Amawtay Wasi University, Ecuador, Hosts FNUniv and UofR Academics

From May 1st to May 11th, 2026, faculty and students from the First Nations University of Canada and the University of Regina visited Amawtay Wasi University [Kichwa for “the House of Wisdom”], the Indigenous university of the South American country of Ecuador. The three universities have been communicating since 2024 to find ways to support each other and our students by exploring opportunities in teaching, research, and funding. Amawtay Wasi serves Indigenous peoples who speak 14 distinct Indigenous languages and belong to 16 national identities. The Amawtay Wasi hosts referred to the gathering as the fulfillment of a prophecy of the meeting of the Eagle and the Andean Condor – a symbolic meeting of the peoples of North and South America. 

Although the Indigenous peoples of Canada and Ecuador are as different as the Canadian prairies and boreal forest are from the Andes Mountains, the Amazonian Rainforest, and the Pacific tropical forests of Ecuador, as the group met and compared the current concerns and histories of the two regions, they saw many shared experiences and conditions. The impacts of colonization by European powers, loss of Indigenous territory, violence of colonial administration, residential schools, ongoing struggles to preserve relationships with the land, and to pass Indigenous traditions and languages to younger generations are experienced in both Indigenous communities of Ecuador and Canada. 

The opening ceremonies led by a Kichwa Elder, directed their prayers to Inti – the life-giving power of the Sun in the East, Pacha mama– the regenerative power of the Mother Earth in the West, the power of the strength of the Ancestor in the North, and the strength of the Apu– the spirits of animals, plants, mountain tops, springs, and rivers who are embodied in the South. Said participant, Darian Agecoutay, “We pray in a different way in the north [Canada], but we recognize the same powers and beings.  We’re not that different”. 

In addition to the blessing and welcome ceremonies offered by the Ecuadorian hosts, attendees participated in roundtable discussions to provide an overview of the institutions’ journeys toward Indigenous post-secondary education and community service.  Dr. Ed Doolittle (FNUniv, Indigenous Knowledge and Science) offered an important insight: “We are currently experiencing two kinds of globalization. One involves extractive industries that damage our Indigenous societies and territories.  The second one – the one we can overlook – is the coming together for the first time of Indigenous societies from across the world to share experiences and strategies for regaining health and well-being within our territories. No one is forced to take part in this Indigenous sharing of knowledge, but it is no less important than the first one.” 

The group doesn’t yet know how all paths will combine to support and enrich the teachings, research, and community service, but the Eagle has met the Condor. The hope is that this is only the beginning of the journey.

Many heartfelt thanks to Dr. Veronica Santafe, the University of Regina’s Office of the Vice President Research, and an Indigenous Kichwa woman, who guided us every step of the way toward a safe and amazing visit to Quito, Ecuador. 

Trip participants: 

Darian Agecoutay (FNUniv Alumni, MA candidate / Lecturer, Indigenous Languages)
Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway (Knowledge Keeper, FNUniv Alumni – Mathematics)
Lynn Cote (FNUniv / U of R, PhD candidate – Indigenous Education, Instructor in Indigenous Languages)
Cheyanne Desnomie (FNUniv/PhD Candidate, U of R Dept. of Anthropology)
Dr. Ed Doolittle (FNUniv, Associate Professor – Indigenous Knowledge and Science)
Noah Hoostie (FNUniv / University of Regina – MS student Indigenous Knowledge and Science)
Taneesha Herbert (FNUniv Alumni, UR Masters Candidate)
Roland Kaye (FNUniv, oskâpêwis)
Dr. Anna-Leah King (University of Regina, Professor – Faculty of Education)
Wayne McNab (FNUniv Alumni – Social Work)
Leah Missens (FNUniv, Lecturer, Indigenous Education)
Dr. Andrew Miller (Associate Professor, Indigenous Studies)
Dr. Kathy Nolan (University of Regina, Professor – Mathematics Education, Faculty of Education)
Dr. Veronica Santafe (University of Regina, Research Engagement Manager)
Dr. Bruno Soares (University of Regina, Adjunct Professor – Dept. Biology)
Dr. Andrea Sterzuk (University of Regina, Faculty of Education, AVP Research)
Dr. Vincent Ziffle (FNUniv Associate Professor, Indigenous Knowledge and Science)

Submitted by: Dr. Andrew Miller, FNUniv