JACKSON, Wyo. — After years of effort to establish a Sister City relationship with Tlaxcala, Mexico, the Town Council unanimously voted to send a “introductory letter” to the current administration of Hueyotlipan (Hueyo), a small, mountainous town in the state of Tlaxcala.
Councilwoman Alyson Spery, who received a Fulbright Fellowship to work on a film project with the locals of Tlaxcala, stated at the meeting that building a relationship with the Mexican community has been “a long time in the making.”
Mayor Arne Jorgensen stated that the introduction letter to Hueyo represents a “important first step” between the two towns.
“The initial step of reaching out will continue the community’s long standing commitment to foster a relationship with Tlaxcala,” Jorgensen told reporters.
Susan Scarlata, Director of External Affairs for the Town of Jackson, told Town Council that the goal of fostering a Sister City relationship is to learn from one another, explore new opportunities, and gain perspectives on what is going on in both regions on a local level.
“So many people here have strong ancestral ties to Tlaxcala, Mexico,” Scarlata told me. “It’s important to foster and build this connection with Tlaxcala.”
The Town of Jackson previously approved a resolution to form a Sister City relationship with Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl, the capital of the Mexican state of Tlaxcala. The resolution was approved in Jackson but never officially reciprocated by the Mexican city.
Scarlata stated at the meeting that some people in Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl “didn’t know anything about Jackson Hole” or have a connection to the area. Spery told Buckrail that Jackson and the capital city had “never established a relationship in both directions.”
In May, JHHS students attended a Town Council meeting and urged officials to continue working on developing a Sister City relationship with the state of Tlaxcala. The students emphasized the importance of assisting others in developing a better understanding and appreciation of their Mexican heritage.
The town decided last year that the smaller town of Hueyo made more sense as a Sister City because “Hueyo houses the equivalent of a ‘county-seat'” for these two towns, according to the staff report.
According to the Town of Jackson, many Tlaxcaltecans who live in Jackson come from Hueyo, San Simeon, and other nearby towns, including San Lucas Tecopilco.
Spery told Buckrail that multi-generational families have strong ancestral ties to Hueyo and account for a sizable portion of the Jackson community.
“We are just interconnected in so many ways,” Spery explained. “I see cars down there [in Hueyo] with 22 plates and bumper stickers from nearby businesses. You speak with people who can communicate back and forth. It’s difficult to explain how fluid it has been. People are still obtaining visas to come.”
Spery stated that a Sister City relationship with Hueyo would recognize the contributions of those who moved to Jackson from Tlaxcala.
“It celebrates what we have here and what has taken root in both of our communities,” Spery told me. “It’s an obvious connection that both governments are interested in honoring.”
Jorgensen asked Spery to deliver the introductory letter to the Hueyo government when she visits the community later this week.
