University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Education, with the support of Extended Education and CICAN, organized the first edition of Peru Travel Study Program from July 29 to August 16, 2016.

Dr. Laara Fitznor and six UM students were hosted by the community-based NGO Centro de Investigacion de las Culturas Andinas – Research Center of the Andean Cultures (CICAN) led by Dr. Jose Zarate, Canadian Lead and President of CICAN.

The two week program brought the UM Group to Cusco (various Sacred Inka sites) and Puno (Floating Island communities of Uros and Taquile of Lake Titicaca) providing UM students the opportunity to compare and contrast Indigenous and cross cultural experiences that enrich perspectives in education. Course topics also include ongoing challenges to traditional knowledges, models of re-engagement, and how they relate with Canadian Indigenous issues and themes.

The UM Peru Travel Study Program resulted from initial discussions between Dr. Fitznor and Dr. Zarate back in 2014,  a contribution to the Indigenous Achievement strategic goals of UM.  UM and CICAN recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Program Agreement for the travel study.

*Photo credits to Peru Travel Study Group 2016