Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous clans call for recognition of their rights

2011-08-17T08:02:00.000-07:00

In Cumaca, members of indigenous clans who still live in the forests are deeply upset and concerned about unregulated quarrying that is encroaching on their ancestral lands. While to the south, members of the Warao clan are calling for recognition by the state and research and re-education about the history of our indigenous peoples, and their links to clans in the Orinoco Delta of Venezuela.

See the full story at UCTP Taino News:
http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=704&Itemid=2

Caurita Stone a Carib legacy

2011-07-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

Trinidad - Since 1995 when the existence of the Caurita Stone was first publicised in our local newspapers, there has been much speculation as to the origins and meanings of the etchings on its surface. Back then, the stone was known as the "Mystery Stone of Caurita".

Today, the site, in the hills of the Maracas Valley where the stone is located, is the main destination of hikers and descendants of Amerindian ancestry.

Ricardo Bharath Hernandez, chief of the Santa Rosa Carib community, and Cristo Adonis, shaman for the community, led us on a trip up to Caurita, which included members of the National Heritage Council Rawle Mitchell and Niketa Yearwood.

Adonis, well acquainted with the natural vegetation of the area, pointed out several plants that usually go unnoticed by the untrained eye. The roots and leaves of most of these plants are composed of important medicinal ingredients for various illnesses and diseases. Adonis identified many of these precious plants amid the understorey of the forest.

As the trail wound through estates of cocoa, coffee and mixed species of forest, a bubbly stream criss-crossed the way several times. Immortelle trees provided sanctuary for oropendolas, busy as always with the duty of building nests and caring for their young. A large ficus tree welcomed a bay-headed tanager onto its shady bough.

It was just below the area of a large bamboo stool that Adonis revealed how he first found the stone.

"I was in these hills searching for the stone. My little son was with me at the time. When we reached this bamboo stool, an agouti dashed up the ridge ahead. My son said, 'Where the agouti run is where the stone is.' We headed up this ridge, following the direction of the agouti, and found the stone alongside the track."

Eager now to reach the stone, our party headed up the ridge, and just as Adonis had described, there it was, sitting prominently at the side of the trail.

The height and width of the stone is roughly six feet by eight feet, and drawings have been etched into the top half of its exposed surface at the front. These drawings show faintly between the growing mosses that carpet the stone. Mitchell promptly got to work cleaning the stone, so the depictions on the surface could be seen clearly.

Members of the Santa Rosa Carib community view this stone as having special spiritual significance and regard it as part of their natural heritage. Some of the etchings identified depict a chief, other people in ceremonial wear and a deer.

The chief and the shaman present gave offerings to the four porters or gateways: El Tucuche to the north, El Cerro del Aripo to the east, San Fernando Hill to the south and a mountain in Venezuela's Paria peninsula to the west.

It is agreed among Amerindian communities in Trinidad that etchings on the stone bear spiritual significance. The site of the Caurita Stone is now regarded as an important part of the ongoing quest for knowledge and understanding of Amerindian ancestral occupation and life on this island.

Sites such as this bear testimony that our First Nation did set the path for our present way of life and so, as an integral part of our anthem, do represent an important part of our heritage for the future.

Author: Heather-dawn Herrera
Source: Trinidad Express Newspapers

Jennifer Cassar is new Carib Queen

2011-07-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

She has what it takes: Incoming Carib Queen Jennifer Cassar at the Carib Centre, Arima yesterday.
—Photo: Curtis Chase

TRINIDAD - AUGUST 6 will signal a new chapter in the history of the Carib community.

On that day, Jennifer Cassar, 59, will walk out of the Santa Rosa RC Church in full Carib regalia, as the new Carib Queen.

The event is expected to draw supporters and members of the indigenous community bearing the traditional halekebe (crocheted poncho).

Cassar will take her place among her predecessors including Dolores MacDavid, Maria Werges, Justa Werges and Valentina Medina.

Her inauguration next month will be the first time in more than a decade that the community has elected a titular head.

For 11 years Medina served as Carib Queen until she succumbed to breast cancer in April at the age of 78.

Carib queens are elected based on their maturity and their vast knowledge of Carib history, practices, customs, way of life and oral traditions.

To say that Cassar is knowledgeable of her heritage would be a big understatement.

Since she was a child, Cassar was groomed in the indigenous customs, so much so that today she is like a walking encyclopedia on indigenous history.

"Although my mother was around, I also grew up with my grandparents and they lived a strict Carib way of life, this involved all aspects of Carib life. My grandmother was involved heavily in the Santa Rosa festival, I had to be part of the the procession with her. I made a commitment before she died that the lifestyle she had, I would emulate. I have to carry the mantle of my ancestors," said Cassar as she sat in the Carib Centre at Arima, surrounded by life-sized wooded sculptures, palm fronds and hand-woven baskets.

Cassar's appointment was based on more than her knowledge of the indigenous community. President of the Santa Rosa Carib Community, Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez explained that Cassar's cultural activism and her public service made her an obvious choice for Carib Queen.

For more than 20 years, Cassar has been involved in Carnival related activities, and has been the main organiser for the regional Carnival committee of the National Carnival Commission.

It is hard to imagine that this wife and mother of two, who is reserved by nature, is also a coordinator for stick-fighting competitions.

She has also spent 40 years as a public servant.

For the past five years, Cassar has also been a member of the Cabinet-appointed Amerindian project committee and has participated in a seminar on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for the Caribbean.

"Cassar has what it takes," said Bharath-Hernandez, to take the Carib community further.

Cassar made it clear that her role would involve more than simply being the face of the Carib community.

Her duty as Carib Queen will include supervising the Santa Rosa Festival, one of the major highlights on the local indigenous calendar.

She will take on the responsibility of cleaning and decorating the church in preparation for the festival.

Cassar will also take the lead in the procession and offer prayers and she is tasked with passing on Carib traditions to members of the community.

There are burning issues which Cassar says need to be addressed as a matter of priority.

"We want to ensure that the land that was promised to us by the last Government comes to fruition, at least during my lifetime, and to ensure that the people of Amerindian descent become actively involved in the Santa Rosa Carib Community, because there are a lot of them out there who do not want to be identified as Carib or indigenous, so we want to create projects to woo young people and also go out there on a campaign to encourage them to come to the community," said Cassar.

One of Medina's unfulfilled wishes was to see a united indigenous community.

Cassar says she is committed to making this a reality as she paid homage to her predecessor: "She was a very pious individual, very devoted to Santa Rosa, she was like a matriarch. Even though I have a lot of experience in many areas, I am a simple person, very approachable and open to any idea anyone may have on how we can take this community forward."

Author: Kimberly Castillo
Source: Trinidad Express Newspapers

Carib queen gets ceremonial send off

2011-05-17T22:50:00.000-07:00

Arima, Trinidad - The late Carib queen, Valentina Assing Medina, had three wishes. They were granted. Paying tribute to Medina, her daughter Loretta Medina-Grant said, “She wanted a pink rose in her hair. She also asked to see several people including Senator (Penny) Beckles (who read her eulogy), and Councillor Metevier. She especially asked for Msgr Christian Perreira to do her service.” The celebration and thanksgiving for the life of Medina, fondly known as Mavis, took place at the Santa Rosa RC Church, Arima, on April 29. Among those present were acting Prime Minister Winston Dookeran, Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Winston Peters, and president of the Santa Rosa Carib Community Ricardo Bharath.

Lopinot/Bon Air West MP Dr Lincoln Douglas and chair of the Amerindian Project Committee Vel Lewis were also present. As a lagniappe, she was sent to the Great Spirit via a traditional Amerindian ceremony at the nearby Santa Rosa cemetery. Leading the cortege, was flagsman Peter Diaz. The strains of Pedro Lezama’s saxophone were replaced by the infectious sounds of traditional parang which permeated the landmark kirk. From vantage points at the Santa Rosa park, mourners, including filmmaker and journalist Tracy Assing, watched the celebration unfold. Delicate poui blossoms formed a purple carpet closer to the boys’ school. The cortege was en route to God’s acre to bid their final rites to Medina. Another famous Arimian, calypsonian Aldwyn Roberts, fondly known as Lord Kitchener, was buried there.

Clutching palm fronds, members of the Carib clan decked in traditional vestments followed reverently. Their pretty faces were wreathed in smiles. Retired Spanish teacher at Arima Government Secondary School, Beryl Almarales, was spotted. She was joined by Jennifer Cassar, Antonia and Catherine Calderon, Maria Hernandez and Mary Noreiga. Elders, including Ramona Lopez and Metrina Medina, paid their final respects.

Even the menfolk such as Partners for the First Peoples, Roger Belix, donned waistcoats etched with bird figurines. As they wended their way, traditional Arima families like the Martinez clan watched the procession from their home—which was a blend of modernity and colonial architecture.

Amerindian ceremony send off

In the cool of the evening, Bharath and medicine man or shaman, Cristo Adonis, officiated at the smoke ceremony. They were assisted by her grandson Zachary Medina. Among those present were Arima Mayor Ghassan Youseph, and Arima MP Rodger Samuel. The aroma of forest incense wafted. Mourners coughed, and some retreated as the fire blazed. Under the boughs of a mango tree, neighbours espied the religious spectacle. Quizzed on the ceremony, Bharath said, “It is a smoke ritual. But it has different components to it. It is done in begging for a request from the Great Spirit. It is done in thanksgiving and at the death of someone. Depending on the ceremony, you will use different ingredients. In the case of death, we used tobacco, incense and some medicinal herbs.”

During the ceremony, Bharath said, “We prayed to the Great Spirit (Tamushi) to allow the guardians of the four directions to guide the soul of the departed to find rest and peace. It was simpler in the send off.” As custodians of the environment, Bharath said he prepared the incense from trees growing in the forest. “We use what is indigenous to the area. We get if from the gum trees in the forest.” Earlier on, in his tribute, Bharath had lamented that several traditions had died. “In the earlier days, they would have placed tools or what the person used in life. “If it was a medicinal man, they would have put herbs. If it was a hunter, they would have put his bow and arrow. They might have even put some food. But some of those traditions we don’t practice. The heavy traditions have died,” he said. After the religious formalities, traditional paranderos shook their chac chacs and strummed their guitars as they celebrated the life of a proud Arimian, who was “humble, dedicated, caring and loving.”

Santa Rosa Festival

Throughout her reign, she remained devoted to Santa Rosa. Accompanied by Father Perreira, Medina led the procession through Arima. The statue of Santa Rosa, was decked with rows of beautiful roses and a bouquet of red roses, perfected by whites, pinks and yellows. The celebrants sang hymns and chanted the Our Father. The Carib community and other participants clutched tropical blooms like anthuriums, ginger lilies and roses.

Carib strides

During her tenure, the government declared October 14 as the official day of recognition. In 2006, T&T was given the chairmanship of the Regional Council of Indigenous Peoples. She expressed gratitude to Works Minister Jack Warner, George Hadeed and Mayor Youseph for their assistance. Bharath said he regretted her passing without witnessing the land handover. In a previous interview, (August 11, 2002) Medina said: “If we get the land we will plant cassava, corn, too. “We want a place for agouti and deer to run. It will boost our heritage and culture. “We do not eat people—only wild meat like agouti, deer and tattoo,” she had joked.

About Valentina Medina

Valentina Medina lived at Wattley Street, Mt Pleasant, Arima. In 2002, she was one of many indigenous peoples celebrated by the United Nations on International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. She was born to Clemencia Hale Assing and Thompson Hale Assing at Rapsey Street in Caura. She was the wife of the late John Medina. She was the mother of Loretta, Camilus, Octave, Herbert and Bernadette. Medina grew up in Paria, a very pristine neck of the woods, in Arima. She lived and worked there. She was Carib queen for 11 years. She felt it was a “special experience to be queen of the Carib community.” She was elected based on her knowledge and history and traditions of the Carib community. She was the fifth Carib queen in the history of the Santa Rosa Carib Community.

Source: The Guardian
Author: Michelle Loubon

Carib Queen could not witness land hand over

2011-05-02T22:37:00.000-07:00

Arima, Trinidad - President of the Carib Community Ricardo Bharath regrets that the late Carib queen Valentina Medina was not in a position to attend the handing-over ceremony of the land promised to the Carib community at Blanchisseuse Old Road, Arima. He also lamented that the community has not made more strides in the country because of a community leadership crisis since they were viewed as a minority group. Medina served the Santa Rosa Carib community in her capacity as queen for 11 years until her death from cancer recently. Bharath made the comment during a celebration of thanksgiving for her life at Santa Rosa RC Church, Arima, on Friday last. Among those in attendance at the church service were acting Prime Minister Winston Dookeran, Arima MP Rodger Samuel, Arima Mayor Ghassan Youseph and Senator Pennelope Beckles who offered the eulogy. Msgr Christian Pereira was chief celebrant.

Bharath said: “There is some disappointment she was never able to see the actual handover of the land. We are not asking for a gift.” Interviewed on Wednesday, Bharath said: “If only she could have seen the model village, that would have contributed to the sustenance of the community. “I am saddened by her passing and disappointed she never had that opportunity.” Bharath indicated the site would offer craft, a museum with indigenous forms of agriculture and offer information on cassava (manioc) processing. “It would be a living village. Many students would be able to get a hands-on experience,” he said. Bharath added: “I feel the government needs to step up but somehow things are moving too slow. Something should be done for the last remnant of the first peoples.” Quizzed on the elevation of a new queen, Bharath said: “After the burial (last Friday) a meeting would be called and her successor named.”

Challenges

Bharath said before the community came under the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church, they were represented by a chief. “But being placed in a Catholic Mission, they came under the control of the priest.” He lamented culture and traditions have begun to die. Meanwhile, women are emerging with leadership qualities. “Santa Rosa Festival was named for the first Carib queen.” Medina was the fifth Carib queen, from 1785, in what was known as the Santa Rosa Mission. Making reference to the community being viewed as a minority, Bharath added: “We are seen as incapable of making decisions. The change is gradual.” He called for mutual respect so they could move forward.

Source: The Guardian
Author: Michelle Loubon

Caribs look for new queen

2011-04-28T22:44:00.000-07:00

Arima, Trinidad - The process of selecting a new queen of the indigenous Carib community “will be a challenge” if adequate financial provisions are not allocated to the successor of the late Valentina Medina. So said president of the Carib community, Ricardo Hernandez Bharath, in an interview yesterday. Medina, 77, who had been ailing with cancer for three years, succumbed last Saturday, having served ten years as queen of the Carib community in Santa Rosa. Bharath said the queen, whose office was for life, acted as the official representative for the Carib community and made appearances at various events, fulfilled the duty of community consultant and functions as the chief public relations liaison for both visitors and students.

He said at present, the post did not come with a stipend and believed that something ought to be done to provide some relief in that regard. “If you want to give of that office a kind of respect and dignity, I believe that some sort of assistance from some government department must be afforded to that person,” Bharath said. He added that “it would be a challenge to appoint” a successor if stipends were not provided since it was necessary to assist the queen “in her day-to-day engagements, in preparation to attend functions and receive visitors” among other particulars. “We assist her with a little when we get our annual subventions,” he said.

“Apart from that, we depend on contributions from visitors, school children, the sale of art and craft and the little indigenous foods we do but it is not consistent, nor is it enough.” Asked to outline the procedure for the election of a new queen, Bharath said where the “queen did not name a successor,” the community would meet and nominate candidates who they felt were best suited to carry out her functions. “If there is just one nomination (which is unopposed) and it is accepted, that person will be made queen and where there is more than one nomination, then an election will take place and the majority will stand,” he said. Bharath said the requirements for the new queen “will need to be a bit more advanced” when compared to the past and more emphasis would need to be placed on “the qualities of the person.”

“In the past, you just had to look for someone knowledgeable of the Carib traditions, devoted to the Santa Rosa festival and committed to living a good life but today, it will require someone who can interact with the public,” he said. Medina’s funeral service will take place tomorrow from 2 pm at the Santa Rosa Roman Catholic Church, Woodford Street, Arima. Her body will lie in state at the Arima Town Hall from noon to 1.15 pm, after which there will be a procession through the streets of Arima. Medina will be laid to rest at the Santa Rosa Cemetery where Bharath will perform a special burial ceremony. Monsignor Christian Perreira of the Catholic Church will preside over the funeral service.

Source: The Guardian
Author: Brent Zephyrine

2011-04-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Arima, Trinidad (UCTP Taíno News) – Elder Valentina Medina, the Carib Queen of the Santa Rosa Carib Community of Trinidad passed away on April 23, 2011. Queen Medina succumbed to complications arising from breast cancer. She was 78 years old.

Medina was the fifth Carib Queen since the introduction of the title in 1875. She served the community in this capacity for 11 years.

Chief of the Santa Rosa Carib Community Ricardo Hernandez-Bharath, who visited Medina just before her passing, stated “she had served her community well.”

