"The School of the Jaguar" by Amanda Piña, is a project aimed at understanding human and non-human relationships through the lens of Amerindian thought. As an artistic context, it seeks to inspire an ecology of knowledge by utilizing art to delve into the possibilities of this intricate relationship.

Living in a world largely shaped by the colonization of the Americas and compounded by the urgency of climate change and mass extinction, it is now more critical than ever to appreciate the diverse perspectives of First Nation peoples. It is a timely necessity to acknowledge their profound epistemic value, going beyond the superficiality of New Age trends and exoticism.

Within "The School of the Jaguar" various forms of knowledge intertwine, promoting a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and the land. It creates an environment where distinct ways of knowing converge, facilitating dialogue and mutual learning. By honoring the wisdom of First Nation peoples and their deep connection to nature, "The School of the Jaguar" aspires to create a new knowledge paradigm that respects the delicate equilibrium between humanity and our shared environment.

This unique space comprises the performance piece "The Jaguar and the Snake," a Wixarrika dance workshop, and a lecture series titled "The Jaguar Talks." In this milieu, different forms of knowledge converse without the barriers of traditional hierarchies, thanks to the collaborative effort of individuals from diverse backgrounds like anthropology, visual arts, choreography, philosophy, dance science, and contemporary indigenous shamanism.

"The Jaguar and the Snake" is a performance that draws inspiration from the diverse beings that populate Amerindian oral and visual narratives. Artists Amanda Piña, Lina María Venegas, and Yoan Sorin embody Amerindian iconography, specifically focusing on the fusion and transformation of animal, human, and vegetal forms. Their performance explores potential relationships between these entities, providing a profound insight into the Amerindian understanding of nature and culture.

"Dancing like Wixarika" a three-day workshop, intersects Amerindian ritual dances with somatic dance practices. Participants engage in traditional Wixarika dance and choreographic materials from "The Jaguar and the Snake," guided through various dance routines, exercises, and practices designed to induce trance-like states and disrupt the linear perception of time. The workshop emphasizes the generation and circulation of energy through movement, perceptual shifts, and the embodiment of animalistic states. It also aims to impart key concepts related to Wixarika dance and its foundational principles.

"The Jaguar Talks" an enlightening lecture series, explores the understanding of the body and the subject prevalent in many Native cultures across the Americas. It examines implications for identity concepts, focusing on the relationships between humans, animals, and other-than-human beings. Distinguished speakers, including a Wixarika Mara'akame (ritual leader and singer),  provide engaging discussions on topics like the notion of "sacred land," the decolonization of the senses, indigenous contemporaneity and ritual art, and alternative conceptualizations of relationships between animals, humans, and plants.

"The School of the Jaguar" harmoniously unites these interconnected elements, eliminating the traditional hierarchies that often separate different forms of knowledge. It creates a diverse, enriching, and transformative experience by merging anthropology, visual arts, choreography, philosophy, dance science, decolonial thought, dance and somatic practices, and contemporary indigenous shamanism.By championing the wisdom of First Nation peoples and their intimate connection with nature, "The School of the Jaguar" fosters a novel knowledge paradigm—one that reveres and upholds the delicate balance between humanity and the environment.