About Us
Marquis is named in honour of a legendary high protein, high yield variety of hard wheat bred from Eastern European and Indian genetic strains and proven successful here in Brandon in 1912. We adopted the name and unusual pronunciation (mar-kwiss) to celebrate our pride in this prairie achievement which spread around the world to feed millions.
In Canada, Marquis is active in schools and community organizing. creating or participating in events around important global concerns, such as our annual youth conference YETII (Youth Educating Themselves on International Issues), and The Fair Game®. Marquis speaks out in the media on issues that affect us all and hosts speakers from around the world. Our alternative shop, Worldly Goods, offers unique giftware and fairly traded organic food products from our partners in Central America, Africa and beyond. Marquis has an active youth committee of high school and university students who educate their peers on global concerns. We work in coalition with groups and individuals around Manitoba to confront issues around race, poverty, environment, and volunteerism.
Mission Statement
The Marquis Project is a community-centered, non-profit organization committed to the strengthening of international development. It has a two-fold purpose:
- To help educate Manitobans as to the nature of economic, political and social issues involved at both the local and global levels.
- To seek to participate actively in sustainable projects and partnerships aimed at improving the quality of life in small, rural communities in developing countries.
Partners
The Marquis Project partners with community organizations in East Africa and Central America to help them reach their development goals.
At this time we have partnered with the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) and with the Tanzanian Society for Agriculture Education and Extension (TSAEE) to offer programs in rural communities near Mwanza, Tanzania.
The program will provide an inventory of clean energy technologies available in both the Lake Zone and Western Zone of Tanzania. More efficient cooking stoves will be introduced to the communities as well as solar drying technology. In keeping with the sustainable environmental theme of this project. Tree planting will also be an important aspect of the program. It is hoped that this program will ease the work load of those who are looking after the many people affected by HIV/AIDS.
Marquis has also created The Fair Game™ as a series of short role-playing games which explore the costs and benefits of world trading systems. The Fair Game™ was designed by Curt Shoultz in Manitoba for use in Grade 10 Geography and Grade 12 World Issues classes.