PACHACAMAK

FOLK FOUNDATION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH
ART- WOMAN OF THE AMERICAS

WOMAN, CHILDREN,
GENDER AND ENVIRONMENT.

ABOUT US

Pachacamak Folk Foundation is created to honor the Andean indigenous traditions of Carmen Edith Freeze ancestors and family, to promote economical development, environment sustainability and the empowerment of women and children through the Indigenous Folk Art. Pachacamak Folk Foundation officially is an Illinois-based non-profit organization. Regularly works with notable public organizations in the Chicago area including Museum of Science and Industry, Old Town School of Folk, Northwestern University, University of Chicago ( United Nations Festival), Joffrey Ballet, Ogden, Interamerican Public Schools and Rogers Park Montesori School. Pachacamak Folk Foundation have been well received by cultural community and the general public.

OUTREACH

ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM - MAMA LAKE MICHIGAN

Pachacamak believes that nature give us everything without any trade or money charge. It is free. Nature only ask our protection.Learn More...

Thanks to all of the amazing guardians of nature! Your help cleaning Montrose beach is priceless. It was great to see you and connect with you and nature!

ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

Pachacamak Folk Foundation is created to honor the Andean indigenous traditions of Carmen Edith Freeze ancestors and family, to promote economical development, environment sustainability and the empowerment of women and children through the Indigenous Folk Art. Pachacamak Folk Foundation officially is an Illinois-based non-profit organization. Regularly works with notable public organizations in the Chicago area including Museum of Science and Industry, Old Town School of Folk, Northwestern University, University of Chicago ( United Nations Festival), Joffrey Ballet, Ogden, Interamerican Public Schools and Rogers Park Montesori School. Pachacamak Folk Foundation have been well received by cultural community and the general public.

VISION & MISSION

The vision of Pachacamak Folk Foundation is to offer communities a exposure to a broad ancient and modern art, performed at the highest level. We empower women, youth and children with art and encourage them to break free from the chains of self- limiting belief patterns and cultural conditioning that have traditionally kept then suppressed and unable to see their true beauty and power. Pachacamak Folk Foundation believe that the ancient and modern arts are critical to a healthy, prosperous society. We work to promote policies that uphold these values: The arts foster civic engagement, stimulate economic activity, and increase cultural empathy, and thus play a crucial role in sustaining thriving communities.

Pachacamak Folk Foundation wants to help and promote Americas Indigenous peoples arts to develop their own economies and their own approaches to economic self-sufficiency, sustainability and success. In collaboration with leaders from Indigenous governments, other governments and business, our goal is to advance Indigenous economic innovation and economic health. A strong Indigenous foundation reflects traditional knowledge and respect for Indigenous peoples and their cultures all over the Americas.

outreach

OUTREACH PROGRAM

PACHACAMAK FOLK DANCCE PROGRAMAndean-Afro Ecuadorian folklore dance and music reflects the multiethnic and multicultural character of the Kichwa nation of Ecuador. Dances and music have been influenced by the traditional indigenous music of the peoples of the Andes Mountains and the adjacent jungle regions, as well as the dances and music of the African and Spanish-descended peoples.

Popular rhythms that contribute to Andean- Afro Ecuadorian folklore dance and music include, but are not limited to, the Albazos, the Pasacalles, the San Juanitos, the Tonadas, and the Yaravies. One can also find dances and music that have retained much of their African cultural heritage. For example, in the Esmeraldas region of Ecuador, there exists the African rhythm known as Marirmba. Further, the combination of African and Andean cultures has produced a very particular kind of dance and music known as Bomba. ** Pachacamak Folk Dance rehearsal fuses hypnotic Andean and Afro-Ecuadorian rhythms with easy-to- follow movements to create an eclectic and dynamic dance form that will captivate and transport you. We invite you to join us in Andean folk dance. Aside from being a form of cultural expression, it is also great exercise. Pachacamak dancers achieve many long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in two hours of exhilarating, calorie-burning, body-energizing, movements. The routines feature interval-training sessions where fast and slow rhythms. The use of scarves, bottles and other props in some dances increases self-expression and balance.

ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM - MAMA LAKE MICHIGANPachacamak believes that nature give us everything without any trade or money charge. It is free. Nature only ask our protection. Pachacamak Folk Foundation educates children and youth to a conscientious garbage recycling system. Knowing that Chicago is a Windy City and the strong win can promote garbage flowing around the lake water in combination with man made garbage, we are committed organize groups to collect any waste in our Mama Lake Michigan to keep it healthy and free or garbage/plastic .We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Native American proverb. When home sick, when emotions of loneliness arise, when happiness is visiting, when guilt is overwhelming your lap always hug me with your refreshing cold and warm waters Mama Michigan. Pachacamak.

PACHACAMAK OUTREACH PROGRAMA HAVE WORKED AND SHARED THEIR ART WITH:Ogden School CPS
Montesori Rogers Park
Inter American School
Museum of Science and Industry
Story Catchers Theater Changing Voices.
Joffrey Ballet
Old Town School of Folk

TEAM

FOUNDER

CARMEN EDITH PACHACAMAC FREEZECarmen Edith Freeze was born Carmen Edith Pachacama-Pachacama in Quito, the capital of the Republic of Ecuador, in South America where the latitude is almost 00° 00’ 00”, a place full of traditions, magic and love. Her family name, Pachacama, derives from Pachacamak, the name of the pre-Inca creator god of the indigenous people of what is today Peru. The temple of Pachacamak was in the valley south of the present city of Lima, Peru. Pacha translates as “the world,” while camak is thought to mean either “creator”or “animator.” The cult of Pachacamak was eventually adopted into the Inca cult of the sun. In Inca mythology, the creator was also called Pachayachachik, meaning the “Teacher of the World.” Pachayachachik was sometimes represented as the demi-god son of the creator or as a human being with miraculous powers who, as the culture hero of the people, was responsible for bringing humans the arts of civilization following the mythological flood and the creation or recreation of humankind.

Carmen Edith started her art training at five years of age at the Youth Ballet of Quito and her gymnastics training at eight years of age at the School of Youth Gymnastics of Pichincha. At age 11, she began serious training in Andean Afro Ecuadorian folk art and attended “Colegio Experimental Simon Bolivar" where she studied folk dance performance and choreography with Mrs. Susana Rosero. Carmen Edith has performed with the Simon Bolivar Theater and La Casa de la Cultura. Her main dance folk character was the “Aya Huma” or “Spirit Head”.In addition she studied Science in Commerce and Administration. After Carmen Edith went to University Technological Equinoctial to study two years of Financial Engineering. In 2000, attended Loyola University in Chicago to Study American Culture and ESL. Carmen Edith is also a Northwestern University-certified trainer in the measuring system Children and Adolescents Strengths and Needs, which is used to train and create reports that help with the policies and practices of ICDFS. Carmen Edith directed various projects with the Mental Health Services and Policy Program of Northwestern University. She managed three projects (Integrated Assessment, Child and Youth Investment Team, and Intact Families) for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS).

Carmen Edith strengths are research and analysis and is passionate about economical development on Indigenous woman, children and nature, natural resources protection.Currently Carmen Edith is attending a combined Master program in Economics and Policy Research at DePaul University. In addition she directs Pachacamak Folk Foundation programs, helping the Chicago community. She works closely with couple Chicago Public Schools, Montesori Rogers Park, Museum of Science and Industry and Joffrey Ballet. Also Woman from different communities in Chicago. The programs play a critical role in improving and extending the reach of awareness, consciousness of Folk Art through activities such as indigenous traditions education, art , environment education, basic environment screening, and facilitating access to Pachacamak Folk Foundation programs. These activities can directly and indirectly improve health, wellbeing outcomes of individuals and communities. Carmen Edith believes It is important to monitor and evaluate outreach efforts to show how committees outcomes are improved. Outreach programs can show they have improved communities outcomes by using evidence-based measures.

