Robert “Coyokiztil” Quesada
According to his bio on the IDPNewton.org website, “Robert is of Nahua/Chichimeca Zacatecati ancestry, and born and raised in Huchiun, occupied Ohlone Lisjan (Oakland, California),” and with his wife, Mayeta “Yaxochitl” Quesda, founded the “Calpulli Coyoxochitl dance group. Robert, who was the lead dancer and keeper of the ceremonial flame at Newton’s second Indigenous Peoples Day, is deeply committed to perseverance and persistence in maintaining local indigenous culture. Through their dance group, he and Mayeta support diverse Native American culture through association with other New England tribes. “Local people have done amazing work to uncover and preserve their heritage,” he says, affirming the importance of promoting local tribal rites.
Explaining the rationale for observing Indigenous Peoples Day, rather than Columbus Day, Robert said “Columbus set the pattern and laid the groundwork for what followed.” He feels that Indigenous Peoples Day begins the healing process.
Not only is Robert committed to interacting with other tribal groups, he believes it is important to form relationships with people who have stature in social justice and activism, and he has accepted Rev. Dom’s invitation to meet with and perform for the Eliot Church congregation. He and Mayeta, an artist, moved to Newton a year ago because they value the community’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, and to its excellent school system with its emphasis on historical accuracy. “I speak for my family and for my people in trying to engage through our common humanity,” Robert says.
Rev. Domenick Ackerman
Rev. Domenick Ackerman, Pastor of the Eliot Church, the Congregational church in Newton Corner, is undertaking “a journey of discovery and repair” in what he terms a “fraught relationship” between Indigenous and non-indigenous people. A native of Hamburg, Germany and Eliot Church pastor since August, Rev. Dom, as he is known, is interested in connecting his congregation to the Indigenous community to enhance its understanding of the repression of one culture by the other. “We are only at the beginning. This is a mission act for us,” he says.
The Eliot Church, established in 1845, is named for the Puritan minister, Rev. John Eliot — called “Apostle to the Indians,” whom he tried to convert, and for whom he became an advocate when Puritan leaders determined to displace them from their lands. Rev. Eliot translated the Bible into the local Native language as a way to enhance efforts at Christianizing the local Massachusett tribe. His first convert was Waban, a member of the Nonantum village tribe, who became a powerful ally and gave his name to another Newton village — Waban.
Rev. Dom believes it is time to expand the traditional United Church of Christ worship by incorporating other symbols into its ritual. To that end, he has invited Robert “Cyokiztil” Quesada, Indigenous People’s Day Newton coordinator and descendant of Nahua/Chichimeca Zacatecati people. Robert and his wife, Mayela “Yaoxochiti” Quesada, founded the Calpulli Coyoxochitl dance group, which demonstrates the traditions of their indigenous Mexican heritage. “This is new for me, forming relationships with Indigenous people,” Rev. Dom acknowledges, but he believes his congregation needs to engage in understanding and incorporating Native American culture.
