ABOUT US
The US Igorot Society (TUSIS) is an non-profit, non-partisan, and non-political organization dedicated to the preservation of knowledge, commemoration, and celebration of the Indigenous People of the Cordilleras in Northern Luzon, Philippines, collectively called Igorots, and their cultural heritage for educational purposes through the collection, creation, and curation of Igorot-related information. It maintains a repository of stories, art, coverage of events, and/or other media, documenting how aspects of the culture interweaves into the fabric of the modern world, mostly in the United States; and to promote experiences for those seeking connection with the culture and Igorot community.
MISSION
CULTIVATE SPACE FOR CONNECTION WITH IGOROT CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE, ITS COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE FOR OR CONTRIBUTE TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE.
CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE
The organization will be dedicated to preserving the Igorot Cultural heritage through collecting, creating, and curating media with Igorot-related information. Below are projects in the works:
Compilation of existing resources of works related to Igorot culture like artwork, media, publications, and stories.
Interviewing 1st Generation Igorot Americans about their experiences of coming to the United States and what they hope future generations will understand about being Igorot. Read more
COMMUNITY
TUSIS hopes to be a resource for Igorots in the United States with their cultural heritage by being an intermediary for those who seek connection. Below are actions taken to support the initiative to promote togetherness or camaraderie through culture.
CONTRIBUTE & CREATE
TUSIS hopes to create opportunities for connection to the culture by supporting projects and works that contribute to the greater knowledge of Igorots.
BACKGROUND
Many Igorot-Americans arrived to the United States before the turn of the 21st century, and are the first members of their lineages to settle in the US. As Igorots continue to immigrate or grow in numbers, generations deep, preserving the cultural heritage & historical knowledge for future generations to refer to be will the primary aim in this period of time while many of the 1st and 2nd Generation Igorot Immigrants are alive today to share their stories.
A big aspect of the Igorot culture is to honor ancestors. Its a hope the work of this organization reflects a semblance of that practice, and that it will be a scholarly resource for ethnic studies' reflections, recording the impact and experiences of Igorots in the Filipino diaspora.