From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Spokane comes alive with the vibrant rhythms, rich flavors, and heartfelt stories of Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a celebration that bridges generations, shatters stereotypes, and honors the profound contributions of the Latino community to the city’s cultural mosaic.
A place to look for Hispanic Heritage is Latinos en Spokane, a local organization that focuses on fostering citizen engagement, promoting integration, and supporting the Latino community.
Monica Guzman, a representative of the group, explained their mission.
“We provide wraparound services for new Latino families, including help with housing, health insurance, registering kids for school, and sharing job opportunities,” says Guzman.
“We work to provide these kinds of resources for them.”
Beyond providing services, Latinos en Spokane is committed to challenging common stereotypes and misconceptions about Latino culture.
“I think that a lot of people think Latinos are bad people. That we are criminals. We are not drug addicts. We are not bad people. We are hard workers, we go to church and put food on the table.”
“I don’t like that stereotype. We’ve tried to find a way to give our families a good future to keep working and be a good example for our kids. Trying to be good citizens. We aim to show the good side of Latinos.”
The development of Latinos en Spokane gratifies the positive traditions of shared cultures and heritage.
“Food, music, dance, is everything in Latino culture,” says Guzman.
“As well as family. Family is everything. It is part of our culture. If we don’t have food, if we don’t have music, it is not a celebration.”
Odalys Sanchez Cedillo embodies Mexican culture which helped paved the way for her own professional opportunities. She holds a position as a senior student at Gonzaga University.
“I’m currently working with our Community Center for engagement as the advocacy liaison focused on migration so that really entails getting to connect with our community and our campus partners,” says Cedillo.
“I am the daughter of immigrants, so culture is definitely very important to me and it always has been. I grew up around an immigrant community with low income.”
“My culture was implicated in who I am and that is why Hispanic Heritage Month is so important to me because it is also a teaching moment. I love coming to campus and being able to participate in activities that are centered around my culture and being able to be in community with people is always something that’s very important.”
She expresses her stance on how people of different backgrounds can best support and show solidarity with Hispanic communities both during this month and beyond.
“We need to show appreciation for the community and come to recognize we are here all year round,” says Cedillo.
“We have so many communities around us, that it is important to show that appreciation beyond the month. We need to recognize Latinos have always been here and there are so many communities within us.”
Another way to see a strong flow of Hispanic Heritage in Spokane is through restaurants throughout the city. Such as the Mexican restaurant La Michoacana located in Spokane Valley. Speaking with the owner Simon Garcia about his journey as an entrepreneur.
“In 2000, we started with a little grocery store, which is where Choos Choos Tortas is right now,” says Garcia.”
“That is where we started. This small, small place but then we started to grow little by little after that we had to switch to this location. Eight to nine years ago.”
His business motivates Latinos that anything is possible with the right amount of hard work and determination. From the beginning of 2000 to 24 years later his restaurant still shares his Mexican values and stands strong. Selling food, piñatas, and pan dulce. Reflecting the enrichment in Hispanic Heritage Month all year long within Hispanic culture. Expressing the cultural significance in his food, Simon’s most meaningful dish on his menu.
“Definitely tacos.”