Exploring the Tapestry of Migrations to North America: A Scenic Reflection

Performance at CISAN sheds Light on Migrant exploitation and Resilience

Mexico City, December 4, 2025 – A powerful new performance debuted at the Centre for Research on North America (CISAN) yesterday, drawing attention to the harsh realities faced by migrant day laborers, notably women, traversing the borders of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Inspired by journalist Kau sirenio’s book, Migrant day laborers.Transnational exploitation, the performance blends ethnographic research, theatrical direction, and poignant storytelling to create a deeply moving experiance.

The production, a key component of the PAPIIT Project IN 302324 – “Communication and diplomacy of diasporas,” and in collaboration with the University Seminar of Studies on Internal Displacement, Migration, Exile and Repatriation (SUDIMER) – aims to disseminate academic knowledge through the impactful medium of performing arts. it’s a deliberate move away from traditional research dissemination, seeking to connect with audiences on an emotional and visceral level.

The performance doesn’t shy away from depicting the brutal realities of exploitation and abuse. Scenes explicitly address the harassment endured by migrant women, highlighting thier double vulnerability as both migrants and women. Drawing inspiration from the “theater of the oppressed,” the production utilizes body language and movement to evoke empathy and raise awareness, blurring the lines between performers and audience.

A unique element of the work is its use of cartography through epistolary narrative – letters exchanged between those who migrate and those who remain. This technique breathes life into memory, transforming it into a tool for liberation and remembrance. The voices of children, recounting the journeys of their mothers to the United States and Canada, add a particularly resonant layer to the narrative, delivered through reimagined letters read by male performers.

This premiere at CISAN marks a notable step in utilizing artistic expression to address critical social issues and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. The performance serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of migration and a call for greater understanding and justice.

How did the Bering strait Theory traditionally explain the initial migration of people to north America, and what evidence now supports the Coastal Migration theory as a complementary or alternative route?

The First Footprints: Indigenous Peoples and Early Migrations

north America’s story isn’t one of simple arrival; it’s a complex layering of migrations spanning millennia. Before European contact,the continent was populated by diverse Indigenous groups,their ancestors having migrated from Asia across the Bering Land Bridge – often referred to as Beringia – during the last Ice Age. This wasn’t a single event, but a series of movements occurring over thousands of years, beginning perhaps as early as 20,000 years ago.

* Bering Strait Theory: The most widely accepted theory posits migration via Beringia,a landmass connecting Siberia and Alaska when sea levels were lower.

* Coastal Migration Theory: Increasing evidence suggests an alternative or complementary route: migration along the Pacific coastline, utilizing boats.Archaeological discoveries support this, revealing settlements dating back over 16,000 years.

* Paleo-Indian Cultures: The earliest North American cultures, like the Clovis, demonstrate sophisticated hunting techniques and adaptation to diverse environments.

Understanding these initial migrations is crucial to appreciating the continent’s deep history and the enduring legacy of Indigenous cultures. Terms like “First Nations,” “Native Americans,” and “Indigenous populations” are all important when discussing this period.

Colonial Era Migrations: A Transatlantic Shift (16th-18th Centuries)

The arrival of Europeans in the 15th and 16th centuries initiated a new wave of migrations, dramatically reshaping the demographic landscape of North America. This period was characterized by both voluntary and forced migration.

European Colonization & Settlement Patterns

* Spanish Colonization: Focused on central and South America, with significant settlements in Florida, the Southwest, and California. Driven by gold,God,and glory.

* French Colonization: Primarily concentrated in Canada and along the Mississippi River. Focused on fur trade and establishing relationships with Indigenous populations.

* British Colonization: Established thirteen colonies along the Atlantic coast, driven by religious freedom, economic opportunity, and land ownership. This led to diverse settlement patterns, from the plantation economies of the South to the merchant communities of New England.

* Dutch Colonization: New Netherland (present-day New york) was a significant, though short-lived, colonial presence, focused on trade.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade: A Forced Migration

Perhaps the most tragic chapter in North American migration history is the forced migration of millions of Africans through the transatlantic slave trade. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, enslaved Africans were brought to the Americas to work on plantations, primarily in the Southern colonies and Caribbean.

* The Middle Passage: The brutal journey across the Atlantic, characterized by horrific conditions and high mortality rates.

* Impact on African Cultures: The slave trade decimated African societies and led to the suppression of African cultures in the Americas, though elements survived and blended with existing traditions.

* Legacy of Slavery: The enduring effects of slavery continue to shape American society today, including racial inequality and systemic discrimination.

19th Century Immigration: The Rise of a Nation

The 19th century witnessed a massive influx of immigrants to North america, fueled by industrialization, westward expansion, and political upheaval in Europe. This period saw a shift in the origins of immigrants.

Waves of European Immigration

* Northern and Western Europeans (Early 19th Century): Primarily from Ireland,Germany,and Great Britain,seeking economic opportunities and escaping famine (Irish Potato Famine) and political unrest.

* Southern and Eastern Europeans (Late 19th Century): Increasing numbers arrived from Italy, Poland, Russia, and Austria-Hungary, often facing discrimination and hardship.

* Push and Pull Factors: “Push” factors included poverty, persecution, and lack of opportunity in Europe.”Pull” factors included economic prosperity, religious freedom, and the availability of land in North America.

Westward Expansion & Internal Migration

Alongside international immigration, the 19th century also saw significant internal migration within North America, driven by the promise of land and opportunity in the West.

* The Oregon Trail & California Gold Rush: These events spurred massive migrations westward, leading to the settlement of the American West.

* Homestead Act of 1862: Encouraged settlement of the Great Plains by offering free land to settlers.

* Impact on Indigenous Populations: Westward expansion resulted in the displacement and dispossession of Indigenous peoples, leading to conflict and cultural disruption.

20th & 21st Century Migrations: Globalization and Diversity

The 20th and 21st centuries have seen continued migration to North America, increasingly from diverse regions of the world. Globalization, economic disparities, and political instability have all contributed to these movements.

Changing Immigration Patterns

* Latin American Immigration: Mexico, Central America, and South America have become major sources of immigrants, driven by economic hardship, political violence, and the desire for better opportunities.

* Asian Immigration: Immigration from Asia has increased significantly, particularly from china, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

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