The Ohtli Award

On September 18th of this year the Consulate of Mexico in Albuquerque presented the renowned Ohtli Award to our organization, Metamorfosis Documentation Project, in recognition of our work with Mexican indigenous and mestizo communities. The Ohtli Award is granted by the Institute of Mexicans Abroad, a division of Mexico's Secretariat of Foreign Affairs. It has been presented annually since 1996 by individual embassies and consulates to people or organizations for their contributions to the Mexican community abroad in any human endeavor. In presenting us with the award, it was noted: Metamorfosis Documentation Project develops Projects in collaboration with communities to help them to preserve, protect and promote their cultures. But these Projects extending to New Mexico and other states in the United States not only promote the cultural richness of Mexico, but also help communities abroad to maintain their ties to their Mexican communities of origin and transmit these cultural ties to the newer generations.

The Institute of Mexicans Abroad attends to the community initiatives and needs of Mexicans who live and work abroad. With that purpose, the Institute offers specialized programs to Mexican communities in the United States, through the consular representations of Mexico, to strengthen ties with their diaspora; preserve their political, social, cultural and economic links with Mexico, strengthen their capacities and improve their quality of life.

The Institute develops programs in the categories of education, financial education, community development, sports promotion, culture and health. The Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque collaborates in the promotion of the services provided by these programs, with partner agencies such as: schools, non-profit organizations, local, state and federal government offices, clinics and hospitals, banks and other financial institutions, as well as companies within its jurisdiction in New Mexico.