The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) book award, established by the Southwest Word Fiesta, recognizes the best book by an author of Hispanic descent who lives in the  Southwest. The book must have been published in the last two years, that is, since the most recent Southwest Word Fiesta conference. The winner is chosen by LULAC’s Council 8003 of Silver City, and the award is administered by the Southwest Word Fiesta steering committee. 

The first winner is Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz for her book Earth  Medicines: Ancestral Wisdom, Healing Recipes, and Wellness Rituals  from a Curandera, published by Roost Books in November 2021. Roost  Books is an imprint of Shambhala Publications, a counter-cultural  publisher since 1969. Their books are distributed by Penguin Random  House. Last year Earth Medicines received a Reading the West Award in  the category of Eating the West. 

Ruiz is a curandera (a traditional healer), and an indigenous foods  activist and holistic chef. She lives in Phoenix with her husband.  She is of Hispanic and indigenous descent. Earth Medicines is available from Shambala Publications. Known as the “Kitchen Curandera,” Ruiz shares her knowledge in private consultations, workshops, and  ceremonies.

LULAC is the oldest Hispanic civil rights organization, founded in 1929 in Corpus  Christi, Texas. At its recent national convention in Albuquerque, the Council 8003 of Silver City was honored with its Council of the Year  award. Among 8003’s leaders are Fred Baca, Lynn Baca, Frances Vasquez, and Javier Marrufo. 

The first Southwest Word Fiesta—LULAC Book Award will be  presented on October 27 at 6:30 pm at the biennial SWWF conference in Silver City at the Besse Forward Global Resource Center on the Western New Mexico University campus.