LEONZO BARRENO
I was born in Guatemala during turbulent times and moved to Regina, Saskatchewan in 1989. Soon after my arrival, I had the opportunity to enroll in the First Nations University of Canada. I was able to see that there were similar aspects between the cultures of the First Nations People of Canada and the Mayan culture of Guatemala.
THE CROWE-BUFFALO FAMILY
The Day Star Reserve
The Day Star reserve is where the Crowe-Buffalo family resides. They are sons of Gabriel Crowe-Buffalo and Francis Crowe-Buffalo. Around 1999, together with other elder leaders of the province of Saskatchewan, Gabriel and Francis guided me in the creation of programs that united our distinct indigenous cultures.
RICK FAVEL
All Nations’ Healing Hospital
Rick Favel is an Oskapios, an “Elder’s Assistant”. His role is to connect people who seek the assistance of an elder in cases where both forms of medicine are practiced and respected; namely traditional and western.
BLAIR STONECHILD
Professor at First Nations University
Professor Blair Stonechild is a member of the Muscowpetung First Nations in Saskatchewan. He is an Indigenous Studies professor at the First Nations University of Canada. His doctoral thesis was published in 2006 on The New Buffalo: The Struggle for Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education in Canada.
MITCH DIAMANTOPOULOS
Department Head of Journalism, University of Regina
Professor Diamantopoulos is the founder of two of the magazines recently launched in the province of Saskatchewan, Planet Magazine in 2002 and Prairie Dog Magazine in 1993. Mitch has served as the School’s Department Head since 2007.
MARÍA ROSENDA CAMEY HUZ
Activist & Maya-Cakchiquel Scholar
I am María Rosenda Camey Huz, Maya-Cakchiquel born in San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango. For a few months I lived in Regina, Canada, with the purpose of studying Indigenous Management. At my young age it was my first experience leaving Guatemala. It was a great leap for my self-esteem as a Maya woman.
RIGOBERTO GARCÍA
Maya-Mam
I am Rigoberto García; I belong to the Mam linguistic community, which is one of the communities of the Mayan empire. I started my studies in Mexico, as well as here in Guatemala. When the opportunity to study in Canada came up I took advantage and studied in Regina for 6 months.
DANIEL MATUL
President, Mayan League of Guatemala
Daniel Matul is the President of the Mayan League of Guatemala. Some of his published works are Estamos Vivos, La Cosmovisión Maya Y Fibras del Corazón. Matul believes that we are amongst a new spiritual belief, very close with the Mayan cosmovision.
CARLOS ESCALANTE
Maya-Quiché Timekeeper
My name is Carlos Escalante Viedra a descendant of the Palajunoj Valley community. I am a son of a working man and a seamstress mother. I am the third of five bothers. I have two master’s degrees: one from Holland and the other one from Portugal. My studies have complemented my life as a Timekeeper.
EDGAR ROLANDO IXCOT
Maya-Quiché Timekeeper
I have been married for 46 years. I owe that to the heart of the sky and the heart of the earth. I am very respectful of my family, of my kids, of who is around us as well as mother earth. Twenty-eight years ago I started this journey, the training to become a Timekeeper; what in our Quiché language we call Ajq’ij.
WAGNER ELY LOPEZ
Spiritual Guide in Training
I come from a family of farming parents and the linguistic group Mam. Nine years ago my training as a spiritual guide began. I am the eldest of five children. I was taught by my grandfather and later by other elders from whom I have learned about the ceremony.