AFTACON 2026

Earlier this month, I had the privilege to Represent mi gente Nuevomexicana at AFTACON, I shared stories of indigenous and genízara ancestors on the "From Extraction to Reciprocity: Indigenous Arts in this Moment" panel. It was an honor to share my story and reflect on the nuances, complexity, and complicated histories of the region with the AFTACON community. This session highlighted sovereignty, cultural specificity, and accountability in Indigenous arts, challenging transactional approaches and emphasizing relationship-building, responsibility, and community-rooted practices. Thank you to Marcelina Ramirez for inviting me to share my story. AFTACON 2026 was presented by Americans for the Arts. The conference gathered artists, administrators, and advocates to shape the future of arts and culture and organize for impact.