ABOUT THE SIWOK CARVINGS

All items are hand crafted in scented local woods. The wood used is dead fall, gathered by the Wichi, or seconds left over from the housing industry. Live trees are never cut down to be used in the making of the Siwok carvings. Each color of wood is a different kind of wood. The color is the wood's natural color. The wood is not stained or painted. The white you see is cow bone. The metal used in some items is a nickel alloy called alpaca.

ABOUT THE SIWOK CRAFT PROJECT

Siwok is a Wichi name for the red-crested woodpecker typical of the Chaco Forest. It is also a frequently used symbol in the Indian's mythology. Now it has become a symbol of the Wichi's fine craftsmanship. 

For centuries the Wichi Indians have lived in the scrub forest of Northern Argentina, following their traditional life as hunters and gatherers. But now their way of life is being threatened by the relentless advance of civilization and by Argentina's severe economic depression. Many young men have been pulled away from their rural villages and into the city as their only option for finding adequate work. However, the Siwok Craft project, with its worldwide distribution contacts, offers many indigenous Indians an opportunity to work and support their families at home and at the same time maintain their cultural heritage. In a land where unemployment is at an all-time high, carving birds, nativity sets, spoons and bowls is a means of survival.

This project had its beginning when Alejandro Deane went to work with the Wichi over 20 years ago as an agriculturist, helping organize production of vegetables for the high priced winter markets. To make a long story short the agricultural venture was a failure. The production of vegetables was capital intensive, something the Wichi had very little of. It needed outside technicians. The Wichi are traditionally and historically hunters who live day by day. Waiting 4 to 6 months for harvest was totally contrary to their normal way of life. Because the project was so expensive the Indians were dependent on donor agencies and foreign churches to keep them afloat. In addition to that, the vegetable project required lots of chemicals and non-renewable energy.

In working with the Wichi, Alejandro discovered that many of the Wichi were very talented wood carvers. He took what he had learned from the vegetable failure and helped develop the Siwok Craft project. In contrast to the vegetable project, the Siwok project is labor intensive, a commodity the Wichi have in abundance. It is simple and the techniques are easily taught to others. The hunter makes a bird and sells it the same day, the same as his cultural roots. There is no waiting four months for harvest. The capital investment is low. All tools are hand tools. The wood used is dead fall gathered by the Wichi.

The Siwok Crafts project buys from the Indian craftsmen over $100,000 worth of carvings each year with no donations. The occurrence of malnutrition and infant mortality in the Wichi community is less than half that of surrounding villages, a direct result of their more prosperous economy due to the Siwok Craft industry. The woodcarving project supports indirectly nearly 1000 Indians, including women and children. 

Ten years ago a pastor from a very poor "barrio" in Salta asked Alejandro if he had work for a couple of boys that had just come from the interior of the country with no trade and no work. In response he started inventing a more "urban" craft at the workshop in Salta. This workshop now gives work to over 18 young men of Hispanic "criollo" background. 

The Anglican Diocese of Northern Argentina has historically been very effective in reaching the large indigenous population. In the early 1900's, Indians were generally accepted as unwanted second-class citizens by the more powerful Hispanic culture; they were seen as being more like animals than human beings. It was into this environment that the Anglican Church began ministering to Indians. Today the diocese currently contains 80 indigenous priests and one indigenous bishop. If the goal of missions is to help people help themselves, the Siwok Craft industry is especially attractive. The Siwok project fosters the rare combination of providing an opportunity to help people in need and at the same time reinforcing their dignity. The missions provide the preaching of the Good News of the Christian life. Included in the fullness of that life is their well-being today. The international distribution of the Siwok Crafts truly enriches and strengthens the global body of Christ, from the huts of Argentina to the suburbs of the United States.

WHY "SIWOK AND MORE"?

The "and more" of Siwok and More is an open door for other craftsmen to sell their art work through Siwok and More and thereby join the Wichi in becoming more self-sufficient. Jericho Ministries is just such a group. Jericho Ministries is committed to helping prostitutes in Honduras get off the street and into a new life in Christ. Once off the street the women need a way to support themselves. To this end, they make table linens, bed linens, pillows, and aprons out of brightly colored fabrics. Each item or set is very tastefully packaged with a personalized note in both English and Spanish, signed by the woman who made the item.