Pablo Aránguiz Mesías presents on the Wekimün Chilkatuwe School, June 8
Join for a presentation and dialogue with Pablo Aránguiz Mesías, a visiting research fellow of UPEI’s Young Lives Research Laboratory (YLRL). The presentation is us Thursday, June 8 at 10 am in room 246 of UPEI’s Don and Marion McDougall Hall. Aránguiz will be presenting about the the Wekimün Chilkatuwe School in Chiloé, Chile—a collaborative project of the YLRL and the General Council of Williche Chiefs of Chiloé.
“We are pleased and honoured to have Pablo with us as a Visiting Fellow,” said Dr. Kate Tilleczek, director of the YLRL. “He has been a central part of the team in our international and collaborative work to build and develop this unique intercultural school and curriculum with, for, and by the Williche youth and communities of southern Chile. Pablo’s visit will heighten our collaborations even further as we forge additional links with Indigenous communities on PEI and share together our respective lessons and questions about education and sustainable development in First Nations communities. The Wekimün School project has been a tremendous honour and learning experience. It is our hope that the YLRL and the Willche Council of Chiefs will witness many new roots taking hold from the foundations we have created together.”
Wekimün School, funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims to improve the quality of life of the Indigenous Williche youth, their families, and territories through intercultural educational initiatives. Its educational model seeks to integrate traditional-Indigenous and western-scientific knowledge into curricula and project-based learning programs.
Aránguiz, a professor at Wekimün School, holds a master’s degree in analysis and management of ecosystems from the University of Alicante in Spain. Aránguiz contributes to the development of a unique intercultural curriculum at Wekimün, teaches, and manages the school’s community-based education and sustainable development projects.
“It has been a privilege to be a direct witness and participate in the dialogue between the systems of traditional Williche and modern scientific knowledge. Wekimün, the new knowledge, has been possible thanks to the humility of those who have made available their life experiences to face the global problems that affect to all of us today,” said Aránguiz.
Professor Aránguiz will be visiting Prince Edward Island June 5-10. During his time, he will meet with and learn from scholars and members of the Indigenous communities on the Island. His presentation Thursday will give an overview of Wekimün School, including a multi-media display of photographs and video. There will be time for open questions and answers, and a dialogue about next steps in the collaboration.
The Young Lives Research Laboratory conducts qualitative research in the area of reimagining schools for and with marginalized youth, youth and technology, and youth and mental health. For more information on the lab, visit katetilleczek.ca.
The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.