Board of Directors

CYDNEY CLEVELANDCHIEFCydney joined Pachacamak folk Foundation in 2007 and continue given the Chief Executive her annual evaluations regarding the performance in achieving Pachacamak Folk Foundation mission.

STEFANIE SHANEBROOKVICE CHIEFStefanie Shanebrook has been with Pachacamak Folk since 2007. She holds an MA in Art History and an MAT in Elementary Education. A former museum educator, she has been teaching kindergarten at Ogden International School, a Chicago Public School, since 2015. Although most of her dance experience is in ballet, she enjoys the collective experience of folk dance.

TRACY FEHRENBACHBOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBERTracy Fehrenbach, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago where she serves as the Co-Director of the Center for Child Trauma Assessment and Service Planning. For the past 15 years, Dr. Fehrenbach has specialized in research, evaluation and clinical work.. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and has presented nationally and internationally on these topics.

NINA SANDERSBOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBERNina Sanders, Senior Fellow at the University of Chicago, Neubauer Collegium, is a curator, writer, and culture consultant. Sanders has done work for the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, NM, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and the Field Museum in Chicago where she curated the groundbreaking exhibition "Apsaalooke Women and Warriors".

ARIADNA ESCAMILLAPRESERVATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTORAri balances life between her family, cello, juggling, making art, creating educational content for underserved communities, and her corporate job. Inspired by people that believe they can change the world, she has decided that this life is worth living if only to create a positive change by educating people in ways to live a more respectful and sustainable life for the environment. She believes that our birth right is to thrive and to live in a world that is clean and for that, education is the key- and that is why she is here for!

KATIE CONDONFLORA AND FAUNA ADVOCATE RESEARCHERKatie started in Pachacamak foundation in 2021: mostly being involved in the Saturday morning beach cleanups at Montrose bird sanctuary and becoming more and more in love with the water from there. Katie started becoming more interested in the natural world in college when joining a local CSA (community supported agriculture) and then traveling to work on organic farms through WWOOF which stands for World Wide Opportunities in Organic Farming. Going on to teach at a nature school in Northern CA and studying herbalism. She is currently getting her masters degree in Chinese Medicine outside of Chicago and learning more herbal medicine from that tradition. Her mission with Pachacamak is to continue the clean ups while also learning about our local plants and animals and how to best protect and honor them.

JULIE BRANNENCONSERVATION ADVOCACY EXECUTIVEJulie Brannen's mission is to restore, rewild, + reunite humanity with nature via the avenues of creativity, community, education, health + wellness.Her greatest joy comes from guiding folks into an organic + compassionate practice of fiercely approaching vulnerability + embodying whole-hearted living. Her goal is to create brave, inclusive spaces in order to allow for radiant expression, courageous liberation, + uplifting connection.Currently, as a performing artist, she shares her self-love journey in the form of burlesque + erotic dance as persona Frann Fatale. As a somatic counselor + dance/movement therapist, she is the Founder of her own private practice Hues of Wholeness. As a trained birth doula, she supports mothers + families during pregnancy + childbirth. She also facilitates transformative festivals in the Chicago // Midwest area + hosts retreats, trainings, + immersions internationally.Additionally, she is the Founder + “Mama Wolf” of SheWolf Sacred, an intersectional, socially responsive, artistic community dedicated to honoring the embodied Divine Feminine.She is a Certified Reiki Master Teacher (Usui + Holy Fire), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Registered Dance/Movement Therapist, with a Master of Arts in Dance/Movement Therapy + Counseling, + Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis from Columbia College

CONTACT

DROP A LINE

We are a dance troupe in flux and rehearse in many places but our headquarters share space with Cafe Pachacamak right in Chicago. You are always welcome to come and enjoy our delicious food and culture.Email:
carmenfreeze@pachacamak.orgCall us:
773-220-0599