New York, Oct 12 (IANS/EFE): Singer Lila Downs was honoured here by the organization Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders for her work to spread awareness about indigenous people.

Downs, who divides her time between New York and her native Mexico, accepted the Yoloxochitl Award from last year's recipient, chef Zarela Martinez, who pioneered Mexican cuisine in the Big Apple.

Being honoured by her compatriots "is an opportunity to make known that a very great effort is being made to educate and share cultural spaces that exist for the Mexican community," said the Latin Grammy-winning artist.

Downs, 44, performed several songs after receiving the award.

Every year, Mano a Mano honors a person "who represents who we are", the organization's executive director, Juan Carlos Aguirre, said.

"Lila represents a very important segment of Mexico, with all its cultural diversity," he said.

Downs fuses indigenous and traditional music with genres such as folk, blues, jazz, hip hop and rock.

She is currently touring the US to showcase her latest album, "Pecados y milagros".