What is the difference between Kichwa and Quechua?
Both terms refer to the Indigenous language and people that speak the language. Quechua
is a broad linguistic and cultural group encompassing approximately 8 million speakers across the
Americas, particularly in the Andean region of South America. Quechua people live in Peru and Bolivia as
well as in parts of Chile, Colombia, and Argentina.
Kichwa is a regional variant of Quechua primarily spoken in Ecuador and in parts of southern Colombia.
Kichwa refers to the Ecuadorian Indigenous nation and dialect spoken across its 14 federally recognized
communities, such as the Kichwa Kañari, Kichwa Otavalo, Kichwa Salasaka, Kichwa Saraguro, alongside the
other 10 communities belonging to the Kichwa Nation.
How do I become a member of Sapiyay Collective?
All are welcome to join: allies and community members alike! We especially welcome any
young person who self-identifies as Kichwa/Quechua, Andean, of Indigenous ancestry from Mexico, Central
and South America and demonstrates a commitment to our mission. Our dream is to unite Kichwa/Quechua
Indigenous youth of various pueblos (Saraguro, Salasaka, Otavalo, Panzaleo, Puruhua, Kañari) who reside
in the global diaspora. We aspire to form an interdisciplinary network of members, community-based
organizations, and institutions - those who are committed to the empowerment of Kichwa/Quechua youth
through education.
Do you provide college mentorship to students outside of the US?
Sapiyay aspires to help our community members who identify as Indigenous Latine living
in diaspora and across the Americas. Though we currently focus our efforts with Indigenous Latine youth
and families residing across the United States, we are currently working to provide college mentorship
for students residing in territory outside of the United States in the future. Stay tuned to our website
as well as social media outlets for further updates!
How do I get in touch to host one of your workshops?
We would love to collaborate with you! Please contact us and share your location,
proposal, requested dates/times, and budget (if applicable). We are committed to compensating workshop
facilitators adequately and we never charge participants. We prioritize programming in Indigenous
youth-centered spaces and public schools or institutions.
How do I donate to Sapiyay Collective?
We are accepting donations through a crowdfunding GoFundMe campaign linked here! Your
donations support program and operational expenses, enabling us to fairly compensate facilitators and
cultural practitioners without charging participants.
How can I stay updated on Sapiyay Collective's work and events?
You can join our newsletter and follow us on social media for information about
educational resources, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities. We won't spam your inbox - we
promise!
Why is it important to rebuild our education system with Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
and practices?
Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (CRP) is an educational approach that values and implements
students’ cultural backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives into teaching and practice. Coined by
scholar Gloria Ladson-Billings, CRP ensures that students see their identities reflected in their
education experience, helping them foment a strong sense of self, develop a critical consciousness of
social inequalities, while supporting students’ academic success.
For Indigenous Latine youth living in diaspora, education plays a critical role in shaping their
ethnic-racial identity and sense of belonging. At Sapiyay, we believe CRP is essential to supporting
their Indigenous pride, intellectual growth, and critical awareness of social inequalities as they
maneuver through the diaspora. By incorporating students’ lived experiences into our curriculum and
programs, we foster learning environments where Indigenous Latine youth feel seen, valued, and empowered
to thrive towards their academic and professional endeavors.
Why is ethnic-racial identity development in education important for Indigenous Latine
youth?
An ethnic-racial identity is more than individual’s belonging to a particular racial or
ethnic group—it shapes how individuals perceive themselves and their communities, either positively or
negatively. For BIPOC youth, particularly Indigenous Latine students, systemic barriers—both historical
and ongoing—have often marginalized their identities, especially in predominantly White educational and
social spaces. Yet, marginalized communities often struggle to find spaces that actively educate and
celebrate their cultures and histories. Without these affirming environments, Indigenous Latine youth
are rarely exposed to positive representations of their people and communities, making it even more
challenging to develop a strong and confident sense of their Indigenous identity.
At Sapiyay, we have personally experienced these challenges throughout our education. Even in our
homelands, Indigenous peoples have faced racism, discrimination, and social pressures to shed or reject
their identity to survive. Yet, we have also seen that with strong family, community, and institutional
support—including affirming teachers and peers—Indigenous Latine youth can develop a sense of pride and
belonging, even in spaces where they are underrepresented.
Research shows that a strong ethnic-racial identity fosters belonging, enhances wellbeing, and
contributes to positive social behaviors, mental health, and academic success. By embedding identity
development into education, we empower Indigenous youth to embrace their heritage, navigate systemic
barriers, and pursue their personal and professional ambitions with confidence.
