Women's Activist Gathering/Encuentro de Mujeres Activistas

From July 31 - August 2, 2009, Alma de Mujer is hosting the first of three annual Women Activists Gathering. This year we invite Texas-based Native women/Indigenous women and women of color activists whose work focuses on Native sovereignty, immigration or environmental justice to join us for a weekend of critical dialogue and exchange.

To request a brochure, contact us via email: almademujertx@gmail.com or phone: 512.258.3880.


To pay for registration, you can now use paypal:

July 2009 Newsletter

Dear Friends, Things have been quite busy at Alma de Mujer! Please take a moment to read some of the exciting summer programming. Feel free to contact Alma de Mujer to get involved and spend some time on the land (or just stop on by!) The following news and announcements are included in this newsletter: Leadership Transitions at Alma De Mujer Volunteer Day: July and August Environmental Education Camps (July 2009) Cultural Exchange: Women of the North and women of the South The Women Activists Gathering Alma's Equinox Brunch (September 21, 2009) Workshop Series with Rose Two-Feathers Reflections on Alma & Lifeworks' Young Girl's Leadership Camp

Transitions... After 9 months of incredible fun, hard work, and joy Ana Lara will be leaving Austin to pursue graduate studies at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Taking her place is Maribel Garza, an exceptional activist, educator and visionary. The Alma Local Council is excited to bring Maribel on board in this position. Volunteer at Alma Come join us for Days of Service at Alma de Mujer! July 11, 10am-2pm August 8, 10am-2pm Bring your family and friends! Beverages and light snacks provided. Location: 13621 FM 2769 Austin Texas 78726 Environment Education Camp Now Accepting Applications July 13 - July 18, 2009 or July 20 - July 25, 2009 The Environmental Learning Camp is designed to provide youth ages 13 - 17 with a solid training in Environmental Stewardship based on Native American approaches to land stewardship and values grounded in an understanding of the four directions, four elements, and the inter-dependence with all creatures. As youth from an urban setting, the camp is designed to provide participants with tools for individual and community leadership in environmental stewardship that can be applied with their families, in their neighborhoods, schools and local contexts. There are two week-long (Monday through Saturday) summer sessions in July. Each day consists of six hours of workshops, 1-3 hours each. Over the course of the camp, youth will learn about: Land Conservation, Water Conservation, Fundamentals of Clean Air, Nutrition & Food Preparation, Small Scale Agriculture, proper handling of the Four Elements, Healthy Communication and Community Leadership. The camp cost is $120.00 per child and includes materials, lunch and snacks. Some scholarships are available. To register, contact almademujertx@gmail.com Cultural Exchange: Women of the North and South From Texas to Canada On June 29, we embarked on a journey to begin a cultural exchange with native women of the North. We were welcomed and nurtured by our hosts at the Temiskaming Native Women's Support Group. During our stay in Canada we participated and helped facilitate an intense workshop about our histories and struggles in the south. The connections between struggles in the north and south were discussed extensively. The geographical and intergenerational connections made provided a space for growth and healing. We also had the great opportunity to work on an organic community garden our sisters of the center created. We also visited community members Linda and Charlie in their home and learned about their struggle and what brought them to live closely to the land (off the 'grid'). Our short visit coincided with the festive Canada Day celebration and the grand opening of the community garden. The importance of women maintaining healthy balanced lives while fighting for their communities became a reoccurring theme in everything we did. This trip reminds us that love and understanding are essential in creating social change. We bring home the love and generosity shared with us with every intention to continue our work at Alma de Mujer. We wish to thank all of those people who contributed to this trip. A special thank you to the women of the Temiskaming Native Women's Support Group! Muchas Gracias To read our individual reflections of the trip, please contact us at mtz.rosario@gmail.com Women Activists Gathering Register Today!! This July 31 - August 2, 2009, Alma de Mujer will host our first of three annual Women Activists Gathering. We hope you can join us. When: July 31, 2009 beginning at 4pm Ending at noon on August 2, 2009 Where: Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change Who: Indigenous/Native women and women of color activists, scholars, organizational leaders and community members whose work focuses on immigration, Native sovereignty, and environmental justice. Purpose: -To strengthen our collective capacities, our social and political networks. -To promote resource sharing and community building. -To provide a place of rest and healing for hard working women. What: Bringing women together to have critical dialogue and to reflect on our work from across different sectors of our movements. Alma de Mujer will be providing massage, acupuncture, yoga and reiki services free of charge for all participants. Registration Fee: $40.00 includes all meals, lodging, materials and services. Space is limited! Register early. For more questions or information, contact us at: almademujertx@gmail.com September Equinox Brunch Save the date: September 20, 2009 Come enjoy Alma's Equinox Brunch with live entertainment and locally grown, organic, vegetarian cuisine. We'll also be celebrating the Medicine Wheel Garden and Alma's Bridge! To make reservations, email: almademujertx@gmail.com Cost: $20/person includes full brunch buffet and music. Alma de Mujer, 13621 FM 2769, Austin, 78726 Workshop Series with Rose Two-Feathers July 18, 9:30 am - Medicine Bags July 18, 1:30 pm - Stone Wrapping July 25, 9:30 am - Dream Catchers July 25, 1:30 pm - Feather medicine August 1, 9.30 - 2.30 pm- Gourd Rattles Fees: 1 class - $38 2 classes - $70 3 classes - $95 Entire Series $180.00 Gourd workshop class (alone) - $65 To register call 512.577.7595 Young Girls Leadership Camp: Reflection Girl's ages 9 to 13 from different backgrounds came together for 10 days to learn about Native ways. The girls were divided into three groups according to age, each group focusing on different areas. The 9 year olds focal point was on crafts like dream catchers and teaching drums and learning about the land. The group of 11 and 12 year old girls learned about theater as a way to perform in public, incorporating music from around the world using various kinds of instruments to help guide their journey. The eldest group was taught Mexica dance and visual arts by two experienced teachers. On the last day of the camp all three groups came together with the skills they had learned during the past two weeks to put on a performance for their family and friends. Michelle Dhansinghani, Alma Intern 2009

