Voces de los Mayas: Legados de los ancestros, tradiciones y culturas que nunca se olvidan

Abstract

This capstone centers the lived experiences and challenges of Indigenous youth from Guatemala and their journeys to California. Created in collaboration with the Lenguas en Resistencia club and my father, the coloring book uses imagery and poetry to share stories of survival and resilience in regions such as the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Between October 2024 and August 2025, over 28,000 unaccompanied minors arrived in the United States, including more than 600 Guatemalan children, the majority of whom identified as Indigenous. Given the current political climate, it is expected that many youth and their families will continue to migrate to the U.S. For those already here and navigating the threat of deportation, critical questions remain: Who tells their stories? How do they survive and thrive? Maya youth are often overlooked in immigration narratives yet they are vital knowledge bearers and creators for future generations. This project draws on the knowledge of community organizers within Maya communities, Indigenous storytelling praxis, and Indigenous pedagogical and educational frameworks.

View Senior Project here.