Commenting to local news sources Hernandez-Bharath noted that "there will definitely be an indigenous service on the day of the funeral."

The Santa Rosa Carib Council will meet to discuss the appointment of a new Queen in one month.

UCTPTN 04.25.2011

Questionnaire for governments, indigenous peoples and organizations, NGOs, business enterprises and other interested parties

2011-04-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

Please submit your response preferably via email at indigenous@ohchr.org

Dear Sir/Madame,

CH-1211 GENEVE 10
23 March 2011

I am pleased to address you in my capacity as Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples pursuant to United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution15/14 of 30 September 2010.

I am currently carrying out a study on the rights of indigenous peoples in relation to natural resource extraction and development projects affecting them, in light of the high level of information I have received from indigenous peoples expressing concerns about this issue. In my previous reports to the United Nations Human Rights Council, I have examined the duty of states to consult with indigenous peoples about decisions affecting them (A/HRC/12/34) and the responsibilities of corporations whose activities affect indigenous peoples (A/HRC/15/37). I am now building upon these previous reports in order to provide an analysis of the effects of natural resource extraction and development projects on the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as an assessment of the responsibilities of States, corporations and indigenous peoples in this context.

An important component of this study will be the eventual development of a set of guidelines directed at States, corporations and indigenous peoples on the duty to consult with indigenous peoples in relation to natural resource extraction and development projects. With this document, I aim to provide guidance on the steps necessary to ensure that these types of projects are carried out in a way that is consistent with relevant human rights standards on the rights of indigenous peoples, including with respect to lands, territories and natural resources; consultation and free, prior, and informed consent; participation in and control over the design and implementation of project activities; mitigation measures; and benefit sharing.To gather information for the preparation of this study, I have developed a questionnaire for governments, indigenous peoples and organizations, NGOs, business enterprises and other interested parties.

The purpose of this questionnaire is to understand the views, concerns and recommendations of different relevant actors regarding the subject matter of this study, in accordance with the mandate given to me by the Human Rights Council to "examine ways and means of overcoming existing obstacles to the full and effective protection of the rights of indigenous peoples ... and to identify, exchange and promote best practices."

I kindly request that you complete the attached questionnaire. While responses can be submitted in all official languages of the United Nations, responses in English and Spanish would be preferred.

Please submit your response preferably via email at indigenous@ohchr.org or by mail to the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples; c/o OHCHR- UNOG, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Palais Wilson; 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland. Should you have any question regarding this request, do not hesitate to contact Ms. Karin Lucke at 022 917 94 31.

Please submit your response no later than 1 May 2011.

Thank you in advance for your time and kind co-operation.

James Anaya Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.

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U.S. Census Shows Increase in Borikén’s Indigenous Population

2011-03-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

Borikén/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) - The 2010 U.S. Census count for Borikén (Puerto Rico) had some significant surprises. The census reveals a 48.8 percent gain over the last 2000 census in the American Indian category, which is a verifiable resurgence of indigenous affirmation among families on the island. With DNA research documenting the continuation of the pre-Colombian indigenous Taino gene-pool and the increasing visibility of active Taino community organizations and cultural manifestations – the myth of extinction is finally being dispelled.

The Director of the United Confederation of Taino People’s Borikén Liaison Office, Roger Guayakan Hernandez attributes the increase in the census count to expansion of information and communications technologies available today.

"We have always been here but recently there has been an explosion of pertinent information regarding Borikén's indigenous heritage. The difference is that now there are more ways to get the information to the people" stated Hernandez.

Hernandez noted that the Confederation, an official Census partner, used the increased focus on Taino heritage as well as new technologies like social networks in its campaign to raise awareness about the census process.

With the 2010 U.S. Census counting 19,839 individuals living in Puerto Rico officially claiming American Indian heritage, the Taino community is indeed becoming visible after two centuries of near invisibility.

Hernandez continued stating that "the whole chapter on the Caribbean's Amerindian history is being reexamined and supports the affirmation of indigenous descendant families on and even off the island”.

A 1790 Puerto Rican Census count in an area called “Las Indieras” documented fewer than 3,000 ‘Indios (Indians)’ on the western side of the island. Since then, with official census terminology changing to discount the indigenous population, a reversal has taken place revealing how Taino families see themselves in the 21st Century.

"Colonial history may have counted us out in Puerto Rico, but today the Taino People have clearly counted ourselves back in" declared Hernandez.

UCTPTN 03.28.2011

Suriname: UN expert calls for further dialogue on indigenous and tribal land issues

2011-03-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

PARAMARIBO – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, called for further contact between the authorities and the indigenous and tribal peoples of Suriname, and reiterated his readiness to assist with efforts to advance their land and resource rights.

“I look forward to continued dialogue with the Government and with the indigenous and tribal peoples of Suriname, in order to provide further guidance on the practical steps necessary to move forward with securing indigenous and tribal land rights, in accordance with relevant international treaties to which Suriname is a part,” Mr. Anaya said at the end of the first visit ever to the country by a human rights independent expert designated by the UN Human Rights Council.

The Special Rapporteur’s mission from 13-16 March took place in the context of Suriname’s implementation of the 2007 judgment of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the case of the Saramaka People v. Suriname.

“I believe that this visit was very fruitful and constituted unique and valuable opportunity for dialogue and consultation with indigenous and tribal peoples of Suriname and the Suriname Government,” Mr. Anaya said. “I congratulate all of them for their cooperation and openness in engaging with my mandate, in order to meet the many challenges existing in the country related to the domestic implementation of international human rights norms.”

During the brief visit, the Special Rapporteur met in Paramaribo with representatives of the Government, including the Vice President; the Ministers of Regional Development; Justice and Police; Foreign Affairs; Natural Resources; Land and Physical Planning; and Labour, Technology and Environment; as well as others from the Council of Ministers.

The UN independent expert also held meetings with the indigenous organization VIDS, and Maroon representatives of VGS, the 12 Okanisi clan, the Matawaí clan, the Paramakan community and the Bureau Moiwana, as well as with the UN Country Team.

The Special Rapporteur expressed his thanks to all those that assisted in preparations for the visit, especially representatives at the Ministry of Regional Development, for their invaluable help in organizing and facilitating all aspects of the visit.

ENDS

S. James Anaya (USA) is a Regents Professor and the James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights Law and Policy at the University of Arizona (United States). He was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council to the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples effective May 2008. The mandate was created in 2001 by the then Commission on Human Rights, and was renewed most recently in 2010 by the Human Rights Council for a three-year period.

Williams is the first Kalinago Lawyer in Dominica

2011-02-16T13:49:00.000-08:00

Waitikubuli/Dominica (UCTP Taino News) – Pearl Diane Williams, is the first indigenous Kalinago Carib person from Waitikubuli (Dominica) and possibly the Eastern Caribbean to be admitted to the Bar in the Commonwealth of Dominica. Ms. Williams pursued her bachelors degree in Law at the Cave-Hill Campus at the University of the West Indies in Barbados, where she successfully completed her degree with second class honours.

Miss Williams was one of the first indigenous persons from the Eastern Caribbean to have benefited from the Sir Arthur Lewis Indigenous Scholarship program launched in 2005. After she completed her studies in Barbados, she proceeded to the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago where she successfully obtained the Legal Education Certificate, which qualified her to be admitted to the Bar in Dominica.

Miss Williams is the daughter of Margaret and Charles Williams (former Kalinago Carib Chief of Waitikubuli/Dominica). The young lawyer believes that the Indigenous Peoples in the region have not been inadequately recognized and represented but that her calling to the Bar signifies a “new beginning” for her people.

UCTPTN 02.16.2011

Deadline extended until January 23 to apply for the workshop: Capacity Building for Indigenous and Local Communities, of the Caribbean region.

2011-01-19T14:18:00.000-08:00

Deadline extended until January 23 to apply for the workshop: Capacity Building for Indigenous and Local Communities, of the Caribbean region.

Se amplía el plazo hasta el 23 de Enero para postular al taller: Creación de Capacidad para las Comunidades Indígenas y Locales, región Caribe.

Eighth Round Capacity Building Workshop for Indigenous and Local Communities, the Caribbean region

The Secretary of Biodiversity in collaboration with the Network of Indigenous Women's Biodiversity (IWBN) from the Latin America and the Caribbean, thanks to the generous financial support from the Government of Spain, a regional capacity building workshop for indigenous and local community representatives on effective participation in CBD processes, with a specific focus on Article 8(j) and ABS.will be held in Georgetown, from 16-18 March 2011.

The workshop aims at building and strengthening capacity for indigenous and local community women in order to ensure their full and effective participation in CBD processes and also to grow and strengthen the number of indigenous and local community women who follow and are involved in CBD processes by enlarging networks and outreaching to new participants.

We are inviting interested indigenous and local community organizations from the countries of the Caribbean region to nominate representatives by sending to the Secretariat an expression of interest or nomination by means of an official letter of designation addressed to the attention of the Executive Secretary (fax +1 514 288 6588 or to email: secretariat@cbd.int with a recent curriculum vitae of the nominee by 23 January 2011, for consideration in the selection process.

Participants selected will be notified by mid-February. Successful applicants will be provided with economy air travel to and from Georgetown, and subsistence and accommodation costs during the event.

Hortencia Hidalgo
Comunicación RMIB-LAC
comunicacionrmib.lac@gmail.com

Convocatoria Octavo taller Creación de Capacidad para las Comunidades
Indígenas y Locales, región Caribe.

La Secretaria de Diversidad Biológica en colaboración con la Red de Mujeres Indígenas sobre Biodiversidad (RMIB) de la región Latinoamérica y el Caribe, con el apoyo financiero del Gobierno de España, realiza el Taller de creación de capacidad subregional para los representantes de las comunidades indígenas y locales sobre la participación efectiva en los procesos del CDB, con un enfoque específico en el Articulo 8 (j), Conocimientos Tradicionales y Acceso y participación en los beneficios ABS. Se celebrara en la Ciudad de Georgetown, Guyana, del 16 al 18 de
Marzo de 2011.

El taller tiene como objetivo la construcción y al fortalecimiento de la capacidad de las mujeres de las comunidades indígenas y locales, a fin de garantizar su participación plena y efectiva en el proceso del CDB y, también para aumentar y fortalecer el número de mujeres de las comunidades indígenas y locales que siguen de cerca y participan en los procesos del CDB engrandeciendo las redes y los contactos directos con nuevos participantes.

Invitamos a las organizaciones de las comunidades indígenas y locales interesadas para que designen representantes enviando a la Secretaría una muestra de interés y un nombramiento, mediante una carta oficial de designación y un currículum vitae reciente. La carta oficial debe ir dirigida al Secretario Ejecutivo por fax al +1 514 288 6588 ó por correo electrónico como archivo adjunto escaneado a: secretariat@cbd.int antes del 23 de Enero de 2011, para ser considerados en el proceso de selección.

Los participantes serán seleccionados en base a una representación subregional justa de los países del Caribe y los Curriculum Vitae pertinentes y la capacidad para difundir la información derivada del taller.

Los participantes seleccionados recibirán financiamiento para participar en este taller de tres días y serán notificados a mediados de Febrero. A los Participantes seleccionados se les proveerá de un pasaje de avión en clase económica ida y vuelta a la Ciudad de Georgetown, y los gastos de comida y alojamiento durante el evento.

Hortencia Hidalgo
Comunicación RMIB-LAC
comunicacionrmib.lac@gmail.com

Opening Statement of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus

2011-01-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

Opening Statement of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus
at the XIII Meeting of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus of the Working Group to Prepare the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Washington D.C.
January 18 to the 20, 2011

Mr. Michel Arregui, Legal Affairs Secretary of the OAS, Ambassador Guillermo Cochez, Permanent Representative of Panama to the OAS, and Chairman of the Working Group, Dinah Shelton, rapporteur of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, distinguished representatives of States of the Organization of American States, and my Indigenous brothers and sisters.

My name is Grand Chief Edward John, Hereditary Chief of the Tl'azt'en Nation and representative of the First Nations Summit and the Assembly of First Nations. I am also the new North American Indigenous representative to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
On behalf of Indigenous Peoples in the Americas who are participating in the XIII Session of Negotiations for the Quest of Consensus for the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we look forward to the conclusion of the negotiation of the draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

While we are negotiating this draft American Declaration, violations against collective human rights of our peoples continue in many states. Examples were brought to the Indigenous caucus including from Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Argentina. In defending our territorial rights against mega projects and extractive industries our peoples are persecuted, criminalized and in some cases forcibly evicted. In this regard, we denounce the repressive military actions of Chile against the Rapa Nui people, including women and children, who are struggling to defend their lands. We strongly and urgently recommend good faith negotiations to resolve this crisis. We also deplore the violent displacement against the Toba community La Primavera in Argentina and the lack of response to this situation.

For Indigenous women, gender based violence continues to be shaped by discrimination. Also militarization, racism and social exclusion, poverty inducing economic policies contribute to the systemic violence of our collective rights.

These contradict the most basic principles of human rights and democracy which guide the OAS and its member states. We strongly urge the Inter-american Commission on Human Rights and its relevant rapporteurships to act promptly and effectively to investigate and propose solutions to these violations on an urgent basis.

As Indigenous peoples with historic relationships with states in the Americas we participate as Indigenous peoples, governments and nations in our own right, not as civil society. We call for the establishment of effective participation mechanisms for Indigenous peoples in all entities of the Inter-American system, the Summit of the Americas and in particular the summit in Cartagena in 2012.

In a similar vein, we urge the OAS to support the full and equal participation of Indigenous representation in the planning and implementation of the 2014 UN World Conference of Indigenous Peoples including the outcome document.

We respectfully remind all delegates that in this Working Group a commitment has been made to ensure that the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is being used as “the baseline for negotiations and … a minimum standard” for the draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In these negotiations we urge a holistic approach as we know our survival and well being is inextricably linked to the survival and well being of Mother Earth.

We welcome the recent endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the governments of Colombia, Canada and the United States of America. We emphasize that the UN Declaration is now a consensus instrument and we call on all states to engage in its full and effective implementation and ensure no state withdraws from implementation. We also encourage all States who have not done so, to ratify the ILO Convention 169.

The Indigenous Peoples’ caucus reminds states, financial institutions and international corporations of the principle of free, prior and informed consent which must be respected in all situations concerning Indigenous peoples. We call upon states to recognize, respect and implement positions adopted by Indigenous peoples in climate change negotiations. Indigenous peoples have knowledge to contribute to slow down the destruction of Mother Earth.

We thank those governments which contribute to the Specific Fund, making possible our participation in these negotiations. We call upon States to continue contributing with funds for the development of future meetings of negotiation that will allow us to conclude the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. There is a need for funding for the technical team and co-chairs, in addition to the delegates. We note that only two member states contributed to the Specific Fund, and two observer states. Other member states must show commitment by donating to the Specific Fund.

Finally, as Indigenous peoples we reiterate our commitment and call upon the member States of the OAS, as committed to in paragraph 86 of the Declaration of the Port of Spain, to work for a successful conclusion of the negotiations of the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The American Declaration should be finalized before the Summit of the Americas in 2012. In order for this to succeed, we repeat that there is a critical need for all States to contribute more money to the Specific Fund. We respectfully remind states that the General Assembly has renewed the mandate of this Working Group and we need to meet as frequently as the mandate dictates.

Indigenous Peoples Meet in Washington DC to Discuss Rights Declaration

2011-01-18T14:21:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC (UCTP Taino News) – The 13th Meeting of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus on the OAS draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples began today in Washington, DC. The Meeting of Negotiations will take place at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) from January 18 to 20, 2011.

Among the Indigenous Peoples representatives present at the negotiations are a delegation of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples including Liselote Naniki Reyes Ocasio (Borikén/ Puerto Rico), Damon Gerard Corrie (Barbados), Dr. George Aubrey Norton (Guyana), Clenis Tavárez María (Kiskeia/Dom. Rep.), Zoila Maria Ellis (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), and Eveline Moesijem Monsanto (Suriname).

Some points of discussion expected to be covered at this session include: Rights of association and assembly, Indigenous law and jurisdiction, contributions of the indigenous legal and organizational systems, treaties, and Indigenous spirituality.

UCTPTN 01.18.2011

First meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

2011-01-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

Date: 10 January 2011

From: Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity
To: Indigenous and local community organizations

Subject: First meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ICNP 1), Montreal, Canada, 6-10 June 2011

Thematic area: Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-sharing
Ref.: SCBD/ABS/VN/SG/74645

NOTIFICATION
No. 2011-006

Madam/Sir,

I am pleased to confirm that the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ICNP) will be held in Montreal, Canada, on 6-10 June 2011.

The provisional agenda of the meeting is attached for your information and is available on the CBD website at: http://www.cbd.int/meetings/. Other documents for the meeting as well as the information note for participants will be made available as soon as practicable on the website of the Convention at the same address.