Become a Friend of Alma de Mujer To become a friend, visit our page on the Indigenous Women's Network website. Thanks for supporting Alma de Mujer and our communities. Support Alma de Mujer and our Sister Organizations: People in Defense of Earth & Her Resources (PODER) poder-tx.org Resistencia Bookstore/RedSalmon Arts www.resistenciabooks.com Kalpulli Teokalli Teoyolotl kalpulliaustin.blogspot.com

Alma de Mujer Indigenous Women's Network

Book Alma Today!	Alma de Mujer is available for your group or nonprofit organization meeting, retreat or workshop. We offer non-profit friendly rates, lodging and catering options. To find out more, contact Courtney Enriquez, Booking Specialist.
Contact: Courtney Enriquez, Booking Specialist: 512.258.1858

Alma's Environmental Learning Camp

Alma's Environmental Learning Camp

Now Accepting Applications for Sessions 1 & 2

Session 1: July 13 - 18
Session 2: July 20 - 25

The Environmental Learning Camp is designed to provide youth ages 13 - 17 with a solid training in Environmental Stewardship based on Native American approaches to land stewardship and values grounded in an understanding of the four directions, four elements, and the inter-dependence with all creatures. The camp is designed to provide participants with tools for individual and community leadership in environmental stewardship that can be applied with their families, in their neighborhoods, schools and local contexts.

Over the course of the camp, youth will learn about: Land Conservation, Water Conservation, Fundamentals of Clean Air, Nutrition & Food Preparation, Small Scale Agriculture, proper handling of the Four Elements, Healthy Communication and Community Leadership. Youth will also take part in a community service component the last day of camp.

To register, call: 512.258.3880 to complete application. Payment for camp can be made via check/money order, cash, or paypal.

June 2009 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Alma de Mujer is diving into the summer sun with fun and exciting programining and we hope that you can take the dive with us! If you want to get involved and spend some time on the land, contact us or just stop on by. Please check out the following news and announcements included in this newsletter and get involved!

* A new bridge at Alma is complete!
* Volunteer at Alma this Saturday
* Young Girls Leadership Camp (June 8 - 19, 2009)
* Environmental Education Camps (July 2009)
* Alma's Equinox Brunch (June 21, 2009)
* Workshop Series with Rose Two-Feathers


Alma's Bridge

With much rain and strength, the new bridge at Alma is complete!
Come by and check it out!

On May 16-17, Alma friends came together to build a bridge over the creek. In the pouring rain, several 2-3 ton, 40ft poles were lifted and put into place. With the help of UT architect students, the bridge stands as a beautiful, solid, and stable connection between the two land areas at Alma. Thank you to all who contributed in making this a reality.



