The Collective
The Cihuapactli Collective is comprised of four different parts. The Azkame (the founders committed to the daily work of the entire collective, The Comadres (the members who commit to volunteer and give heart and soul to the collective), The Consejo & Compliance Circle (community members who guide us with their wisdom and experience), and The CC Team (hired members to support the growth of our non-profit work). Without everyone, we wouldn’t be where we are now. Get to meet The Collective.
As we continue to learn through stories from our Elders, the story of how corn came to the Mexica people involves the spirits of the land, those who work the land and do the work… the ants or azkatl were the ones who originally brought the seeds to the People. As the collective has grown, we also have the azkatl, ants, or aunties who are doing the work on behalf of the People and have the palabra (word).
Drawing shared by Sana Sana Foods and drawn by Isela “Chela” Meraz
Azkatl ~ Las Hormigas ~ The Aunties
Maria Parra Cano
Co-Executive Director Administration & Finance
Xicana Izkalotekatl ~ Texcocatl & Raramuri
The comadres
Yvonne Ballesteros
Traditional Doula & Community Auntie
Xicana Tlamanalcah (Southern AZ)
Jennifer Mondragon
Community Auntie
Xicana of Yoeme Descent
coNsejo & Compliance Circle
Elder
Doctora Crescenciana Rodriguez Nieves
Traditional Midwife, Healer & Surgeon
Mexica
Auntie
Marisol Quevedo Rerucha
Hija, Madre, Abuela, Comadre & Author
Xicana
Auntie
Traci Hughes Hamilton
Womb & Full Spectrum Birth Worker
Mississippi Choctaw, Mexica, Raised Tohono O’odham & of European Descent
Auntie
Alyssa Dixon
Akimel O’Odham Je’e (mother), Community Entrepreneur, Creator of Alyssa’s Kosin
Gila River Community
The CC team
DoctoR adriana S. Berusch gerardino
Co-Director of the Wellness Center
Licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor
Alexandra “Ali” Lopiccolo
Co-Food Forest Manager & Grants Support
Gabriela Parra
Admin & Special Events Manager
