THE RARÁMURI EDUCATION INITIATIVE

The traditional authorities of six Rarámuri communities in the Sierra Tarahumara of Chihuahua, Mexico, are establishing the Rarámuri Education Initiative (REI), a complementary education program focused on Rarámuri language and culture.

The Rarámuri are creating the REI to reverse the loss of Rarámuri language and culture that is proceeding at an alarming rate among Rarámuri youth and to increase an appreciation of the importance of Rarámuri language and culture among Rarámuri and non-Rarámuri people alike.

In 2003 the traditional Rarámuri authorities and other residents of the Norogachi area established an asociación civil (the Mexican equivalent of a non-profit organization) to encourage the preservation of Rarámuri language and culture. Known as Busuréwame, A.C., this NGO will provide the framework within which the REI will be organized and managed. It will complete this undertaking in close consultation with the members of the participating communities and in collaboration with Mexico-North.

México-North has served as the liaison between Busuréwame and specialists affiliated with its member institutions and organizations in Mexico and in the United States, who will be partners in the creation of the REI. It will also support Busuréwame in developing the economic resources required to sustain the REI in the years ahead. Mr. Carlos Palma, a member of the Rarámuri community of Norogachi and President of Busuréwame, will serve as Project Director.

The REI is the first project designed and controlled by the Rarámuri for which they have solicited the support of outside foundations and organizations. When completed, it will serve as a model for developing complementary Indigenous education programs in other areas of the Sierra Tarahumara and elsewhere in Mexico and the world. It also will help reverse the processes of marginalization and loss of Indigenous knowledge that have accompanied Indigenous participation in formal education programs across Mexico and Latin America since the Spanish colonial period.