Contact:

Yolanda Teran, 277-3027

February 8, 2002

Ortiz Center hosts Fulbright Scholar from Ecuador

Teaching about the indigenous people and the culture of Ecuador is Yolanda Teran’s main goal as a 2001-2002 Fulbright Scholar at the UNM Alfonso Ortiz Center for Intercultural Studies.

Teran, one Indian professional from the Kichwa nationality from Ecuador, is based at the Department of Anthropology and the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology through July 2002.

“My focus is on indigenous peoples, poor people, women and children,” Teran said. “My main goal is to help them learn about health, nutrition, education, human rights and production.”

At UNM she will be giving a public lecture this spring and teaching two classes about Indigenous Ecuadorian cultures through the Native American Studies Department during the spring and summer semesters. She is available to meet with students and faculty campus-wide.

“I have an open mind, open eye and open heart,” she said.

Teran said she embraces every opportunity to learn about other cultures and will visit pueblos and Indian communities in New Mexico while she is here. She said she would make herself available for the indigenous people of New Mexico.

“It’s important to learn from other people,” she said. “Having an open dialogue with all people is one to share and to see what kind of problems we have.”

This is Teran’s second Fulbright Scholar appointment. From 2000-2001, after participating in a national contest, she served at Sisseton Wahpeton Community College in Old Agency, South Dakota. She developed a cultural awareness program with and for Dakota people and she taught “Growing Up Indian” and “Contemporary Issues for Indian Life.”

Teran said she has been very fortunate in having receiving a solid education.

“I have worked hard and I do my best,” she said, “Receiving my degrees has opened many doors for me, and it hasn’t been easy.

She said that one of her most memorable accomplishments was winning a gold medal as the best primary school student in Ecuador and being the national flag carrier at the college.

Her past professional experiences include serving as the National Coordinator of Education and Culture with the National Council of Indigenous Women from Ecuador, CONMIE, National Secretary of Indigenous Affairs of Ecuador in Quito, teacher of Andean Museology at the Technological University of Ecuador in Quito and special advisor at the National Museum of the American Indian, NMAI in New York.

Teran has taught several courses and seminars in various subjects. She has received numerous awards including scholarships from various universities. She holds a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester, England and a Licentia in Museology from the University of Rio de Janeiro, “UNI-RIO,” Brazil.

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