I thought it might be nice to begin introducing some of the Ambassadors of the Federation of Aboriginal Nations of the Americas (FANA) to the general public. I would also like to occasionally share some very funny moments that occurred while FANA was first getting organized.
So this article is a deviation from how I have been covering FANA.
The first person I would like to write about is an Ambassador who I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing and of working with him for over a decade. His name is Mazatazin (Maz) Casae Acosta. He is of Kickapoo and Chichimeca descent. He is one of the most interesting persons I have met in my lifetime.
He is one of the leading experts on the Aztec Calendar and had spent over 23 years studying and working with educators who had studied in depth the pre and post-Hispanic “codices and records”. He is also working with modern researchers.
He is a Peace Ambassador for the United Nations and in the video that is attached, is an interview with him, which details many of his accomplishments and a short explanation of the Aztec Calendar. Please remember he is now FANA’s ambassador to Mexico, Central, and South Americas. He is responsible for reclaiming many of the lost artifacts and codices. Especially the codices dealing with the Aztec calendar. That is one of his main objectives and FANA supports his endeavors.
I would like to share a rather funny but embarrassing moment that I shared with Maz and Principal Chief Holloway at the very beginning of our friendship.
About a decade ago we were just getting into formulating FANA and who was going to do what until we were able to set up the hierarchy of members, departments, Ambassadors, and Chiefs. We were also trying to work out attending events either in person, virtually, or being told about an event and reporting on it after the fact.
During this time, Chief Holloway and I stayed in contact with Maz. One day I received a message from Chief Holloway telling me that Maz was going to be doing an international event on such and such date and that the President of Mexico, and other international leaders and ambassadors would be present. The Chief wanted me to know that I would be writing an article about it and he would get back to me.
Weeks passed and I was driving in my car when I got a phone call from the Chief. He wanted to know what I was doing and where was I.
Me: I’m in my car driving and doing errands.
Chief: What do you mean- you are supposed to be on the computer, doing a virtual meeting with Maz, myself, with the President of Mexico, and other dignitaries!
Me: What?
Chief: I told you about the virtual conference as neither you nor I can get to Mexico. Maz was expecting you.
Me: I never received the link or invite! ( at this point I am driving as fast as I could lawfully without getting a ticket to get home)
Chief: I’m sending it now.
Me: OK will be home in a few minutes.
Needless to say, I got home, got online, and joined the conference. Then out of nowhere, Maz introduces me.
You have to understand that there had been a miscommunication between Maz and the Chief, and then between the Chief and me as to the fact that I was supposed to attend the meeting and introduce myself and what I was doing with FANA at the very beginning of the event.
What do you say when you are an hour late and now attending a high-ranking meeting with international figures? You think of something very quickly, make a humorous joke out of being late as you apologize for the mixup, and accomplished exactly what Maz had wanted.
The chief said that I had pulled it off brilliantly for someone unprepared to speak before such an audience.
Anyway, that was how my first real global interaction went with Maz as he was trying to get himself organized as well. Thus began the Chief, Maz, and myself working together to reach the friendship I share with him.
As I mentioned above, Maz is quite a learned man and teacher. I do not mean to make light of my relationship with him. However, now and then, it is nice to share some of the missteps we made while evolving FANA into the global Federation it is today.
Please click the link below to learn more about this incredible man and to read the in-depth description of his background, accomplishments, and the Aztec calendar.
https://youtu.be/8RMbFYHP1j4?si=LMiz0R__p2uMnZgk