Volunteer at Alma
Day of Service:

June 6, 10am-2pm
July 11, 9am - 1pm

Alma de Mujer hosts montly Days of Service.

Please join us and bring your friends!

Beverages and light snacks provided.

Location: 13621 FM 2769
Austin Texas 78726


Environmental Education Camps
July 2009



Youth at Alma

Now Accepting Applications

The Environmental Learning Camp is designed to provide youth ages 13 - 17 with a solid training in Environmental Stewardship based on Native American approaches to land stewardship and values grounded in an understanding of the four directions, four elements, and the inter-dependence with all creatures. As youth from an urban setting, the camp is designed to provide participants with tools for individual and community leadership in environmental stewardship that can be applied with their families, in their neighborhoods, schools and local contexts.

There are two week-long (Monday through Saturday) summer sessions in July. Each day consists of six hours of workshops, 1-3 hours each. Over the course of the camp, youth will learn about: Land Conservation, Water Conservation, Fundamentals of Clean Air, Nutrition & Food Preparation, Small Scale Agriculture, proper handling of the Four Elements, Healthy Communication and Community Leadership.

The dates for the 2009 Summer Camps are:
July 13 - July 18, 2009
July 20 - July 25, 2009

The camp cost is $120.00 per child and includes materials, lunch and snacks. Some scholarships available. To register, contact almademujertx@gmail.com

Alma's Equinox Brunch
June 21, 2009 at 11AM

Come enjoy Alma's Summer Solstice Brunch/Father's Day Celebration with Mariachi singer Judy Razo and locally grown, organic, vegetarian cuisine.

To make reservations, email: almademujertx@gmail.com

Cost: $20/person includes full brunch buffet and music. Alma de Mujer, 13621 FM 2769, Austin, 78726

Workshop Series with Rose Two-Feathers

July 18, 9:30 am - Medicine Bags
July 18, 1:30 pm - Stone Wrapping
July 25, 9:30 am - Dream Catchers
July 25, 1:30 pm - Feather medicine
August 1, 9.30 - 2.30 pm- Gourd Rattles

Fees: 1 class - $38
2 classes - $70
3 classes - $95
Entire Series $180.00
Gourd workshop class (alone) - $65

To register call 512.577.7595

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!

A huge THANK YOU to the amazing businesses that have gifted donations to Alma de Mujer including Cobrahead - which made a wonderful donation of garden tools, and HEB for donating to our Summer Camp.

Thank you to Stephen Ross and his class for all of the incredible work that they did to design, find the materials and build the new bridge at Alma de Mujer. We are so deeply moved by all of your heart and work.

Much love to all!


Become a Friend of Alma de Mujer

To become a friend, visit our page on the Indigenous Women's Network website: http://indigenouswomen.org/General/Donate.html


Thanks for supporting Alma de Mujer and our communities.


Support Alma de Mujer and our Sister Organizations:

People in Defense of Earth & Her Resources (PODER)
poder-tx.org

Resistencia Bookstore/RedSalmon Arts
www.resistenciabooks.com

Kalpulli Teokalli Teoyolotl
kalpulliaustin.blogspot.com


Book Alma Today!

Alma de Mujer is available for your group or nonprofit organization meeting, retreat or workshop. We offer non-profit friendly rates, lodging and catering options. To find out more, contact Courtney Enriquez, Booking Specialist: 512.258.1858

Alternative Ways to Approach Health & Healing

CANCELLED

“Alternative Ways to Approach Health and Healing”
By Zapotec elder, midwife, and healer, Doña Enriqueta Contreras

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
6:00 – 8:00 pm
UT Austin DDCE Community Engagement Center
in the Marvin C. Griffin Building
1109 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas

Doña Enriqueta Contreras, from the southern state of Oaxaca, Mexico, is a member of the third largest indigenous group in Mexico, and a descendant from a line of traditional healers whose knowledge dates back 2,500 years on the Meso-American continent. She has dedicated her life to and excels in traditional medicine, herbalism and midwifery. She accumulated her
ethno-botanical knowledge living in the Sierra Júarez Mountains north of Oaxaca City. As a young woman, she became a traditional midwife, with a successful practice spanning more than 60 years. She has become one of Mexico’s premier midwives. In the course of her career, she has never lost a baby or a mother during childbirth, an extraordinary record even by western standards.


