Past Events
Night in Oaxaca
We invite you to join us on Thursday, August 4 for Night in Oaxaca, in-person at Olivas Adobe in Ventura, CA and online. Night in Oaxaca is a celebration of the indigenous migrant communities of California's Central Coast and MICOP's largest and most sought-after fundraiser. The evening features Oaxacan cuisine and dance performances, a silent auction, and the presentation of the 2022 Tequio Youth Scholarships.
Tequio Rising
Tequio Rising raises funds for MICOP’s Tequio Youth Scholarship Fund. MICOP provides these grants to youth of indigenous Mexican roots across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties to inspire and encourage academic success. In 2021, MICOP awarded scholarships to over 40 indigenous youth. We invite you to join us virtually on Friday, April 15, 2022 to celebrate 10 years of the Tequio Youth Scholarship Fund. This program is made possible by the ongoing generosity of our supporters and sponsors.
Guelaguetza
MICOP brought Guelaguetza to Ventura County in 2019. With over 1000 attendees from the indigenous community and the general public, this day-long event created space for community celebration with friends and allies. Meaning ‘offering’ in the Zapoteco language of indigenous Oaxacans, Guelaguetza is a word that far exceeds the notions of regalia and festivities. In traditional Oaxacan villages, each person’s ‘offering’ is what makes the celebration possible. With contributions from each community member of the necessary items, be it food or decoration, the reciprocal exchange of goods supports cooperative participation and reinforces social ties. Guelaguetza predates Hispanic influence and MICOP’s event included parades and dances by Ballet Folklorico Nueva Antequera, Grupo Folklorico Huaxyaca, Diablos Elejidos de Asis, Rubios Agua Azul, and Las Chinas Oaxaqueñas Las Isabeles; the music of Maqueos Music, Banda Atoyac and Banda Corona; food from local vendors El Fortin Restaurant, Tatianas Restaurant, Tlacolula Restaurant; and artisanal crafts from Artesanias Aztlan, Artesanias Mexicana, Del Rio Discount Store and others.
Indigenous Knowledge Conference
The Indigenous Knowledge Conference was held at Oxnard College in April 2019 around the theme “Perspectives on Indigenous Mental Health and the Art of Healing.” MICOP held three rounds of workshops that explored perspectives on mental health in various indigenous communities throughout the region and engaged program participants in the art of healing through narrative, visual and artistic expression. In 2019, MICOP also held youth-led sessions that explored these same issues with local Oxnard indigenous youth, empowering them to connect them to their indigenous identity. Xulio Soriano, a Napa-based Two-Spirit indigenous grassroots community organizer and poet who was born and spent his early years in Oaxaca, Mexico, was the keynote speaker. His work promotes healing through spoken word and reconnection to indigenous roots.