Sharing science, art and tradition for sustainability
The third day of the Art, science and tradition for sustainability forum (March 16, 2016) brought our group to the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (UPN) Cuernavaca campus, where we received a very warm welcome. The day began with presentations from two representatives from Mundo Sustenable and the Universidad Juarez Autónoma de Tabasco (UJAT) in Tabasco. Dr. Eduardo S. López Hernández and Dr. Ana Rosa Rodríguez Luna discussed their work at the Centro Holístico. Dr. López shared the work they have done in the last twelve years with indigenous communities and Dr. Rodriguez spoke about her work with Chontal women and a process of empowerment through sustainability projects.
Questions related to justice, equity and gender tied in powerfully with Dawson’s own Selma Hamdani’s presentation on the Peace and Sustainability. Selma underlined the idea that though there are different brands of peace, the road to peace ultimately comes from within each one of us. The concept of peace is a difficult one to wrestle with but what is clear is that we must do away with an “us vs them” mentality and create save spaces fostering social responsibility and understanding between all groups. Selma finished her presentation by encouraging the forum participants to contribute to Dawson’s 10,000 messages of peace. This was followed by a presentation of a mural presently being painted at the UPN, which has been conceived to denounce violence and embrace harmony.
We were treated to a musical presentation by local folk musician, Churro, whose traditional songs about the importance of corn to Mexican culture were not only informative of local values, but also a delight to listen to! A presentation of braided sweet grass to Churro by Dawson alumni Lily Ieroniawá:kon Deer led to a discussion highlighting parallels between Indigenous practices in Mexico and in Indigenous communities in Canada, fostering further exchange and understanding between participants.
After a morning of presentations, we had earned some lunch! We ate at the neighbouring university, the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM), which has its own locally grown and raised organic produce in its cafeteria. We enjoyed a delicious lunch, the highlight of which (for me!) was the Mojarra, a local river fish.
The afternoon offered yet another opportunity to share experiences. For the second part of the day the forum was held in the Instituto de Ciencias de la Educacion, at the UAEM. Jorge Dominguez, from the UPN presented the online magazine “Pegagogica” which’s last two issues were dedicated to the Sustainable Campuses Inititiative. The event was followed by an impromptu visit from the new Governor of Indigenous Peoples in the state of Morelos, Mario Superior Gonzalez, who gave an impassioned talk on the state of affairs for Indigenous peoples in Mexico and the need for all to respect and adopt the values of humility and openness of their communities. Unknowingly, Minister Gonzalez provided an excellent lead-in to presentations by Dawson students. Cree student Joni Saganash presented on practices and traditions related to raising children, such as use of the cradle board to allow children to view community practices and ceremonies that initiate children to their future roles. Lily Ieroniawá:kon Deer presented the Kanien’keha:ka creation story and she did so while wearing a women’s traditional dress. Two Nahuatl students from the UPN also presented and underlined the importance and connection to nature in Indigenous life and practices.
When I reflect upon this engaging day, I realize that Dawson College is a large institution with numerous initiatives and goals and sometimes I think we are too close to the action and move too fast to see how all of those initiatives and activities link together. As we sat today and listened to these enriching presentations, it suddenly all came into focus – we are all interconnected and need one other to achieve our goals, be they for peace, the rights of First Peoples or Sustainability. I am humbled and feel privileged to participate in the 2nd Itinerant Forum on Art, Science and Tradition for Sustainability in Morelos, Mexico. So much has been shared and we have learned so much! And there is still so much more to come…
By Susie Bouchard
