Hispanic Heritage Month Employee Spotlight: Abi Cano Perez

Name: Abi Cano Perez, pronouns: she, her

Position: Education and Engagement Coordinator for the Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) Initiative

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

HHM is an opportunity to learn about all of the different Latine traditions, languages, cultural practices. It is also a time to celebrate our joy and unlearn a lot of the biases and preconceived assumptions around Latin-American countries and communities as well. Latin America is not a monolith and this heritage month celebrates those identities.

How would you describe your cultural identity?

I identify as Mexican American. Both of my parents are from Tlaxcala, Mexico, and our family is now based in Idaho. Both locations are important to me and have shaped who I am. Although I wasn't born in Mexico, I would say I am deeply connected to the land whenever I am able to spend time with family there.

Growing up (and even now), I felt like I was "ni de aquí ni de allá" (neither from here or there). As an adult, I am still learning how to navigate my identity and continue learning more about both of my cultures.

Is there a Hispanic/Latine/x Advocate, Activist, and/or Conservationist that inspires you?

One community that inspires me includes a group of activists based in Crescencio Morales in Michoacán, Mexico. Farmers and community members in this area dedicate their time to protect Monarch Butterfly habitat from logging companies. In recent years, Mexico has ranked as one of the top dangerous places in the world to be a climate and environmental activist (Source: Global Witness Report, 2023). Being involved in these efforts looks very different depending on where you live, and I think it's important to acknowledge that not everyone has the same privilege of being involved or having the choice to be involved in activism. I definitely encourage folks to learn more about this topic here. Other links:

• https://www.vox.com/climate/24006471/cop28-rising-danger-environmental-activism
• https://www.wildlandsnetwork.org/news/weaving-protection-networks-in-mexico-one-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-countries-for-environmental-defendersnbsp-6mwcg

What is your favorite thing about your culture/heritage?

SO many favorites come to mind, top of the list are food and music! My mom and Abuelita are the best cooks-I am always spoiled when I visit them. My mom's mole recipe and my abue's sope recipe are my two favorites.

My dad has had a big influence on my music taste. Chalino Sanchez, corridos, and cumbias are always in my music rotation.