In view of your interest in the issues addressed by the Intergovernmental Committee, I have the honour of inviting your organization to nominate a representative to attend the meeting. Designation of representatives, containing their name and contact details, should be submitted through an official letter addressed to the Executive Secretary by fax to +1 514 288 6588, or by email as a scanned attachment to: secretariat@cbd.int, no later than 8 April 2011.

Indigenous and local communities representatives wishing to receive funding from the Voluntary Trust Fund to facilitate their participation in the above-mentioned meeting, in accordance with decision 8/5, D on the Voluntary Funding Mechanism to facilitate the participation of indigenous and local communities in the work of the Convention, are invited to submit their application forms no later than 4 March 2011 to ensure that it is received three months before the meeting. Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.

In addition, please note that the Secretariat will be organising a capacity-building workshop on the Nagoya Protocol back to back with the meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on 4-5 June 2011. Further information regarding this workshop will be provided to you in due course. Applicants from indigenous and local communities who wish to participate in the workshop should indicate this in their application so that this can be taken into consideration in the selection process.

The Voluntary Trust Fund application forms are available in the six official languages of the United Nations on the CBD website at the following link: https://www.cbd.int/traditional/fund.shtml. The completed application forms should be sent to the Secretariat either by fax to: +1 514 288 6588, or by electronic mail as a scanned attachment to: secretariat@cbd.int, together with a recent Curriculum Vitae and an official letter of recommendation from the relevant organization addressed to the Executive Secretary of the CBD.

I look forward to the participation of your organization in the meeting and your continued contribution to the work of the Convention.

The full text of this notification is available on the CBD website at: http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2011/ntf-2011-006-abs-icnp1-ilc-en.pdf

Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Ahmed Djoghlaf
Executive Secretary
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
United Nations Environment Programme
413 Saint-Jacques Street, Suite 800
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H2Y 1N9

Tel: +1 514 288 2220
Fax: +1 514 288 6588
E-mail: secretariat@cbd.int
Web: http://www.cbd.int

==========================================

First meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ICNP 1), Montreal, Canada, 6-10 June 2011

PROVISIONAL AGENDA

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Organizational matters.

3. Modalities of operation of the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House.

4. Measures to assist in capacity-building, capacity development and strengthening of human capacities and institutional capacities in developing countries.

5. Measures to raise awareness of the importance of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.

6. Cooperative procedures and institutional mechanisms to promote compliance with the Protocol and to address cases of non-compliance.

7. Other matters.

8. Adoption of the report.

9. Closure of the meeting.

Gov’t proposes US$12M Amerindian land titling, demarcation project

2011-01-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

GUYANA - Government has submitted a draft Project Document for the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation activities to be funded through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF).

Over four years—from 2011 to 2014—it envisions US$12M being spent on the process and a budget of US$3.6M has already been outlined for 2011. A description of the project says that underlying the development of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is the protection of Indigenous land rights and the opening of windows of opportunities for the Amerindians, especially those that depend on forest resources as a means of livelihood. It is expected that demarcation and titling of communities will strengthen land tenure security and expansion of the asset base of Amerindian villages and allow for long term planning for their future development. “The objective of this project is to facilitate the fast-tracking of the Land Titling and Demarcation process to allow the villages to understand the boundaries of the lands they own and how much land they can exert control over; thereby enhancing and securing the position of villages to ‘opt-in’ to the REDD+ and the LCDS and allow them to better manage and develop their lands in a sustainable manner,” the document states.

According to the document, Amerindian land rights have always been a priority for the government and to date; Amerindians collectively own 13.9% of Guyana’s land mass. It says that the titling and demarcation of Amerindian lands will positively impact on Guyana’s achievement of Millennium Development Goal 1 – Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, since the Amerindians are the poorest group of persons in Guyana. According to the Household Budget Survey (2007), 77% of Amerindians were classified as poor. It is expected that poverty would be reduced to 28% though stimulation of growth and job creation.

The document states that the land titling and demarcation process will be guided principally by the Amerindian Act, and other Acts related to land titling and on the principle of first come first serve basis. Additionally a mechanism will be developed to address ongoing disputes with the land titling and demarcation and any new disputes which may arise and a communication strategy to allow for sharing of information. Opportunities for improvements to ensure that the issuance of land titles and the demarcation process are done in a timely and efficient way will be explored and where possible supported.

Overseeing the project will be a Project Board, which is the group responsible for making by consensus, management decisions for a project when guidance is required by the Project Manager, including recommendations for UNDP/Implementing Partner approval of project plans and revisions.

“In order to ensure UNDP’s ultimate accountability, Project Board decisions should be made in accordance to standards that shall ensure management for development results, best value money, fairness, integrity, transparency and effective international competition. In case a consensus cannot be reached within the Board, final decision shall rest with the UNDP Programme Manager,” it says.

The board contains three roles: an Executive, who is an individual representing the project ownership to chair the group; Senior Supplier: individual or group representing the interests of the parties concerned which provide funding and/or technical expertise to the project. The Senior Supplier’s primary function within the Project Board is to provide guidance regarding the technical feasibility of the project; and Senior Beneficiary: individual or group of individuals representing the interests of those who will ultimately benefit from the project.

Under the Board is the project manager, who has the authority to run the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the project board within the constraints laid down by the Board. The Implementing partner appoints the Project Manager, who should be different from the Implementing Partner’s representative in the Project Board.

The UNDP will provide financial resources entrusted from the GRIF to the implementing partner – the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. It will also provide Oversight and Quality Assurance, to ensure that UNDP’s fiduciary, social and environmental standards are adhered to and to develop a Capacity Development plan.

The Ministry will partner with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to demarcate and titled lands. The project will be audited and monitored and annual reports submitted.

Guyana has signed an agreement with Norway whereby the Scandinavian country pays US$250M over five years for this country to protect its forest. The first tranche of US$30M has already been paid into the GRIF.

Source: Stabroek News

Amerindian Affairs Ministry highlights 2010 successes

2010-12-31T13:18:00.000-08:00

GUYANA - The first harvest of pineapples in the hinterland is expected in September with some 76,300 pineapples planted on 21.8 acres of land by 38 farmers, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai said yesterday.

Highlighting the successes seen by her ministry in 2010 in a year-end report, the minister pointed to the Hinterland Secure Livelihoods Programme, under which several farming projects have been undertaken. In addition to the cultivation of pineapples, which saw $11.4 million expended, there is the $3.6 million cassava project which involves 45 farmers and includes the construction of a $1.3 million processing building.

Some $8.6 million has been expended on a ginger project, the minister said and a 26KVA generator has been acquired which will provide power to the processing plant. The building was completed this year to the tune of $1 million and 27 farmers are involved in this project.

As regards aquaculture, $25 million has been acquired for the rearing of hassars. Three out of the four ponds for the rearing of the fish have been completed and it is expected that this will be the main fish cultivated.

The passion fruit and citrus project meanwhile has seen 42 acres of passion fruit under cultivation and it is expected that the orange citrus cultivation begin shortly with some $8.4 million and 29 farmers involved in the project.

A $14.6 million bee-keeping project has seen 92 bee hives built and in operation with small amounts of honey being harvested by 42 farmers. It is expected that by the end of this year the additional hives will be completed.

The minister noted that the market for these crops is local but the ministry is in discussions with Demerara Distillers Ltd in relation to the passion fruits for the Topco fruit juice brand.

Meanwhile in relation to demarcation of Amerindian lands, the minister said three areas were demarcated during 2010 and the cost was in excess of $40 million. And in relation to the distribution of solar panels, some 1,000 50-watt panels have been distributed to household in various Amerindian villages.

Meanwhile Sukhai also pointed to the $10 million presidential grant for various projects. Some 58% have been used up from this fund she said. As regards the remainder, she said “the villages had proffered a number of reasons why they were not ready to uplift their presidential grant and that is that they would like us to hold it in the Amerindian fund so that when the next tranche is disbursed to us so that they will have enough money to address the project…”

With regard to the education sector, Sukhai said that over the year, the Hinterland Scholarship Programme saw 72 students benefiting. She pointed out that Treasure James of President College had done exceedingly well this year in exams from the scholarship programme.

Sukhai added that the ministry has taken a more comprehensive approach to the school uniform project and seeks to provide each child with a school uniform. Sixty-three million dollars was expended on this project in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine which benefited 27,643 hinterland students.

Meanwhile as regards the welfare of Amerindian people, the minister said that 75 persons received assistance from the ministry for referrals, CT scans and transportation cost. And the minister added that 78 social welfare cases ranging from domestic abuse, labour issues and other general issues were dealt with by the ministry.

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry said that all programmes pursued by the ministry have been fairly successful.

Source: Stabroek News

Eighth Round Capacity Building Workshop for Indigenous and Local Communities, the Caribbean region

2010-12-20T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Secretary of Biodiversity in collaboration with the Network of Indigenous Women's Biodiversity (IWBN) from the Latin America and the Caribbean, thanks to the generous financial support from the Government of Spain, a regional capacity building workshop for indigenous and local community representatives on effective participation in CBD processes, with a specific focus on Article 8(j) and ABS .will be held in Georgetown, from 16-18 March 2011.

The workshop aims at building and strengthening capacity for indigenous and local community women in order to ensure their full and effective participation in CBD processes and also to grow and strengthen the number of indigenous and local community women who follow and are involved in CBD processes by enlarging networks and outreaching to new participants.

We are inviting interested indigenous and local community organizations from the countries of the Caribbean region to nominate representatives by sending to the Secretariat an expression of interest or nomination by means of an official letter of designation addressed to the attention of the Executive Secretary (fax +1 514 288 6588 or to email: secretariat@cbd.int with a recent curriculum vitae of the nominee by 15 January 2011, for consideration in the selection process.

Participants selected will be notified by mid-February. Successful applicants will be provided with economy air travel to and from Georgetown, and subsistence and accommodation costs during the event.

Source: CBD Secretariat

Sub-regional Indigenous Peoples Meeting to Include North America and the Caribbean

2010-12-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

Ottawa, Canada (UCTP Taíno News) - The OAS Summits of the Americas Secretariat, in collaboration with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), and the Inuit Circumpolar Council [Canada] (ICC), will host a Sub-regional Meeting with Indigenous Peoples’ representatives North America and the Caribbean in Ottawa, Canada, on Monday, December 13, 2010.

The main purpose of the Sub-Regional Meeting of Indigenous representatives from Canada, the United States and the Caribbean region is to provide an opportunity to follow-up on the implementation of the April 2009 Declaration and Plan of Action of the III Indigenous Leaders Summit of the Americas (III ILSA) “Implementing the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the Americas for Present and Future Generations”. Additionally, this meeting will provide an opportunity for indigenous peoples to begin preparations for the IV ILSA.

Representatives of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) will participate at the meeting to provide a briefing on Caribbean regional follow-up to the III ILSA. Other Caribbean regional representatives are scheduled to attend the meeting from Guyana, Suriname, and Barbados.

This event will make up part of a proposed series of such meetings to allow indigenous peoples from various sub-regions the opportunity to dialogue and coordinate their participation in the Summits process. Each face-to-face event will be complemented by the participation of interested parties through the Indigenous Peoples Group of the Summit's Virtual Community website.

UCTPTN 12.12.2010

Sub-regional Meeting of Indigenous Peoples from North America and the Caribbean: Follow-up to the III Indigenous Leaders Summit of the Americas (ILSA)

2010-11-30T10:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Indigenous Peoples' Representatives,

Greetings from the Summits of the Americas Secretariat (SAS) of the Organization of American States (OAS). This Secretariat is pleased to announce, in collaboration with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) and the Inuit Circumpolar Council [ Canada ] (ICC), a Sub-regional Meeting with Indigenous Peoples' representatives from the English-speaking countries of the Americas to be held in Ottawa ,Canada, on Monday, December 13, 2010.

The main purpose of the Sub-Regional Meeting of Indigenous representatives from Canada, the United States and the Caribbean region is to provide an opportunity to follow-up on the implementation of the April 2009 Declaration and Plan of Action of the III Indigenous LeadersSummit of the Americas (III ILSA) "Implementing the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the Americas for Present and Future Generations" and the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the Inter-American System. It will also provide an opportunity to begin preparations for the IV ILSA in the context of the initial planning stages of the Sixth Summit of the Americas .

The Seminar will be open to the participation of anyone from the general public interested in this theme. If you would like to participate, please fill out the Registration Form and email it toamontilla@oas.org, with a copy to celestemckay@me.com, before December 8^th, 2010. Please note that each participant must cover his/her own expenses.

For those who cannot attend the event, the Summit Secretariat is pleased to announce that theSummits Virtual Community (SVC) will be available for all those individuals interested in contributing to discussions. This Community offers its visitors the opportunity to register and participate in forums and discussion groups, as well as obtain materials, such as documents, videos, links, etc. In the SVC, the visitor can also share comments and opinions with other people who are interested in common themes. To participate in the Indigenous Peoples Group, please click here or visit: http://svc.summit-americas. org/groups .

Updated versions of the agenda and other relevant documents will be disseminated shortly. More information about this meeting will also be published in the Summits of the Americas Information Network at: www.summit-americas.org/cs_ meet.html and on the AFN's website at www.afn.ca.

For more information, please contact Andrea Montilla (AMontilla@oas.org or at 202.458.3347) or Celeste McKay (celestemckay@me.com or at 613.858.7070).

Kind regards,

Summits of the Americas Secretariat of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN)

Organization of American States (OAS)

Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC)

This sub-regional event is made possible in part through the generous support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation

PRELIMINARY AGENDA

EGISTRATION FORM

Amerindian leaders and free speech

2010-11-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - “Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference and freedom from interference with his correspondence.”

As many people will recognize the above quotation comes from Section 146 (1) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens of this country. Or at least to most of them. As this newspaper discovered last week, however, it may be that sometimes the indigenous inhabitants of this nation are the beneficiaries of only an abridged form of this right which everyone else takes for granted.

As we reported on Friday, on the previous day one of our reporters was ordered to leave the premises of the International Conference Centre where the National Toshaos Council Meeting was under way. We had first become aware of a problem last Tuesday, when another of our reporters was waiting in the lobby to talk to Toshaos after the meeting was over. She was told by Press and Publicity Officer Kwame McCoy from the Office of the President that the meeting was closed. On being informed that she was not seeking to go in but just to meet Toshaos afterwards, he indicated that she could not stay where she was either, and would have to wait outside the gate. He drew the analogy of barging into somebody’s house uninvited – hardly, one would have thought, the most appropriate parallel to draw in the circumstances.

Mr McCoy notwithstanding, she did return after the conference was over and spoke to a group of Toshaos, none of whom had any problem communicating their views. There was an eleventh Toshao, however, who informed her that they had spoken to the Chronicle already, and had been instructed not to speak to this newspaper because it carried “false reports.”

As mentioned above, the second reporter went on Thursday, and while he was ordered out – again beyond the gate – it was not before he had seen an NCN reporter and cameraman interviewing two Toshaos. Mr McCoy was seemingly unfazed by the contradiction, and proceeded to tell the reporter that the “media” would only be invited to press conferences. This was the “President’s event,” he said, and only those whom the President had invited could stay.

One would have thought that it hardly needed explaining to someone in the publicity field that the term ‘media’ applies to the state as well as the private media, and that inevitably the government must face accusations of manipulation of information if the independent press alone is excluded. While the President can invite anyone he pleases to an “event” which is strictly private, like a dinner in State House, perhaps, this one did not fall into that category; it involved persons who hold public office in the interior, and who had gathered in what is a public venue for discussions on issues affecting their communities.

Of course, it would be perfectly normal for the media to be excluded from the actual deliberations, provided, of course, that the principle was applied to all of them without exception. Outside the immediate context of the sessions themselves, however, it is not for the President let alone a Press and Publicity Officer to decide which press and broadcast entities should be allowed to interview Toshaos after they emerge from the auditorium. Toshaos and their councillors, like every other citizen of this nation, have the right of freedom of speech, and can complain or give praise as they see fit to whomsoever they see fit.

As we reported on Friday, the Guyana Times had carried a story two days earlier based on interviews with some Toshaos and Councillors about their dissatisfaction with the way the lands for their particular villages were being demarcated. This apparently untoward piece of information deriving as it did from an unexpected source, concentrated the minds of the relevant officials wonderfully, and that very same afternoon Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, flanked by 11 Toshaos appeared in front of the press – all of whom were invited on this occasion – to extol the demarcation exercise and denounce the offending Toshaos who had voiced their criticisms so publicly, as well as castigate the newspaper which had given them a hearing.

