There are more than 476 million Indigenous Peoples around the world, according to the UN; they have inherited and practice unique ways of life that allow them to relate to their environment in a very special way. For years they have had to fight for their identity, because despite their ancestral wealth, they are among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.

In Mexico, there are hundreds of indigenous communities that possess great and ancient cultural heritage; for Someone Somewhere, it has been extremely important to value, respect, and support the diversity of these communities. That is why we approached Enrique Rodríguez, one of the founders, who on this occasion shares some ideas that cemented this company.

What is the importance of this commemoration for Someone Somewhere?

Someone Somewhere is sensitive to the situation in which most indigenous people in Mexico live, and is aware of the problems of marginalization, discrimination, racism, impoverishment, and other conflicts that these Peoples face every day.

Each of the people who work with us understands that respect for the cultures of these Peoples is critical to contributing to the common good of our society and to the cultural identity of the communities and our country.

Today is a day to celebrate life, as Indigenous Peoples have known how to live in harmony with Mother Earth and teach us how to live well, despite all the abuse, persecution, and historical extermination.

Which communities does Someone Somewhere collaborate with?

Someone Somewhere integrates the work of more than 10 indigenous communities, such as Naupan, Cuetzalan, Tenango de Doria, Hueyapan, Villa Victoria, which are located in different states of the country; in Oaxaca, Chiapas, Puebla, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, and we are starting a large project in Michoacán. Each community specializes in a craft technique that is integrated into a specific product line.

In addition, we want consumers to have a closer experience with the artisans, which is why we launched a platform #MeetTheArtisan where you can meet those behind each of the products, and our 2020 Impact Report is also published, showing the progress and achievements we have made over these years.

How has Someone Somewhere contributed to the well-being of indigenous communities?

Someone Somewhere is committed to strengthening, promoting, and respecting indigenous culture, including history, worldview, identity, traditional organization, land, beliefs, community work, and the sense of being a People.

Through the generation of fair and sustainable work opportunities, we have gradually realized that the fruits of our effort and dedication are reflected in women with greater self-esteem, who work and receive fair pay that allows them to contribute financially to household needs and be valued, who are part of an independent organization and are proud that their work is valued and recognized in many places around the world.

Could you tell us a little about the creation of Someone Somewhere?

In 2010, I decided to study Sustainable Development Engineering to learn more about sustainability and the principle of seeking a harmonious balance between economic, social, and environmental aspects for the entire world.

During the first semesters of my degree, I continued to volunteer periodically in the Sierra Norte de Puebla and realized that I was acquiring a lot of knowledge and new tools that could help me create social projects and contribute to the well-being of those communities.

To begin, I conducted a diagnosis in several communities in the Municipality of Naupan, Puebla, to understand the needs of the people. The information collected was somewhat discouraging; there were significant needs, and the population suffered severe social and economic deficiencies.

Therefore, my first idea was to create a civil association focused on community development, and for this, I invited Fátima Álvarez to join the project. However, understanding sustainability as a principle that must be long-lasting, I did not want to create an organization that depended economically on external resources. So, a few months later, we decided to focus on the economic aspect, seeking to enhance the artisan work carried out by the women of the region.

We consider the blouses and shirts embroidered by artisan hands as authentic works of art. The embroideries are wonderful, centuries-old iconographic legacies, symbols of great cultural richness that represent their indigenous identity.

It was at this moment that we invited José Antonio Nuño and José Miguel Cruz y Celis to join the project. They, along with Fátima, had missionary volunteering experiences, so they also had that connection and social sensitivity that was essential to embark on this adventure.

Together, we wanted to create a productive project that, through a contemporary clothing brand, would integrate the work of those artisans. We wanted to support them so that they could self-manage their own organization. We understood that, in addition to their artisanal work, they had the responsibility of caring for children, doing household chores, and working in the fields.

What achievements do you think Someone Somewhere has had regarding the preservation of the identity of Indigenous Peoples?

Currently, around 98% of the artisans we work with are women of indigenous roots who are part of an international value chain. The truth is that it fills me with pride to be able to say that we are integrating indigenous women from the poorest states of the country into this great chain.

There have been many achievements. For example, almost 10 years after starting the project in the first community, a solid organization called "Mujeres Unidas Chacalxóchitl" has been consolidated, with defined processes, functional work teams, support networks, new friendships, husbands involved in some activities, and young people interested in resuming artisanal activity.

Or in another community in Oaxaca, where thanks to the increased demand we have generated, a very large union of "chicotillo" loom weavers is being created, where for the first time women are being given the opportunity to work on the loom, as historically this activity was only conceived for men.

Artisanal work represents a significant contribution to the well-being of the households of the indigenous communities that are part of Someone Somewhere. We still have many plans to make and many challenges to achieve. So every purchase we receive is actively contributing to our mission becoming a reality.