Participants were also supported in completing social actions, including participation in a letter-writing campaign against the proposed changes to asylum-seeking laws, signing a petition against evictions on public lands, putting together outreach packages for people who are housing insecure and writing letters to members of parliament to show support for changes to the birth alert legislation, among others. These social actions were based on the education provided by our speakers. The intention was to help alleviate the effects of living in poverty, and the common barriers people face when trying to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

It was our goal to bring together students and members of the community as active participants in social change. It is our hope that participants will continue the work of learning and basing solutions on the shared knowledge of people effected by poverty while becoming active members in their communities for years to come.

As said by Refik Kehler, conference organizer and speaker, “having experienced firsthand the power in stories shared to alleviate pain in one’s most oppressed moments, I believe the participants will go on the act as participants in change for tomorrow. Life is worth it when we act in solidarity, whatever systems would have us believe otherwise.”

If you would like more information on the Poverty Awareness and Community Action program or CSL please visit the website.

July 15: Collective Action for Social Change

July 22: Anti-Poverty Advocacy 101

July 29: Harm Reduction: Reframing the “meth crisis”

August 5: Beach & BBQ

August 12: Revealing our cultural lenses

August 19: Decolonizing allyship

August 26: PACA Workshop

The training program takes place on Mondays from July 15 – August 26 with most sessions taking place from 3:30pm – 6:30pm on the Fort Gary campus, with an optional light dinner to follow. 

Participants will work towards facilitating a Poverty Awareness & Community Action (PACA) workshop on August 26, which is a half-day workshop that uses role-play and discussion to raise awareness about poverty and social welfare systems, and their impacts on community members and society. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in the PACA workshops throughout the fall/winter terms. 

Applications are due Friday, July 5. Apply now on Community Link.

For more information on Poverty Awareness & Community Action or Community Service Learning please visit our website.

Editor’s Note: Last March, Roberto Kus, a Maya youth from Belize, took part in a three-week exchange to Winnipeg. Roberto was particularly moved by Meet Me at the Bell Tower, a weekly gathering where he saw Indigenous youth come together to voice their concerns and take action to better their communities.

Roberto returned to Belize excited to work with his peers and create an opportunity for Maya youth to embrace their cultural identity, build their Indigenous leadership and envision a future for their communities. The following article is what Roberto Kus and Seferina Miss, two youth members of the JCS Planning Team, had to share about Sounding of the Conch Shell and the five-day youth camp that they are planning in Belize.

It is often said, “The youth are our future.”

But is that statement a true reflection of the actions of communities? Do communities take into consideration how the choices they make today will affect youth tomorrow? In most villages, youth participation is minimal or nonexistent. Yet, it is said they are our future. Young people are the greatest factor to consider when developing one’s community in a way that meets the needs of the present generation and also assists future generations in meeting their own needs. 

Sounding of the Conch Shell is a one of a kind initiative that seeks to build courage and unity amongst Maya youth — created by Maya youth, for Maya youth.

Customarily, when the Alcalde (Traditional Leader) of a Maya village wishes to convene a community meeting, he has a designated individual that will sound a conch shell. The authoritative echoes of the conch shell serve as the Alcalde’s call to attend a community meeting. The meeting is the ultimate decision-making body for the village; it serves as a space where  villagers may voice their concerns and express their approval or denial of any public decision.

Sounding of the Conch Shell draws on the analogy of the Alcalde and the conch shell, calling Maya youth together and creating a space where they can embrace their cultural identity, engage in dialogue about issues affecting their communities, develop capacity in indigenous leadership, envision their future and promote community engagement.

As the Maya people say: Komonil (together), we are united, peaceful, hard-working and self-governing communities.

The JCS Planning Team is particularly cognizant of the role of women in governance. In traditional Maya culture, women have little involvement in decision-making processes and even less involvement in governance. However, women are starting to become more actively involved, including attending village meetings to voice their concerns. There is also a female Alcalde for the first time ever who holds a seat at the executive level in the Assembly of Alcaldes. This has been the biggest achievement for women; it lets Maya people see that women can execute decisions at the highest level. 

