Maria Garcia
Itzamna Society, Chairperson
MARIA ELVIRES GARCIA
San Antonio Village,
Cayo District, Belize C.A.
Tel: +501-671-1753
Email: artistmai1981@gmail.com
Employment History
​
Chairperson of Itzamna Society (1998-Present)
Elected Chairperson of Itzamna Society (2020)
-
Coordinated and advocated towards acquiring the co-management agreement.
-
Acquired co-management agreement with the help of the Minister of works and the Minister of Environment and fisheries.
-
Coordinated medicinal and ceremonial workshops at the Elijio Panti National Park
-
Prepared and assisted in the creation of booklets about Maya Medicinal plants and Sacred ceremonial uses of caves.
Elected Chairperson of Itzamna Society (2017)
-
Coordinated meetings with Forestry Dept. and Minister of Environment, fisheries towards the co-management agreement.
-
Coordinated Development of co-management process.
-
Prepared and assisted in the creation of Maya Medicinal booklets.
-
Coordinated and prepared a Maya Medicinal garden for the school children at the United Pentecostal School.
-
Advocated and assisted in the protection of a Maya well in the United Pentecostal School grounds.
-
Coordinated the construction of a multipurpose shed at the United Pentecostal School
Elected Chairperson of Itzamna Society (2001)
-
Coordinate community meetings for the villages of San Antonio, Cristo Rey, and Seven Miles.
-
Educate Villagers and elicit their support for the Elijio Panti National Park.
-
Coordinated a co-management inauguration celebration for 350 people, which included Mayan spiritualists, environmentalists, embassies, other NGO’s, and local villagers, June 2001.
-
Prepared educational material for students of the United Pentecostal School for the General Symposium, March 2000
-
Awarded a certificate for “Contribucion al Desarrollo de la cultura Ecologica ”from SEMAneta Internacional, December 2001.
-
Coordinated the following seminars for community and Itzamna members:
-
-
Park Management-Friends for Conservation and Development, 2000
-
Cave Tour Training-Ministry of Archaeology, 2000
-
Organic Cultivation-Cacao Grower’s Association in San Antonio, Toledo District, 2000
-
Co-management of Protected Areas- Forestry Division, 2001
-
Protected Areas Conservation- Janus Foundation, 2001
-
Conservation, National Park Regulations and Development plans for EPNP- Itzamna Society and Forestry Division, 2001
-
Pine Beetle and Fire Monitoring- Forestry Division, 2002
-
National Park Conservation and planning- Friends for Conservation, 2002
-
Community Awareness in Fire Control-Itzamna Society and forestry Department, 2002.
-
​
Professional Artist, Self-employed (1981-present)
​
-
Opened and managed a gift shop containing local art in San Antonio, Cayo since 1985
-
Trained others to carve slate rock
-
Educates visitors of the ancient Mayan religion and beliefs
-
Promoted Mayan Art and Culture through the Belize Tourism Board
-
Awarded “Permanent Artist of Belize” at Riverfest in 1995
Tanah Museum Manager (1991-present)
​
-
Built a museum to demonstrate traditional Mayan culture
-
Collected Mayan artifacts, tools, instruments to display
-
Educates visitors and students of Mayan Beliefs and traditions
Maya Medicinal Garden Since (1995-Present)
-
Designed, built a Maya alter for sacred maya spiritual Introduction.
-
Responsible for the advertisements and promotions
-
Maintain the maya way of healing.
Other Skills/Training
​
-
Accounting and Promotion through the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Bob Wilson, 1996
-
Introduction to and Intermediate level of Computer Use through the Cayo Computer Center, 2001-2002
Education
​
-
Roman Catholic School, San Antonio, Cayo
-
Finished third in class