Cancun, Mexico 
Wichita's Sister City relationship with Cancun dates from November 25, 1975, when the Wichita City Commission approved the affiliation. A year later, a replica of Blackbear Bosin's Keeper of the Plains was installed in Cancun and on September 27, 1978, a replica of the Mayan Rain God, Chac, a gift from Cancun, was placed at the Mid-America All-Indian Center. Following this, medical supplies were sent to Cancun through the collective efforts of the Wichita Red Cross, Wesley Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital. Another early project of the sister Cities Advisory Board focused on Cancun's water supply. Through a grant from the federal government, Wichita was able to give technical advice and assistance to Cancun to help to upgrade the community water service.
Soon after our Wichita-Cancun affiliation, Cancun named its elementary school "Wichita-Cancun Elementary School", and through the efforts of the Sister Cities Advisory Board, school supplies such as crayons, scissors and paper were sent to Cancun. Many individual student exchanges have taken place through the years. The mayors and administrative officials from both cities participate in annual reciprocal visits. An exchange highlight occurred in 1987 when, through a Practical Trainee Exchange Grant, young adults participated in reciprocal exchanges with focus on teaching and business internships.
Annually, we participate in student exchanges between LaSalle University and Friends University. In January, a group of students attend classes at Friends University in Wichita, many experience snow for the very first time. In June, a group of students from Wichita attend classes at LaSalle University in Cancun. On July 17, 2004, this program was recognized by Sister Cities International as the award winner for technology and innovation at the Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
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