VISION STATEMENT
Throughout history, humanity has been guided through Life by the wisdom carried in the voices of their Ancestors. Their unique knowledge provided blueprints on the importance of living in harmony with our venerable Mother Earth and her various children, as well as how this can be done. Today many of these voices are no longer being heard and this vital connection has been lost. The result has been a decreasing variety of species, an increasing variety of toxicities, and a belief system that treats our remarkable planet as a commodity to be used rather than a living being worthy of commemoration. Our everyday activities are now ravaging cultures and ecosystems to the point where if we continue along our current path, the children of the future will be denied the gift of a planet capable of hosting Life as we know it.
As we are all the Ancestors of Tomorrow, whatever we leave behind for these Next Generations will be our legacy. Through listening to the voices of our Elders, Youth, and Global Community, we can help to cultivate awareness of our dire human predicament and learn how we can heal our relationship with Mother Earth and her Life-giving Waters. With this awareness, we can actively work towards securing our beauteous home far into the future. Tomorrows Ancestors Speak seeks to become the medium through which these voices can be heard, carrying the diverse messages that will provide us the opportunity to become the ancestors of tomorrow’s children – for without this guidance, these children may never come to exist.
Being the great communicator, connector, and source of all Life, Water is our project’s main theme.
Hugo Marroquin
Hugo Marroquin was born in Chicago to Guatemalan parents, and introduced to the ceremonial way of life at age six. At this time he was given the name Tlakatecatl, “Counsels For The People,” by a Mexica (Aztec) Elder who had recognized his strong ability to act as a teacher and a guide. Dancing within traditional Sundances for nearly two decades, Hugo is dedicated to treating Life itself as a Ceremony – honoring the principles of respect, humility, compassion, courage, wisdom, and generosity in his daily step.
These steps have carried him throughout much the world – predominantly throughout North, Central, and South America – learning from and speaking with various Elders along the way. A loving father passionate about providing the best future he can for his children and their descendants, Hugo’s dream is that these Elders’ messages be heard by the world and inspire increased wisdom, clarity, and action amongst the Stewards of Mother Earth.
Amanda Heidemann
Born in the “Heart-Land” of the United States, Amanda’s heart’s desire is to co-create a world where Life’s great diversity is loved and protected – and where Water is celebrated and respected as the Source of All Life that She is. Amanda feels that to accomplish this, there must be a deepening of youth connection to Wild Nature and Natural Food; to Elders; to Indigenous Wisdom; and to a solid understanding that positive actions must be taken Now to tend to the negative repercussions being experienced from the fossil-fuel-driven “convenience” world of today.
Holding degrees in Environmental Science and Ecology, Amanda has much experience with research and science-based writing. She has worked as a field ecologist in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park, spent time working with a non-profit focused on youth education and the alleviation of disposable goods and junk food from rural village communities in Nepal, and traveled alongside Hugo for multiple years listening to various Elders speak. Throughout the T.A.S. project Amanda will focus on writing articles related to video messages, and to how we can practically approach solutions to living sustainably and respectfully on Mother Earth.
Asi Cohen
Asi is our treasured filmmaker for projects outside of the USA. A professional cameraman and filmmaker, Asi has much experience within the Israeli news and numerous professional film projects. As part of his great Love and sorrow for Mother Earth, he has graciously committed himself, his equipment, and high-quality editing work to the Tomorrows Ancestors Speak project. His skills, heart, and incredible sense of humor are undeniable assets to the team.
Wil Crombie
Wil Crombie is our cherished filmmaker for projects taking place within the USA. He specializes in Filmmaking, Design & Marketing. His skills have taken him around the world and his capabilities have helped to further many individuals, organizations, projects and ideas. Wil has a passion for environmental and social justice. He seeks projects that benefit communities and the eco-system. Seeking that balance in his own life, Wil has been building a homestead (Organic Compound) since 2012 on his families land in southern Minnesota, and is also a co-founder of Regeneration Farms LLC, the first independent farm operation dedicated to replicating the Main Street Project’s Poultry-Centered Regenerative Agriculture System. Wil looks forward to helping a new generation navigate itself through the digital realms and on the ground, in hopes to come out the other side happy with what we have created.