-------------------------------
This program is sponsored by the Indigenous Studies Speakers Series hosted by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE), UT Austin. UT co-sponsors include the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, The Mexican Center at the Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies, and The Center for Mexican American Studies. Local community organization co-sponsors include PODER (People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources) and Alma de Mujer, a project of the Indigenous Women's Network. For more information please contact Brenda Sendejo at bsendejo@mail.utexas.edu or Mary Margaret Návar at margienavar@yahoo.com.

May Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Alma de Mujer is preparing for the Summer months both on and around the land and through our programming. We are excited to celebrate our volunteers and all the community members who have contributed so much to Alma de Mujer in the past few months. And we hope that we'll see you out here soon!

Momma! I Love You
May 10, 2009 - 11am - 6pm

Bemba Productions is hosting a Mother's Day picnic and celebration featuring artists: Sarah Temple, Tameca Jones Quartet, Blues Mafia, Azul. We'll also have salsa classes, guitar lessons, on-site massage and activities for children. Bring a blanket, and your whole family to celebrate our mothers!

$15 - 18 and up
$7 - for ages 8 - 17

All proceeds benefit Alma de Mujer.




Medicine Gardens
Sustaining Communities through Medicina

Alma de Mujer is working hard to finalize our on site Medicine Wheel Garden. We're also out in the community building Medicine Gardens with our sisters and brothers in the Austin community. We've built gardens at Resistencia Bookstore, at Monkey Wrench Bookstore and at People in Defense of Earth and Her Resources (PODER). In building the Gardens, community members learn how to build a square foot garden box, how to plant, and about the medicinal qualities of the plants they are working with.

If you'd like to build a Medicine Garden in your community, contact Alma de Mujer at programs@indigenouswomen.org



The Young Girls Leadership Camp
June 1 - 5 & 8 - 12, 2009

The Young Girls Leadership Camp provides a well-rounded arts & culture based approach to leadership development. For nine days, girls will learn about traditional Native cultural expressions, environmental stewardship, leadership, community building, and healthy personal relationships. The Young Girls Leadership Camp is co-sponsored by Lifeworks.

Girls will work with skilled artists, educators and adult mentors who will provide a range of activities at Alma aimed to bring out the best in each girl.

Dates for the 2009 Young Girls Leadership Camp are:

· June 8 - 12, 2009
· June 15 -19, 2009

Registration deadline is May 25, 2009. This camp is FREE.

To register, contact programs@indigenouswomen.org


Environmental Education Camps
July 2009

The Environmental Learning Camp is designed to provide youth ages 14 - 17 with a solid training in Environmental Stewardship based on Native American approaches to land stewardship and values grounded in an understanding of the four directions, four elements, and the inter-dependence with all creatures. As youth from an urban setting, the camp is designed to provide participants with tools for individual and community leadership in environmental stewardship that can be applied with their families, in their neighborhoods, schools and local contexts.

There are two week-long (Monday through Saturday) summer sessions in July. Each day consists of six hours of workshops, 1-3 hours each. Over the course of the camp, youth will learn about: Land Conservation, Water Conservation, Fundamentals of Clean Air, Nutrition & Food Preparation, Small Scale Agriculture, proper handling of the Four Elements, Healthy Communication and Community Leadership.

The dates for the 2009 Summer Camps are:

July 13 - July 18, 2009

July 20 - July 25, 2009

The camp cost is $120.00 per child and includes materials, lunch and snacks.

To register, contact programs@indigenouswomen.org

THANK YOU!!!

A huge THANK YOU to the amazing businesses that have gifted donations to Alma de Mujer's Medicine Wheel Garden, including: The Natural Gardener, It's About Thyme and Nature's Treasures.

These businesses have donated soil, plants and precious stones to help strengthen the Medicine Wheel Garden for all of our communities, making this an extra-special endeavor.

AND - a tremendous THANK YOU to Doris Green and Alicia Botello. Doris designed the Medicine Wheel Garden and has donated many plants from her wonderful home garden. Alicia made the mosaic stepping stones, like the one featured here.

Much love to all!

Volunteer at Alma!

Alma de Mujer hosts monthly Days of Service. Our upcoming Days of Service are:

May 9, 2pm - 4pm
June 6, 10am - 2pm



Become a Friend of Alma de Mujer

To become a friend, visit our page on the Indigenous Women's Network website: http://indigenouswomen.org/General/Donate.html


Thanks for supporting Alma de Mujer and our communities.

