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Washington Post
a day ago
- Washington Post
Mexico City marks 700 years since its founding by Indigenous people
MEXICO CITY — Mexico City is marking the 700th anniversary of its founding with a series of public events on Saturday, including artistic performances honoring the city's Indigenous origins. Artists in Indigenous clothing reenacted the founding of the Aztec capital in front of the country's top officials in Mexico City's main square . Later, hundreds of dancers dressed in traditional clothing, feather headdresses, drums, and ankle rattles made of seeds performed sacred dances meant to connect with nature. The anniversary commemorates the establishment of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica, a group also known as the Aztecs, who settled in the Valley of Mexico in 1325. As recorded by early Spanish chroniclers, Mexica elders told of a divine sign from their patron god Huitzilopochtli: an eagle on a cactus, signaling where to settle. That place became Tenochtitlan, the center of Aztec civilization and the site of today's Mexico City. That symbol was later recorded in the Codex Mendoza, which contained historical accounts of the Aztec empire. It became central to Mexican identity and appears today on the national flag. 'Mexico was not born with the arrival of the Spanish; Mexico was born much earlier with the great civilizations,' said President Claudia Sheinbaum in a speech in which she urged the eradication of the racism that still persists in the country. Tenochtitlan began as a village on an island in a lake ringed by volcanic peaks. But historians say many other details that have come down in history are based heavily on legend, and that the exact founding date is unknown. By the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they were awed by a city filled with palaces, bridges, canals and bustling trade, according to Spanish chronicler and conquistador Bernal Díaz del Castillo. Historian Miguel Pastrana of the National Autonomous University of Mexico's Historic Investigations Institute, an expert on Tenochtitlan, said the weekend's festivities are 'political and civic' and do not reflect the latest historical research. The historical record describes the Mexica as a people who migrated from a place called Aztlan, supposedly an island whose exact location remains unknown. They knew how to fish, gather aquatic plants and hunt birds, as well as build dams, and they tried to settle in several places before arriving in the Valley of Mexico. The main island in the lake was already populated by the Tepaneca people, but they allowed the Mexica to settle there in exchange for tribute payments and other services, Pastrana said. Little by little, the Mexica's power grew. They were strong warriors and commercially prosperous, and they were effective at making alliances with other peoples. Tenochtitlan became a great city at the center of an empire until the Spanish conquered it in 1521.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
Mexico City marks 700 years since its founding by Indigenous people
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico City is marking the 700th anniversary of its founding with a series of public events on Saturday, including artistic performances honoring the city's Indigenous origins. Artists in Indigenous clothing reenacted the founding of the Aztec capital in front of the country's top officials in Mexico City's main square. Later, hundreds of dancers dressed in traditional clothing, feather headdresses, drums, and ankle rattles made of seeds performed sacred dances meant to connect with nature. The anniversary commemorates the establishment of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica, a group also known as the Aztecs, who settled in the Valley of Mexico in 1325. As recorded by early Spanish chroniclers, Mexica elders told of a divine sign from their patron god Huitzilopochtli: an eagle on a cactus, signaling where to settle. That place became Tenochtitlan, the center of Aztec civilization and the site of today's Mexico City. That symbol was later recorded in the Codex Mendoza, which contained historical accounts of the Aztec empire. It became central to Mexican identity and appears today on the national flag. 'Mexico was not born with the arrival of the Spanish; Mexico was born much earlier with the great civilizations,' said President Claudia Sheinbaum in a speech in which she urged the eradication of the racism that still persists in the country. Tenochtitlan began as a village on an island in a lake ringed by volcanic peaks. But historians say many other details that have come down in history are based heavily on legend, and that the exact founding date is unknown. By the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they were awed by a city filled with palaces, bridges, canals and bustling trade, according to Spanish chronicler and conquistador Bernal Díaz del Castillo. Historian Miguel Pastrana of the National Autonomous University of Mexico's Historic Investigations Institute, an expert on Tenochtitlan, said the weekend's festivities are 'political and civic' and do not reflect the latest historical research. The historical record describes the Mexica as a people who migrated from a place called Aztlan, supposedly an island whose exact location remains unknown. They knew how to fish, gather aquatic plants and hunt birds, as well as build dams, and they tried to settle in several places before arriving in the Valley of Mexico. The main island in the lake was already populated by the Tepaneca people, but they allowed the Mexica to settle there in exchange for tribute payments and other services, Pastrana said. Little by little, the Mexica's power grew. They were strong warriors and commercially prosperous, and they were effective at making alliances with other peoples. Tenochtitlan became a great city at the center of an empire until the Spanish conquered it in 1521.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
$480K awarded to support Indigenous education, cultural programs in Michigan
A statewide effort to elevate Native American history and culture is awarding nearly half a million dollars in grant funding to 11 communities across Michigan, including Albion. The Native American Heritage Fund Board has announced the recipients of its 2025 grant cycle, supporting projects that include culturally centered education, community events and the removal of offensive mascots, according to a community announcement. Grants were approved June 20 and total $479,320, funding initiatives at schools, colleges and educational organizations across the state. Support for cultural education and rebranding 'Since its inception, the Native American Heritage Fund has been a catalyst for positive change in Michigan communities,' said NAHF Chairperson Dorie Rios, who also serves as Tribal Council Chairperson for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, in the announcement. 'These grants help restore accurate representation, uplift Indigenous voices and build stronger bridges between Tribes and local communities,' Rios said. NAHF prioritizes engagement between schools and Tribes during rebranding efforts, encouraging collaboration that reflects cultural respect and understanding. 2025 NAHF grant recipients Albion College – $65,000 for a culturally appropriate exhibit at the Whitehouse Nature Center. Chippewa Hills School District – $127,267.86 to replace the 'Warrior' mascot with 'Golden Knight' branding. East Jordan Public Schools – $16,239 for cultural immersion events with Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. East Lansing Public Schools – $4,125 for third-grade cultural history lessons with the Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center. Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD – $86,055.75 for professional development on Anishinaabe youth support. Grand Ledge Public Schools – $5,250 for expanded third-grade Anishinaabe history lessons. Okemos Public Schools – $6,750 to grow their third-grade Native history curriculum. Portland Public Schools – $2,750 for classroom history instruction on Anishinaabe culture. Public Schools of Petoskey – $22,140 to replace uniforms featuring outdated mascot imagery. Traverse City Area Public Schools – $129,000 for Native language instruction and curriculum support. Western Michigan University – $14,742 to launch an Elders-in-Residence program connecting students and Indigenous Elders. Grant award ceremony date, location A public grant award ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 19 at FireKeepers Casino Hotel following the NAHF Board Meeting at 11 a.m. The Native American Heritage Fund was established through a 2016 compact between the State of Michigan and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, and supports K-12 schools, higher education and local governments in fostering inclusive learning environments and respectful representation. For more information and past recipients, visit NAHF Board of Directors: Chairperson: Dorie Rios, NHBP Tribal Council Chairperson Vice Chairperson: Melissa Kiesewetter, Tribal Liaison, State of Michigan Secretary: Elizabeth Kinnart, Citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Treasurer: Robyn Elkins, NHBP Tribal Council Vice Chairperson Board Member: Kimberly McClellan, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians This story was created by David DeMille, ddemille@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Grants Support native culture, mascot changes across Michigan Solve the daily Crossword
