From Comarca to City: Kuna Leaders Defying Educational Barriers for Cultural Preservation

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 1:45 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Learning Across Places and Cultures (Table 1)

Abstract

This study explores how Kuna educators balance cultural identity with educational demands in Panama. Focusing on the Comarca of Kuna Yala versus urban areas like Panama City, it examines educators' unique challenges and their impact on teaching practices and cultural preservation. The study investigates the strategies used by Kuna educators to maintain the Kuna language and culture, particularly through the EBI curriculum created by the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA). It aims to highlight the practical barriers to integrating Indigenous knowledge in education and assess how these challenges affect student outcomes and identities. By comparing experiences across different settings, the research offers insights into the role of intercultural education in preserving Indigenous cultures.

Authors

• Debora Saavedra-Winch, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Tina Lane Heafner, University of North Carolina - Charlotte