Chile
Indigenous Education and Training Project
Red River College is currently running a project in Chile to assist indigenous communities to become more self sufficient and successful. This project is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). The Chilean partner for this project is CONADI – the National Chilean organization responsible for representing Indigenous people. Currently this project is in year three of a five year life.
The goal of this project is to increase the access of Chilean indigenous people (specifically Mapuche people), especially women to culturally appropriate, employment-related training programs in order to enhance family incomes through their improved skills and ability to contribute to the productive sectors of the local economy. The project works with Mapuche people located within the 9th region of Chile. The five districts involved in the project are located within one day’s drive of the city of Temuco. To date, all training held in Chile has been given in Temuco.
The goal is being achieved by conducting a RRC training program for 9 selected Chilean professional program leaders. The 9 leaders are put through a program to obtain a Certificate in Adult Education. The leaders are then responsible for training an additional 35-40 trainers to the teaching methods learned. The 35-40 trainers then go out into the Mapuche communities and work directly with men and women on appropriate, employment-related training programs. All instruction for the program is given in Spanish.
The project goals are being achieved through the assistance of the University of Atacama.
The University of Atacama (UDA) is a Chilean University and will recognize the training so that the graduates obtain a Chilean credential as well as the Canadian certification.
The project was begun in 2005 and will continue until 2010.
To achieve the RRC Certificate of Adult Education a student must successfully complete 10 courses. To date the nine Chilean program leaders have completed five courses.
The five completed courses are as follows:
Course: Introduction to Adult Education
- May 9 – 16, 2006
- Course taught in Chile
- Instructor Kristen Long
Course: Instructional Methods
- August 5 – 19, 2006
- Course taught in Winnipeg
- Instructor Kristen Long
Course: Advanced Instructional Methods
- August 5 – 19, 2006
- Course taught in Winnipeg
- Instructor Francisco Madrid
Course: Course Development
- March 5 – 16, 2007
- Course taught in Chile
- Instructor Paz Bowman
Course: Testing & Evaluation
There were nine Mapuche representatives chosen to undergo the training. These participants represent five different districts of Mapuche people. The districts and representatives are as follows:
Alto Bio Bio
Mr. Angel R. Ancanao Quintana
Chol Chol
Ms. Luisa J. Guzman Huenchul
Mr. Edwardo R. Nirrian Caurapan
Ms. Alicia X GuzmanCurarrehue
Mr. Luis A. Curilaf Huentelaf
Mr. Juan (Patricio) Ortiz
Lumaco
Ms. Adelaida E. Martinez Reuca
Mr. Domingo S. HuilcaleoPuerto Saavedra
Mr. Carlos Fleite Arcos
The program has now advanced to the point where the next stage of participants are being introduced to the Project. During the training session held in July of 2007 a visit was made to the Chol Chol District where the three program leaders coordinated a meeting with 25 Mapuche women who have been chosen to undergo training.
The other four districts are actively involved in developing a plan of approach best suited to their district which will allow for the most inclusive effective training sessions as possible. Further progress towards the involvement of the next level of participants is expected to be witnessed during the next scheduled training session in November, 2007.
To find out more about this project, enquiries can be directed towards:
Bruce Condie
Director, International Education
Red River College
Tel: 204 632 2083
Fax: 204 632 5269
Email: bcondie@rrc.mb.ca