“As a feminist, one of my greatest criticisms of the Maya Tradition is that women are not seen as equal to men,” shared Seferina Miss, a youth member of the JCS Planning Team. “Women are the backbone of dedication, hard work, and commitment. It’s important for young women to voice their struggles, become leaders, advocate for equality — to be at the forefront of decision making.”

We hope the Conch Shell will call Maya youth to come together in solidarity, not only to say ‘We love our culture’ but to show that we are willing to defend our culture.

Fifteen Maya youth, eight girls and seven boys coming from different Maya communities across Toledo District, will take part in a weeklong camp packed with tons of excitement, fun and learning. Some of the activities include field trips, a photovoice project, keynote presentations and a mini cultural fair — all leading to the development of a youth action plan.

“The most alluring moment I hope to experience this June is to listen to the perspectives of the various youth from across Toledo,” shared Roberto. “Knowledge-sharing is always a moment to be treasured; I hope to listen to them and learn from them what I may not know about the communities of Toledo, while simultaneously sharing my knowledge with them.”

Julian Cho Society

Sounding of the Conch Shell was developed by Maya youth who are part of the Julian Cho Society, a Maya organization devoted to indigenous rights through research, education, and advocacy in southern Belize. JCS provides scholarships for Maya youth that enable them to pursue high school outside of their villages. Mentored by their adult allies, including Elodio Rash, and supported by JCS, these young scholars have led the planning of this camp and the vision for this youth movement.

Community Service-Learning

Community Service-Learning helps you develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for community work through immersive programming and hands-on projects. For more information on our programs, visit our website, call 204-474-6992 or email anny.chen@umanitoba.ca.

CSL is honoured to take part in this Maya youth-led initiative as helpers and participants, and grateful for the opportunity to learn from indigenous communities throughout Manitoba, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Applications for Belize: Indigenous Youth Movements close on April 10. Apply online today!

Join Community Service-Learning for some coffee and cookies, and learn about our programs in Winnipeg, Northern Manitoba and Belize.

CSL Coordinator, Anny Chen, will be on-hand to answer questions about:

• food and gardening programming up north in Leaf Rapids, Manitoba
• supporting a Maya youth culture camp in rural Belize
• planning a conference on poverty awareness and community action in Winnipeg
• applying for CSL bursaries of up to $1,500

Here’s why our program alumni think you should get involved:

“They’re really good at capacity-building and equipping you, and listening to your needs in the same way that they are listening to the community’s needs, so they’re very responsive as well. If you’re trying to figure out what you want to do, the office is full of a lot of great people who will be great resources to you. They’ll explore it along with you.”

Veronica Sharkey, B.A. (Hons) in Sociology, Faculty of Arts

“There’s a lot to learn about yourself, about the community at large, and about students’ interaction with the community as well … in terms of how we fit in as individuals in the society, how we can be ethical community members, ethical citizens.”

Mercy Oluwafemi, B.Sc. in Psychology, Faculty of Science

“For me, essentially, it’s just being a part of a community. I find younger generations have kind of lost a little bit of sense of that community. Everyone’s very individualized and focused on their own things. Programs like this kind of bring us together, and bring like-minded ideas and … gets you kind of exploring more.”

Angela Uta, Inner-City Social Work student

Info Session:
Thursday, March 28, 2019
2:30-3:30 p.m.
300 Tier Building

Community Service-Learning

Community Service-Learning helps you develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for community work through immersive programming and hands-on projects. For more information, visit our website, call 204-474-6992 or email anny.chen@umanitoba.ca.

The Alternative Reading Week model connects students with community to enhance their academic training. During Reading Week, students engage in three days of project-based work with local non-profit agencies to explore their role in community, and learn firsthand about social justice challenges and solutions in Winnipeg. This year, placement agencies include new and returning partners, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg, North Point Douglas Women’s Centre, Two Spirited People of Manitoba, Wahbung Abinoonjiaag, West Broadway Youth Outreach, Winnipeg Harvest and others.

