Hi there, my name is Joshua and I am a 5th year Sociology student. I am taking this class because I am half El Salvadorian and am hoping, before I graduate, that this course can connect me with my ancestors because I quite literally need them. I unfortunately was never spoken to in Spanish enough to be fluent, but I have visited El Salvador when I was 9 to meet my family there. Other interests for taking this course would be to learn the customs and ways of the Indigenous populations prior to colonization and how they continue certain customs today. I guess an expectation would be to look at impending decolonization efforts by these populations and governments of these countries and overlap with similar decolonization efforts here in Canada. Overall, I’m excited to learn more of the Indigenous populations in this part of the world, and observe their power permeate through their recounts of resistance, perseverance, and culture.

Last term I was away on co-op and now I am back full time to wrap up my degree. My New Years resolutions are to take life slow, cook new recipes, do more karaoke, and perchance apply for my Masters. I was unable to attend our first class due to illness, but I am excited to meet you all next Wednesday and explore this interesting and important course together 🙂