Our first event of the day was a meeting with Milka Espinosa, a Miskito woman who is the assistant to the Vice Minister of Indigenous and Afro descendant Affairs in the Sandinista government. She described the various things that were being done to strengthen the self-governing capacity of the Miskito, Mayagna, and Rama peoples on the Caribbean side of Nicaragua. She and her colleague also asked many questions about Nunavut.
Students couldn't resist giving an impromptu performance of Inuit drumming and singing for the guests.
Elena (left) and Andrea demonstrated throat singing for them too.
Playing!In the afternoon, we went to a crater lagoon near Managua and got to cool off, big time! Two hours at the beach was just what we needed, to relax and have a lot of fun. We came back totally refreshed.
Nuqinga won the prize for hard-core smoker!
Meeting and SharingOur last event of the day was one of the best so far: we spent the evening at the Centro Cultural Batahola Norte, having a cultural exchange with young Nicaraguan students. We showed them our songs and sports, and they showed us their songs and dances. Then we got together and learned each others!
STUDENT REFLECTIONS
First of all, it was amazing!
We had the chance to watch some of Nicaraguan traditional folk dancing and singing. It was so beautiful and colorful! These kids were very gifted with their dances and singing. The organization set it all up with the kids they help from the community. They are very lucky kids because they have this program where they teach them may different arts and give scholarships to students. There are about 1100 people that go to this organization.
After they performed we had the chance to show them a bit of our Inuit culture and just looking at the crowd you could see how happy they were to hear and watch us (especially the song anguti and the throat singing). We had about a half hour on stage, sweating under our amoutis and atigis. After the show we mingled with the kids and showed them how to play Inuit games and they showed us to folk dance! They were so kind and cheerful and awesome and it was absolutely great!!!
Finally after a great day, we came back to the Quaker House and everyone is talking about how great the night was and how they want to continue being in this country because there is an endless amount of opportunities. Let the good times rolll! — Alannah
It looks like a lot of fun!!!! Like I've said before, be proud of where you come from, who you are,and what Territory you are coming from.. You are all great ambassators to us here in Nunavut
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