Carlos Valencia has always known the importance of language, history and community. He’s 45, a fourth-generation Arizonan, and his journey toward cultural preservation wasn’t something he set out to do. It was something that unfolded before him.
He has become a documentarian of Yaqui identity, using art, storytelling and digital platforms to preserve history, share language and ensure cultural traditions are not forgotten.
What began as a personal project in art school grew into a broader mission: to preserve and share Yaqui culture and to create spaces where Yaqui people — especially those who may not know their own heritage — can see themselves represented and their stories told…