Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with details about Tlaxcala provided by Councilwoman Alyson Spery, as well as the correct spelling of San Simeon.
JACKSON, Wyo. — After years of effort building a Sister City relationship with Tlaxcala, Mexico, Town Council unanimously voted to send an “introductory letter” to the current administration of Hueyotlipan (Hueyo), a small, mountainous town within the state of Tlaxcala.
During the meeting, Councilwoman Alyson Spery, who received a Fulbright Fellowship to work on a film project with the local people of Tlaxcala, said that fostering a relationship with the Mexican community has been “a long time in the making.” Mayor Arne Jorgensen said that the introduction letter to Hueyo is an “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 said.
Town of Jackson Director of External Affairs Susan Scarlata told Town Council that the goal of fostering a Sister City relationship is to learn from one another, further opportunities and to gain perspectives about what is happening in both regions on a local level.
“So many people here have strong ancestral ties to Tlaxcala, Mexico,” Scarlata said. “It’s important to foster and build this connection with Tlaxcala.”
The Town of Jackson previously passed a resolution to establish a Sister City relationship with Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl, the capital city of the Mexican state of Tlaxcala. The resolution, while approved in Jackson, was never officially reciprocated by the Mexican city.
During the meeting, Scarlata explained 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 “never established a relationship in both directions.”
In May, JHHS students attended a Town Council meeting, urging Town officials to continue to work on building a Sister City relationship with the state of Tlaxcala. The students emphasized the importance of helping others gain a better understanding and appreciation of their Mexican heritage.
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, per the staff report. According to the Town of Jackson, many Tlaxcaltecans who live in Jackson are from the towns of Hueyo, San Simeon and other neighboring towns including San Lucas Tecopilco.
Spery shared with Buckrail that multi-generational families have strong ancestral ties to Hueyo and make up a significant portion of the Jackson community.
“We are just interconnected in so many ways,” Spery said. “I see cars down there [in Hueyo] with 22 plates on them and bumper stickers from businesses around here. You talk to people who are able to go back and forth. It’s hard to describe how fluid it has been. People are still getting visas to come.”
Spery said that a Sister City relationship with Hueyo would honor the contributions from the people who have moved to Jackson from Tlaxcala.
“It celebrates what we have here and what has taken root in both of our communities,” Spery said. “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 travels there to visit with community members later this week.
