Jesus “Chucho” Ruiz Vai Sevoi – Eudeve (Opata) Tlamanalcah is the son of
Leonor and Juventino, partner of Maria Molina Vai Sevoi, and father of six
children. Over the past 20 years, Chucho has transformed the lives of countless
youth through a La Cultura Cura approach through grassroots organizing and
youth engagement and later as an employee of Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC).
Additionally, Chucho has served as a central facilitator of la tradición through his
affirmation and maintenance of Nahua cultural practices and way of life,
commitment to social justice, and obligation to the Tucson community. Chucho
has served as a central facilitator of la tradición Nahua within the Calpolli
Teoxicalli, a constellation of Nahua familias in Tlamanalco.
Chucho has always answered the call to meet the needs in of the Chicana
community as cultural advisor, authentic community leader, and “barrio
intellectual.” Chucho has worked to create indigenous solidarity by building
intertribal relationships with indigenous communities across Turtle Island. In the
last seven years, Chucho has been intentional in engaging men and boys
through his work, implementing A Call to Men’s Live Respect Coaching Healthy
Manhood curriculum in several local high schools and also collaborating with
local organization Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, and specifically
with Emerge’s Men Education Program, as a co-facilitator. Chucho founded the
CHANTLACAH O.G. (Homies, Original Gente) talking circles and camp/gathering
for young men/male-identified youth of color to discuss healthy masculinity.
Chucho is the lead facilitator of A Call To Warriors, a monthly virtual community
conversation series for Indigenous Men.