Byron Tenesaca Guaman (Kañari Kichwa) is from Guapondelig, Kañari territory, in the southern Andes of Ecuador (also known today as Cuenca). He holds a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Studio Art from Western Carolina University. Byron weaves his identities of visual artist, basket maker, immigrant, storyteller, and father to create spaces for creativity, curiosity, reflection, healing, and empowerment in our youth. He’s passionate about using art and creativity as tools for amplifying our Indigenous voices and finding solutions to current issues facing our communities. Byron recently moved back to his ancestral community in the Andes to work on archive and youth empowerment projects through arts and crafts.

San José is one of the ancestral Kanãri Kichwa communities located around the Yanuncay River in the province of Azuay, Kañari territory. The name Yanuncay is a combination of words from the indigenous languages ​​Kichwa (yana meaning black) and Kañarí (cay meaning water or river) due to the dark color of its waters. The Yanuncay River is of utmost importance to our community as it is part of our identity, territory, and the memory of the taytas and mamas who came before us. The Yanuncay River will continue to be a witness to our struggles and resistance for the good living of the next generations.