Support Alma de Mujer and our Sister Organizations:

People in Defense of Earth & Her Resources (PODER)
poder-tx.org

Resistencia Bookstore/RedSalmon Arts
www.resistenciabooks.com

Kalpulli Teokalli Teoyolotl
kalpulliaustin.blogspot.com

Book Alma Today!	Alma de Mujer is available for your group or nonprofit organization meeting, retreat or workshop. We offer non-profit friendly rates, lodging and catering options. To find out more, contact Courtney Enriquez, Booking Specialist.
Contact: Courtney Enriquez, Booking Specialist: 512.258.1858

February/March Newsletter

Welcome to Alma's Newsletter.

Mark your calendars...

UPCOMING:

March 6^th ( 7pm): Xicana Chronicles: International Women’s Day Reading at Resistencia Bookstore as part of Resistencia’s on-going series “Café Libro”. Readings by the participants of Xicana Chronicles followed by an open mic. Resistencia Bookstore: 1801-A South First Street, Austin 78702

March 6^th (7pm): Women’s Evening Gathering – Join us for a monthly evening gathering for women that includes meditation, yoga and healing conversations. Open to all women. Alma de Mujer, 13621 FM 2769, Austin, 78726

March 14^th (2pm - 6pm): Alma de Mujer’s monthly Day of Service – Volunteers! Join us on March 14^th for our monthly day of service. Beverages and light snacks provided. Alma de Mujer, 13621 FM 2769, Austin, 78726

March 22^nd (11am – 1pm): Equinox Brunch – Bring in the spring with excellent locally grown, organic cuisine and jazz. To make reservations, email: programs@indigenouswomen.org. Cost $20/person includes full brunch buffet and jazz. Alma de Mujer, 13621 FM 2769, Austin, 78726

March 28^th (9.30am): Alma de Mujer is cop-sponsoring PODER’s yearly Cesar Chavez March. Opening Blessing at 9.30am; March begins at 10:00 am from the Pan American Recreation Center, 2100 East 3^rd Street. The March will end at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) where there will be speakers, music, dance, and poetry from 11am – 1pm. We will be gathering signatures to make Cesar E. Chavez Day a national Holiday. We will also have a voter registration table.

And there’s more!!!

In March/April we will be announcing a state-wide activist gathering on July 29^th – August 2^nd for women activists working on issues of environmental justice, immigration and Native sovereignty. Information will be made available on the Indigenous Women’s Network website: www.indigenouswomen.org

Are you a school teacher or principal, or do you lead a community group? Alma de Mujer is hosting half-day field trips on Environmental Stewardship and Indigenous Arts & Culture. To find out more or to receive a program brochure, contact: programs@indigenouswomen.org

Alma de Mujer will be hosting Environmental Learning day camps for youth ages 14- 17 in July. To find out more information, contact programs@indigenouswomen.org. Registration is now available.

Our Medicine Wheel garden is well on its way. Look out for announcements on opportunities to visit the Garden in April and May, as well as garden workshops for those interested in learning more about Indigenous medicines.

Volunteers at Alma de Mujer

Thanks to all of our volunteers who came out on January 25^th for our first Day of Service. Special thanks to the Valkyrie Rugby team, and all the folks who helped move rocks, lug out junk, work on decks and generally improve the state of things at Alma. We couldn’t have done it without you!!

Alma Love

On February 14, 2009, Alma de Mujer hosted its first yearly Valentine’s Day event – Alma Love. Over 40 guests came and enjoyed a delicious dinner, singing and drag performances, poetry and dancing with DJ Ebeelo (aka Chorizo Funk). We hope that we see you there next year.

Photos by Senalka McDonald

Announcing Alma de Mujer’s membership program!!

Alma de Mujer has launched a membership program to raise funds for the organization’s operations. There are five levels of membership, each one with benefits including: invitation to a yearly members’ Harvest Open House, original artists’ posters and much, much more. Find out more by visiting our membership page. Become a member today!

Meet Alma de Mujer’s Local Council

Esther Schroeder

A Biomedical Engineer and Clinical Researcher, Esther is equally passionate about Alma de Mujer’s mission and vision as she is about the mystical qualities of life and science. She is driven by Alma’s mission to create healing spaces for women and their families. “I see everyone as a reflection of myself, and in that our mutual sacredness.” Esther is also a loving mother of three boys, and brings her tenderness, joy and sense of positivity to everything she does. Esther has lived in Austin for several years now and we are lucky to have her on our Local Council. Thank you Esther!