Ep. 3 of Echoes from the Edge: Voices on the Margin with Nely Esparza-Gutierrez

Join #beyondFLG for a special series titled Echoes from the Edge: Voices on the Margin.  This series will explore in detail the actual lived experiences of immigrants in northern AZ and the individuals that help them navigate the pathway to documented status including Northern Arizona Legal Services director, Grace Vaughan, and immigration attorney, Kelly Rowe.  Additionally, Chip Thomas, local artist/activist, offers some insight into experiences documenting borderlands and immigration.

In today’s episode, we are joined by Nely Esparza-Gutierrez.  Nely moved to Flagstaff as a young child and had an early interest in pediatric medicine that has led her to a career in nursing.  Nely describes her early life experiences that include some periods of isolation in the name of protection and the lingering fears and anxiety that manifest to this day as a result of uncertainty in immigration status.  

Of note, Nely references the protests against government policy, specifically immigration policy, that occurred in mid-June with specific reference to the protests in Los Angeles.  Additionally, Nely shares about sexual assault in the latter half of this episode.  A valuable resource for individuals who have experienced sexual assault is Victim’s Witness and the contact information for that agency in Flagstaff is [phone].  

Thank you for joining us to hear from Nely and tune in next week for another episode from “Echoes from the Edge: Voices on the Margin,” as we hear from Grace Vaughan, director of Northern Arizona Immigration Legal Services (NAILS).

Ways to support as suggested by guests of this series:

• Understand the complex and nuanced nature of immigration status and have dialogue with others that include that nuance.
• Talk to neighbors and community members about the topic of immigration.
• Volunteer or donate to Northern Arizona Immigration Legal Services (NAILS) https://thinkliteracy.org/northern-arizona-immigration-legal-services-nails/.
• Message us about joining Keep Flagstaff Together (KFT).
• Volunteer with Culture Connections including dialogue with community members through the Vecinos program https://www.cultureconnectionaz.org/.

Thank you to Compost Crowd for sponsoring this episode!  Check them out at https://www.compostcrowd.com/.  Use coupon code beyondflg to receive your first month of service free.

Join Echoes from the Edge: Voices on the Margin for weekly episodes and support NAILS by joining our block party silent auction at Beyond the Pines on Friday, 8/22, from 6:00-9:00pm.  Enjoy Pizzicletta, drinks from MotherRoad (including NAs), live local music, and learn more about or donate to NAILS through our silent auction.

What is #beyondFLG?

Flagstaff is a remarkable place full or remarkable people. Some may even say that Flagstaff is the best place on Earth and some may say that such a statement is hyperbolic. Either way, there is no other place exactly like it, and that includes the people that contribute to it. Flagstaff is full of people with diverse backgrounds that possess a wide range of interests, skills, and stories. This variety of interests, skills, and stories contributes to the textured and unique feel of the area.

#BeyondFLG is a podcast aimed at highlighting the natural beauty of this region and the peoples that contribute to it. Some may describe this podcast as award winning based on the badges given to it through the podcast platform while others may say that the show is underproduced and overstated. #beyondFLG is hosted by two local psychologists and founders of Beyond the Pines, A Flagstaff Wellness Collective; Cody Bayles and Dan Phillips. Their values lie in promoting connection to self, others, and the natural world and their efforts occasionally hit somewhere near that mark, let’s say adjacent to it. Join them as they go #beyondFLG with members of the Flagstaff community and explore the overall connection to the area, their craft, and others.