Cultural Survival's community includes people from all walks of life, with beautiful stories to tell of your own about why you decided to become an advocate for Indigenous Peoples' rights. Sharing these stories further connects our community, provides much-needed solidarity and validation to our staff and partners on the ground, and helps us inspire others to join our movement. We are excited to spotlight members and former interns of our community and highlight your contributions and perspectives through our Cultural Survival Spotlight series.
Are you a former Cultural Survival intern or a passionate member of our community? We'd be honored to hear and share your story!
Elias Witman, Cultural Survival Former Intern (Cultural Survival Bazaar, 2008) & Member Spotlight
When were you a Cultural Survival intern and what program did you work with?
I remember being impressed by magazines, posters, and course materials by Cultural Survival (CS) in Williams Hall at University of Vermont in 2005. My professors at the time spoke highly of CS and Robert Gordon [anthropology professor and then department chair at the University of Vermont] was close friends with David and Pia [Maybury-Lewis]. There was a call for summer bazaar interns in 2008, and it seemed liked a great thing to get involved with.
Where are you currently in your career, and how do you see your internship experience connecting to your present work?
After a remarkable summer of fundraising with the CS team, I soon headed to Southwestern China for a study abroad program. In the year that followed, I wrote a 10 page article in the Cultural Survival Quarterly on the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake and its impact on Indigenous Qiang communities. This research came in tandem with humanitarian aid work in which I was a volunteer coordinator. Nowadays I'm not a cultural anthropologist like my younger self had wanted to be, but my internship experience certainly shaped my career trajectory. I've worked globally in sustainable business consulting and recently moved into sales where I support infrastructure that empowers renewable energy generation.
Elias at a Cultural Survival Bazaar.
Do you have a particularly memorable moment, interaction, or experience from your internship that had a lasting impact on you?
Sure, probably sleeping on the rugs under our tent on the pier after a night out in Provincetown, MA. We had a fun group!
Is there anything else you would like to share about your intern experience or insights for future Cultural Survival interns?
The community was a joy to work with and a unique opportunity to meet folks from all walks of life. We certainly had some tiring days during the bazaars, but the impact we made for CS and the international artisans and vendors was absolutely worth it.
What has motivated you to continue to stay connected and be a member of the Cultural Survival community?
I'm glad that at this point in my life I can support CS financially and enjoy volunteering at regional events. I plan on remaining a CS member for life!
Are you a former Cultural Survival intern or a passionate member of our community? We'd be honored to hear and share your story!
Top photo: Elias in rural China.