It is doubtful that this little bit of theatre on Wednesday afternoon convinced all the other 166 Toshaos and senior council members that those who had spoken out had no genuine concerns and were just being ‘negative’ for the sake of it, although perhaps some of them might have been so persuaded. However, what it did do was illuminate for the outside world the fact that the government seemed set on controlling the information coming out of the conference, and on presenting an image of satisfied Amerindians committed to the regime.

A major reason for this was given by Stabroek News’s Editor-in-Chief Anand Persaud in our Friday report, namely, that there were clearly “diverse views among the Toshaos over the issues discussed, and that the government did not want these to be ventilated in the media for fear of unsettling certain donors.”

But there is something else too. Hovering as we are on the cusp of an election, the PPP’s interest in the indigenous constituency on whose votes it is partly dependent for its overall majority is at its height. In recent times there has been a great flurry of activity on the part of the government in relation to the interior communities, and they are finding themselves the beneficiaries of all kinds of state resources. Since there is no Jagan name and at this point one presumes, no Bharrat Jagdeo either to provide propulsion for the party’s next bid for office, the PPP is concerned about keeping its ‘constituents’ solid in their support. The problem with Amerindian villages is that they are very far flung, so what better way to communicate with the leaders than take advantage of a National Toshaos Council Meeting which was probably being held in any case quite independent of election exigencies.

What the government clearly decided, however, was to insulate the indigenous leaders as far as possible from any ‘contamination’ by outside entities like the independent media, so that what the Toshaos read about their meeting would not contain anything negative, and those who had complaints or views which differed from the ones which the ruling party was anxious to promote, would not come to the attention of the other participants. Perhaps it was hoped that this would influence their outlook when they returned home, so that they would become unwaveringly positive about the government when they spoke to their villagers, whether or not they had initially harboured concerns about certain issues.

If so, then it would be to treat the Amerindians not as adults, with the constitutional rights of other adults, but as youngsters, whose speech must be monitored for appropriateness, and in this instance, for conformity with the received wisdom. It is impossible to conceive that every representative who attended the meeting had absolutely no concerns, no complaints or no unease about something or the other. Life is simply not so well ordered. Whatever these might be, there can be no justification for abrogating the right of any indigenous leader to communicate them to the outside world, even if they did not represent the feeling of the conference as a whole. The point about criticism in an open society is that the opportunity should be given for it to be expressed and then if desired, answered, not that it should be suppressed altogether in the first instance, as appears to have been the intention here.

When the next National Toshaos Council Meeting rolls around, one hopes that the government will ensure that there is no trespassing on the Amerindian leaders’ right to freedom of expression.

Source: Stabroek News

Sukhai, toshaos skewer Guyana Times report on demarcation

2010-10-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - Amerindian Affair s Minister Pauline Sukhai and a battery of Amerindian leaders have condemned a Guyana Times article in which other Amerindian representatives had voiced concerns about the land demarcation exercise.

The minister called a news briefing yesterday to address the issue at the Guyana International Conference Centre where toshaos and councillors have been gathering since Monday for the National Toshaos Council (NTC) meeting.

The article in yesterday’s edition headlined `Amerindians unhappy with demarcation exercise’ quoted several individuals including toshaos.

Flanked by 11 toshaos, including NTC executives, Sukhai blasted the media house for “not knowing the facts.” She noted that the demarcation exercise is done in keeping with the Amerindian Act of which the indigenous people had significant input, including on the demarcation process itself.

“These processes were developed by the leaders from the various communities across our hinterland so those areas within the Act which deals with land have found ownership among the Amerindian population, both community members and leaders,” she said.

Additionally, Sukhai said, when an area is being demarcated three members of the village council are included on the survey team to monitor the exercise and surveyors are encouraged to hire the locals for additional guidance.

The minister noted that part of the documentation requirement of the process involves the communities indicating their satisfaction with the demarcation process and this has been done by the communities whose boundaries have been settled.

“Of the 73 villages that had demarcation we’ve not had a complaint and Kaburi which is the first name mentioned in the article is saying that they were unsatisfied, that they had lost land and their area was demarcated in 2007 and they accepted,” she stated.

According to the minister, “it baffles the mind how such a statement appears in the newspaper when the facts are documented.” She also chastised the newspaper for not contacting the village’s toshao to verify the information.

Sukhai noted that the same community is among 36 who have applied for extensions. Those, she said, will be dealt with after the demarcation of the other villages has been completed.

Meanwhile NTC Chairperson Yvonne Pearson said she was disappointed that the individuals would go to the media to air those concerns when they had an opportunity to do so at the five-day meeting.

“How could we go to the press and say something when we have the opportunity to present it to His Excellency himself and the other ministers at a perfect forum?”

The other toshaos all added their bit, voicing support for the government’s demarcation efforts and “outrage” and “embarrassment” at the report, even going as far as calling for an apology from the media house.

In addition to Kaburi, the other communities cited in the article as having problems with the demarcation process were Chenapau, Kurutuku, Hobodia, and Kato. Speaking to reporters after the briefing Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira said there appeared to be some mischief afoot.

“I find it funny that with 134 toshaos here that they didn’t find one toshao that said our land was demarcated and our people are happy. Someone is playing interesting games at a time when we’re having a very important conference,” Teixeira said.

Earlier Sukhai had disclosed that there were 96 titled villages, including the 73 that were already demarcated. The administration was in the process of having seven others demarcated and this was expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year, she said.

Five others are to come under the 2011 demarcation programme while another five are yet to request demarcation the minister noted. The remaining six have taken their land issues before the court.

President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced on Monday at the opening of the meeting that US$8M from the first tranche of money expected from the GRIF facility with Norway will go towards Amerindian communities. Half of that sum will be used to accelerate the land demarcation exercise and Sukhai yesterday said they expected to have that completed in “maybe two to three years.”

The conference ends tomorrow.

Source: Stabroek News

Amerindian communities to get US$8M of Norway $30M

2010-10-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - Amerindian communities are to receive US$8M of the US$30M first tranche from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund set up with Norway, President Bharrat Jagdeo today announced.

He made the revelation at the opening of the five-day National Toshaos Council Meeting at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal. Half of the money will be used to continue the Amerindian land demarcation exercise while the rest will be used to purchase solar panels for every Amerindian home and fund activities arising from the council meeting.

Source: Stabroek News

National Toshaos Council to meet

2010-10-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - The National Toshaos Council (NTC) meeting will be held from October 25 to 29, 2010 at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

President Bharrat Jagdeo will be the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony, according to a release from GINA.

One hundred and sixty-six leaders including all Toshaos and Senior Councilors, 12 Community Development Officers (CDOs) and Regional Officials are expected to attend.

President Jagdeo will lead a two-day interactive discussion session during which updates on the Low Carbon Development Strategy’s Implementation phase and on several Government of Guyana initiatives such as Solar Panels, Land Demarcation, Funding of Amerindian Villages Community Development Plans (CDPs), One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Programme and the Amaila Falls Hydro-electricity will be discussed among other issues relevant to village development. The theme for the conference is `Advancing Development in a Low Carbon Economy’.

The opening ceremony will commence at 10:30hrs on Monday, October 25, 2010.

Source: Stabroek News

Gala launch to Amerindian Heritage month 2010

2010-09-09T06:56:00.000-07:00

GUYANA’S indigenous communities will receive US$8 million out of the US$30 million to be received from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) revenue this year, according to President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Speaking at the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month, at a ceremony hosted at the Amerindian Village, National Exhibition Centre in Sophia, the President said the funds will be used for village development. Citing transformative economic activities where young people can stay in the village and earn a decent living as well as food security, he said every village is currently working on their own plan according to a template sent out by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Responding to gripes about the money not being properly spent, the President said the money will be budgeted and will have the strongest fiduciary safeguards that can be audited anywhere in the world.

He said it is important to the country and there is no room for pedantic approaches as the development of indigenous people will be at the forefront of the strategy. Referring to comments made by Chief of the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), Dr. George Norton, in a speech at the same event, the President said he agreed that all children, not only Amerindian children must have a proper perspective of the struggles of the indigenous peoples throughout the ages. However, he strongly disagreed with Norton’s views about “mendicancy syndrome”.

He said Amerindians are not mendicants, stating that he has great respect for Amerindians who can live in very difficult circumstances, contrasting them with some people on the Coast who will complain even when opportunities are easily available. Again disagreeing with Norton, President Jagdeo said we must subscribe to the philosophy of working together, instead of “who deh pon top”.

He said that even though some people would like that to continue, parties cannot continue to be built on race; barriers must be broken down and people must have the freedom to go into any party and any government that they wish. Calling out to young people he said “take your country over”.

He stressed that Guyana “belongs to us all, and all have an equal place in the land and are equal before the Constitution and, therefore, we must ensure that people have an opportunity to exercise this equality.” President Jagdeo noted that, unfortunately, for a long time, people who live in the hinterland never managed to experience that equality. He said that it is “unforgivable” that for decades in the post-independence period, intelligent children were “doomed” to have only a primary education, where it existed.

Jagdeo said that though the problem is not completely fixed, all children have access to primary education and secondary education has been expanded, noting that the government is now building a secondary school at Sand Creek – a hinterland community. He also alluded to the fact that many Amerindians are even studying abroad. In this regards, President Jagdeo told the audience that he had, earlier in the day, attended a graduation ceremony where several Amerindian students were among the more than 90 persons that graduated.

Moving on to the issue of health care, President Jagdeo said the government is working to make drastic improvements to this area by providing more doctors rather than community health workers to serve Amerindian communities. He said that a part of the government’s strategy is to extend information communication to every home along Guyana’s coast.

Pledging 90 thousand computers to families along the coast, the president said it will be very hard to do that in Amerindian communities where homes are far apart and there often is not access to the internet, but over the next two years the government will work with villages, especially the large villages, to have a bank of computers so that there can be internet access for entire communities.

He said that this is also very important for “e-medicine”, which is an important part of improving the service as, if the distance is so great, information can be transmitted to health workers on the ground, in the absence of a doctor, to make better diagnoses. He said within three years, every Amerindian home in Guyana (some 10 thousand) will have a solar panel to supply electricity.

President Jagdeo also urged his listeners to continue viewing the LCDS as an opportunity for Guyana to create the elements of a market-based system through advocacy. He said rewards are in store for everyone, particularly indigenous communities, stressing that no indigenous community is required to contribute their land that they own and that they have absolute control over their land and will pledge land only if they wish to do so.

He said that even if they don’t give land, a significant amount of money earned from the strategy will go back to their communities, promising more opportunities to earn a living and have a better life without compromising cultural growth and cultural preservation.

President Jagdeo also expressed the hope that Guyanese will use the opportunity of the month long celebration to learn more about the contributions of Amerindians to Guyana’s national culture and join in the celebration.

Amerindian Heritage Month Celebrations were launched under the theme “Promoting Sustainable Livelihood and Cultural Heritage while transforming our Village Economies,” this year.

Author: Michelle Gonsalves
Source: Guyana Chronicle

Govt gives Waramuri $1M for ‘heritage village’

2010-08-27T00:33:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has donated $1M to Waramuri, Region One, as it makes preparations for Amerindian Heritage Month in September.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Waramuri was selected this year’s ‘Amerindian village’.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai who was in Waramuri recently to ascertain the needs of the community presented $200,000 to Toshao Bernard Laud on behalf of the village council. The minister said $200,000 was previously given to the council and an additional $600,000 will be allocated.

Sukhai noted that Waramuri should capitalise on the opportunity to showcase itself as a domestic tourism destination as local and international visitors will be travelling to the area.

She said the celebrations will also give communities in the Moruca sub-region a chance to advertise their potential. Moruca, in particular, “is a beautiful area which has a lot to offer in terms of adventure and eco-tourism,” she said.

The minister indicated that some Amerindian communities including Surama in the Pakaraima Mountains are advancing their tourism efforts. Surama, a Macushi village, boasts eco lodges for visitors and this community tourism initiative has been hailed as highly successful. Nearby is the famous Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.

Sukhai said Waramuri can capitalize on the advancement of tourism as an economic activity since it will provide employment for youths and women, and also market for local produce.

Source: Stabroek News

Umana Yana repairs 50% complete

2010-08-12T22:12:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony on Friday toured the Umana Yana located at High Street and Battery Road, Kingston, to oversee the rehabilitation works being done on the benab, and he said his ministry is pleased with the work, GINA said in a release.

A $16 million contract was awarded to the Captain of Gunn’s Strip, Paul Chekema and his team by the ministry to rehabilitate the benab.

Minister Anthony also commended Chekema and his team for their professionalism and commitment to their work.

Permanent Secretary Alfred King said that the Umana Yana has been a favourite for tourists and because it is a national monument, the ministry undertook its preservation.

Chekema said that the repairs commenced on July 28 instead of July 16 because of the delay in sourcing materials due to heavy rainfall. Despite the late start the rehabilitation work is still expected to be completed by the deadline as 35 persons are working on it.

Fifty per cent of the work is completed and it will take approximately 500,000 troolie leaves to rehabilitate the roof of the structure.

The Umana Yana was initially constructed by Chief Elka and more than 60 Wai Wais in 1972. The construction took 80 days and was completed at a cost of $26,000.

Source: Stabroek News

Motion on indigenous peoples commission carried

2010-07-30T22:25:00.000-07:00

Opposition objects to forestry’s James Singh

GUYANA - A motion which paves the way for the appointment of persons to sit on the long-awaited Indigenous Peoples’ Commission (IPC) was yesterday passed in the National Assembly though opposition members of parliament objected to an appointee nominated by the government.

Chair of the Standing Committee on Appointments, PPP/C MP Gail Teixeira, moved the motion which sought the adoption of the eighth report of the standing committee to address matters relating to the nomination and appointment of members of the IPC.

However, the opposition objected to Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Com-mission (GFC), James Singh, as a nominee shortlisted to sit as a member of the IPC, with the PNCR terming his nomination “a breach of faith”.

Dr George Norton, speaking on behalf of his party, stated that the past 20 months of meetings held between committee members were undertaken to appoint persons to the IPC. He said that among the entities nominated by the Standing Committee, and which were identified as appropriate bodies for consultation on the appointment of persons as members of the commission, was the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS). That ministry then submitted Singh as its nominee to sit on the IPC.

Norton said that the party does not “have anything against Singh as a person”, but according to him the GFC Commissioner does not operate within the ambit of the MHSSS goals. He made reference to concerns by persons from interior locations who have had problems regarding the uplifting of their pensions and according to him, the party was told that having someone from the MHSSS would allay such fears expressed by residents from those locations.

AFC MP Sheila Holder while addressing the issue, stated that she viewed the matter, “with bad taste by the kind of politics played by the government”. She said that the IPC has been in the making for some 9 years and according to her, the party viewed Singh’s appointment to the IPC as breach of trust. “It puts him on the IPC through the back door”, she said of the government.

Holder said that during deliberations, it was agreed that the MHSSS was eligible as an agency to have a sitting member on the IPC, and she noted that it was “simply bizarre to argue that Singh years of expertise” was equivalent to those persons employed by the ministry.

She said the decision casts doubts on the experience and ability of persons employed by the agency, adding that, “it has to be noted that it is being used for the second time”, as she made reference to government spokesman Kwame McKoy being appointed as a member of the Rights of the Child Commission (ROC).

Teixeira said that the appointments are based upon provisions set out by the Constitution and she noted that the Constitutional Reform Commission made compromises on several issues. Amid heckling, Teixeira said that commissioners are expected to be fair independent and transparent.

She said that when the entities were written to by the Standing Committee, they were asked to nominate an individual and at no point, as a representative of the agency, and as such she said that the matter of breach of faith does not hold. As chairperson, Teixeira said that she could not use her position to determine who the agencies put forward as their nominee and called on the National Assembly to adopt the report.

The IPC is one of four rights commissions established in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana, with its primary functions being to promote and protect the rights of indigenous people, raise awareness of their contributions, and the problems they face as well as to make recommendations on economic and education policies to advance the interest of the indigenous people, among others.

The other persons nominated to sit on the IPC are, PPP/C MP Norman Whittaker, David James, Matilda Saigo, Patricia Singh, George Simon, Captain Gerald Gouveia, Damian Fernandes, Father Malcolm Rodrigues and Toshaos Yvonne Pearson, Marco J De Souza and Doreen Jacobis.

Source: Stabroek News

Peace and Dignity Run Begins in Borikén

2010-07-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

Borikén/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) – The Borikén 2010 Peace and Dignity Run began on the 17th of July with the sounding of many guamo (conch shell horns) at sunrise in the Yunke Rainforest. A spiritual event, the run is being undertaken to raise awareness about the condition of indigenous scared sites on the island as well as connect native Taino islanders with their mainland relations. At the special opening ceremony, runners received the blessing of elders and other community members as they began an historic journey that would take them to sacred sites all around the island.

