We Are Cipactlan
We are the culmination of movements passed, a convergence of different roads leading to a better life. We are the fieldworkers who work under the blazing sun and bitter cold. We are the survivors of ongoing genocide and exploitation. We are the families in an economic straitjacket, and we are the communities who will be most affected by climate change. Though we are a community in need, we understand that we are also the builders of monuments and mathematics that survive the test of time and we will be the foundations of a movement that is set on addressing socioeconomic disparities, climate change, and how the two are connected. We are the sum of our parts. We aren’t an outside force helping marginalized communities, we are the marginalized communities helping ourselves. Donating to our cause allows us to improve our programs and extend our reach to more at-risk youth and community members in need.
Our Mission
While many individuals and organizations address issues of socioeconomics and climate change individually, we provide long-term and interconnected solutions to long-term and interconnected problems. Over 97% of scientists agree humans have destabilized global temperature patterns via CO2 emissions which destabilizes weather, agriculture, and migration patterns. These changes would be felt by those unable to relocate to more suitable environments, leaving them to deal with climate change as well as poor infrastructure and limited resources to function properly.
We focus on empowerment through industry and indigenous tradition. Rather than simply hoping for change, we provide workshops focused on introducing participants to industries like computer science, architecture, and agriculture so we may improve our material conditions, provide for our families, and change the future as a united community.
Our Vision
We envision a future rooted in Indigenous thought and where individuals are empowered, collectively working towards sustainable technology, practices, and protocols by providing academic and professional mentorship to members seeking guidance. To accomplish this, we introduce community members to fields that pay well but suffer from poor sustainability measures, such as computer science which also suffers from low levels of diversity within the industry, as mentioned by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:
“Our findings show that the high tech workforce continued to become
more racially and ethnically diverse
between 2014 and 2022 with
workers of color making up 40.1% of the high tech workforce in 2022.
Despite
some progress, our findings raise concerns about the
barriers to equal opportunity that exist in the high
tech
workforce and sector. We found that, in 2022:
Black and Hispanic workers remained substantially underrepresented in
the high tech workforce
compared to their participation in the
U.S. workforce. In addition, Black, Hispanic, and Asian
workers
were underrepresented as high tech managers compared to
their participation in the high tech
workforce.
– Black workers were just 7.4% of the high tech workforce and 5.7%
of high tech managers,
despite making up 11.6% of the total U.S.
workforce. This is only a slight increase from the
representation
of Black workers in 2005 (6%).
– Hispanic workers were only 9.9% of the high tech workforce and
8.1% of high tech managers,
while making up nearly one-fifth
(18.7%) of the total U.S. workforce."
If diversity in the workplace leads to an improved frequency of innovation, then it is inferred that its absence leads to stagnation. Furthermore, many studies indicate that employees consider diversity within their workplace as adequate, yet data shows the opposite. This is a trend that may be observed in leadership roles of other industries such as architecture, engineering, and agriculture.
Statements & Anecdotes
“Growing up, I knew education was important, yet there was a strong disconnect between what was motivating to me and the motivation I was expected to have. This led to inconsistent academic and professional performance before I had a chance to reflect on my priorities and my motivations behind them. It seems to be a common issue for many in the Native and Chicano community, but if I could shave a few years off that self-discovery for others, then it will be worth the time, resources, and energy it took to get here” - Louie C. Andrade (Co-Founder)
Our Solution
Opportunities provided by Cipactlan begin with the empowerment of community members who may not have the resources for materials and insights they need for success. The Tzintiliztli Workshop Series acts as a rite of passage for participants, an introduction to more advanced workshops, where they assemble and set up a donated laptop with Ubuntu, an open-source operating system. This will teach them critical thinking, ethics and morality, and computer science from an Indigenous framework. Whether participants pursue further education within a university, state college, trade school, a collection of certifications, or a combination of them, we provide further guidance to ensure they achieve their academic goals so they may achieve their personal and professional goals. These new skills will enable them to offer time, capital, and resources to help improve their community’s infrastructure, change their employer's policies and procedures, start their own companies and more.
The Tzintiliztli Workshop Series
Though a wide variety of workshops will be available, some are a
requirement for our members as part of their introduction to our
organization, mission, and vision:
- Intro to Philosophy: A foundational workshop where participants learn classical and Indigenous philosophy to improve critical thinking skills and reinforce an ethic and morality rooted in Indigenous worldview.
- Intro to IT: Refurbished laptops are disassembled with internal components studied and re-installed by participants.
- System Setup: Users learn how to install and set up Ubuntu onto their devices and the importance of Open-Source technology.
- Cybersecurity Basics: We teach users how to address common vulnerabilities that leave them exposed to the wide array of cyber crime.
The Ask
We provide complex and multifaceted solutions that require a great deal of funding, but the return on investment is exponential! Improving the material conditions of any community reduces crime, substance abuse, increases revenues of local business, reduces house and food insecurity, strengthens the work force, and more. Please take the time to consider donating to our cause and review the list below which shows where your donated funds will be going.
Operational Costs
- Faculty
- Facilities
- Utilities
- Permits
- Fees
Materials
- Replacement Components
- Educational Resources
- Stationery
Academic/Professional Fees
- Certifications
- College Applications
Events
- Fundraisers
- Community Festivals
Resources may be provided via in-kind donations, funding, or volunteer efforts.
Support Us Today!
We recognize the importance of formal education and, as a native-led organization, we recognize the potential of technology utilized, adapted, and created by Indigenous communities and philosophies. Where others believe humanity has dominion and claim to the planet and its resources, we believe that we have a responsibility to protect it for future generations. While many of our goals are long-term, we also benefit our donors by providing a competitive workforce in a wide range of industries who are driven to innovate and pioneer new research and technologies.
Tlazocamati Huel Miac!
We appreciate your consideration and, please, be sure to share this campaign with your friends, family, and colleagues!
