Indigenous women from Mexico experience Blackfoot and Canadian cultures

caroline.zentner — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 21:08:08 +0000

A group of 25 indigenous women from Mexico has had a unique opportunity to learn about First Nations culture and practice their English at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge this summer.

They are spending five weeks in Canada through a program organized by the Council for Science and Technology in the State of Quintana Roo (COQCYT) and funded by the National Council of Science and Technology of the United Mexican States (CONACYT).

In their traditional dress, the group of indigenous women from Mexico performed a traditional Mayan dance at the Kainai Powwow.

“It is a government program for indigenous girls who want to study for a master’s degree,” says Yajaira Vianey May Xool, one of the students participating in the program. “We are learning about the Blackfoot culture, about their life, traditional food, stories, histories and dance. At the same time we are practicing the English language.”

Cinthia Interian, another student in the program, and Xool majored in Language and Culture studies at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo. They both want to pursue master’s degrees and Xool will be attending Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan (UADY) in Merida, Yucatan in August.

While in Lethbridge, they are staying with local families and have visited local sites such as Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, the Galt Museum, Henderson Lake, and Waterton Lakes National Park. They performed a traditional Mayan dance at the recent Kainai Powwow.

“My experience in Canada is important to me because I have the opportunity to improve my English, my pronunciation, and also to learn about the Blackfoot culture. I have learned about other points of view and seeing the world in other ways that I can share when I go back home,” says Xool.

“My experience here in Canada has been great. I visited many places and I have met wonderful people in my stay here. This is a unique opportunity and every one of my classmates is enjoying their stay,” says Interian. “I want to give thanks for my teachers and the people who made this exchange possible, for this experience, and all the learning and knowledge we got.”

The partnership agreement between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico was formed in 2014. The initiative came about as a result of the U of L’s involvement with a consortium of 10 indigenous universities in Mexico and several undergraduate universities in Canada that focus on aboriginal education. The U of L has had a close relationship with the Mayan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Quintana Roo and has set up student exchange and co-operative work-study agreements.

Mexican indigenous students to study at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, furthering collaborative relationship

trevor.kenney — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 17:22:41 +0000

A group of 20 indigenous female students from Mexico will spend four weeks at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge this summer studying southern Alberta First Nations, as well as English and Canadian culture, as part of a partnership agreement between the U of L and the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico.

The program, organized by the Council for Science and Technology in the State of Quintana Roo (COQCYT), and funded by the National Council of Science and Technology of the United Mexican States (CONACYT),is designed to assist students with their graduate studies in Mexico.

Students will participate in interactive English as a Second Language classes that focus on Canadian culture. These classes will be augmented by three weekly off campus cultural activities. Additionally, Mexican students will participate in a peer partner program where they are matched with undergraduate students from the U of L. The program begins June 30.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has been working with officials from the State of Quintana Roo to further explore possible collaborations since the beginning of the year. U of L President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon, says the program will not only assist participating students in the short-term, but will create individual, institutional and national collaboration opportunities in the future.

“By providing this program, these students will have a greater understanding of southern Alberta, which will assist them in their respective endeavours,” says Mahon. “I am confident that the linkages that are built on our campus this summer will serve our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and respective countries well by fostering greater understanding of our respective cultures.”

This initiative came about due to the U of L’s involvement with a consortium of 10 indigenous universities in Mexico and several undergraduate universities in Canada that are focused on aboriginal education. In particular, the U of L has a close relationship with the Mayan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Quintana Roo and has set up student exchange and cooperative work study agreements.

CONACYT is an agency of the Mexican federal government designed to strengthen the country's scientific and technological capabilities. Areas of strategic importance for the organization include health, natural resources and the environment, alternative energy, education, social development, information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and transportation. CONACYT administers several funding programs in education in Mexico, including specific programs for indigenous women.

Building international connections is a key component of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s strategic direction to enhance relationships with external communities, as detailed in Destination 2020 – the U of L’s strategic plan.

UNews - Quintana Roo

Indigenous women from Mexico experience Blackfoot and Canadian cultures

Related Topics

Mexican indigenous students to study at ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, furthering collaborative relationship

Related Topics

Mexican indigenous students to study at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, furthering collaborative relationship