From Mexico to PEI: Sharing Culture Through Women’s Voices

By Judith Mendiolea

Mayté Luna, left and Suhana Gazi are members of the P.E.I. Women’s Institute Branch.

Hiley Montijo from Sinaloa, Mexico thinks of her mother when she considers what it means to be a woman. Natividad Alonso worked in education for years, but later, when her children were born, decided to focus on her family.

To Montijo, this duality of independence and tradition embodies the essence of Mexican women —balancing modern aspirations with cultural heritage.

“My mom taught me that you can be independent and follow your dreams, but if you decide to change course and dedicate yourself to your family, that’s okay too,” Montijo said.

She is not the only one.

For Mayté Luna, the image of a Mexican woman carries a similar richness. Her grandmother, María Teresa Perez, from Jalisco, Mexico, was a trailblazer with three university degrees in psychology, law, and political science. Yet, she also preserved cultural traditions like cooking gorditas and brewing café de olla.

“She showed me that you can be highly educated and still keep your culture alive,” Luna said.

These reflections on family and identity will take center stage on Jan. 14, 2025, when Montijo and Luna present a cultural showcase about Mexico at the Confederation Branch of the Women’s Institute in Charlottetown.

For both women, the event is more than a chance to share their heritage —it’s a way to break stereotypes and build bridges of understanding in their new home.

A Platform for Cultural Exchange

The idea for cultural presentations arose from the unique makeup of the Confederation Branch, which consists primarily of international students and immigrants to P.E.I.

“It was agreed by the group that members would have an opportunity to acquire leadership and presentation skills by doing a presentation to our group,” said Sheila Gallant, the branch’s president. 

“Since our group consists mainly of members from another country making a home on PEI, the presentations would focus on the country from which the members are from.”

For Montijo, the stakes feel high as this is the first cultural exhibit hosted by the branch. “What we do now has to set a standard for future events,” she said. “We want to show that Mexicans can do great things.”

Luna agreed, admitting she feels both excited and nervous. 

“It’s exciting to be part of the first exhibit. It’s such an important moment for us and the community,” she said.

Hiley Montijo is a member of the P.E.I. Women’s Institute Branch. She’ll be presenting a lecture about Mexican culture at the branch on Jan. 14.

A Celebration of Food, Stories, and Connection

The upcoming presentation will highlight key elements of Mexican culture, with a special focus on food. For Montijo, cuisine is the perfect way to build a connection.

“Our favourite topic, and what we’ll probably talk about most, is food —because we love it, and everyone loves it,” she said with a laugh. From huitlacoche (corn smut) to edible insects, the presentation will explore the unique flavours of Mexican cuisine while weaving in stories of its cultural significance.

Luna envisions the event as lively and interactive. 

“I hope it’s fun, with lots of laughter and joy,” she said. “We want people to feel engaged and curious.”

But the presentation is about more than just entertainment. They see it as an opportunity to break down preconceptions.

“Sharing a little bit of your culture, your experiences —practically your life in your country —is a great experience because you’re teaching someone who knows nothing about it,” Montijo says.

“I don’t want to show just what you see in the news or on social media,” adds Luna. “I want to teach about traditions and what it’s really like to live in Mexico.”

Setting the Stage for Future Presentations

The Women’s Institute hopes this presentation will inspire others to share their stories as well. 

“This provides an educational learning opportunity for the audience and gives the presenters a chance to talk about their culture and practice leadership skills,” Sheila said.

For Montijo and Luna, the presentation is about creating those connections through shared experiences. 

“Knowing more about another culture can help people better understand others —why they are the way they are, or what their customs mean,” Montijo said.