Students comments 9

About the course EAS 3102: Sustainable Communities, a Vision of Andean Indigenous Peoples

This course was exceedingly instrumental in changing the way I perceive and relate to the world. Although I have had the fortune and grace in this lifetime to receive many sacred teachings what I have remembered in this class are too deep for words and too colourful to compose on black pen.

My entire academic journey has been grueling and heavy and two EAS courses I have taken had given my soul fuel to transcend the temporal system. I have a familiar affinity towards Indigenous studies and more than the material presented were the messengers of the teachings which continually humbled and melted me, dear Prof. Sioui and Marcelo may you continually feel strength and support of all those who stand for truth and righteous giving. Your presence has planted sweet seeds in me which will be cared for for lifetimes!

Most importantly than you for giving me a space to be creative, it has done more than you know especially when my intellectual centres are exhausted from over producing. In the back of my reflection book I have expressed in more detail how this course changed my perception.

Bless you dear teacher!

H.

Students comments 8

About the course EAS 3102: Sustainable Communities, a Vision of Andean Indigenous Peoples

"This course was helpful in changing the way I perceive the world. This course introduced me to many new concepts of how to see the world and my role in it, that really opened my eyes. I always knew that the Aboriginal populations around the world had different perceptions, but the AIP’s (Andean Indigenous Peoples) were quite different from what I had previously learned in North American Aboriginal classes.

This addition of the AIP’s perceptions to my own as well as North American Aboriginal perceptions I feel as though I’m more well rounded person. I believe that the West has a lot to learn from AIP’s and if they took the time to do so they could help solve much of the problems they see today within their own society. I think that what I learned the most was that AIP’s reflect a lot about themselves as well as the world, something the West does not do well or has not taught me to do.

This course has provided me with the concept of reflection, which I believe is something everyone in the world needs to do before jumping into action. My perception of the world has changed since the start of this class most definitely. I now see the problems with globalization and the failure of us as humans to really appreciate what we have on earth. The world has become a greedy place where people and they gifts of Mother Earth has provided us with are taken advantage of.

Although this class opened my eyes to the many problems around the world it gave me hope and a positive outlook for the future by applying the principles the AIP’s have valued for centuries. I thank you for taking the time to teach us these principles and wish the University keeps programs likes these around for future students."

J.

Students comments 7

About the course EAS 3102: Sustainable Communities, a Vision of Andean Indigenous Peoples

"Although a lot of the technical and political terms I have clearly not reviewed in time for this exam, the real test will be through my entire life where I encounter opportunities to live as though I either a) understand my place as agent of change b) an agent of conformity, knowing that people are dying or losing their identities because of our selfish nature is a lesson that was magnified in this class as read about the struggles of IPs (Indigenous Peoples) around the world. As we watched and heard about Bolivian peoples stand up against big powerful corporations.

Courses that force to look outward should be mandatory, as many students grow up to be professional navel-gazers. I decided to take Aboriginal studies because I knew somehow it would shatter my conceptions of cultural Christianity and how I thought the world was run, spiritually and politically. We have been given the task of bringing justice to the world and for me this has been redefined from fighting for peoples rights to reestablishing people’s notions of responsibility that have no notion of their impact in the world.

Although I disagree with the notion of the earth as my mother I have been awakened to the fact that many of my Christian brothers and sisters have no respect for creation and truth that we are all connected. So then the question for me is how do I like in this notion, in this society knowing it’s backwards without going crazy? Haha!

Too many of us Christians have lived with a mask of love when with our actions we unknowingly put a mask of hate, actually we wear so many masks all the time we sometimes don’t know who we are! Our real identity should be love and throw the masks away. Only then can we lead lives where real community is lived and the people living in those communities can lead lives of significance. Then we can stand up for justice not as individual with the goal of feeling morally superior, simply by joining a “cause”.

Finally, being proud yet humble, not arrogant we are always learning. I know I’II never have it all together (maybe someday you don’t know).

Thanks for boldly waking us all up! "

J.

Students comments 6

About the course EAS 3102: Sustainable Communities, a Vision of Andean Indigenous Peoples

"My perception of the world was altered, by this course in many ways. It has provided me with facts I was not even aware of, I did not know what globalization was but more importantly, how globalization destroys natural ecosystems that sustain life and how globalization forces the world’s Indigenous people to abandon their lifestyles and assimilate to a global monoculture.

