The Native Cultures Institute (CUNA)

The Native Cultures Institute (CUNA) is a Mexican non-profit association working for the preservation of the native cultures of Baja California--Paipai, Kumiai, Kiliwa and Cucapá. Founded in 1992, the Institute coordinates a number of cultural and social assistance programs through its office in the historic International Company Building in Ensenada. CUNA’s membership includes members of the indigenous communities in close and highly effective cooperation with Mexican and US citizens. CUNA has received support from government agencies, NGO's and individuals from both sides of the border.

The institute's priority assistance program, the Medical Aid Network, provides volunteer medical services, donated medicines and medical equipment directly in the communities as well as in Ensenada. Other programs channel donated materials and scholarships to indigenous schools, work toward improvement of water systems, and encourage greater economic self sufficiency through support for artisans.

Over the years, the institute has organized seven international indigenous gatherings bringing together native people from Mexico, US. and Canada; carried out over 40 trips of Baja California Indian artisans, singers, dancers, elected and cultural authorities to participate in programs and workshops in museums, state parks, indigenous communities and powwows in California and Arizona. CUNA also organizes the "Baja California Indigena" symposiums exploring the anthropology, archaeology, linguistics and indigenous history of Baja California. Information on these subjects is also available at the Baja California Indigena Archives located in CUNA's office at the historic Old Maritime Customs Building in Ensenada. Donations of documents, images or other materials related to these subjects, in english or spanish, are gladly accepted.

In 1996 CUNA participated in "Building a Kumeyaay Environmental Strategy: A US-Mexico Border/Frontera 2000 Community Planning Project" in collaboration with the Campo Environmental Protection Agency to asses water systems and infrastructure in five Kumiai communities of Baja California. The results from this project were published in the document "Water Quality in the Kumiai Communities of Baja California" which was presented at the binational Kumeyaay\Kumiai summit in Tecate, Baja California, also organized by CUNA. In 1997 and 1998, the Institute participated in the projects: Environmental Concerns of Indian Groups of the California/Baja California Border Region (in collaboration with the Southwest Center for Environmental Research and Policy) and initiated the project, "Sustainable Development in the Indigenous Communities of Baja California" with support from the Council for Environmental Cooperation. The Institute developed the traveling museum exhibit "Walking Ancient Pathways: Native People of Baja California" which traveled to the San Diego Museum of Man in 1998-1999 and is traveling in Baja California in 2000. During 1999-2000 CUNA also carried out a Wetlands Restauration Project in the Kumiai community of San Jose de la Zorra, with the assistance of the Campo Kumeyaay Reservation and the Cleveland National Forest. During 1999-2000 CUNA also participated in the project Environmental Education in the Indigenous Communities of Baja California, including the edition of the textbook "We Belong to the Earth." Currently CUNA is working with the communities of Santa Catarina (Paipai) y San Jose de la Zorra (Kumiai) to develop Geographic Information Systems and Resource Management Plans through the support of the Border 21 program, the UABC and the Southwest Center for Environmental Research and Policy. NATIVA Indian EcoArt, supported by the Council for Environmental Cooperation, promotes sustainable development through traditional, environmentally friendly "green" goods and services.

The CUNA newsletter, published bi-annually, presents news and culture from the communities as well as information regarding CUNA activities. The Native Cultures Institute carries out all these activities through the cooperation of a growing number of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds and communities. In order to continue these important activities and to expand these highly successful programs, CUNA depends entirely on the support of concerned individuals and organizations. JOIN US!