See full story at UCTP Taino News:
http://www.uctp.org
http://www.uctp.blogspot.com
http://www.indigenousportal.com

Guyana indigenous demand say over land

2010-07-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

(Reuters) - Guyana's indigenous people are agitating for more land rights as the World Bank prepares to spend hundreds of millions to help nations benefit from a U.N. program to help slow deforestation.

The World Bank has granted Guyana $200,000 to help refine its proposal to reduce emissions from deforestation. But Amerindian leaders insist the government's proposals do not address its international obligations to indigenous people.

"We have urged governments and international agencies to protect our traditional practices and help resolve outstanding land issues," Tony James, president of the Guyana's Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) said at a World Bank meeting.

Guyana, a former British colony perched next to Venezuela, is about 80 percent covered with forests and has one of the most varied biodiversities in the world. Amerindian communities make up about 10 percent of the population.

Indigenous leaders accuse the government of snatching their traditional lands through poor demarcation, saying in some areas, communities were demarcated without their knowledge.

The Amerindian Act of 2006 gives Amerindian villages legal powers to manage and conserve their lands.

"Some community lands are being sliced by half, some by quarter, some by three-quarters," said John Adries, the leader in the Parima community, inhabited by 600 Arekuna people.

Guyana's government is seeking international partnerships for incentives to keep alive 15 million hectares of untouched forest. Amerindian communities have been told they can opt into the initiative or choose not to be part of it.

Amerindian communities have in the past been sharoly critical Guyana's low carbon strateggy, a forest saving deal with Norway that could give the country US$250 million over the next five years.

Small Grants Programme under the Second Decade

2010-07-08T15:26:00.000-07:00

Applications for grants under the Small Grants Programme under the Second Decade will be accepted between 1 July 2010 and 1 October 2010

Applications for grants under the Small Grants Programme under the Second Decade will be accepted between 1 July 2010 and 1 October 2010. Applications are to be submitted to: indigenousfund@un.org during this time period. Applications submitted outside of this time period or to other email addresses will not be considered for funding. The proposals will be assessed by the Bureau of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in May 2011 and successful applicants will receive notice thereafter. A list of organizations awarded grants will also be posted on this website.

Please note:
- Project must have a focus on indigenous peoples
- All applicants must submit their project proposals in accordance with the Trust Fund
Project Proposal Format and include both a summary sheet and a proposal document
- Projects will be disregarded if the required information is not present.
- Additional information pertaining to the proposal will not be accepted beyond the deadline of submission (1 October 2011)

Please visit our webpage to obtain updated grant information and application
materials: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/second_trustfund.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Las solicitudes para subvenciones del Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones dentro del marco del Segundo Decenio Fondo Fiduciario para el Segundo Decenio serán aceptadas entre el 1 de julio y el 1 de octubre del 2010.

Las solicitudes deben ser enviadas a: indigenousfund@un.org durante este plazo. Las solicitudes recibidas fuera de este plazo o enviadas a otras direcciones de email no serán consideradas. Las solicitudes serán evaluadas en mayo del 2011 y los candidatos exitosos serán notificados después de esta fecha. La lista de las organizaciones que reciban subsidios estará disponible en esta página web.

Por favor tomar en consideración:
- El proyecto debe tener un enfoque sobre pueblos indígenas
- Todos los candidatos deben someter sus propuestas de proyecto de acuerdo con
el formato de Propuesta del Proyecto y adjuntar la hoja resumen y el documento
de propuesta.
- Los proyectos que no tengan la información requerida no serán considerados.
- Información adicional relacionada con la propuesta no será aceptada una vez
vencido el plazo de presentación (1 de octubre de 2010).

Visite por favor esta página web para obtener información y materiales actualizados sobre las solicitudes: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/es/second.html

Wai Wais get $16M contract to repair Umana Yana

2010-06-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday signed a $16M contract which was awarded to the Captain of Gunn’s Strip Paul Chekema for the rehabilitation of the Umana Yana.

The repairs are set to start July 16 and are expected to be completed within one month, a press release from the Government Information agency (GINA) said. It said too the benab will be closed to the public from July 16 to August for the duration of the works.

The Umana Yana was first built by residents of Gunn’s Strip, the most distant Wai Wai Village located in the South Rupununi in Region Nine. Their descendants have committed to continue the tradition of preserving the benab which is also a national monument. Chekema noted that holes have been found in the benab’s roof and some of the supporting beams appear to be rotten.

The funds will be used to procure troolie leaves and other materials for the repairs from St Cuthbert’s Mission. The ministry will be working with the St Cuthbert’s community to obtain the materials which will be transported to Georgetown before July 16.

Thirty persons from Gunn’s Strip are expected to work at the site. Anthony said the ministry will provide accommodation for the workers for the duration of the project. The ministry said the project will allow income to return to the community and the amount is expected to boost the economy in the mainly farming community.

According to GINA the Umana Yana was first built by Chief Elka and a team comprising more than 60 Wai Wais in 1972. The construction took 80 days and was completed at a cost of $26,000. The first meeting of the Non-Aligned Nations was held at the Umana Yana that same year.

Source: Stabroek News

16 Amerindian communities get solar panels

2010-06-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has distributed 574 solar panels to 16 Amerindian communities in regions ones, two and nine.

Liaison Officer to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs Norman Whittaker said the panels were provided through the Office of the Prime Minister under the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme. The ministry was tasked over the last year with distributing 1,000 (15-watt) solar panels to 23 communities and these 16 areas are the first beneficiaries, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Some of the communities that benefited are: Four Miles and Hotoquai, Region One; Mashabo, Region Two; and Surama, Rupertee and Katoka, Region Nine. Whittaker said the remaining 476 panels are for communities in Region Nine and arrangements are being put in place to distribute them.

According to GINA the ministry also buys solar panels for communities under its Capital Programme.

Source: Stabroek News

Available now: THE VOICE OF THE TAINO PEOPLE NEWS JOURNAL, April – June 2010

2010-06-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

The Voice of the Taíno People is the Official News Journal of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) and is distributed by the UCTP Office of International Relations and Regional Coordination. Volume 13, Issue 2, April – June 2010, All Rights Reserved ; ISSN 1553-9350. In this issue: Census 2010 Celebrates Taino Heritage in Borikén ; Taino Prepare for Sacred Run ; Caribbean Indigenous Peoples at UN Forum ; Community News Flash ; Thousands call for Nuclear Disarmament ; Announcements and Events.

Review and download this edition at the NEWS section of the UCTP Web Portal at www.uctp.org or you can visit here: http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=46&&Itemid=38

Some Amerindian communities tardy in accessing help – Minister tells Wiruni

2010-05-25T16:46:00.000-07:00

GUYANA (Stabroek News) - Government will continue to support the transformation of the economies in Amerindian communities but slow responses from areas like Wiruni have been affecting increased development.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, during a recent Cabinet outreach to the community of Wiruni in Region Ten, stated that the Amerindian Affairs Ministry has been engaging residents but slothfulness in several areas such as the non-submission of Community Development Plans (CDP) by some communities has been affecting development.

According to GINA, the creation of CDPs are essential to the development of village communities as they outline key developmental projects and Minister Sukhai indicated that to aid the process the agency created and distributed templates of a CDP to communities.

She said that the late submissions are causing setbacks leading to a call for village management to be upgraded. She added that the President had given one month for the development plan to be on stream and according to GINA some $5M will be distributed to each community for financing of the plan. The Minister stated that the funds derived from an initiative of the government to commit state forests even though Amerindians have not yet committed their forested area.

Minister Sukhai also stated that some communities have been late in uplifting their presidential grants which in turn leads to slow development with Wiruni highlighted as one community which is yet to uplift its grant for 2009. She also stated that some villages have weaknesses as regards governance but government was committed to working with such areas.

Residents at Wiruni raised several concerns with the team, including the establishment of a secondary school for the area as well as the non-distribution of National Identification cards by the Elections Commission.

GINA stated that the visit by Sukhai and a team, included Liaison Officer Norman Whittaker and Region Ten Regional Executive Officer Devon Bremner. The purpose of the visit was to have an interactive forum with residents of the community, including its Toshao Rohan Fredericks. Minister Sukhai stated that most projects highlighted in this year’s National Budget are in progress and at the same time Cabinet members are visiting communities to establish whether citizens are satisfied with service provided.

She said President Bharrat Jagdeo has demonstrated the administration’s commitment to the Amerindian people by donating his financial reward of US$40,000 from his Champion of the Earth award towards Amerindian development.

GINA stated that the promotion of food security and transformation of village economies are being encouraged by the administration and the government is encouraging Amerindians to engage in sustainable farming practices.

Source: Stabroek News

President commits $25M for St Cuthbert’s Mission road

2010-05-24T16:59:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - President Bharrat Jagdeo has committed $25M to building a road from the Linden Highway to St Cuthbert’s Mission to facilitate easier transporting of goods to the coast.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the President made this proposal to residents on his second visit to the Mission located 50 miles up the Mahaica River. Residents greeted the proposal with loud cheers and suggested that the same method used to pave the access road to Laluni could be used.

“You need quick and reliable means of transporting your goods from here into the marketplace which is the coast and Georgetown,” Jagdeo said and suggested that a meeting be convened with the council, the villagers and the Ministry of Public Works to assess the available options. GINA said the president’s team including Amerindian Affairs, Education and Health ministers Pauline Sukhai, Shaik Baksh and Dr Bheri Ramsaran met with residents at the St Cuthbert’s Mission Primary School.

Source: Stabroek News

First Week of UN Indigenous Forum Ends

2010-04-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

United Nations, NY (UCTP Taino News) – The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, a UN body mandated to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights ended its first week of work today. Government representatives, UN agencies, and indigenous representatives from around the world presented reports and statements on key areas of concern.

See full story at UCTP Taino News

APA urges donors to ensure indigenous rights upheld when they finance forest conservation

2010-04-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - Worried about unresolved land titling and a lack of meaningful participation in decision-making, the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has urged donors to ensure that indigenous peoples’ guaranteed rights are fully upheld in all forest conservation activities they finance here.

As a result, the APA and some community leaders are calling for an urgent review and amendment of the current Amerindian Act to strengthen land rights as well as the creation of safeguards to ensure that opt-in/opt-out procedures under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) comply with principles of free, prior, and informed consent. Additionally, they recommended the establishment of an independent Amerindian advisory group to complement the LCDS multi-stakeholder committee and a working group to address the application of international standards in the process.

In a March 10, 2010 letter to Turid Johansen Arnegaard, Senior Advisor for Indigenous Peoples Issues in the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the APA and the community leaders said that the recommendations follow concerns about the lack of an adequate legal framework to protect the rights of the indigenous peoples, including what it described as the absence of meaningful participation in the decision-making on the LCDS/REDD+. “These concerns are crucially important to the sustainability of LCDS/REDD+ but have yet to be adequately addressed,” the APA said, noting that while it fully supports culturally appropriate sustainable development and reducing carbon emissions, the initiatives should not be done at the expense of indigenous peoples’ rights.

The letter has been the source of a recent row between the APA and other indigenous groups over the LCDS. The government has maintained that the LCDS and REDD+ processes have demonstrated openness, transparency, accountability, availability of information and public participation. Further, it has said that from the onset, the LCDS sensitisation education and consultation process was designed and implemented in accordance with international best practice. An independent international NGO, the London-based International Institute for Environmental Development (IIED), provided monitoring of the entire stakeholder engagement process of the LCDS and concluded that the “the LCDS has established the principle of FPIC as the standard for Amerindian communities.”

In the letter, the APA noted that protecting the country’s forests are in the interest of the nation and the world, and it endorsed the idea that the people should benefit from any payments that may be made to protect Guyana’s forests. However, it said a significant percentage of the forest is owned by indigenous peoples, both by virtue of titles issued by the state as well as traditional ownership recognised by international law.

The group’s primary concern is the adequacy of the existing legal framework for the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights here, and particularly in the area of regularisation and protection of their rights to own and control their traditional lands, territories and resources. “While Guyana often talks about the number of villages that hold title, the percentage of Guyana covered by these titles, and the need to complete its process of demarcation, these statements neither dispose of this issue,” it said, adding that the process for titling lands falls short of international obligations. “At present, Guyana’s land titling process is simply an exercise in unilateral and unfettered rule by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs that has little to do with satisfying indigenous peoples’ rights,” the APA argued. It said too that rights of appeal are limited by the absence of enumerated rights and indigenous peoples are left with little option other than to accept the Ministry’s decision.

The APA pointed out that the MOU and the government’s submissions to the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) frame indigenous peoples’ rights solely in the context of Guyana’s existing legislative and constitutional framework. It added that while the underlying assumption appeared to be that the extant legal framework is adequate, both in terms of its recognition and protection of indigenous peoples’ rights, the 2006 Amerindian Act and other important elements of the country’s constitutional framework have been found wanting by the World Bank and the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

According to the findings of a 2008 World Bank study, ’The Role of Indigenous Peoples in Biodiversity Conservation,’ the country’s legislation to protect indigenous peoples is “weak.” The Bank also said it was unable to change the framework in place to have adequate recognition of indigenous rights. Its findings were related to the failure of the World Bank/GEF Guyana/National Protected Areas System Project. Meanwhile, two years prior to this, CERD had found that many of the Amerindian Act’s provisions were incompatible with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Among CERD’s findings was the lack of legal recognition of the rights of ownership and possession of indigenous communities over lands they traditionally occupied. In addition, it was also concerned about the state’s practice of granting land titles excluding bodies of waters and subsoil resources to indigenous communities on the basis of unfair criteria. By virtue of Article 154A of the constitution, Guyana is bound to observe the provisions of the convention as part of its international obligations, but the APA said the country has been in breach for four years. “At the very least, these findings call into question key assumptions in the FCPF submissions and the MOU that should provoke… a serious examination of these issues by independent and qualified experts with the full participation of indigenous peoples’ freely chosen representatives,” the APA said. In particular, it argued that the Amerindian Act, in the areas of the regularisation of indigenous peoples’ lands and other issues, must be amended to ensure consistency with Guyana’s international human rights obligations as a prior condition to any financing of further LCDS/REDD+ activities.

Further, the APA said there is also an urgent need to carry out an impartial review of all land titling decisions made to date. The review, it explained, must include an assessment of the extent to which said decisions may or may not be compatible with indigenous peoples’ rights in international law.

Meanwhile, the APA also argued that there has not been adequate participation by the indigenous people in decision-making. It explained that while the process for discussing the LCDS/REDD+ was lauded by the government and others, it has not adequately informed the indigenous people or secured their participation in decision-making. “This does not bode well for the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the LCDS/REDD+ in Guyana and is contrary to the rights of indigenous peoples,” it said. “The right to participate is triggered at the very earliest stages of the project not after the parameters have been unilaterally predetermined by the State,” it added.

The APA said recent official outreach efforts on the LCDS did not meet the required standards for good faith public consultation, noting that meetings were rushed, documents were not supplied with sufficient time prior, and absent or weak translation support. On the latter point, it noted that local Amerindian translators did not receive prior training in technical climate change and REDD+ terms.

The APA was also critical of the government’s “undue reliance” on only one organisation − the National Toshaos Council − in the discussions. It said the government did not ensure that the council was the organisation legitimately identified by the indigenous peoples as their representative on the issues, as required by international law. While the council is an important statutory body, the APA explained, the views of its executive members must not be substituted for the freely expressed views of indigenous peoples in Guyana.

Source: Stabroek News

Amerindian communities likely to get up to $7M extra for development

2010-04-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - President Bharrat Jagdeo told Toshaos from various sub-districts in the Rupununi that this year each community is likely to receive up to $7 million for development in addition to the annual Presidential Grant.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the president said the sums ranging from $5 million to $7 million will be used to promote food security and profit-making ventures.

He said with funds expected from the implementation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), he had decided to set aside about US$5M (equivalent to G$1B) in addition for Amerindian communities’ development.

As regard food security, Jagdeo stressed the importance of better drainage and irrigation systems, which he said will boost agriculture productivity and diversify the range of products grown. Guyana is expected to be able to expand access to services and provide new economic opportunities for Amerindian communities within the framework of the LCDS.

“The draft LCDS document states that transforming Guyana’s economy will require among other things, striking a balance between using forest payments to enhance the opportunities for those who live in the forest and recognising the rights of other Guyanese citizens, including the urban poor,” GINA said.

In June 2009 the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs partnered with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) to launch the National Secure Livelihood Programme (NSLP) which sought to address the challenges hampering economic development in the Amerindian villages and hinterland communities through the creation of employment opportunities, sustaining food security, income generation, wealth creation, economic diversification and secure livelihoods. Six VSO Specialists were employed to spur economic development in Region One, focusing on agriculture, aquaculture, pest management, food technology, business, development, marketing and finance and organisational development.

According to GINA, the Presidential Grant was established in 2007 with $150M allocated for meeting the social and economic needs of 140 communities. The Grant was also offered in 2008 but last year 20 additional communities became eligible for grants and as a result $160M was allocated.

