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Nunavut Sivuniksavut

A report on the trip to Panama by Nunavut Sivuniksavut 1st year students

April 29 – May 9th, 2014

Panama!

450 Rideau Street, Suite 201 Ottawa, ON K1N 5Z4 Tel: (613) 244-4937 Fax: (613) 244-0058 www.nstraining.ca

(top, left - right) Ipellie Ootoova, Atuat Tagoona, Michael Milton, Delilah Netser, Ethel Anne Dwyer, Erik Ikoe, (center, left – right) Flora Arqviq, Uliipika Irngaut, Jayko Akoak, Anny Anilniliak Chislett, Allana Appaqaq, George Sallerina, (bottom, left – right) Tracy Nateela, Mick Appaqaq, Marley Dunkers, Shawna Seeteenak, Natasha Allakariallak, Jesse Tulugarjuk,

Nunavut Sivuniksavut Panama 2014

(top, left – right) Leeanne Hainnu, Jutai Toonoo, Jennifer Amagoalik, Ooleesee Akeeagok, Alexandra Rudd, Kathryn Misheralak, (center, left – right) Adam Akpik, Sharon Makkigak, Terrie Kusugak, Nicole Hachey, Sapatie Stokes, Vanessa Aglukkaq (bottom, left – right) Melissa Irwin, Becky Mearns, Dan Guay, Martha Kyak, Robyn Mo-Lian

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Nunavut Sivuniksavut Europe 2013


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Travel day! Beginning at 6:00 am, over the next 16 hours we will travel from Ottawa, Canada to Panama City, Panama.

Although the distance travelled is 7393 kilometers, there is only a 1-hour time zone difference. Today we say ‘bye bye Ottawa" for the next 10 days!

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For our first full day in Panama City, we spent the morning walking around Cazca Viejo, the old part of Panama City. We also toured some archeological ruins of the first Spanish settlement, which was destroyed by the infamous Captain Henry Morgan and his pirates. While we were there, we performed for a group of Panamanian school children (top left). They loved it! The top right photo is at the top of an old church at the ruins.

For lunch, we were officially welcomed by the Canadian Ambassador to Panama, Sylvia Cesaratto (bottom left), and performed for her. Then, she told us all about the country, and the situation for indigenous people in Panama. Finally, we went to visit the famous Panama Canal (bottom right). What a view!


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At 6 AM we began our journey by car through the rainforest mountains towards the Caribbean Sea (top left). The 2 ½ hour drive was stunning. When we reached the Caribbean Port of Carti, we then took a 45 minute boat ride to the indigenous territory of the Guna Yala, home of the beautiful San Blas islands.

Upon reaching our destination, we were amazed to be surrounded by coral reefs in the middle of scenic lagoons, white sand beaches and transparent waters. We were hosted by Petita of Kuaniup Island. With no internet, limited solar electricity, and no running water, we stayed in huts that are run by the Kuna.

For our first afternoon, we cooled off in the warm Caribbean Sea, ate locally harvested and traditionally prepared sea food, and explored the tiny island that would be our home for the next three days.

In the morning we continued to swim, climb palm trees, and enjoy the simple things this tiny island had to offer. We were also lucky to experience a guided snorkeling tour of the coral reefs which are home to many different species of fish! Exploring underwater was amazing.

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After a delicious traditional Kuna lunch, we headed on a boat to a neighboring village on a different island about 30 minutes away. This is one of the permanent settlements of the Kuna. This day was amazing!

They performed a number of customary songs and dances, and in turn we performed and shared Inuit culture. A couple of Kuna babies were volunteered to experience being in an amauti during a throat singing demonstration. Some locals even competed in a few Inuit games (bottom right).


It was neat to learn that the Inuit and Kuna women have facial tattoo’s in common! They use ground fruit seeds to paint a pattern on their nose, which wards off dangerous wildlife.

The beads around their wrists and ankles are not only pretty, but also protect them from insect or snake bites. Of course, we couldn’t leave without purchasing some of their beautiful hand-crafts which were sold just outside of their huts (bottom right).

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The night before, during our last supper together, we enjoyed an evening of story telling from two local elders who spoke about the Kuna history leading up to their land claims, as well as gender customs and other Kuna traditions. It was so interesting! In return, we performed Inuit songs and dances, shared some Inuit customs and practices, as well as showed some pictures of our land and animals. They were amazed with the vast tree-less landscape covered in snow.


