As I’ve mentioned before, Oaxaca is one of the most indigenous and (no surprise) one of the poorest states in Mexico. And, the Triqui of the Mixteca region of Oaxaca are some of the state’s poorest residents. They have recently come to the attention of sports lovers, as a result of the heartwarming story of their youth basketball team, dubbed the Barefoot champions of the mountains.
However, while their success story makes us feel good, it is rare. Political violence and poverty continue to chase the Triqui out of their beautiful and ancient mountain communities in search of a better future for their families. And, discrimination continues to follow them into el norte. To add to the strikes against them wherever they go, Spanish is not their native language — the state of Oaxaca is home to 16 distinct ethnolinguistic groups, with Triqui being one. And so, the story of Bernadina Hernandez and her grassroots efforts in Hollister, California should be known, appreciated, and celebrated.
A little background information…
- Isolated by Language
- Indigenous Mexicans in California Agriculture
- Oaxacan indigenous migrants: Challenges navigating the US systems
Muchisimas gracias a Jody for turning me on to Bernadina’s story.
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