Source: Stabroek News

Toshaos, village councillors picket APA’s LCDS workshop

2010-04-10T16:22:00.000-07:00

APA demands respect for learning process

GUYANA - Toshaos and councillors from various Amerindian communities picketed an Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) workshop yesterday, accusing the NGO of trying to put a hold on projects that would bring benefit Amerindian communities.

The picket of the workshop at the Regency Suites, on Brickdam was the latest salvo in a row over the scope of consultations on the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in indigenous communities, and the demand for the resolution of land issues before movement on projects related to the LCDS and REDD+.

Yvonne Pearson, Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), said that the protest was intended to show opposition to recent public statements being made by the organisation.

Displaying placards, the picketers stood across the road from the hotel yesterday and APA member Norma Thomas accused the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs of rounding up persons from the hostel and bringing them to protest.

In a press statement issued later, the APA said it was disappointed at the protest, calling it an attempt “to stifle its knowledge building for APA’s members and other leaders, which constitutes a violation of our freedom of assembly.”

It also charged that Toshaos participating at its workshop recognised some of the picketers as recently discharged patients and some did not know why they were in the picket line.

When some persons were asked to explain their placards, they could not do so, it contended.

Following a recent conference organised by the APA, some indigenous leaders had said that LCDS outreach activities done last year lacked prior information, were often rushed and suffered from weak or non-existent translation support for communities.

They also urged government and international agencies to put a hold on the implementation of policies related to projects like the LCDS and REDD+, until land rights issues are settled and asked that the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) be respected. The statement by the indigenous leaders at the recent APA workshop triggered a strong response by government and Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai accused the APA of communicating “misconceptions and half-truths.”

The five-day workshop on “Indigenous Peoples Rights, Climate Change and the LCDS/REDD” is for participants from regions 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, and the main focus is on providing simplified information on climate change, REDD, the Low Carbon Development Strategy and related topics.

“The aim is for participants to develop a better understanding of all that is involved in what are very complex issues surrounding climate change, its impacts on indigenous communities and the pros and cons of mitigation and adaptation strategies,” the APA said. “The organisation decided to hold this workshop to fill the information gap that exists among its membership and other community representatives who have indicated on numerous occasions that they have been thrust in to positions where they have been asked to make decisions on these matters, without fully understanding the scope or nature of these initiatives,” it added.

The APA said it respected the rights of the picketers and demanded that its right to educate those willing to learn through its programmes be respected. It quoted workshop participants as saying, “We would like the public to understand that our main reason for participating in the workshop is to educate ourselves so that we can go back to our communities and tell our people what we have learnt-we are in a learning process.”

Pearson, however, said the organisation cannot make decisions for Amerindians and accused it of trying to put a hold on projects and policies which would bring benefit to Amerindians. Pearson was referring to a letter reportedly sent to the Norwegian government by the APA trying to get them to rethink their position on LCDS.

She added that Amerindians want development and fully support the LCDS. This support, she said, was shown by the Toshaos, village councillors and supporters present outside the hotel who on their own initiative decided to hold the exercise.

Pearson added that the LCDS will help Amerindians achieve their goals of forest preservation and lower pollution rates. The APA, she said was invited to be part of the consultations, where they could have raised their objections, but refused to do so citing prior commitments. During the protest, APA President Tony James extended an invite to the picketers to join the organisation’s workshop but Pearson told him it was too late notice since they had prior workshop commitments.

Minster Sukhai, who said she was present to lend her support, noted that the APA had indicated that it did not wish to be part of the stakeholder committee, since it had other commitments.

Querying its availability, she wondered whether the organisation is an individual, and why it could not find other members to attend the consultations.

Sukhai also said the APA had written to the Norway Aid agency pinpointing their objections to the agreement and asking them to review the MOU they have with the government. The picket, she said, was spearheaded by the NTC with Toshaos representing regions 1, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10 present.

While the MOU may not offer much financially, it brings opportunities to address concerns of Amerindians including the demarcation, application and extension of lands, Sukhai said.

Peter Persaud, President of TAAMOG said that his organisation is in support of the LCDS and lashed out at the APA for what he considered a campaign to block the funding and to frustrate Amerindian development. Ronald Samuels, Toshao of Santa Aratak, in Region 3 said that he was there because he was disturbed by the allegations of the APA that they represent the interest of Amerindians when their stance is affecting the development of Amerindians.

Author: Candace Phillips
Source: Stabroek News

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Central America Women's Leadership Fellowship in Seattle, Washington, USA

2010-04-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

Are you a community leader from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras or Guatemala?
Are you interested in deepening your leadership skills and expanding your understanding of how to create sustainable social change?
Are you available in September 2010 to travel to the United States, to the City of Seattle, to participate in a unique 3 month intensive training program?
Are you a woman?

If you answered 'yes' to all of these questions, then you are strongly encouraged to apply for this terrific opportunity!

The Central America Women's Leadership Fellowship Program (CAWL) is a partnership between iLEAP: The Center for Critical Service and the Seattle International Foundation. iLEAP is now accepting applications for participation in a three-month intensive training in leadership and social innovation for up to FIVE (5) Central American, female, community leaders. The leadership training will take place in Seattle, Washington from September 13, 2010 to November 20, 2010. All expenses are covered. English fluency is not required-more important are conversational skills and the strong willingness to communicate with others.

Application deadline is May 1, 2010. Completed applications must be emailed to fellowship@ileap.org. You may get an application by sending an email inquiry to fellowship@ileap.org.

For questions about the iLEAP CAWL program, please email fellowship@ileap.org.

Program Overview:

Program Administrator: iLEAP: The Center for Critical Service (www.ileap.org)
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Dates of Fellowship: Monday, September 13th, 2010 to Sunday, November 20th, 2010.
Length of Fellowship: 10 weeks
Number of Fellowships: up to five (5)
Cost: None to Fellows, this is a Full Fellowship--All costs associated with program participation are covered (airfare, visa/immigration, lodging and food in Seattle, health insurance, living stipend, books/supplies, study tours, etc.)

Application Eligibility Guidelines:

Demonstrated long term commitment to the community or the population with whom you are working
Central American citizenship: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua
Female
25 years and older
In a current leadership position and able to articulate the need for this fellowship opportunity as well as their ability to be away from their family and organization for the complete duration of the fellowship.
Approval from their organization's board may be necessary.
Conversant in English
Junior leadership may be preferable in some cases.
English Language: As necessary, English communication classes will be incorporated into the curriculum. Fellows may expect to take English classes for up to 2-3 hours daily, three times a week.

Program Details:

Program Intent: To strengthen and expand the leadership capacities of female social change leaders in Central America and forge and deepen relationships between program participants and the global development sector in Washington state.
Program Themes: The program is organized around the central themes of:

Social Innovation and Enterprise
Collaborative Leadership
Digital Literacy
Social and Environmental Sustainability

Curriculum Structure: Program participants explore these themes through three modes of learning: skills-based seminars, field application and experiential learning, and social networking and partnership building.

Skills-Based Seminars: Each week, Fellows engage in seminar courses led by experts in the four central themes of the program and designed around the Fellows' interests. These range in length from 90 minutes to multi-day and occur 2 to 4 times each week. Of the dozens of seminars that Fellows take, topics can include: principles of social innovation, group dialogue and facilitation, building a movement, modes of leadership, trends in philanthropy and giving, using social media for strategic communication, digital storytelling, etc.
Field Application and Experiential Learning: Each week, Fellows work in a professional placement with a Seattle-based social enterprise, institution, agency or organization working in a field relevant to the Fellow's interest. Fellows also participate in regular public speaking opportunities. These include guest speaking in collegiate courses and events, radio and television spots, and also participating in panels and/or keynotes to the greater Seattle community.
Social Networking and Partnership Building: Each week, Fellows go on site visits to local organizations and businesses. Over the course of the program Fellows visit dozens and dozens of places and meet with leadership to share ideas and learn. Past visits have included: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Vision, Northwest Center, Herbfarm, Farm Tour of King County, Microsoft, Farestart, Washington Cash, Goodwill, et al. Each Fellow becomes familiar with various social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as learns how to write weblogs and use the internet for strategic communications.

After program completion, Fellows become a part of iLEAP's International Faculty. This distinction allows them to receive and host international visitors through iLEAP's Taking the LEAP program and also entitles them to a life-long partnership with iLEAP.

This program overlaps with the 'standard' iLEAP International Fellowship-with participants from Asia and Africa-so Fellows from Central America will also have the opportunity to learn from these experienced leaders.

Program Logistics:

Airfare: Logistics will be arranged by iLEAP's travel agent, full cost covered.
Visa/Immigration: Upon acceptance, Fellows will be guided through the J1 trainee application process by iLEAP.
Health Insurance: All Fellows will receive basic health coverage during their stay in the United States.
Transportation: All public transportation fees are covered.
Stipend: Fellows are provided $100/week
Books/Supplies/Mobile Phone: All books and supplies directly relevant to the training will be provided to the Fellow. Each Fellow will be provided with a pre-paid mobile phone and a monthly allotment.
Lodging/Accommodations: Fellows will be placed in a homestay with an American family. These families will provide the Fellow with room and board.

Timeline:

Open Application Period Present - May 1, 2010
Application Deadline May 1, 2010
Application Review and Notifications May 2010
For Successful Candidates:

Initial screening interview with iLEAP staff May 2010
Visa application and interview with 3rd party representative June 2010
Schedule/complete immigration interview w/Embassy June-July 2010
Upon receipt of J1 visa, book plane ticket to Seattle July-August 2010
Fellows arrive in Seattle Week of September 13, 2010

International Fellowship Program Application 2010 CAWL.

Suggestions about Amerindians not understanding LCDS ‘insulting’ – Sukhai

2010-03-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai acknowledged yesterday that some Amerindian communities lack a clear understanding of the LCDS but insisted there were no language barriers.

The minister stressed that English is the first language of this country’s indigenous communities, and suggestions about whether some Amerindians understood the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) presentations can be viewed as insulting.

“…All Amerindians speak English, English is our first language and Amerindians are no different to any other Guyanese. I will not want to insult the Amerindians by saying they cannot understand the presentations done on the LCDS,” Sukhai charged yesterday in response to a question during a press briefing at her ministry.

“Can I have my say? I allowed you to have your say,” Sukhai told the reporter and she continued that it was insulting to the indigenous community to suggest that some persons could not follow the presentations. Sukhai appeared peeved when a question was posed to her about whether the LCDS was simply not understood by some indigenous communities. She said the presentations were clear and stressed that in some villages, translators were provided for villagers who spoke other languages. She added that translators were engaged in many instances.

Still on the issue, she said the LCDS cannot be translated into the indigenous languages because the languages are not written. She said the target audience of any such translation would not be able to read it. Sukhai added that the National Toshaos Council has plans to expand consultations to many Amerindian villages.

The question of some leaders who currently oppose the LCDS came up and the minister stressed that she has no reason to intimidate Amerindian leaders who disagree with the strategy in its current form and yesterday dismissed allegations involving her ministry as “highly unfounded. …Everyone is open to comment on this, it’s an open field day,” Sukhai said.

Sukhai said her ministry operates on the principle of respect, noting that people are free to say what they like. She said the issue of land rights and demarcation which “APA has raised” is not new and had been raised since the consultations commenced. She said the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) is behaving some nine months after as if this particular issue is fresh on the agenda.

Sukhai held a press briefing yesterday to report that her ministry has expended 20 per cent of its budget so far, which amounts to around $50 million, and is currently awaiting approval from the Finance Ministry and Tender Board to proceed with purchasing capital items. The purchases would include ATVS, outboard engines, chainsaws, tractors and brush cutters among other things.

According to her, the ministry has developed an Amerindian Resident Management Plan to upgrade services currently being provided at the Amerindian hostel. Sukhai said the plan is aimed at improving the efficiency and operations of the hostel. She said they have also formulated a management plan for the health and social welfare of Amerindians. This plan, she said, gives a comprehensive outline of the work the ministry intends to do in these areas and is aimed at streamlining current services.

Sukhai said the ministry will take the lead in interventions in specific areas which will target trafficking-in-persons, cervical cancer and tuberculosis. She said the ministry received two reports of trafficking-in-persons last year, reports which were “not exactly trafficking”.

Community development remains a focus of the ministry, she added. She said too that the ministry has a demarcation and titling plan which will guide them in completing the process. In December 2009, the ministry received $160 million in a presidential grant for that year and to date it has expended 44% of the disbursement in a total of 31 villages, according to Sukhai.

Source: Stabroek News

Furore over Amerindian land rights statement ‘misplaced’ – GHRA

2010-03-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) said yesterday that the furore surrounding the statement issued by some Amerindian leaders on land rights is “misplaced and unhelpful”.

It said nothing in either statement issued by the leaders or later by the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) suggests lack of support or even criticism of the Low Carbon Development Strategy or REDD+ strategies.

Following a week-long conference organised by the APA last week, some leaders said that LCDS outreach activities done last year lacked prior information, were often rushed and only lasted a few hours, while suffering from weak or non-existent translation support for communities. They also urged government and international agencies to put a hold on the implementation of policies related to projects like the LCDS and REDD+, until land rights issues are settled and asked that the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) be respected. The statement by the leaders triggered a strong response by government and Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai accused the APA of communicating “misconceptions and half-truths.”

In a statement, the Executive Council of the GHRA questioned what is new or controversial about the calls. It said that “those who can remember life before REDD+” would recall that the issue of land rights is the most predictable response from the Amerindian community to any significant development impacting on the hinterland of Guyana. In this light the GHPA pointed out that there were such responses in the 1990s provoked by Asian forestry companies, the development of National Protected Areas and mining permits regularly provoke such a response. “For this reason, it was more than predictable – and legitimate –” that far-reaching proposals such as the LCDS and REDD+, despite their great potential benefits, would trigger land rights concerns,” said the human rights body.

The GHRA said the response of “parading” how much has been done ‘for’ Amerindians can never resolve the land matter. It is instructive, the organisation said, that issues such as forestry, mining and pollution which began as indigenous concerns evolved into national patrimony issues. According to the GHRA, rather than relief that the call has come in such measured and thoughtful terms, LCDS proponents are reacting with a degree of arrogance “which leaves the on-looker uncomfortable”. Said the GHRA: “The conference statement is being derided because the media reports of the conference (SN in particular) focus almost exclusively on the references in the press release to LCDS/REDD+”. It noted that the original conference release was signed by 26 leaders from across the interior including eight toshaos.

The GHRA said that supporters of the policy should recognise that the threat to land rights – not necessarily from REDD+ – is real and affects all Guyanese. It cited an article in this month’s issue of Grain magazine about land grabbing in Latin America.

GHRA said that in their concerns about land titles, Amerindians are demonstrating a greater awareness of “what may be down the road for the rest of the Guyanese community”.

Another statement by the APA had later said that those who attended the conference were “harassed” and the GHRA said yesterday that this is unacceptable. Such behaviour should be noted by the LCDS process monitors, the human rights organisation said. Noting that both statements make frequent reference to FPIC as the guiding principle for any engagement between indigenous communities and the government, the GHRA said that the authorities and proponents would do well to take the phrase seriously and negotiate with Amerindian communities respectfully. “Society as a whole should also be well-advised to cultivate the practice of demanding free, informed and prior consent as a routine matter, not only in relation to REDD+,” the GHRA said.

Source: Stabroek News

Some Indigenous leaders ‘harassed’ for voicing concerns over LCDS, REDD+ consultations - APA

2010-03-13T17:11:00.000-08:00

GUYANA - Some Indigenous leaders, who recently voiced concerns about the scope of government consultations over forest preservation plans, have since been victims of intimidation tactics, the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) disclosed yesterday, while maintaining that genuine concerns of communities cannot be ignored.

Meanwhile, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai has acknowledged that there is more to do to help Amerindians understand the government’s plans but accused the APA of communicating “misconceptions and half-truths.”

The APA said that since the issuing of a public statement last Tuesday by Indigenous leaders following a week-long meeting, they have been “harassed” with one woman being told that she would “be in trouble” when she returns to her community. The NGO emphasised that leaders have not rejected the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS); rather, they maintained that core issues must be addressed before the plan moves forward.

In their statement on Tuesday, the Indigenous leaders called on government and international agencies to shelve policies related to projects like the LCDS and REDD+ until free, prior and informed consent guidelines for land use are in place. They had slammed LCDS outreach activities done last year, stating that participants at these reported that the meetings lacked prior information, were often rushed and only lasted a few hours and also suffered from weak or non-existent translation support. They expressed concern too that current local and international policies do not adequately recognise their positive role in maintaining the environment and forests and has failed to protect their rights, including the right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). “There is still inadequate and inaccessible information in the villages for leaders and community members to be able to make fully informed decisions on these national policy proposals,” said the APA yesterday. It added that the content of the documents are changing more rapidly than communities can keep abreast. “The draft LCDS document that some individuals would have seen in June and July of last year has since changed but most leaders are not aware of this. Additionally REDD has now changed to REDD+ but many communities do not even know about REDD,” the NGO said.

