​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Phoenix Office of Arts and C​​ulture​​​​​

Cihuapactli Collective

The Cihuapactli Collective's purpose is to provide healing for self-identifying Urban Indigenous Peoples from the diaspora. This is done by sharing wisdom, connecting resources, revitalizing Traditional Knowledge, and promoting health and wellness. Rooted in ancestral and Traditional Knowledge, the CC is committed to empowering families through four bundles: Cultural Revitalization & Education, Food Justice & Land Restoration, Birth Equity & Reproductive Justice, and Mental Health & Integrative Wellness. 

• Departments: Development, Operations
  
• Art Forms: Community Engagement, Culture, Dance, Media and Digital Arts, Photography
  
• Communities: Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Low income, Seniors, Youth
  
• Work Mode: Hybrid
  
• Address: ​6427 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042 
  
• Supervisor: ​Maria Parra Cano, Executive Director
  

To learn more about the Cihuapactli Collective, visit their website at https://www.cihuapactlicollective.org/​.​

What you'll do

The Comadre of Relations will work with the Azkame (3 senior managers) in building the infrastructure when it comes to what typically is considered HR. The comadre of relations will then help us develop the role within the organization and implement strategies at an operational level. The role will be supervised by the Executive Director, Maria Parra Cano, and work alongside the CDO and COO. The comadre of Relations will learn how we function as a Collective, as a non-profit and community-driven entity all while helping us strengthen our infrasture. This position may be considered for permanent placement after the initial internship period. 

Specific responsibilities

The Comadre of Relations will identify & implement employee-related initiatives including monthly bonus payouts, benefits administration, compliance training, and process improvements, among other things. They will develop training guides/job aids for common HR tasks; update HR materials for onboarding new employees; Work on the Company’s internal Benefits protocol/website; Search for ways to improve processes and procedures; observe and discuss business operations, team-working environment, leadership, and management styles; Shadow team members and supervisor to gain detailed insight to department operations; formulate alternative courses of action and solicit feedback for professional development; collaborate with team members, management, and cross-functionally with other departments depending on the scope of the assignment(s).​​

Executive Director Maria Parra Cano

Maria or Carmen as many know her is the mother that put out a call to her community for support. She is co-founder & Executive Director of the Cihuapactli Collective, now in its 6th year. Maria is a Xicana Indigena born in Phoenix, Arizona with her lineages stemming from the Mexica People from Texcoco, Mexico & Raramuri People from Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua. Maria was raised in Barrio Garfield, along with her 7 siblings. Maria is a community organizer and activist at heart.    Prior to having children, Maria served as Director of Prevention, Education, and Immigration Services for a local nonprofit. Maria has experience in program development, grant writing, finance, evaluation, and implementation of social service programs for over 20 years. Maria received her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in Non-Profit Administration & Sociology, her MBA with an emphasis in Finance from Grand Canyon University, and a culinary arts degree from Scottsdale Culinary Institute - Le Cordon Bleu. She has been married to Brian Cano for the past 10 years and has birthed social entrepreneurship wings with Ironwood Metal Works & Coatl while also birthing 4 little ones - Yolehua Luna, Quizani Texcohtli, Tonaliztli Mitohtiani, and a son - Ayocoyani who is in the spirit world.  Maria is a mother, wife, sister, aunt, community organizer, danzante y mujer de ceremonia. Originally guided as part of the Calpoalli Nahuacalco and other ceremonial circles for the past 22 years, while holding space for learning & healing at the direction of elders among the Calpoalli Tlacahuatzin & Mitohtiliztli Huehuetlalli. Maria is a board member of the Sagrado and is a regenerative farmer/co-founder of the Food Forest Cooperative at Spaces of Opportunity in South Phoenix. Maria is also an Indigenous Lactation Educator, birth & postpartum CoMadrita/doula, flower essence specialist, traditional babywearing & rebozo use educator with Indigena.

The Phoenix ArtCorps is a student employment program from the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture  that seeks to provide students with​ the comprehensive skills, mentorship, and experience ​they need to launch their arts and culture careers. Over the course of the 2023-2024 academic cycle​, each student works 400 hours for $17/hr (around 15 to 20 hours a week), with additional stipends and professional development opportunities. To apply, students must be current or recently graduated undergraduate students at a community college, university, or other institution of higher education based in Phoenix (or live in Phoenix themselves). Applicants must be at least 18 years old. There are no other enrollment requirements. Students do not need to be majoring in the arts or similar fields to apply. To learn more about the program and browse positions, visit our website at http://phoenix.gov/arts/artcorps​. ​​​​​​​​

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