The projects proposed by partners this year are interesting and fun learning opportunities, including:

• Supervise programming for youth ages 4 and up with West Broadway Youth Organization
• Explore a Two Spirit Pride event in the North End of Winnipeg with Two Spirited People of Manitoba
• Help North Point Douglas Women’s Centre prepare for their All-You-Can-Eat Perogy Dinner and Cake Auction fundraiser
• Research and blog about human rights-related topics of interest for the Manitoba Association of Rights and Liberties
• And many more!

Reading Week starts with Monday FunDay, includes three placement days with a community partner agency, and ends at Winnipeg Harvest, where students learn more about poverty, food security and other challenges. Before Reading Week, students will participate in Community Engagement Training to develop their knowledge and skills in community development, plan their Reading Week projects with local non-profits, and begin a dialogue that will be carried on throughout the program. Guided reflections before and during Reading Week help students deepen their understanding of development challenges in Winnipeg, discover how to think critically about existing issues, and make connections between their formal academic training and their experiences at local organizations.

Community Service-Learning offers free local programs for students interested in applying their knowledge outside the classroom and gaining relevant hands-on experience in the community. ARW Winnipeg is offered in partnership with the University of Manitoba Student Union. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible for recognition on their Co-Curricular Record.

Apply now on UMCommunityLink. Applications for the program are due January 10, 2019.

Community Service-Learning offers local and international experiential programs that help students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for community engagement.

We sat down with students from diverse backgrounds to talk about what they have gained from taking part in CSL programs. Here’s what Anthony De Guzman (Faculty of Engineering) and Veronica Sharkey (B.A. Honours in Sociolology, Faculty of Arts) had to share about their experience in Leaf Rapids: Northern Food Security.

Anthony De Guzman used his engineering skills to develop a much-needed irrigation system for the Churchill River Nursery, and also found summer employment for two years with the community.

CSL gives you a chance to apply your knowledge and skills.

An Engineering student upgrading his credentials after immigrating to Canada from the Philippines, Anthony De Guzman developed and implemented irrigation systems for a tunnel greenhouse and outdoor nursery as part of his volunteer work in Leaf Rapids: Northern Food Security.

“Always in class, I felt that studying these things were great, but there was really no application,” Anthony remembers. “Last year, I got to do some experimentations by myself. I knew what I was doing to make things more efficient with my engineering background, and that was actually the point where I felt like I was doing something better.”

CSL helps you develop a critical, community-centered lens.

By listening to the stories of community members, Anthony also made connections between displacement, poverty and his professional responsibilities as an engineer, reflecting on flooding from hydro development or the water diversion that saved Winnipeg. 

“As an engineer, we have a code of ethics that says that we are responsible for the lives of the public,” Anthony points out. “South Indian Lake, Leaf Rapids, Lake St. Martin, they were all devastated in some way connected to the south. People lost their homes.”

Veronica Sharkey took the opportunity to explore applied sociology as she collaborated, liaised and learned from Elders, community partners and other community members.

CSL turns theory into practice.

Veronica Sharkey also took part in Leaf Rapids: Northern Food Security, rounding off her undergraduate thesis and university experience.

“One of the most transformative things, for me, was watching my CSL Coordinator be a listener to others,” shares Veronica. “In my degree, we talk a lot about community assessment, resistance and vitality, but we don’t see what it looks like on the ground. Taking part in CSL really affected how I interact with people in my community and how I have tried to do my work moving forward. We need to listen to people that we wouldn’t normally listen to and then actually do what they’re saying.”

CSL supports career development.

Now working as a Project Leader for Katimavik, a six-month, immersive youth development program, Veronica says that her experiences with CSL were the make-or-break for getting the job.

“I bring up CSL in every job interview I’ve had since CSL,” Veronica says, “I gained job skills that are extremely relevant to my work now, and I have the tools and understanding of what I want to look for in my career.”

“If you’re trying to figure out what you want to do, CSL is full of great people who will be great resources to you. I really refined my professional interests through my experiences with CSL because they explore them along with you.”

