The Mayan League’s internship program provides youth and young professionals opportunities for leadership development, mentorship, and learning from Indigenous leaders and Elders in the movement. Our program is open to all and takes particular care to create a space for Maya and other Indigenous youth of the diaspora, often looking to reconnect, or relearn their histories and Indigeneity. Our program and organization centers Indigenous cosmovision and historical memory to create a strong foundation of leadership development and power building to advance the rights, needs, and dreams of our peoples and communities. We value and recognize the contributions and vision of youth leaders who are planting their seeds of corn for future generations, thank you for sharing your skills with us!
Meet Our Summer Interns!
Naiset (Maya Mam), Indigenous Community Mapping
My name is Naiset and I’m currently a rising senior at Dartmouth College majoring in Geography and Latin American, Latino/a, and Caribbean Studies. Many of my research interests explore how water politics in Guatemala intersect with migration, climate change, and Indigeneity. At Dartmouth, I’m involved with the FUERZA Farmworkers Fund, a mutual aid group aimed at reducing barriers for migrants in the Vermont and New Hampshire region. As a descendant of the Maya Mam, my work is rooted in a deep sense of communal responsibility and Indigenous solidarity. I’m very excited to be working with the Mayan League this summer!
Daniela (Mexico/Canada), Grants Research
I’m Daniela Carbajal and am originally from central Mexico, of mixed settler and Indigenous (Nahua) descent, now a settler on amiskwaciwâskahikan. My grandpa has taught me of the issues Indigenous peoples face through his own experience of language and culture loss due to the systemic racism he faced growing up, which inspires the work I do today in solidarity. I seek to contribute to efforts of making safer spaces for Indigenous peoples specifically within clinical spaces by centering their voices and experiences. I strive to use community-centered values and my privilege to contribute to efforts being led by Indigenous communities. I have a BSc in Psychology and am completing a BA in Native Studies; my academic focus is on decolonizing the sciences and conducting research from a community and strengths based perspective. I seek to honor my ancestors and family by continuing to support those who are leading efforts today.