Harassment

The organisation also accused the government of “targeting” participants as a result of the statement. It said that leaders reported receiving multiple telephone calls from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ Community Development Officers (CDO) asking for information on who attended the “workshop” and seeking to find out if persons had informed the village that they were going to be a part of the event. According to the APA, the leaders’ freedom of association came into question when the OCC called its office to find out if the National Toshaos Council (NTC) had been invited to the event. It said that Sukhai also called the APA’s Programme Administrator, Jean La Rose, to ask who had funded the workshop. “These queries are uncalled for and can only be interpreted as intimidation tactics utilised by the current administration against those associated with the released statement. The Executive Committee of the APA is questioning if there should only be one opinion on an issue concerning indigenous rights and whether this must always concur with the government’s position,” the statement said. The APA also reiterated that there are genuine concerns of indigenous communities that must be addressed by the government and these cannot be ignored, “nor must those speaking out be intimidated for raising our voice.”

Sukhai, meanwhile, said that many “public awareness consultations” were held across Guyana with a focus on the hinterland and Amerindian communities. She said the process provided opportunities for everyone to seek clarifications, voice concerns, offer recommendations and to submit these beyond the completion of the public consultations. She said that over 3300 persons attended 50 sessions and the Toshaos who signed the statement, with the exception of two, were present at the LCDS awareness session. She said that they “may have hibernated” during the LCDS consultations.

Full support in principle

According to the Minister, translators of Amerindian languages were present where necessary. “We respect and ardently promote the native and cultural aspects of all Indigenous peoples and will under no circumstances deny knowledge sharing amongst Amerindians on any important national developmental issue such as the LCDS,” she stated. The minister said that participants should accept that the majority of Amerindian villages that participated in the LCDS consultation expressed “full support in principle” for the LCDS and provided written endorsement. Sukhai said that the APA chose not to attend the public awareness sessions and did not participate at multi-stakeholder committee meetings.

On FPIC, she said that the LCDS only commits state forests with opportunities for Amerindian titled villages to “opt-in” at a later date if villagers approve. She said that attorney, David James, who spoke on this issue at the meeting, should have known this since he was part of the multi-stakeholder steering committee that participated in consultations and represented Guyana internationally. Sukhai declared that a report by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) said that for indigenous people the consultation was planned to be structured so that communities had space to meet independently of the formal consultation process in order to develop their own position.

But the APA said that the IIED found “serious fault” in last year’s LCDS outreach, noting the report said that information was not provided sufficiently ahead of time to communities, feedback mechanisms were unclear raising questions about how recommendations will be taken up in the LCDS plans, and the meetings failed to explain core concepts like REDD and environmental services.

The heart of the problem on FPIC, said the APA, is that while the draft LCDS and REDD+ plans commit the government to FPIC; it is only in relation to titled lands. Existing titling arrangements are inadequate and the titles many communities possess do not cover the full extent of the lands they traditionally own and have rights to in international law, it said. “It means that under the existing mechanisms, large areas of our traditional lands and forests could be included in LCDS and REDD+ schemes without a fair and due process that recognises our inherent rights to land and FPIC in relation to untitled traditional lands,” the statement said.

Sukhai said that Guyana is one of the few countries in the Amazon area where indigenous people have legal ownership of their communal land. She said that her Ministry follows due process in bring these lands under the ownership of the Amerindians. She said that 73 out of 97 titled villages have been demarcated. Of the remaining titled villages, nine have applied for demarcation, six have not accepted demarcation and six have sought redress in the Court on their land claims, Sukhai said. She added that government pays for demarcation and questioned the land claim issues. She stated that there are provisions in the Amerindian Act for villages to apply for extensions to their lands. “Anyone who would argue that the process of titling, demarcation and extension of lands requested by Amerindians fails to take due consideration of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent clearly do not themselves understand that principle they claim to uphold,” Sukhai said.

Meantime, the APA said that while the Office of Climate Change (OCC) states that Amerindian rights are protected under the Amerindian Act, this is disputed by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) report of 2006, among others, which has identified its short comings in relation to land and other rights. “The decision-making process on titling is not transparent and does not meet international norms that require that titling be based on customary rights and land tenure systems,” it said.

Sukhai, in her statement said too that print and digital copies of the LCDS second draft have been distributed to all Amerindian village leaders. She said that the LCDS is a work in progress and scrutiny of the second draft and REDD+ documents are ongoing. The minister encouraged Amerindian villages to further seek clarification and offer opinions, suggestions and recommendations. “An important issue to note is the recognition that there is more work to be done to assist Amerindians in accumulating an extensive understanding of the LCDS and its relevant components including REDD, REDD+ and FCPF…,” she said. The Minister also questioned why more Toshaos and or the Ministry were not invited to the meeting.

Meantime, a statement issued by Ashton Simon, on behalf of the National Amerindian Development Foundation, the Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana and the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples, stated that the organisations were “baffled” by the statement that emanated from the workshop. The statement said that it is questionable why the APA would hold a workshop to prioritise consultations “eight months after such activities were concluded.” It expressed fear that the publications are bent on damaging the progress and agreements made so far.

Author: Gaulbert Sutherland
Source:Stabroek News

2010-03-09T10:45:00.000-08:00

Bolivia's President Evo Morales, left, accompanied by Bolivia's Justice Minister Nilda Copa, talks during a press conference after the closing ceremony of the Rio Group summit, on the outskirts of Playa del Carmen, 68 kms, some 42 miles, south of Cancun, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010. Leaders of 32 nations have agreed to create a new regional bloc including every country in the Americas except Canada and the U.S. (AP Photo/ Israel Leal)

See full story at UCTP Taino News

Yakarinta gets $8.2M tractor/trailer

2010-02-11T16:36:00.000-08:00

GUYANA - The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs recently handed over a tractor/trailer valued $8.2 million to Yakarinta, Region Nine to help boost agricultural production.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA) the machines were handed over to Toshao Matthew Alexander at a brief ceremony which was also attended by Village Councillor Callistos Buckley.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai urged the village council to ensure that the machines are well maintained so that they can be of maximum benefit to the three communities that are expected to benefit from their use.

In response Alexander and Buckley explained that the tractor valued $6.7 million, will be used to carry out a number of functions to aid in the village’s development. Alexander then thanked the government for providing the vehicle.

Source: Stabroek News

Ministry introducing new services at Amerindian hostel

2010-01-02T23:29:00.000-08:00

GUYANA - The Amerindian Affairs Ministry says it has recorded a number of significant developments in 2009 and intends to introduce new services to benefit indigenous persons at the Amerindian hostel in Princes Street.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai told residents at the hostel’s annual luncheon held on Wednesday that government stands committed to improving their livelihoods and sustaining their cultures and traditions.

According to a Government Information Agency press release Sukhai said this commitment has been demonstrated in the delivery of health care, education, and assistance for income generating activities for indigenous persons.

She said too the performance of hinterland students attending secondary schools in Georgetown has significantly increased over the past few years and that more students are being offered scholarships.

In light of this, the minister said government has invested a large sum of money to construct a dormitory at Liliendaal, for Amerindian students attending schools in Georgetown. She also said the administration has established a number of health posts and health centres to provide health care to Amerindians and that several persons have been trained as community health workers, medexes, dentexes, community dental therapists and nurses to serve their own communities.

Further, Sukhai said the ministry also intends to make the issuance of birth certificates a priority in 2010. She highlighted that adults in hinterland communities must be in possession of birth certificates.

“When we visit communities you can see the generation gap that exist, with that gap many adults still do not have birth certificates,” the minister noted. To facilitate this process then ministry will be collaborating with the home affairs ministry which is responsible for the General Register Office.

Source: Stabroek News

Arapaima fishing permit could generate $20-23M for Annai

2009-12-22T14:12:00.000-08:00

GUYANA - Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud on Tuesday issued an arapaima fishing permit to Annai Village to allow Amerindian communities in the area to sustainably harvest the fish by February.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the permit was given to Toshao of the North Rupununi Village, Michael Williams, which will allow communities within the area to harvest 101 of the large fish by February 15, 2010. The area covered by the permit includes 16 villages and 5,000 residents; therefore each community could get more than $1M each. On presenting the permit to Williams, Persaud noted that with prices for the fish ranging from $600 to $1,000 per pound and with an adult arapaima weighing around 200 pounds, the permit could generate as much as $20-23M which can be invested to address the critical needs of the communities.

GINA said the permit was issued under the Arapaima Management Plan, which was officially launched on April 20, 2007. It was designed with various objectives including increasing the local Arapaima population, improving fishing income and advancing local institutions. The Plan also includes population counts, sharing an annual harvestable quota and has a guiding philosophy to conserve an economically important natural resource. Management rules also specify that arapaimas should not be harvested unless the procedure is conducted within the confines of the Plan, with the two most important rules stipulating that only adults are harvested and that the harvesting is done only during the non-reproductive cycle.

The minister encouraged Williams to let the communities utilize the funds in a manner similar to that which the presidential grants are used. Persaud also said his ministry will look at working with the Brazilian business community at processing the fish to add value and therefore, increase the income that can be obtained from the permit in the future.

In February and March of this year, a population count showed there were 3,062 arapaimas which measured one metre or more of which 1,617 were juveniles and 1,445 adults. The permit will expire before the next arapaima spawning season commences in March 2010. It takes about six years for an arapaima to mature to adulthood.

Source: Stabroek News

Dr. Desrey Fox of the Akawaio Tribal Nation passes on

2009-12-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

Georgetown, Guyana (UCTP Taino News) - Dr. Desrey Fox, 54, passed away this morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital in Guyana. Dr. Fox, a member of the Akawaio Tribal Nation was a Minister in the Guyana Government’s Ministry of Education. Local reports indicate that she sustained back and head injuries in a tragic auto accident on Tuesday evening. Her grandson was also injured in the accident and remains in the hospital’s pediatric ward.

Read the full story at UCTP Taino News

Guyanese Indigenous Organization Changes Leadership

2009-12-10T13:17:00.001-08:00

Georgetown, Guyana (UCTP Taino News) – The Guyanese Organization of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP) has changed its leadership recently and is now being run by an Interim Executive Committee. The new Committee office-bearers include Dr. George Norton (Chief), Mary Valenzuela (Deputy Chief), Colin Klautky (Public Relations Officer), Esther Robinson (Secretary), Gracene Rosheuvel (Asst. Secretary), and Sheffield Forero (Treasurer). The Committee will remain in place until the GOIP Annual General Assembly schedule to be held in July 2010. GOIP works to facilitate the development of Indigenous Peoples in Guyana through institutes and by promoting the recognition of the internationally recognized rights and interests through partnership with other NGO’s, stakeholders and agencies.

UCTPTN 12.10.2009

Minister Fox still in hospital

2009-12-10T08:28:00.000-08:00

GUYANA - Desrey Fox, Minister within the Ministry of Education who was injured in a three-vehicle collision on Tuesday remains a patient of the High Dependency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Family members yesterday declined to speak to this newspaper on the minister’s condition.

The minister’s grandchild, two-year-old Carlos Fox was also injured in the accident. The accident occurred at the junction of J B Singh Road and Thomas Lands just in front the army base some time before 6:00 on Tuesday evening; and involved the Minister’s vehicle, an ambulance and a taxi.

Source: Stabroek News

Study sees limited impact from Romanex gold project on villages

2009-12-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

GUYANA - Direct impacts on individuals in indigenous villages surrounding the proposed Romanex gold-mining project at Marudi, Region Nine would be limited but there are potential indirect impacts that create social risks.

This is according to the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) draft report on the project.

The report- on the key socio-economic findings and issues/concerns related to the project noted that there are few communities located in close proximity to the proposed mine and direct impacts on individuals in indigenous villages would be limited. However there would be potential indirect impacts that create social risks due to the project such as possible influx in the remote areas due to upgrading of the access road from Aishalton to Marudi, it says.

The ESIA has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the agency is now inviting the public to comment on it before a decision is made on whether to grant or deny an environmental permit. In an advertisement in the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, the EPA said that the public has 60 days from the time of publication of the notice to make written submissions on the project to the Agency.

Romanex Guyana Exploration Limited is seeking to undertake alluvial gold mining at Marudi Mountain. The large-scale project will entail the excavation of mineralized gravel, the establishment of a mineral processing plant for the recovery of gold and the construction of supporting facilities, buildings and road. No chemicals will be used and the project will serve as a demonstration of non-chemical recovery of gold from placer deposits, according to the Project Summary. The proposed mine is 155 kilometres (Km) from Lethem and 28 km from Aishalton. Karaudarnau, the closest community to the mine, is linked to the area by a trail and is 20.5km away.

Hunting

The draft ESIA says that a socio-economic baseline study was undertaken to create a profile of the communities in and around the project area. It noted that there are few communities located in close proximity to the project. The report says that the development of the mine and potential employment opportunities may attract people to the site for work. It stated that the operation of the mine may restrict access to the area for hunting and fishing and this may result in loss of revenue/livelihood for the members of the communities who use these areas. “These impacts will be mitigated by working with indigenous communities to minimize the impacts. The operations will create employment opportunities for residents of the area. The project will create a demand for skilled labor. The project may therefore result in people in the communities acquiring new skills”, it goes on to say.

It was noted that the commencement of construction activities at the site may attract local people who sell goods and services to the workers, including prostitutes. “Social interaction with other groups is also likely to bring about an increase in alcohol and drug abuse, prostitution and crime”, it says. The report noted that the influx of people could potentially increase pressures on existing resources in the area. It noted that the site is in a remote area which lacks resources and infrastructure and increases in population will pressurize the limited resources such as land, water, forest use and the current goods and services in the area. In addition, uncontrolled access to the area may create security issues and result in increased crime and indirect impacts on communities in proximity to the mine site, it says.

Uncontrolled influx

It further noted that the uncontrolled influx of people from outside could possibly create health risks to the Romanex employees and vice versa. This may be manifested in the form of increased transmission of contagious and other diseases. Influx of sex workers often leads to a rise in HIV and other STDs. The circulation of money from wages and salaries would sustain all of the workers’ leisure activities. This may increase the demand for alcohol, drugs and sexual services especially for those migrant and expatriate workers. In the mid-term this may bring about an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, the report states adding that “these are moderate impacts (high severity, low likelihood)”. However, it noted that the impacts will be mitigated by working with the village councils in the area to control access to the mine site as well as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Additionally according to the report, Romanex will incorporate into their employment contract a stipulation that dismissal will result for employees who patronize service providers. The mitigation measures will result in minor impacts (low severity, low likelihood), the report says.

Meantime, the potential impacts related to construction activities at the mine site and to mining operations include potential impacts to the atmosphere, aquatic and terrestrial resources and to human, socio-economic and cultural resources, the document states. It says that potential impacts to soil could result from widening of the access road from Aishalton to Marudi and from vegetation clearance of the creek flats to be mined and excavation for creek diversions.

“The likelihood of soil erosion and sedimentation will be minimized or avoided by the implementation of the Best Management Practices (BMP). The movement of heavy equipment during construction and mining may impact soil resources by causing rutting and compaction of susceptible soils. The impacts to the soil resources are expected to be minor (low severity, low likelihood). Topsoil mixing could potentially occur during the project execution. BMP implemented during construction and operation will result in minor impacts”, the Executive Summary of the ESIA states.

It stated that construction works will result in emissions of fugitive dust and products of combustion. Impacts to air quality could be moderate. These impacts will be mitigated by scheduling land clearing activities to less windy days, limiting vehicle speed during construction to a maximum 30 km/hr and employing dust suppression technique. Analyses indicated very minor changes in air quality resulting from equipment emissions, the ESIA report says.

Carbon dioxide

According to the document, clearing of tropical forest will result in approximately 1750 and 2600 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year no longer being sequestered by the forest. The project will also generate approximately 5200 tonnes of CO2 each year. It says that approximately 217 hectares of tropical forest will be cleared for the mines, widened roadway and related facilities. “This will result in a loss of approximately US$8391 per year based on the 15 million hectares being able to annually generate US$580 million”, the document states. It noted that the entire value of this would not be restored by reclamation of the mined out areas since the zone includes areas cleared for the Aishalton to Marudi access road upgrade. “The impacts of the project on the LCDS (Low Carbon Development Strategy) are consequently minor (low likelihood, low severity). No mitigation is necessary”, the document states. It had noted that the project will entail progressive reclamation of areas cleared for mining thus the project impacts on forest resources will consequently be carbon neutral.

