This PSA, spoken in Tu’un Savi—an Indigenous language from southern Mexico—invites the Tu’un Savi-speaking community in New York City to reflect on health prevention while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the Vaccine Equity Partner Engagement initiative launched by the NYC Department of Health in response to the pandemic, the Transnational Villages Network invited me to produce a video series in nine Indigenous languages from Latin America: Mixe, Mixtec, Garifuna, Kichwa, Mam, K’iche’, Mephaa, Nahuatl, and Tu’un Savi.

This video series is designed to reach migrant communities, raising awareness and promoting healthy habits during the public health emergency.

Particularly, the video spoken in Tu’un Savi was shot while the Day of the Death celebration took place. This holiday is one of the most significant celebrations for the Mexican community, commemorating the lives of those who have passed away. 

The idea that inspired this video was the celebratory element of this holiday to honor those who, unfortunately, passed away due to the pandemic.