INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM(IIMP)

about

Welcome to the Resource Center of the 1st edition of the International Indigenous Mentorship Program (IIMP) of the Indigenous Peoples Observatory Network (IPON).

The Program sought to strengthen the cultural identity and practical research skills of Indigenous and non-Indigenous young researchers associated with the IPON network. The emphasis was on Indigenous Knowledge and experiences, and the connections between food, health and well-being in the context of climate change.

The program was funded by the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account of the University of Leeds.

Meet our mentees

We had a cohort of 8 mentees, coming from 8 countries where IPON is currently active.

WHERE DO MENTEES COME FROM?

WHO MADE IIMP POSSIBLE

Designed by Andrea Valdivia, this photo collage attempt to represent the people who made the IIMP possible and to reflect a bit of each person’s essence. It includes images of the places where we conduct our research, as well as a representation of the world, to highlight how we are all interconnected and share a mission to care for our planet through the work we do with Indigenous communities.

Our Coordinator: Victoria Chicmana Zapata

Our Facilitators: Dr. James Ford, Dr. Carol Zavaleta Cortijo, Dr. Anita Varghese, Dr. Kerrie Pickering, Dr. Andrea Hanke, Mikaila Way and Dr. Yolanda Lopez Maldonaldo

Our Mentors: Dr. Jyotsna Krishnakumar, Dr. Eranga Galappaththi, Cecil Togarepi, Chrishma Perera, Gayanthi Ilangarathne

WHAT OUR MENTEES SAY ABOUT iimp?

Through the IIMP Programme our mentees had the opportunity attend six facilitator sessions and they also received one on one mentoring. Facilitator sessions aimed at providing an overview about the research process. Individual mentorship aimed at supporting mentees on their specific research needs (e.g., developing research proposals).
Here are some of the reflections from our mentees about their experience on IIMP.

OUTPUTS FROM MENTEES

STORY OF THE COVER

Nature and painting of the Shawi People

Ma’sharu’sa ya’werinsu shawi ninanu’sake

In the high mountains, streams and rivers are born, giving water and fish for our consumption. The person in the river represents that we must fish like our ancestors, only with arrow and tarrafa, not with poison because we will destroy all fish. In the chacra, we plant our food. We do not destroy large quantities of forest, therefore, we have pure air to breathe. We should take care of our rivers and forests for the next generations.

The Shawi woman is making crafts that she learnt from her ancestors; we want young girls to keep our tradition. The birds (red macaw, blue macaw and toucan), and the setulli flower, show the colourful landscape of the Amazon. The Shawi woman wears her traditional clothing, with bird feather ornaments for her beauty. The mountains harbour different species of trees and animals. The kumpanamá stone represents the God of the Shawi ancestors, and it has carved drawings with messages. The jar is the container to prepare traditional drinks such as masato and chicha, and the mocahua is used to serve the drinks.

Chimer Chanchari is a young artist from the Shawi Indigenous Peoples of the Peruvian Amazon. His artwork reflects the perspectives of Shawi Youth on their ancestral territories, and their hopes for the future. He has granted permission to use this artwork for the Mentorship Program.