Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oxaqueño

San Joaquin Valley Latino/a/x Dance Folklife/Other Music 2011 2012 2014

Centro Binational Para el Desarrollo Indígena Oxaqueño (CBDIO, or Binational Center for the Development of of Oaxacan Indigenous Communities) was founded in 1993 with the mission to implement programs that drive the civic participation, economic, social, and cultural development of indigenous communities.  CBDIO has advocated for and aided indigenous communities by providing interpreting services to monolingual populations, delivering education on health issues, and providing assistance accessing health and social services programs.  CBDIO also provides training on labor and human rights issues and has developed the advocacy and leadership skills of indigenous community members.  Civic participation workshops on topics relevant to the effective integration of indigenous immigrants in the social, political, and legal systems of the United States have also been a part of CBDIO’s work.

As part of their cultural programming, CBDIO has successfully organized an annual Guelaguetza celebration since 1999.  The centuries-old cultural festival is an important tradition for both the Oaxacan communities of California’s Central Valley and many other Latino immigrants and non-immigrants who see it as an opportunity to learn about indigenous cultural traditions.  CBDIO also organizes Mixtec language workshops and youth folkloric dance and music groups.

In 2014, 2012 and 2011, CBDIO received a grant from ACTA’s Living Cultures Grants Program to support their annual Guelaguetza celebration.