The visit of the Ecuadorian indigenous intellectual Dr. Luis Macas to the University of Michigan was an extraordinary opportunity for enriching the current debate academic about indigenous social movements. Dr. Macas’s visit included meetings with faculty and students, presentations in classes, and a public conference with the participation of Peruvian anthropologist Marisol de la Cadena.
Dr. Macas had meetings with Professors Stuart Kirsch, currently teaching ANTHROCUL 319: Indigenous Political Movements, Gustavo Verdesio, currently teaching HIST 698.3: Rethinking Indigeneities, Javier Sanjinés, currently teaching SPAN 485: “Desarrollo de la Conciencia Popular en los Andes,” Julia Paley, who does research about the Indigenous Movement and Democracy in Ecuador, and Professor Bruce Mannheim, who does research in the Andes.
In addition, Dr. Macas met with a large group (20) of graduate and undergraduate students and faculty, not only from the University of Michigan but also from Wayne University, to discuss the development of his career as an indigenous activist. Furthermore, Dr. Macas met with a small group of students and faculty to discuss about the current development of the Intercultural University of Indigenous Nationalities and Peoples, a higher education institution for indigenous people that he directs.
Dr. Macas also did presentations about the indigenous movement in Ecuador in two classes. The first was ANTHROCUL 319: Latin America Society and Culture, taught by Professor David Frye, (50 students) and the second class was SPAN 485, taught by Professor Sanjinés (21 students).
The public conference on Friday, December 3, was the main event, and the attendance exceeded our expectations. Around sixty people were present. Dr. Macas presented a critical view of the history and current situation of the Ecuadorian indigenous movement. Marisol de la Cadena spoke about the problems that the indigenous movement faces when moving from social mobilization to electoral politics. During last twenty-five minutes, Dr. Macas answered questions from the public, and finally we presented Dr. Macas with the King•Chavez•Parks Visiting Professor certificate. Dr. Macas’s visit has been a complete success. Students and faculty have not only praised the events but also qualified his visit as very important. The exchange of perspectives and ideas with Dr. Macas has been extremely valuable not only for researchers working in the Andes but also for researchers working in other parts of the world. His visit has enriched the debate about indigenous movements in regional and comparative perspectives.
This was a Circulo cosponsored event with gratefully acknowledged support from the International Institute, Latin American & Caribbean Studies, the Department of Anthropology, and the Office of the Provost for Academic Affairs.