Join the
Indigenous Studies Group
on FaceBook

putting our minds together
ENRICHING OUR SPIRITS
boozhoo, she:kon, waachjiiye, tan si, tungasugiit, greetings, welcome

Indigenous Studies NORTH AMERICA MOBILITY PROGRAM

North American Mobility Programis A Joint Program with 5 other North American Schools offering an opportunity to learn about Indigenous experience in NAFTA countries.

Download a Powerpoint Presentation or read more about the program below including which universities are participating and how to apply.

NAMP in Action! May to July 2010

Below is a picture of Jocelyn and Paola (two of our three Mexican North American Mobility Program exchange students - Itsel was there too, just not in this picture) walking and carrying the water on the 'Walk for Water' which took place as the coldest, snowy, rainy, hailing, foggy, drizzly every kind of water (weather) you can imagine was flung at them by Mother Earth on Mother's Day weekend!

The walk started with a sunrise ceremony (such as it was) with many umbrellas and Edna Manitowabi and Shirley Williams who blessed the water with a ceremony and the water drum. Liz Osawamik and many others joined in the walk which started on Saturday May 8 at Hiawatha First Nation and went right around Rice Lake and ended back in Hiawatha again - on Monday May 10 at 11:00 in full and beautiful sunshine - finally!

The walk was motivated by the Chancellor's "Water Matters" day long conference and we expect that it will have a positive effect in moving the people to become more aware of their opportunities in contributing to improvement and progress for our most vital resource.

NAMP in Action! July 2010 A fond farewell to our first students!

Trent University is the lead school (of six) to implement a federally sponsored North American Mobility Program (NAMP) a joint program of exchange opportunities for students from Mexico, (University of Colima and University of Mezquital; United States of America, (University of Montana and University of Texas) and Canada, (University of Vancouver Island and Trent University).

Trent’s NAMP option is unique in that it provides North and Central American Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to meet one another, to study and to work together in an Indigenous Studies programs and community. No other North American Mobility Program has ever provided students with this opportunity to begin to create a tri-lateral dialogue on the issues affecting Indigenous peoples in these three countries.

We would like to extend our appreciation to the many people who contributed their time to hosting our first NAMP exchange students, Paola Noemi Ramirez, Joselin Anaid Mendoza and Josellin Itzel Angeles, and who helped them to fulfill their mandate of completing their practicum placements which were required by their University in Mexico.

At 38 Degrees (Will and Hayley Wood-Gates, Evon Pod and Kelly Green as well as their staff members).

At King Bethune Guest House, Marlis Lindsay.

These people not only provided the opportunity for the students to complete their degree requirements of their home university in Mexico in Hospitality and Tourism, but also invited them to join in the community: Will and Hayley invited them to a bon fire at their home in Lakefield, took them to Toronto and to the Peterborough Liftlocks and Marlis took them to the beach in Presq'uile for the day as well as providing many other culturally relevant opportunities.

Additionally, the Development Office was able to facilitate their stay by providing a significant contribution ($3,600) towards their expenses, so thank you to Development and Kate Logan at the TIP office for all of their wonderful support.

The faculty, Nicole Bell (INDG 3350Y) and Don McCaskill (INDG 3860Y), Neal McLeod and Alyce Johnson (INDG 1000Y), provided experiences and learning opportunities in the areas of Canadian Indigenous peoples. Cath D'Amico was able to provide them with the opportunity to improve their English language by giving them the opportunity to audit ESL classes.
Marrie Mumford invited them to participate in the Nozhem, First Peoples Performance Space production of Gabriel's Crossing and was very inclusive. The student community likewise was very welcoming and although it is summer and most people are away, the students have made them their friends.

We hope that Paola, Itzel and Joselin enjoyed their time here as much as we have enjoyed having them and that you will come and join us on Tuesday July 20 at 12:00 at the Indigenous Studies Department, to celebrate and wish them well on their return to Mexico.

NAMP Overview
The North American Mobility Program (NAMP) is a great opportunity for Canadian students to study for a term and work with Indigenous people either in the U.S.A. (University of Montana or Iowa State University) or Mexico (University of Colima or Mezquital University) while you earn academic credits.

Your travel and living costs will be subsidized.

Overview
The program targets students in any academic discipline: whether Indigenous or not, students interested in working in Indigenous cultures, and students interested in broadening their understanding of Indigenous communities in multi-disciplinary fields of Indigenous studies will benefit.

The opportunity is available in either the first or second semester or both.

Benefits of Program
Benefits of the program include:

Students exchange with Mexican and American universities to study the Indigenous experience in those countries.

Subsidized travel and accommodations.

Classroom, field placement and research projects in Indigenous communities.

Students will earn Trent credits on the exchange.

Spanish language instruction is also available at Trent University.

University of Montana – Native American Studies.

University of Montana is located in Missoula, Montana, and has a strong Native American Studies program with over 1500 Aboriginal students. The program has developed strong links with Indigenous communities in the Western U.S. See website for details.
http://www.cas.umt.edu/nas/

Iowa State University:

Iowa State University is a large university located in Ames, Iowa and has a strong community development Masters program. See website for details
http://www.ss.hs.iastate.edu//intl/mexico/homepage.php

University of Colima 

University of Colima is one of the leading universities in Mexico. The University of Colima is located near Manzanillos on the west coast of Mexico. It has 26 faculties and a well developed infrastructure including a community development program in a number of indigenous communities. See website for details
http://www.ucol.mx/english/comunidades_eng/ciam_eng.php

Univeridad Tecnologica del Valle del Mezquital

The University of Mezquital is located 2 hours drive north of Mexico City. It is located in the center of numerous Indigenous communities. Students will have an opportunity to undertake classroom learning as well as do a practicum field placement in an Indigenous community during their term in both Mexican universities. See website for details:
http://www.utvm.edu.mx/

Interested students should contact the Director of the NAMP Program:

Contact Information

Don McCaskill by email:
dmccaskill@trentu.ca

or

Sandra Tomatuk at
sandratomatuk@trentu.ca

In addition, it is anticipated that field trips to Mexico will be offered as an academic course worth one credit. Details are being worked out. It will probably be for 3 weeks and include time in Mexico City, the University of Mezquita, Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Don McCaskill dmccaskill@trentu.ca