About me
Born and raised along the Balcones Escarpment in Yanaguana (San Antonio, Texas), Matilde Torres-Romero is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical heritage of the region. She is a proud descendant of Juan Francisco Lucas, a prominent Indigenous leader of the Puebla Sierra, who played a role in the historical context surrounding the Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo) between 1854 and 1917.
Her mother, Gudelia Lagunas, is of Otomi heritage, and her father, Bulmaro Torres, is from Zacapoaxtla. Together, her parents owned and operated Los Cocos Bakery, where Matilde was raised, contributing to the family business for 45 years. She is the devoted mother of two sons, ages 14 and 24.
In 2009, Matilde married into the Lipan Apache leadership and further embraced her cultural journey. By 2013, she became an Aztec Danzante, connecting with her Mesoamerican roots through dance and ceremony. In 2016, she was introduced to the White Shaman Mural and the Lower Pecos River style rock art by Gary Perez (Pakahua Coahuiltecan), deepening her understanding of Indigenous storytelling and sacred sites.
In 2019, she was invited to join the MoonDance for Huitzimeztli, a cultural tradition honoring the elements through dance, music, ceremony, and educational workshops. She was entrusted with the sacred role of Water Bearer, leading a water pilgrimage along the historic Camino Real, visiting the four sacred springs between San Antonio and Austin.
Her storytelling journey continued in 2020, when she met Jeremy Elliot at Paint Rock, Texas. There, she began sharing the story of Changing Woman, a central figure in Native traditions. In San Antonio, Matilde continues to honor and share the story of Yanaguana—the Spirit Water of the Payaya People—illuminating the sacred significance of the region’s water sources. Her work is deeply informed by the research and teachings of Gary Perez, especially in interpreting the symbolism of the White Shaman Mural and its connection to the four sacred springs.
