University News

'Journey to Discovering Our Ancestry' Nov. 12 at WIU

November 2, 2018

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MACOMB, IL -- Sigma Lambda Gamma, Casa Latina and the Western Sociology and Anthropology Club at Western Illinois University have teamed up to organize the "Journey to Discovering our Ancestry" event at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12 at the Multicultural Center.

The idea behind the event is to trigger a discussion about ethnicity and the importance of discovering our roots, and to learn how to build our family trees. Also, a group of 14 will have the opportunity to do a free Ancestry DNA test.

"In May, I had the dream of obtaining free DNA kits to have a program about ancestry and family history on campus and that dream came true thanks to Lorilee Wagner from Ancestry," said Julia Albarracin, faculty advisor of Sigma Lambda Gamma and professor of Political Science. "The organizers are very excited and welcome the participation of all students on campus."
Casa Latina Cultural Center Director Rocio Ayard Ochoa said she is "enthusiastic about this wonderful collaboration because it aligns with Casa Latina's goal of offering a holistic learning experience through programs that facilitate the exploration of ethnic identity development and cultural expression."

Ancestry has samples from more than 10 million people in its database to provide people with insight about who they are and where they come from. Some people have been able to find living relatives they didn't know using the company's system.

While discussing the idea that ethnicity is not biological, but socially constructed, Heather McIlvaine-Newsad, professor of sociology and anthropology said, "Ethnicity should unite us, not divide us. Your DNA tells you where you come from, but your ethnicity tells you who you are now."

Margarita Sotelo, a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma, said her sorority joined in sponsoring the event because they feel it is important for people to discover their roots because it allows them to be more aware of their ethnicity and identity.

"You can't know where you're going if you don't know where you've been, and by discovering your roots you will be able to be more grounded, both intellectually and culturally," said Sotelo.

For more information about the event, contact Albarracin at j-albarracin@wiu.edu.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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