LEAF RAPIDS: NORTHERN FOOD SECURITY

Leaf Rapids: Northern Food Security is a four-week program offered in May-June that helps students develop skills in project planning, facilitation and community engagement. Participants will support the work of Indigenous youth in a boreal gardening program. The $1,000 program fee includes round-trip travel by car, accommodations and food. Students with financial need can apply for a bursary of $250 as part of their application. Applications are due January 30.

For more information on CSL programs and workshops, visit the Community Service-Learning website or reach out to a CSL Coordinator at 204-474-6992 or service [dot] learning [at] umanitoba [dot] ca. All CSL programs are eligible for recognition on your Co-Curricular Record.

“International experiences that engage students in their learning are transformative: students return with a renewed sense of direction, more confidence and pride in themselves for what they’ve accomplished,” says Susie Taylor, director of the U of M’s International Centre.

Those global experiences can also lead to local impacts. Student Ashley Daniels participated in the Amazon: Indigenous Technologies program in Ecuador in 2017 to learn from an Indigenous community outside of Canada and find new ways of supporting her own communities in Manitoba.

“[It] helped me become more of a leader and find different ways I can connect to other Indigenous people outside of Manitoba, like volunteering in Australia,” says Daniels. “I am now also interested in working with reserve communities to find alternative ways of revitalizing the Ojibway language, so that our future generations speak the language, just as fluently as the Kichwa people in Ecuador.”

Students are invited to learn more about global citizenship with a series of internationally focused opportunities and events on Nov. 1, organized by the International Centre and Community Service-Learning. All students are welcome!

International Opportunities in Campo
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Campo
Student Emma Ausen traveled to Costa Rica on exchange – an eye-opening experience that led to counting sea turtles emerging from the water to lay eggs and studying hummingbirds. “Traveling is always amazing, but living in a country lets you understand the place so much,” she says. At this event, students can learn more about international travel opportunities and enter to win discounts on program fees.

Skills for Ethical and Sustainable Travel
2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. – GSA Lounge, 217 UMSU University Centre
Community Service-Learning opportunities focus on ethical travel and social justice projects with community organizations. This skill-building event will help students hone their skills for ethical and sustainable travel – before, during and after their voyages.

Meet and Greet at Degrees
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Degrees
Attending The Power of One? Meet other students interested in global citizenship and warm up for the Visionary Conversations event over a Mexican-inspired meal to celebrate the Day of the Dead.

The Power of One: What’s my responsibility as a global citizen?
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Agora (main floor, Active Living Centre)
Attend this panel discussion as part of the U of M’s Visionary Conversations series.

To register for these events and opportunities, click here. You can also talk travel with students who have participated in an exchange or internship abroad at #uminternational Wednesdays on Oct. 31 at 10:30 a.m. in the International Centre lounge (541 UMSU University Centre).

Do you want to feel connected to your city and community? CSL is here to help.

Community Service-Learning helps students, staff and faculty connect to community: both a community of practice with like-minded people, and a community of action with members of the wider community.

Available programs

New this year, students, staff and faculty are welcome to take part in year-round programs that increase poverty awareness  and explore our connection to land and water as volunteers, mentors and facilitators.  Visit the website for more information, and for application deadlines.

February Reading Week and Summer Term programs are open to all U of M students.

What will participation do for you?

• Develop skills in project planning and community engagement through Alternative Reading Week Winnipeg
• Learn about natural building, plant-based medicine, permaculture and survival skills while exploring the Amazon during February Reading Week
• Join a collective of social justice artists bringing performances and workshops to remote island communities in the Patagonia region of Chile
• Support Indigenous youth engagement and leadership development in Northern Manitoba and the Toledo District of Belize

Local programs are free of charge, and needs-based travel bursaries are available to support students applying to northern and international programs, including part-time and international students. Applications for these programs are due November 30.

 Community engagement training

Participants in all programs will take part in orientation and training to develop the foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to work with community. These include critically reflecting on our identity, gifts and roles, valuing the knowledge and expertise of communities, and taking action in ethical and culturally safe ways.

