Frontera NorteSur April-May 2003

In addition to sharing a common border, the states of Chihuahua and New Mexico both have considerable indigenous populations. Also, both states' Native American communities are used to attract tourism. This even extends to the states' license plates: Chihuahua plates show a Tarahumara runner and New Mexico plates have the Zia's sun symbol on them. 

The indigenous populations of New Mexico and Chihuahua also have their own commonalities, one of which is their relative poverty. In both states, Native Americans are disproportionately poor compared to other residents. 

In Chihuahua, one organization that is working to preserve indigenous communities is the Sierra Madre Alliance. By building the knowledge, skills and resources of communities, the Alliance helps communities begin their own organizational processes which allow them to address issues such as poverty, a lack of health care and education, water problems, and forest preservation. This month's feature article looks at the Sierra Tarahumara and the SMA. 

As always, I hope you appreciate this month's article and please know that I enjoy your feedback.

Greg Bloom
FNS Editor