UPEI Anthropology Intern Promotes Cultural Sharing Among Indigenous Peoples
An anthropology graduate from East Bay, Cape Breton who is an intern with the Institute of Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island, in collaboration with the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI, has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with the Williche people in Chile.
With the support of the Canadian International Development Agency, and the Atlantic Council of International Cooperation, Dolores Le Vangie leaves Canada on December 31 to begin a five-month international internship on the Island of Chiloand#233;. There, she will work with Bosque Modelo Chiloand#233; and the Williche Council of Chie to help identify potential uses of seaweed for indigenous economic development.
"This internship allows me to work among the Mi'kmaq people on Prince Edward Island and the Williche people on the Island of Chiloand#233;, Chile. Both of these indigenous groups have traditionally used marine plants as a form of medicinal healing and food," she explains.
Through interviews and participant observation, Dolores is collecting information on how the two indigenous cultures have traditionally used, and still use, seaweed today. "The Mi'kmaq people have helped me develop skills in documentation of traditional indigenous uses of marine plants. With these skills I will be able to help the Williche as well," Dolores explains. "The Williche people still have a large amount of traditional knowledge on their uses of marine plants and they want to be able to share their knowledge through educational displays and cultural exchanges."
She adds that there is also the potential to develop a cottage-scale industry in Chiloand#233; where the Williche would be able market value-added food, health, beauty, or agricultural products based on their traditional knowledge of seaweed as well as modern scientific information provided by the Institute of Island Studies.
Dolores' internship in Chile is just one example of a growing range of international opportunities that UPEI students are pursuing. The university has an agreement with CUSO and agreements with universities in Australia, Sweden, and the US that allow students from all faculties to earn credits in these countries towards their UPEI degrees. Similar agreements are being developed for New Zealand and Japan. In addition, there are numerous program-specific arrangements in place at UPEI for international work and study. Through the Faculty of Education alone, students specializing in international education have taught in over 20 different countries, from Thailand and Iceland to Russia and the Dominican Republic.
