Pachamama’s Path

Pachamama’s Path a 501(c)(3) organization was founded in 2007 in the United States to support the grassroots cultural revival work that began in 1993, providing a strong foundation from which our vision continues to grow and flourish. This collaborative and communal work was initiated by families practicing their ancestral heritage and Indigenous cosmovision, enriched by the wisdom of Indigenous communities that practice the traditional way of life to this day. This work is strongly rooted in traditional music, dance, and ceremonial practices, which is activated by celebrating the Agrarian Ritual Calendar connected to the natural cycles of the cosmos.

“Revitalizing, protecting and celebrating the Andean culture and tradition through music, dance, song, weaving, art, Indigenous gatherings and more, is what connects our community and empowers our cultural identity.” – Roman Vizcarra

Our vision is inspired by the values and traditions of our Indigenous culture with the purpose of preserving our way of life and passing on the ancient knowledge, wisdom, and traditions to our children and community. Our motivation revolves around empowering an endangered traditional way of life so that our unique customs may be lived and enjoyed for generations to come. Many challenges and obstacles, trials and triumphs have confronted our efforts. Our projects birthed from a vision for a happy life, the hope for a livable future for our children where they may be proud of their culture and celebrate their traditions freely. To say that our vision is a beautiful, natural movement would leave out half the story; namely the harsh reality that we still face to this day: colonialism, discrimination, racism, and injustice. Our communities, and especially our children, have been inspired by our resistance, strength, perseverance and commitment that has now manifested into flourishing projects that also inspire a network of Indigenous Nations, and has a positive impact on the world. We give special thanks to our partners and all who have made this work possible, with offerings of gifts, time, energy, and expertise.

Our Mission

Pachamama’s Path sustains traditional wisdom by working together for the protection, promotion, and cultivation of Indigenous culture.

Our Vision

Pachamama’s Path envisions a global awareness that respects cultural and ecological diversity, honoring the wisdom of Indigenous traditions and cultivating the union of human beings within a framework of reciprocity, respect, and social justice.

Our Guiding Principles

Reciprocity, respect, gratitude, solidarity & generosity.

The practice of these guiding principles brings balance and harmony, and takes environmental sustainability to the heart as a way of life.

Our Programs

The programs of Pachamama’s Path uplift and amplify Indigenous wisdom by strengthening and revitalizing Native voices, cosmovision, language, sacred teachings, ancestral cultural practices, ceremonies, celebrations, rituals, and lifeways that are threatened by colonization, historical trauma, climate crisis, resource extractivism, and globalization.

Pachamama’s Path promotes self-determination and Indigenous rights through our programs that encompass Cultural Exchanges, Indigenous Education, Agriculture (seed exchange, nutrition, land and water protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation, food security), Language revitalization, Traditional music and arts, Women’s empowerment, Youth advocacy, Video ethnography and film, Wellbeing, Livelihoods, and more, all integrally interwoven for our future generations.

Sustainability

The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which set out a 15-year plan to achieve the Goals. Below are some of the goals that align with Pachamama’s Path mission.

Our Board

Dawn Romero, Taos Pueblo

President

Dawn Romero

Is a member of the Taos Pueblo tribe in Taos, NM. She is the mother of three amazing daughters, grandmother to beautiful Quinn River, and is married to the recent Taos Pueblo War Chief and Governor Fred Romero. Dawn lived in Peru briefly with her daughters, who attended the Kusi Kawsay Andean School. She has been travelling to Peru since 2011, sharing in the community and participating in Indigenous intertribal exchanges organized and hosted by the Ñawpa Ñan cultural project of the Kusi Kawsay Association.

Roman Vizcarra, Quechua Nation

Vice President

Roman Vizcarra

From the Quechua Nation of Peru, is a cultural visionary, artist and musician. Roman has a BFA in agriculture, and is the Founder/CEO of the socially responsible travel company Kawsaypaq EIRL in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru that works in sustainable tourism with the local people, land and culture in an authentic and empowering way. He is a licensed guide offering cultural immersion experiences through an Indigenous perspective. He is one of the founders of the Kusi Kawsay Association in Peru and is the Coordinator of the Ñawpa Ñan cultural project. Roman has decades of experience in Andean Cosmo vision and cultural revitalization work, serves as an advisor for the Reciprocity Fund, and for many Indigenous cultural initiatives. He promotes and participates in Indigenous cultural exchanges, representing his Quechua Nation since his youth.

Aspen Mirabal, Taos Pueblo

Secretary

Aspen Mirabal

Was born in Taos and raised on her ancestral homelands of Taos Pueblo. She is an Indigenous birth-worker for the people of northern New Mexico, and has worked as a doula for the Yiya Vi Kagingdi Doula Program though Tewa Women United, as an Indigenous breastfeeding counselor, Indigenous midwife assistant, as a home visitor for Tiwa Babies, and offers free doula services for the tribal members of Taos Pueblo, as well as teaching as a certified Indigenous childbirth educator. Currently Aspen is a stay at home mother to her son Quinn.

Fielding Wood

Treasurer

Fielding Wood

Is from Taos, NM and has lived in Taray, Peru since 1993 where she dedicates her life to her family, her community, and cultural work in the Andes. She is a mother, an artist, and cultural promoter. She creates immersion experiences through Peru Cultural Journeys and is one of the founding members and promoters of the Kusi Kawsay Association, contributing as part of the development team.

Kona Mirabal, Taos Pueblo

Board member

Kona Mirabal

Is from the Taos Pueblo tribe in northern New Mexico. On top of many things, Kona has a passion for traditional and modern dance, singing, acting, modeling, and farming. Kona has also discovered her hidden talent in motivational and inspirational speaking. With her outgoing nature and her skills as a healer, she challenges and encourages youth of the world to be healthy, strong, loud, and to be proud, independent, individuals of their rural communities and heritage, as a means of healing from intergenerational trauma. She is fond of the Earth’s elements, and will continue help heal our Mother Earth.

Qespi T’ika Vizcarra, Quechua Nation

Board member

Qespi T’ika Vizcarra Wood

Is a member of the Ñawpa Ñan cultural community in the Andes of Cusco, Peru where was raised and lives. T’ika graduated from the Kusi Kawsay Andean School. She studied chemistry at the Nacional University of Cusco (UNSAAC) and did her senior seminar at Yale School of the Environment in 2022. She is getting her master’s in environmental science at UMN, doing glacier melt research. T’ika enjoys being in nature, and practices Shotokan Karate (2Dan black belt). She loves to (engage) participate in her traditional dance, song, and music, and respects and honors ancestral consciousness rooted in Indigenous understanding of life.