This is our last day in the beautiful San Blas islands. Although we were sad to leave, we couldn’t wait to get to a hotel where we could shower and feel the air conditioning again!

After lunch we packed up for our return to Panama City, but not without a great appreciation of the warm hospitality and understanding of how the people of the Guna Yala came to settle and now manage their territory.

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Today was spent learning about local production and activities of the Chitre area. We discovered the manufacturing process of the traditional products of the Herrera Province: (bottom, l-r) sugarcane, masks, traditional dresses, (top, r-l) salt, bread, pottery and finally drums (left-center).

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Today we took a chicken bus (bottom-center) to the rural village of Vanquilla, which lays in the mountain ridges just 3 hours south-east of Panama City. Here, we visited the town’s school (top-right). At the school we were given a lively traditional Spanish dance (top-center).

Later on we gave the school a presentation of who we are and where we come from. This was followed by some of our songs and dances, which they also enjoyed. We spent the remainder of the day splitting up into small groups and having a traditional Panamanian lunch with the local villagers. Not only was the food very good, but our hosts (bottom right) were so friendly!

After a full day in Vanquilla, we said bye to our new friends to head off on a hike, which lead us to the stunning Waterfall of Tavida! (left). We all took the opportunity to cool down in the waterfall, before heading back to Panama City for the night.

Today we packed our back-packs for a single night stay with the Embera, the indigenous people living in the province of Darien. In the early morning we bused north for an hour until we reached the shores of Lake Alajuala. Several Embera men were there to meet us and bring us up the river to their village in dugout canoes. The journey itself was fascinating as we took in the mountains and rainforest all around.

After almost an hour and half canoe ride up river, we make it to the village along the banks of the Changres River. In this small community of about 100 people, one of the first things we did was play soccer and basketball with the local youth! (bottom-left)

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The Embera have more similarities to Inuit than we ever imagined! Beautiful hand-crafted work is one of the commonalities, with carvings made of wood, gorgeous beaded necklaces and clothing, and colorful hand-woven baskets. Notice the Embera woman in the top right picture, proudly adorned in traditional facial tattoos.

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After a delicious meal of fish and plantain served with watermelon and pineapple, we took some time (again) to share Inuit songs and dances. The Embera enjoyed the Inuit competition dance (top-left) that the male NS’er often perform, called ‘Angutnasuugavit’.

Later in the day the local men painted our arms with a liquid ink that they use for their tattoos. Almost all of us got one! In the evening, the Embera shared some of their legends around the campfire. We finished the night with traditional Embera dances performed by the women (bottom-left), while the men played instruments – it was mesmerizing! Afterwards we were all brought in to dance around the campfire.

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Spending one night in the Embera village in tents, we went to sleep to the sound of frogs croaking, and woke up to the sound of monkeys screeching. It was very exotic! In the morning we took a hike into the rainforest to experience the dense jungle (top-right), and the different insects and animals.

We were also given a tour of some of the medicinal plants that are still used today for curing various ailments - from cuts and tooth-aches, to asthma and cancer. The medicine man is a respected elder, whose knowledge has been passed on to him in the same oral traditional as Inuit.

The photo on the left is a picture of a baby sloth. To the right in the centre, there is a tarantula – and yes, they are poisonous! The photo at the bottom center is of Michael Milton of Pond Inlet, holding a large centipede - gross!

This was our last full day in Panama, and at noon we packed our bags, loaded them onto the boats, and headed back to Panama City.

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Our last night, we said goodbye to our fantastic guide, Phillippe. Then we prepared for a 4am departure.

We will never forget the wonderful people that we met in Panama. We learned so much about other cultures, and about the realities of indigenous people in that country. Maybe most of all, we learned how much we have in common.

We are all so grateful to all our funders for making this incredible experience possible.

Nunavut Sivuniksavut 2013-14

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Nunavut Sivuniksavut 450 Rideau Street, Suite 201 Ottawa, ON K1N 5Z4

Tel: (613) 244-4937 Fax: (613) 244-0058

www.nstraining.ca

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Thank you! Qujannamik!

Koana! Matna!


Sponsors Students made personal contributions to the trip fund, and also raised a significant amount through their cultural performing activities in Ottawa and elsewhere during the year. They also received financial support for their trip from the following:

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