Event Highlights: Indigenous History, Languages & Cultures Week
This week long series of talks by indigenous artists, writers, activists, and educators was co-sponsored by the Department of Romance Studies and the Center for Latin American Studies and funded by the Boston University Arts Initiative.
The aims of the series were to showcase the discrimination indigenous cultures and languages face and how the arts have become an instrument for resistance and cultural expression; to introduce some of the individuals and artists at the forefront of these visibilization and revitalization efforts in Argentina, Perú, Chile, and Brazil; to expose students to the historical and political contexts that undergird these efforts and to engage them in the exploration of Latin America’s indigenous and mestiza identities through film, poetry and music; and finally, to foster inclusiveness and equity at BU by strengthening the bond between the University and these diverse cultures and communities.
The events took place during the week of March 28. The first three days featured representatives of the Mapuche Nation. Speakers on Monday were Adrian Moyano and Bernardo Colipán. Speakers on Tuesday were Anahí Mariluan, Viviana Ayilef, and Bernardo Colipán. Speakers on Wednesday were Vanesa Gallardo Llancaqueo, Melisa Stocco & Jorge Spíndola C. The last two days featured representatives of different indigenous groups in Brazil. Speakers on Thursday were Charles Bicalho and Edson Kayapó; speakers on Friday were Eliana Potiguara and Daniel Munduruku.
The Monday and Friday events featured presentations by BU students Kathryn Lakin, Hope Myers, and Cameron Downer, as well as by CLAS visiting researcher Carolina Freitas.
More information about the speakers may be found here. Video recordings of the events follow.