A Rarámuri mother's fight to preserve her culture in Ciudad Juárez
Verónica Palma Cruz left her hometown of Papajichi at just 14 years old. Now 37, she lives in Ciudad Juárez, where she has spent decades navigating challenges as a Rarámuri woman. Her journey includes raising two sons, fighting discrimination, and working to keep her Indigenous culture alive.
Verónica arrived in Ciudad Juárez wearing traditional Rarámuri clothing and speaking her native language. The differences led to immediate discrimination, making her early years in the city difficult. She took on jobs as a domestic cleaner and later in a maquiladora, where she met her partner and the father of her children.
Today, she lives in Colonia Tarahumara, a neighbourhood home to many Indigenous families. There, she follows Rarámuri customs and beliefs while raising her two sons, now 22 and 15. Despite facing prejudice, she insists on speaking to them first in Rarámuri, then in Spanish. Her sons also experienced discrimination at school, which pushed them to stop using their mother tongue. Determined to protect their health and heritage, Verónica turned to running—a tradition in Rarámuri culture. She became a competitive runner to help her asthmatic son improve his breathing and has since raced across Mexico and abroad. Verónica now works at the Municipal Center for Indigenous Peoples (Cempo), where she promotes Indigenous traditions. She also encourages other Rarámuri and Indigenous mothers to resist discrimination and hold onto their cultural roots.
Verónica’s efforts stretch beyond her own family. She continues to advocate for Indigenous rights while balancing work, parenting, and athletic pursuits. Her story reflects both the struggles and resilience of Rarámuri women in an urban setting.
