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