Visiting Students from Yucatán, Mexico Stop in at FNUniv

On August 12, the Research Office, in collaboration with the University of Regina’s Global Mobility Office, hosted an afternoon seminar for 30 visiting students from Yucatán, Mexico. The students were participating in an eight-week program funded by the Government of Mexico. While their primary areas of study were in STEM fields, they also shared a strong interest in the preservation and promotion of Indigenous languages and Knowledges.

Several FNUniv faculty members and graduate students delivered lectures and presentations highlighting the intersections of Indigenous Knowledges, language, science, and technology. Dr. Vincent Ziffle and his graduate students discussed the uses of traditional plants and medicines, as well as the development and delivery of a course exploring the chemistry of cooking traditional foods. Dr. Edward Doolittle and his graduate student explored the potential applications of artificial intelligence for Indigenous language preservation, along with mathematical probability in traditional Indigenous games. Lynn Cote shared her journey and her work with Indigenous communities to support language preservation through teaching, mentorship, and the development of language-learning materials.

The afternoon concluded on a particularly sweet note, with students treated to homemade ice cream prepared by Dr. Ziffle and served with local Saskatoon berry preserves provided by Dr. Doolittle.

Submitted by: Cheyanne Desnomie, FNUniv Research