Today, there are over 3,500 Native American remains unearthed from Texas soil, stored in cardboard boxes, and housed in institutions throughout Texas. Despite a federal law passed in 1990 that requires institutions to begin repatriating all remains, few museums and universities have complied, continuing to hold their collections intact. This is the historical setting for “Napakō”, a new play for young audiences that chronicles the journey of two young cousins who fight for the right to rebury their ancestors. Written by the playwrights of the award-winning play “Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet”, “Napakō” will have its first reading on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at the Price Center, 222 W. San Antonio St., in San Marcos. The event is funded by the City of San Marcos Arts Commission.
Maria Rocha and Roxanne Schroeder-Arce are joined as playwrights by Genevieve Schroeder-Arce, representing three generations of writers committed to authentic representation of those original bands of Coahuiltecan people who have inhabited Texas and northern Mexico for over 13,000 years.
“Napakō means ‘our journey’ in the ancient Coahuiltecan language of the original people of Texas,” Rocha said “It’s the story of two cousins who journey across Texas to answer the call of their ancestors.”
