Even though it was a day jam-packed with data analysis, we managed to squeeze in some time for some fun! After lunch, we all met in the lab to have Lucia teach us how to finish making the thread from the fibers we helped collect a few days ago. After demonstrating how to roll the thread, she asked a couple of us to try it ourselves, and I have to say that the ones who did try it out did really well! Or so it seemed to me, I’m sure Lucia would have something else to say, considering we’re all newbies to this sort of thing. After rolling the thread, Lucia showed us how she weaves the thread to make various items, like the bags and hats she sells.
While Lucia was finishing the threads and weaving, Celestino had a presentation that taught us a lot about his reservation. I had no idea the troubles his people go through, just to keep their land, and to keep their traditions alive! It hit me personally, because a lot of the things he talked about were things that I was taught. Some of the things he was talking about reminded me of things the government did to my people in the past, especially when he talked about how their government flooded the river they depend on so heavily. We had a very similar flooding situation with our tribe, and those are the kinds of things that never leave a communities’ memory.
The full name of the organization Celestino is president of.
After the demonstration and presentation, we worked on our posters for the rest of the day. Even though we had so much data to compile into one poster, my teammate and I managed to get most of the poster done! All we have left to do are really minor cosmetic additions and changes, otherwise, we’re done! I seriously cannot express how glad I am to have gotten to work with Ian and Jessica. They’re a really great team and helped me with so much! Especially when I was losing my mind over the little things that wouldn’t work correctly. They’re an incredible support system.
Finally, at the end of the day (after dinner), we all gathered in the reception hall to have our final cultural exchange with the indigenous folk from Panama. We got to share many things, and we got to learn many things from the different cultures that are represented during this trip. My mentor, Deb, brought a couple pairs of handmade earrings and asked me to help gift them to Lucia. I felt very honored that Deb allowed me to help gift them, and that Lucia so graciously accepted our gift.
The earrings Deb and I gifted to Lucia.
As one of my fellow Anishinaabe people said at the end of the night, giigawaabamin! Which is our word for ‘see you later’, because we have no word for goodbye. :)
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