Today we’d like to introduce you to Norma Carver.
Norma, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Norma Carver, I am the founder and president of the nonprofit organization Oaxaca en Utah. My journey in Utah began in 2008, and at that time, I felt like a stranger in a new land. I am from Oaxaca, Mexico, and before coming to Utah, I had been living in Wisconsin with my family until my marriage brought me to Kaysville.
Utah welcomed me with its rolling hills and valleys, a landscape that reminded me of my hometown, Guadalupe Nuevo Centro. My initial impression of Utah was positive, but I was missing my family in Oaxaca, and my family in Wisconsin. I missed the food and the essence of Oaxaca that I had left behind.
In my journey to reconnect with my cultural roots, I set out to find Oaxacan restaurants in Utah. To my disappointment, there was none to be found during those early years. There was only one family I found from Oaxaca, the Maldonados, we became friends, and we became family.
As time went by, the Maldonados and I embarked on a mission to build a small Oaxacan community within the heart of Utah. It marked the inception of a story that would unite scattered Oaxacan residents and breathe life into our cultural heritage.
As I traveled across Utah for my photography business, I had the opportunity to meet people from various regions of Oaxaca, other Mexican states, and even different countries. These encounters sparked a profound idea within me – the idea of celebrating the rich diversity and traditions of Oaxaca, my cherished homeland.
The seed for what would become Oaxaca en Utah was planted during these interactions. I was inspired by the Oaxacan Guelaguetza festival, an event where people from diverse backgrounds within Oaxaca come together to share their food, textiles, stunning dresses, music, and more with the entire community. It was a beautiful celebration of culture and unity that I longed to bring to Utah.
The first Guelaguetza we organized in 2020, there were 30 friends from Oaxaca. In 2021, we decided to open it to the public in Kaysville, and it attracted around 550 people. This encouraging response ignited our ambition, and we started fundraising by selling food holding raffles, and preparing for La Guelaguetza each year.
To formalize our organization, I initiated the process of registering Oaxaca en Utah as a nonprofit in early 2022. As the Guelaguetza continued to grow, so did our organization’s reach. In July 2022, the event drew more than 7,000 attendees, and in 2023, 15,000 people participated in the day-long festival.
Oaxaca en Utah welcomes individuals from diverse cultures. Our organization has 35-40 dedicated volunteers from Oaxaca, Mexico, as well as Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, and beyond. We embrace and cherish the opportunity to have people from all walks of life join us in celebrating our culture and becoming a part of our community. Oaxaca en Utah is growing and I love that.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey of building Oaxaca en Utah and organizing the Guelaguetza festival has been incredibly rewarding, but also, we have also encountered many challenges.
One of the early struggles was the sense of loneliness I felt when I first arrived in Utah in 2008. Moving to a new place, especially one with a different culture and language, was very difficult. I missed my family, the food, and the vibrant culture of Oaxaca. Overcoming homesickness and finding my place in a new community were significant personal challenges.
Organizing the Guelaguetza festival also presented its own set of challenges. The first Guelaguetza in 2020 was a small gathering for close friends but expanding it to the public in 2021 required careful planning and fundraising efforts. We started selling food and holding raffles to support the event.
Formalizing Oaxaca en Utah as a nonprofit organization in 2022 was another significant milestone, but it involved administrative processes and paperwork. It required time and effort to navigate the legal requirements and get the organization up and running.
The rapid growth of the Guelaguetza festival in terms of attendance, from 550 people in 2021 to 15,000 people in 2023, brought its own set of logistical challenges. Ensuring the event ran smoothly, accommodating a larger audience, and maintaining the cultural authenticity of the celebration required meticulous planning and coordination.
Financing our initiatives and ongoing projects, such as our desire to establish a cultural museum, is an ongoing challenge. Securing sponsorships and funding for our organization’s long-term goals can be a complex and competitive process.
Despite these challenges, the journey has been marked by unwavering determination, the support of volunteers and the community, and the joy of witnessing the Oaxacan culture thriving in Utah. Each obstacle has been an opportunity for growth and learning, and it has strengthened our resolve to continue sharing the beauty of Oaxaca with the wider community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Oaxaca en Utah’s mission is to celebrate, share, and perpetuate the vibrant cultural heritage of Oaxaca by delivering diverse events and programs that ensure its traditions flourish and are embraced by future generations.
Oaxaca en Utah is committed to fostering a sense of unity among diverse communities, promoting cultural awareness, and creating opportunities for cultural exchange. We take pride in our inclusive approach, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds to join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of Oaxacan culture.
At Oaxaca en Utah, we specialize in organizing events and initiatives that bring the beauty of Oaxacan culture to the heart of Utah. Our main event is the annual Guelaguetza festival, a vibrant celebration that transcends borders and brings people together. Through cultural presentations, community engagement, and educational initiatives, we promote understanding and appreciation of Oaxacan traditions.
What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to inclusivity. While we honor Oaxacan culture, we embrace diversity by welcoming individuals from various cultures to participate in our community. Our volunteers come from Oaxaca, Mexico, as well as Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, and beyond, enriching our experiences and fostering unity.
Our vision for the future includes establishing a cultural museum to display props and outfits, along with workshops on art, food, dialects, and customs. We believe in creating lasting connections, nurturing cultural pride, and bridging the gap between cultures. Oaxaca en Utah is more than an organization; it’s a family and a celebration of heritage, and it’s our privilege to bring people together to share in the richness of Oaxacan culture.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
My initial move to Utah was a stroke of good luck in many ways. While it brought about challenges and homesickness, it also introduced me to a beautiful landscape that reminded me of my hometown in Oaxaca. This sense of familiarity and connection with the landscape eased my transition to a new place.
On the contrary, I experienced a sense of isolation and homesickness. This could be viewed as a stroke of bad luck, but it also served as a driving force behind my mission to create a sense of home and community for myself and others.
Another example of good luck is discovering like-minded individuals like the Maldonado family, and fellow Oaxacans. This connection formed the foundation for building our Oaxacan community in Utah. The rapid growth of our Guelaguetza festival, from a small gathering of friends to an event with thousands of attendees, can be attributed to good luck. It was a testament to the community’s enthusiasm and support for celebrating Oaxacan culture.
On the other hand, organizing events like the Guelaguetza came with their share of challenges. While these obstacles could be seen as bad luck at times, they also provided opportunities for growth, learning, and creative problem-solving.
The assistance I received in formalizing Oaxaca en Utah as a nonprofit, as well as discovering resources for our cultural initiatives, can be considered strokes of good luck. These resources have been instrumental in our growth and success.
Good and bad luck has played a role in shaping my journey and the path of Oaxaca en Utah. However, it’s essential to recognize that luck alone doesn’t determine success. It’s our response to these fortunate and unfortunate events, our dedication, hard work, and the support of our community that truly define our achievements.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oaxacaenutah.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oaxacaenutah?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OaxacaenUtah/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpkRvzMKa0bSiGtLQd5Wtcw
Image Credits
Norma Carver Photography
