“Solidarity and Resilience”

Atquetzali Quiroz

Filipinx and Indigenous Mexica Nahua| Saint Paul, MN | she/her/hers

Raised in a household where arts and activism is strongly present, I show up in solidarity with other communities as a multidisciplinary artist (dancer and theater actor) and activist. I have been fighting for justice for as long as I could remember, from immigrant rights marches and protesting police brutality in the Twin Cities and beyond to protecting the water and land here and in Standing Rock. I have danced to honor Jamar Clark, Philando Castile, Cordale Handy, George Floyd, and Daunte Wright at solidarity protests/rallies/marches in support of Black Lives Matter and justice for victims of police/state violence. We offer dance and song at the protests to pray and show up in solidarity for our Black relatives.

The saying ‘an injustice to one of us is an injustice to all of us’ summarizes what solidarity means and looks like to me. When an injustice happens to one community, every community should be uplifting and amplifying their voices, narratives, and stories.

Piyali & Mabuhay! My name is Atquetzali Quiroz. I was born and raised in Saint Paul, Mni Sota (Minnesota), homeland of the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples. I am a co-founder of Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli, a traditional Mexica dance group. I co-teach danza, song, and philosophy classes with my family. I was a youth intern at Asian American Organizing Project as well as the Engagement Coordinator for Filipinx for Immigrant rights & Racial justice MN, organizations that emphasize the importance of civic engagement and social justice. As a youth organizer of Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center and co-founder of the International Indigenous Youth Council – Twin Cities Chapter; I am able to learn and practice my passion for uplifting youth voice; language revitalization; traditional women’s wellness, preserving and protecting the waters and land.