Reclaiming Our Own Time (ROOT) is part of an ever-growing movement to provide resources, support, and spaces for rest and restoration for Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color movement leaders. ROOT calls for us to reclaim our humanity and return to our ancestral roots through the practice of rest and restoration. In this space, we lift up our elders, healers, guides, artists, and community culture bearers who have been holding our communities through joy, grief, and passing ancestral practices intergenerationally. We believe we must honor our healers by curating spaces where we can center rest and shared practices can emerge.
Yo Soy Mi Propia Curandera (I Am My Own Healer)
As part of our Heal the Healers circle of support to the rest ecosystem, we were honored to sponsor a community-designed and -led workshop at Nexus. Holding such sacred spaces is part of our commitment to responding to community-identified needs in shared partnership. The workshop “Curanderismo – Ancestral Healing” immersed participants in the rich history of Indigenous Mexican medicine through a guided healing circle and storytelling while sharing tools to continue self-healing care for participants and their communities. Attendees reflected:
“We are all in constant need of healing, and our healers are the bridge that can connect us to that healing. Supporting them with spaces to heal and connect is a beautiful way for us to continue to heal as a community.”
“Supporting healers in our communities is vital because they play a crucial role in maintaining the well-being of others. Healers — whether they are health care professionals, mental health counselors, or informal caregivers — often prioritize the needs of those they serve over their own. This can lead to burnout, emotional exhaustion, and a diminished capacity to provide care effectively. By supporting these individuals, we not only acknowledge their sacrifices but also ensure they have the resources and self-care practices necessary to continue their important work. When healers are cared for, they can better support their families, friends, and communities, creating a healthier, more resilient environment for everyone. Investing in their well-being ultimately strengthens the fabric of our communities, fostering a culture of compassion and mutual support.”
The session was led by Maestra Rita Navarette, an elder from the Otomi Indigenous community of Metaxi, Mexico. She has decades of experience and expertise in many healing modalities, including being a Temazcalera (water pourer for the adobe sweat lodge ceremony), a Huesera (bone setter), a Curandera (healer), and a Maestra (master teacher). She is the director of a school in Jilotepec, Mexico, and has become known as an international leader and teacher. She is one of the elders and instructors for the annual two-week summer conference on Curandersimo at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, and she is one of the traditional healing professors at CEDEHC (Centro de Desarrollo Humano Hacia la Comunidad) in Cuernavaca, Morelos.
The workshop was supported by Blanca Martinez Gavina (2023 Bush Fellow), Ana Mariella Rivera (Historias y Huellas Podcast), and Rosalva Mujwid Hernandez (ROOT Co-director, Nexus Community Partners).