“I did a program like this before and it didn’t have the same pre-departure training, and I think for that reason, I got a lot less out of it,” reflects Veronica Sharkey, B.A. Hons in Sociology and a past participant in the Leaf Rapids and Land and Water programs. “I think CSL gives you tools and skills to take with you on your programming, and also you can take your skills with you later. They’re really good at capacity-building and equipping you, and listening to your needs in the same way that they are listening to the community needs.”

For more information about CSL programs and workshops, visit the Community Service-Learning website or reach out to a CSL Coordinator at 204.474.6992 or service [dot] learning [at] umanitoba [dot] ca.  All CSL programs can be included on your Co-Curricular Record. 

Do you want to learn more about your relationship to Treaty, and to the Indigenous lands and waterways in our city? The Land and Water Mentoring Program will bring together grade 10 students from R. B. Russell Vocational High School with undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Manitoba to learn about Indigenous cultures, social justice work and the university experience. Together, university mentors and high school youth will:

• participate in cultural programming to explore identity, power and privilege;
• reflect on their gifts and roles in community;
• meet and learn from community leaders;
• explore university as one of many paths for achieving social justice and Mino Bimaadiziwin, the good life;
• and attend classes and campus events to experience university and student life.

Open to all U of M students. Indigenous students are strongly encouraged to apply. In the 2017-18 school year, about 98% of the R. B. Russell’s student population identified as Indigenous. CSL acknowledges how important it is for mentors to share a cultural frame of reference with the youth they will work with. Service-Learning Coordinator Indigenous Nicki Ferland shared, “It’s particularly important for youth to see themselves reflected in the university mentors, especially because we want them to be able to envision university as one of many paths they can take to use their gifts, fulfil their chosen roles in community, and achieve their goals, generally.”

Become a mentor, learn more about yourself and make a difference for high school students. Learn more about the Land and Water Mentoring Program here, including required time commitments and a draft schedule for the 2018-19 school year. Mentors receive free training in mentorship, ARROWS, facilitation, conflict resolutions and more!

Apply now! Applications are open until October 8 at 11:59 pm. Mentors interviews take place during the weeks of October 8 and 15. The first full-day event with R. B. Russell students is Thursday, October 25.

Community Service-Learning offers free local programs for students interested in applying their knowledge outside the classroom and gaining relevant hands-on experience in the community.

Anthony De Guzman has entered his final year of Mechanical Engineering. Originally from the Philippines, he is part of the Internationally-Educated Engineers Qualification (IEEQ) program for students who currently possess degrees abroad and are working to complete assigned courses to have their credentials line-up with Canadian standards.

What did you do this summer?

I was a greenhouse technician in Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, most of my work focused on experimentation such as how grow lights work with Churchill River seeds. I also created maps for gardens, designed a watering system with limited supplies, and conducted outreach initiatives for nearby communities providing guidance on gardening and management of their greenhouses.

Getting to know all the people in Leaf Rapids had its perks, as it’s known to be a tight-knit community and the people are great. I’ve been as far as Brochet for a workshop, visited a friend’s cabin in Newfie Lake, and found time to fish and swim at a few beaches close to Leaf Rapids.

How did you discover this opportunity?

I joined the Community Service-Learning program last year with a team of university students all interested in helping the community of Leaf Rapids. This is my second year working up North.

What did you like most about this experience?

It’s fun creating solutions to problems with limited resources and the opportunity motivated me to learn more about engineering and horticulture. This experience allowed me to make friends within the community and I was surrounded by good mentors to guide me.

What type of impact did this endeavour have for you?

The work I did this summer is not a project… It’s a mission – to pass along what we’ve learned to nearby communities – using all the resources provided by nature. Additionally, my interest in helping create the nursery garden has evolved to further understanding the social issues of Northern communities.

With summer quickly coming to an end, what do you look forward to most going into the new school year this fall?

I’m really into archery tag. Our team won the championship last winter and I’m definitely coming back for more. I’m also excited for classes. I’ve almost completed my schooling and graduation is near. Only one more semester of sleepless nights!

Visit our student accounts on Instagram and Facebook to share your summer stories. You can also join the ‘Summer stories conversation’ on social media by following #umsummer2018.