
Session(s): 1, 2,3,4,5
This workshop will cover the basics of HIV and ways the
people can protect themselves from getting HIV/AIDS. The
workshop will also include demonstrations of safer sex
products and an in-depth discussion on how HIV/AIDS affects
all demographics of people.
GrassRoots Organizing Weekend (GROW):
Introduction to Direct Action Organizing
Session(s): 2
This workshop is part 1 of a series of workshops and activities
designed to teach participants the concepts of Direct
Action Organizing. What is Direct Action Organizing? What
are the steps to Direct Action Organizing? What are the
different ways/methods of organizing? Is any one method
the best way to organize? Come to this workshop and find
out how to bring a GROW training to your campus.
South Central Farmers, La Lucha
Sigue
Session(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Aqui estamos y no nos vamos! It’s been 4 years and
neither the farmers, nor the community are going to rest
until victory is proclaimed. They are not going to break
our spirits. We’re a Non-Profit organization fighting
for environmental Justice in under-represented communities.
La Lucha Sigue! Save the South Central Farm.
Helping Raza Youth Become Entrepreneurs
Session(s): 5
Participants will learn how entrepreneurship can be an
alternative in their long term career plan and how to
prepare for the transition. In addition, they will learn
how to create plans for business and life in order to
become effective community and business leaders!
HIV/AIDS in the Raza Community
Session(s): 3, 5
This workshop will focus on the barriers of the prevention
and awareness of HIV/AIDS in the Chican@ community. Through
a discussion that will look at health disparities, preventative
measures and ways to create community action around this
epidemic.
The D.R.E.A.M. Act Revised
Session(s): 1
The current immigration reform that will be posed by Congress
is a comprehensive, complex, and broad proposition. The
D.R.E.A.M. Act will be part of this immigration reform
package, but should it be? This workshop will explain
the D.R.E.A.M. Act in its most recent form outside of
the immigration package. There will also be a discussion
on what steps to take towards the D.R.E.A.M. Act, such
as introducing the act separately from the immigration
package, modifying the pre-requisites to cover a larger
population, and possibly omitting requirements that may
be unnecessary.
Organizing La Raza in our Barrios
Session(s): 1, 4
Join an intense training and overview on organizing our
barrios. You will learn a tactical blend of community,
political, and union organizing models to mobilize &
empower a new movement.
The Future of Danza
Session(s): 4
Learn how the preservation for our future generations
relies on the responsibilities, commitments, and obligations
of danzantes.
Coalition/Alliance Building
Session(s): 5
The importance of working with non-MEChistA groups and
“how to” make positive systemic changes, which
should be reflected in higher recruitment, retention,
and graduation rates among students of color.
Youth Organizing for Educational
Justice
Session(s): 1, 5
Jovenes Unidos organizers will share organizing lessons
on to build power for educational justice with low-income
high school students of color.
Mexican Social Movements Study Abroad
Program - Binational Lessons for community-student-grassroots
alliances
Session(s): 2, 3, 4, 5
The Mexico Solidarity Network Study Abroad Program will
give you an in-depth understanding of the context and
dynamics of today's most important Mexican social movements,
including the Zapatistas, campesino movements, women's
organizations, El Barzón, ex-Braceros, workers
struggling for democratic unions, and altermundistas.
Learn the important lessons for international solidarity
work and grassroots organizing on both sides of the border.
The program is a life-changing experience, opening our
eyes and hearts to the depth and breadth of Mexicos social
movements, and the potential for profound social change,
South and North.
Protegiendo Las Indocumentadas y
Los Indocumentados: Asuntos de Inmigracion
Session(s): 4, 5
A bilingual workshop from a practicing immigration attorney
covering the main issues that affect the undocumented
workers in our community: driver’s licenses, contact
with police, bank/loan/tax issues, higher education, options
for legalization, dispelling the myths, etc. Una presentacion
por un abogado lisenciado en el area de inmigracion sobre
los asuntos que afectan los jovenes y los trabajadores
indocumentados en la comunidad como lisencias de manejo,
contacto con la policia, asuntos bancarios/hipotecarios/impuestos,
opciones para legalizacion, delineando los mitos de la
realidad, etcetera.
Chicana/os Through Education
Session(s): 5
A solutions approach to the educational problems of standardization;
high-stakes testing; accountability; politics and profit;
and school funding inequities. You will be find both the
inspiration and the tools to promote a meaningful, challenging,
and personalized learning experience for Chicana/os.
Peace and Dignity Journeys 2008
Session(s): 4, 5
This workshop will focus on the upcoming Peace and Dignity
Journeys 2008. This is informational and emphasis on how
MEChistAs can participate both consciously and physically.
The route of the Peace and Dignity Journeys starts in
both Alaska and Tierra del Fuego, and culminating in Panama.
The vision is rooted in the Prophecy of the Eagle and
the Condor. This prophecy was envisioned by our Native
ancestors. The ancestors envisioned a re-unification of
all Nations through a journey of the human spirit.
Raza, Are you Ready?
Session(s): 5
As MEChistAs you have learned great skills which employers
and Institutions of higher education are looking for.
Those late nights making flyers or the occasional protest
did not magically happen overnight. It is essential to
learn to market yourself and all those great skills! Whether
you’re looking for a job after graduation, internships,
scholarships or applying to Professional schools there
is always something new to learn. This workshop is aimed
at teaching students to improve there resumes’ learn
about great internship and job opportunities as well as
prepare themselves for graduation. Even if you’ve
started this process and feel like you have mastered your
resume, please join in sharing your experience with fellow
MEChistas. *Please if applicable bring resumes
Our Dreams, Our Rights: Students
& Workers Demanding a Better Future in 2007
Session(s): 4,5
Want to learn the latest from the student frontlines on
worker’s rights, campus organizing, and student-worker
solidarity here in the U.S., as well as abroad? From McDonalds
to Coca-Cola, Campus Codes of Conduct to the Employee
Free Choice Act, students are taking on the fight and
doing their part to bring an end to the “corporitazation”
of our campuses and communities. All year long, through
events such as the National Student Labor Week of Action
and the U.S. Social Forum, students will be making their
voices heard ! Come learn more about ways to get you and
your campus involved, as well as learn about these exciting
local and national events.
M.E.Ch.A. 201:Refining M.E.Ch.A.
Session(s): 4
While M.E.Ch.A. 101 workshops provide information as to
what M.E.Ch.A. is, how it began, and what the founding
documents are; this seminar workshop will explore what
M.E.Ch.A means to the individual and possible directions
to take beyond the Planes.
Nuestro Futuro; Control Your Destiny
Session(s): 4
The Chic Chicana Youth Leadership Development program
prepares Chicana/o high school students for the future
by increasing their self-confidence through an hour-long
motivational workshop. Students will discuss scenarios
which depict the consequences of life and the ability
to control their future. This workshop is one part of
a ten week, 25 year leadership program in the Denver Metro
area that has successfully graduated over 950 students.
The workshop presenter is a former MEChA Chair of the
60's, community activist and successful business women.
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