Educator and writer Jamie Yancovitz will present on the following:
From pre-colonial to modern history in the Philippines, warrior matriarchs have played an important role in the resistance against Spanish, American, and Japanese occupation forces. Through the fighting arts of Kali, also known as Arnis or Eskrima, Filipinos have survived by the blade. In 2016, Survival Arts Academy was established in Bacolod City, Philippines to protect women and children against all forms of violence, leading the first ever Kali women and gender-expansive group internationally. Survival Arts training is rooted in the fighting arts system of Pekiti Tirsia Kali, which has been protecting Filipino families since 1897. Drawing from warrior matriarchs of the past and present, Survival Arts brings the knowledge back to the Philippines and throughout the diaspora to combat violence against women and children, and protect the most marginalized communities in society.