Tanzania Maasai visit Canada

The University Of Victoria in partnership with The Kesho Trust secured a grant that enabled representatives to meet with Canadian First Nations communities. Three members from the Enguserosambu Forest Tribe (EFT) travelled from Tanzania to Canada to share stories and experiences relation to cultural integrity and resource management on traditional lands.

The Canadians had visited the EFT in the past which allowed for personal relationships to be strengthen on this tour; Canadians opened their homes for the members of the EFT to reside in during their stay.  

Over the course of the two week tour, the Canadians demonstrated various sites and traditional activities, which consisted of stories, songs, land use mapping, and cedar bark stripping. Two public events were held over the course of the tour in which the EFT members shared stories on their territories, their culture, and their resource management.

Overall, the tour provided a vast opportunity for exchanges of knowledge and skills, which provided a rich experience for the EFT members as well as the Canadian First Nations communities. The experience resulted in great interest to continue relationships and share activities in the future. Plans are already in progress to bring together aboriginal community for future events and learning opportunities.