I now understand what the elders have been trying to tell young people in the past. That the only way to survive was to be Cree and the importance of remaining true to one’s identity was often stressed. I found many similarities in the beliefs of my people and the Andean cultures. I only wish the Cree politicians would take this course. Many people have been led to believe that the only way to advance and gain control of out territory was through adopting the Western economic definition of ‘development.’

I have frequent conversations with my parents about what I learned in this course. Both my mother and father told me that there will come a time when I will use the knowledge I have gained. They are very grateful I had a chance to study the topics that were discussed in class.

Another thing that I gained is I now think twice about the products I purchase. I am a student and it is hard to purchase products knowing Indigenous people were most likely suffering because I continue buying products that are cheap. I feel guilty because I cannot afford to buy more expensive products that are made locally. At the same time, I am aware that it was the intention of transnational corporations to create a system of dependency in developed countries.

But, now I know the reality and I can start making small, affordable changes in my lifestyle."

G.

Students comments 5

About the course EAS 3102: Sustainable Communities, a Vision of Andean Indigenous Peoples

"…I don`t think I can really put into words how much and how helpful this course has been. It has not only changed the way I perceive the world but also changed me as an individual overall: My awareness, my attitude/outlook on life, and simply my appreciation for being a part of my surroundings. Before I took this course and Prof. Sioui’s into to Aboriginal studies, I have to say (and I am ashamed of this) that I was extremely self-absorbed, arrogant/ignorant and pretty materialistic, not to mention a sever lack of spirituality.

Having taken this course at the same time as a course on Shamanism has helped me feel and appreciate the life force and essence of the natural world which has given me the gift of life.

This course in particular has given me appreciation for life as this rare earth, has made me aware of how dependant and appreciative I need to be towards Mother Earth and other beings around me and the potential I have to give back to the land and the benefit of viewing and treating others as equals.

Thank you so much for this opportunity, I am afraid to think of the kind person I would have become without this course and the teaching/wisdom of my professor in the Aboriginal studies."

F.

Students comments 4

About the course EAS 3102: Sustainable Communities, a Vision of Andean Indigenous Peoples

"Although this course has elements that very much resemble those of Canadian indigenous thought, a system that I very much identify myself with, I never considered it on a global level before this course. We have come to a point in global history where people are looking to alternative ways of sustaining life as corporations rape the earth of its abundance of elements key to our survival. Our forests, waters, and lands as a whole are constantly pillaged to the point of unbalance, a notion that very much conflicts with the idea of living harmoniously with the earth.

Before this course, I never considered the huge impact that this has on communities around the world, even those close to my own hometown (in) Ontario. I always considered our problems to be very isolated and special cases, never once identifying the multi-million international organizations that play a bigger part in the scheme of destroying the balance of life. As an Indigenous person myself, I feel that this realization should be felt not only by myself, but all members of my community and others, so that we may works together. A consensual understanding of what the real root of our problems can lead to a consensus on what is the best way to handle those problems.

Since taking this course, I am realizing the degree to which sustainable community life is key to the survival of humans of we continue the path of destroying everything for the sake of power, profit and expansion. The earth will not have time to renew itself and the people who need the elements the most will not survive."


D.

Students comments 3

About the course EAS 3102: Sustainable Communities, a Vision of Andean Indigenous Peoples

"This course demonstrated the importance of traditional ways of life and the impact of my personal actions on the current global situation as well as the future implications of my actions.

I now recognize the importance of my personal actions, and although I am not part of any united protest, I can conduct my own peaceful protest. I now recognize the importance of self reflection and parity. Everything must exist in balance. Balance results in harmony and peace of mind. Once the soul is healthy and balanced, you can transgress this positive force into your actions.

Although not every action can be life altering, it can have an effect. I now recognize the importance of being an informed consumer. Especially as a North American, it is essential that I make informed purchases. Since I belong to a society which prides itself on `goods` I will most likely buy more goods in my lifetime then many other living on this planet.

Thus as a result of this course it will be more personal goals to ensure that whenever possible the produce I buy come from local farms, the clothes were made within Canada and that without force share my concern for the future of the world with others.

I now have a better understanding of the implications of globalization. Although it may benefit me by decreasing my monetary cost of living, it increases the cost I place on the environment and my impact on AIP`s (Andean Indigenous Peoples -n. ed.).

Thank you Marcelo for taking the time to teach this class. I have taken other globalization classes, but not from and Indigenous perspective. This class, unlike other globalization classes has really opened my eyes to the true form of globalization. Before this class to me globalization only impacted someone somewhere else. Now I know and understand that globalization impacts everyone everywhere.

Thank you."

B.