home biographyportfolioresearchresumeno pdfCITLALIN XOCHIMEQUESTIONS FROM READERS:Q: How did you take your Nahuatl name?The first step in the path toward taking my indigenous name began with raising ideas on which name to take, doing research on Nahuatl, and seeking knowledge about my indigenous ancestry. I learned that indigenous people of Ixachilan (New World) heritage do not originate from patriarchal ruled societies, and therefore, we do not take on patriarchal surnames as a proposed lineage like Amerikans of European descent, do. Rather, native names were often taken based on personal characteristics, sometimes changing as one develops. For the Mexica, a single, condensed name was most common. After much thought, I decided to examine the first and middle names of my birth name "Susan Celeste." I knew I had been named after my father "Celestino" and my mom had chosen "Susan". From there, I sought out the meanings of those names and their cultural and linguistic origins. Basically, Susan Celeste is a Judeo-Christian name: Susan meaning "flower" and Celeste meaning "sky". In Nahuatl, Xochime means "flowers or blossoms," and Citalin means "star" - which is close enough in meaning to "sky" for me. I decided that I can live with the Euro-American laws that require us to choose a last "surname," though Xochime has no real application as a proposed lineage. Nor, do I profess that my name be passed down to my son. Native People do not follow a patriarchal lineage as people of Euro-American descent do.Another note, an ancient Maya/Indigenous belief that I hold with positive regard includes the concept that people originate as "star people," and so we will take on our cloak of stars again (meaning, we will return back to the stars). This concept has real scientific credibility as all matter from the earth and beyond originates from stardust. As for taking the name Citlalin (Star), this name has great meaning and value to me, as I credit the power of the stars in the sky for my earthly existence.Finally, I prepared a brief summary of background information on my indigenous name, its cultural origin, and its place among New World language groups. I added a short list of a few Nahuatl words that are common to the English language, and I sent the summary to family and friends while informing them of my name change. For those who are interested in the legal process of my name change and my upcoming court hearing, please feel free to contact me by email or telephone for more detailed information. The summary describing my name changed can be accessed at: Citlalin.pdf.