SMA PROGRAMS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
El Consejo Supremo Odame and Rarámuri

Until indigenous people have their own voice and are organized to defend their rights, outside organizations, no matter how well intentioned, will have limited impact. One of SMA’s principal goals is to empower indigenous people, by providing some of the tools indigenous people need to empower themselves.

The future of this region depends upon the strength of the indigenous pueblos, who constitute the majority of ejido members, to organize themselves, set direction and work towards their goals.

For years, SMA has assisted a small group of dedicated leaders in three difficult ejidos and some neighboring communities: Coloradas de la Virgen, Pino Gordo, and Baborigame. Independently, the pueblos in this region have recently formed the Consejo Supremo Odame y Rarámuri, led by Alejandro Rivas Vega and Jesus Emigdio, under the guidance of traditional authorities from eight pueblos.