Soils

Meantime, the ESIA report states that removal of the surficial soils will result in insignificant impacts on the geology of the area. An erosion and sediment control plan will mitigate potential impacts to water quality from erosion. It states that the potential for accidentals spills of fuels, oils and grease and the associated contamination of surface waters will be minimized by implementation of a Spill Prevention and Contingency Plan.

On the roadway from Lethem to Aishalton, it stated that the project will not result in significant increases in the level of traffic on the Lethem to Aishalton road and the upgraded road from Lethem to Aishalton would impact positively on the social sectors particularly in health and education.

According to the ESIA report, the project will introduce chemical free technology to Guyana’s gold mining industry and will serve as a demonstration project for application elsewhere.

It stated that an Environmental Management Plan was developed to mitigate the potential negative impacts and risks and to enhance the potential positive impacts of the proposed action. Environmental management measures address the environmental impacts and risks to both the physical and socio-cultural environments. A monitoring programme has been developed for the plant and this will provide data which would serve as the basis to determine the environmental performance of the operation. “The facility will be monitored to confirm its adherence to sound environmental management practices and contractually established operational standards. Monitoring will be conducted during the construction and operation phases of the project”, the report states.

Source: Stabroek News

Vincentians reject new constitution

2009-11-27T08:52:00.000-08:00

St. Vincent & the Grenadines (BBC) - The Vincentian government suffered a major defeat on Wednesday, in its bid introduce a new constitution for the country.

The Ralph Gonsalves administration in Kingstown was seeking the public’s permission to replace the charter adopted on independence in 1979, with a new set of laws.

One of the proposed changes under the draft document was for the removal of the British monarch as head of state in favour of a President.

Under a new constitution the Caribbean Court of Justice would also replace the London-based Privy Council as the island’s final court of appeal. The governing Unity Labour Party needed a two thirds majority for the change to take effect.

But the main opposition New Democratic Party had called on voters to reject the constitution, arguing it did not sufficiently reduce the powers of the prime minister.

Preliminary results from the electoral office showed that 55.6 percent of the votes cast were against the proposed charter, compared to 43.1 percent who endorsed it.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said he didn’t anticipate the result, adding that the people did not consider this was a document which they should support.

“We were engaged in a noble enterprise, we did not succeed from the ‘yes’ campaign at the polls to persuade the majority of those who went to vote that the constitution was worthy of being changed and this (new) one was worthy of being supported,” Gonsalves said.

Though disappointed, Gonsalves conceded that the opposition ran ‘a very spirited campaign’ and was able to mobilise their voters to support their position.

“It was also a sense that people had some grievances against the government or from their representatives,” Gonsalves said.

Opposition leader Arnhim Eustace said while there is a need for constitutional reform, there are still a number of issues that must be addressed.

“I’m happy with the decision taken because we felt that there are too many difficult issues that are outstanding and need resolution in the proposed constitution,” Eustace said. However he did not rule out future discussion on constitution reform.

But political commentator Renwick Rose told BBC Caribbean that Wednesday’s vote represents a setback for the constitution process.

He also believes the result will have implications for local politics.

“I think what it indicates is not just a rejection of the constitution, but also some serious questions will be raised on whether it was a referendum on the government itself and on the prime minister.

“It means then that one year away from the end of the life of the parliament the opposition now can claim that they had a decisive majority from the people,” Rose said.

The results make for a telling story – the No vote dominated in thirteen of the fifteen constituencies.

While the No and Yes votes were separated by a few hundred votes in the majority of the constituencies, there were a few where the gap between the two was huge.

In the Northern Grenadines for example the No vote was just over 2,000 to the mere 353 people who voted yes.

The Southern Grenadines was also firmly in the No camp, with more than a thousand No votes there, to the 466 Yes votes.

The Yes campaign didn’t do any better in Central Kingstown where the No camp received 1020 votes more than they did.

East Kingstown was also impressive for the No vote campaigners.

The Yes vote had its best showing in North Central Windward, the prime minister’s constituency. Two thousand, four hundred and fifty-one people there voted yes – almost three times more than the 836 who opted to make their “x” against the proposed change.

Amerindian villages getting rice huller machines

2009-11-24T16:24:00.000-08:00

GUYANA - The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will be providing rice hulling machines to several hinterland communities as efforts move apace to boost agricultural production in those areas.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that under a rice project funded by Spain, communities located in South Central and Deep South Rupununi will benefit from the programme. It is expected that the programme will build the capacity of the villages to produce their own rice.

The machines will be given to communities such as Shea and Achawib, Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine and others in Region Ten. Through the implementation of a $43M hinterland rice project under the purview of the agriculture ministry, several Amerindian communities in regions eight and nine have already benefited. Since its implementation the project has also benefited from assistance from the Guyana Rice Development Board and the National Agricultural Research Institute.

Karaudarnau community located in the Deep South Rupununi Region Nine has also received a machine. Toshao Arnold Stephens said since its operations over the past three years, the machine has produced about 20,000 tonnes of paddy from where the rice was sourced for the ‘Hot meal’ hinterland school feeding programme. “Since we acquire the rice huller, farmers have been increasing their production…it benefits the community and encourages farmers to produce more,” he said

Source: Stabroek News

Brown pelican off endangered species list

2009-11-12T16:41:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC (UCTP Taino News) — After being pushed to near extinction caused by pesticides, hunters, and the loss of habitat the brown pelican was removed from the endangered species list on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009.

"We can all celebrate this victory for our sacred relative.” stated Roger Guayacan Hernandez, a Liaison Officer for the United Confederation of Taino People in Boriken (Puerto Rico).

Read the full article at UCTP TAINO NEWS

Two Region Nine villages receive speed boats

2009-11-09T16:35:00.000-08:00

GUYANA - Two aluminum speed boats valued $600,000 were recently presented to the Amerindian villages of Baitoon and Katu’ur in Region Nine by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to improve the transportation needs of the communities, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai who visited the region recently handed over the boats to senior councillor of Baitoon, Guy Anthony for the two communities.

Sukhai said the purchase of the speed boats is in keeping with a request made by the satellite villages and she urged Anthony to ensure that they are used to assist the communities.

GINA quoted Minister Sukhai as saying, “We expect that when you receive this special gift you take care of it and ensure that the council enters it into their inventory as an asset of your satellite village.”

Anthony expressed gratitude to the minister for providing the boats, noting that residents had been faced with difficulties in travelling from their communities to Lethem, GINA added.

Source: Stabroek News

Amerindians bless burial grounds in Sando

2009-10-26T16:48:00.000-07:00

Members of the Amerindian community put on a dance during Tuesday’s ceremonial blessing of the grounds on St Vincent Street, San Fernando, believed to be a former Amerindian burial ground. Photo: Rishi Ragoonath

TRINIDAD - Indigenous people from Arima, Guyana and Suriname, wearing their native dress, created quite a stir on Tuesday when they blessed the grounds on St Vincent Street, San Fernando, believed to be a former Amerindian burial ground.

The site is under construction for a $7 million state-of-the-art community centre in the San Fernando West constituency. Some stakeholders have raised objections to the construction on sacred grounds. Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Junia Regrello, said there was no evidence that it was an Amerindian burial ground, but in the face of concerns raised, the project was temporary halted to undertake an investigation to see how authentic the claims were.

After consultation with the Amerindian community, they agreed to bless the site so work could proceed. “We don’t want to offend any community,” Regrello said.

Work is expected to resume today, he added. Led by Chief Ricardo Bharat-Hernandez, the Amerindians called on the great Spirits to consecrate the grounds and forgive any disruptions which may have been caused by the construction. Visiting High Priest from Suriname Harold Taweroe, also led a song and dance around a container filled with dirt, and a half of a calabash filled with water, as the Native Indians smoked their peace pipe and shook their chac-chacs to complete the ritual. Bharat-Hernandez, Deputy Mayor of Arima, said the site, on which a basketball court was presently constructed, may have been an Amerindian cemetery. “I have asked for evidence, but no one could give that evidence. Burial grounds are very sacred, and in the absence of concrete evidence, we performed a simple ritual, as if it were a burial ground, to appease the Spirits and ask the creator to bless what is happening here now,” he said.

Bharat-Hernandez said the First People had no intention of stopping any development of the community. He said he was happy to hear Regrello say they were about putting people first and his intention to create a shrine or special place to preserve whatever remains or artefacts they may find. Bharat-Hernandez also used the opportunity to call on government to recognise the First People and put them in their rightful place. He said all of the other people who came to T&T has been recognised in many ways, but the First People, in spite of their contribution, had not.

“Here we are concerned about the remains of our ancestors, but we have living indigenous people across the world and in our region and we are in a struggle for meaningful recognition.” He said without that recognition, a very important cultural heritage would be lost. “The Minister said we put people first, well I want to tell him to put the First People in their rightful position,” he said.

Author: Yvonne Webb
Source: http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/10/22/amerindians-bless-burial-grounds-sando

Amerindians call for public holiday

2009-10-22T17:04:00.000-07:00

TRINIDAD - Indigenous people have called on the Government to give them a one-time public holiday as they celebrated Amerindian Day last Wednesday. After dawn, the indigenous community held a ritual ceremony at the monument area of the Arima Savannah, where they paid tribute to their ancestors who were killed by the Spanish conquistadores in the 16th century. Following the ceremony, chief/ president of the Santa Rosa Carib Community Ricardo Bharat-Hernandez led his people in a street procession through Arima. Spectators stopped to enquire about the celebration and many expressed interest in knowing about the history of the indigenous people.

Chief responds

In an interview, Hernandez said a public holiday should be given by the Government to honour the contribution of the Amerindians. “People are not aware of our history and that is why we need a public holiday. We can even have a one-off public holiday. People are working and busy and it’s difficult to reach them so that they could support this. The indigenous heritage needs a public holiday or a one off, so the country can stop and recognise our indigenous past,” Hernandez said. He said if a public holiday was given, the Carib community could organise a heritage day.

The Carib chief also said T&T could learn a lot from the legacy of the Amerindian people, as they practised conservation and respect for life. “We know that they practised conservation in the way they treated the forests. They did not destroy the forests. They hunted enough to feed themselves. They also had knowledge on the medicinal value of plants, as well as a strong, vibrant agricultural tradition,” Hernandez said. He explained that people could also learn from the belief systems of the Amerindians, as they honoured their ancestors and showed respect for family life.

Preservation of history

Hernandez said some indigenous instruments were still being used within the Carib community today. “Some people have lost interest in some of the traditional utensils but we still use the couleve, a long woven basket to strain the bitter cassava,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said the indigenous history was rich and needed to be preserved.

Author: Radhica Sookraj
Source: http://guardian.co.tt/features/life/2009/10/20/amerindians-call-public-holiday

Moraikobai looks to large-scale agriculture, call for govt assistance

2009-10-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

At the mini exhibition, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud examines a cassava grown in the community while Regional Chairman, Harrinarine Baldeo (partly hidden, at back) looks at a craft item.

GUYANA - As Amerindians support the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), residents of Moraikobai in the Mahaicony River have called on government to assist with equipment and soil testing so they could diversify to large-scale agriculture.

The residents, concerned that they would have to ease up on logging, which is their main means of earning a livelihood said Moraikobai is not a major farming community but they were willing to start planting and growing more.

As part of the celebration of Agriculture Month, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud visited the area on Saturday to “address” some of the concerns of residents and assured them that they would get the required support. At the end of his address he presented a quantity of fruit and vegetable seeds, chemicals to deal with acoushi ants along with two breeding pigs to Toshao Dereck John. The items would be used to benefit the community.

The residents had gathered for training sessions including farming techniques, controlling pests and proper care of animals, conducted by technical staff of the Agriculture Ministry and the Guyana Forestry Commission.

John expressed gratitude for the items they received. He told this newspaper that residents were also grateful for the knowledge they were gaining from the training sessions. “Technical personnel are not here so these people come in to teach us and demonstrate to us and it is a big boost to the community,” he said.

The minister told the residents that while the community relied on logging he was happy that residents have been exposed to the discussion on the LCDS and what is happening in terms of climate change and that they would be part of the strategy.

He also pointed out that the LCDS is not intended to impinge or interfere with their livelihood but that government would ensure that the community has a stable and sufficient supply of food and that there are no disruptions in terms of forestry activities.

A mini exhibition, showcasing ground provision and as well as craft items made by the women, was also held. The women raised the issue of their crafts not being sold despite efforts to display them at various exhibitions.

Persaud then advised them to be a part of AGRIFEST at the National Stadium on October 31 as a way of securing markets.

Meanwhile he took the opportunity to ask Jamaica’s Minister of Commerce Michael Stern who was in Guyana on a business trip and joined the team on the visit to take note of the women’s concerns about markets.

Stern, who promised to assist in that regard, advised the people “to try and do as much as you can to create wealth in your community. Through that wealth creation you would become more sustainable and your children would have a better life…”

He said too that if they take advantage of all the assistance that they were getting they would have a successful community. He even promised to return one day to enjoy some of what they produce. The community had received computers for a state-of-the-art computer laboratory which is currently being housed at the primary school until a building which is currently being constructed for lab is completed. The building, according to the Toshao, would also be used for farmers’ training.

Persaud mentioned that on a previous visit residents had complained that the computers could not be used because the area only gets electricity at nights and that a generator has since been provided.

The residents said the community is having problems accessing potable water and Regional Chairman Harrinarine Baldeo informed residents that Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali would be visiting this week.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Nigel Dharamlall who was also part of the team told the Amerindians that the ministry intends to continue serve them and that the budget proposed for next year is bigger.

Dharamlall said too that all Amerindian villages are considered vulnerable and that the ministry has recently launched a Database Management Information System to capture all the problems affecting them as well as the proposed solutions.

Source: Stabroek News

Venezuelan Yukpa Indigenous Community Attacked, Two Murdered Following Land Grants

2009-10-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

Yukpa chief Sabino Romero (Aporrea)

Mérida, Venezuela -- On Tuesday, the day after the national government granted more than 40,000 hectares of land to Yukpa indigenous communities in northwestern Venezuela, assassins attacked the community of Yukpa chief and indigenous rights activist Sabino Romero, killing two and injuring at least four.

Romero's son in law, Ever Garcia, and a young, pregnant Yukpa woman were shot dead in the attack. Romero received three bullet wounds and is currently in the hospital in stable condition, according to reports from the community. Romero's daughter, grand daughter, and nephew were also hospitalized with bullet wounds, and are now in the hospital in stable condition.

Romero was one of several Yukpa chiefs who led land occupations last year to demand that the government pay indemnity to the private estate owners and transfer the land to the Yukpa in the form of collective property, in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution and indigenous rights laws passed by the government of President Hugo Chavez.

Since the land occupations began in July 2008, the Yukpa communities involved have been subject to repeated death threats and attacks by thugs believed to have been hired by large estate owners and their local government allies.

In August 2008, estate owner Alejandro Vargas participated in an attack on Romero's community, during which Romero's father, a community elder of more than one hundred years of age, was beaten and killed.

Vargas, a cattle rancher, in an attempt to justify his deadly raid on the Yukpa, accused Romero of stealing several head of cattle. He also claimed on one occasion to have paid bribes to local legal authorities for protection against prosecution, according to the victims of the attacks.

The Yukpa reported the attacks to local police, who said investigations were opened, but no suspects have been arrested.

The National Guard maintains a heavy presence and the government plans to build a new military base in the sparsely populated and conflict-ridden border zone, which is rich in coal deposits and affected by the spillover of refugees, guerrilla insurgents, and paramilitaries from the civil war in Colombia.

Romero and other Yukpa chiefs allied with him are openly opposed to the land grants issued by the government on Monday. They say the government did not effectively consult with the Yukpa communities about the proper demarcation of Yukpa land, and instead carved up Yukpa territory to protect large estate owners, preserve access to coal deposits, and preserve space for a military base in the region. Meanwhile, several other Yukpa chiefs have allied themselves with Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nicia Maldonado and supported the government's plan for indigenous land demarcation.

Housing and Credits Granted to Indigenous October 12^th

In addition to the land titles issued on October 12th in celebration of Columbus Day, which the Chavez government officially renamed Indigenous Resistance Day in 2004, the government also gave houses, transport vehicles, and a variety of small business credits to semi-rural indigenous communities in the states of Amazonas, Bolivar, Anzoátegui, and Zulia.

Education Minister Hector Navarro and Agriculture and Land Minister Elias Jaua attended the inauguration of a bilingual public primary school in Anzoátegui state, where the local indigenous community will be able to study and learn in Spanish as well as their native language.

In the Amazon region, Presidential Chief of Staff Luis Reyes visited a community of approximately one hundred Piaroa families who received small houses of uniform suburban design that were built by the government. The government also gave the community vehicles to transport fruit from their farms to the market. In previous years, the community received credits to build a fruit processing plant and a radio station, and the government built a primary school and a local health clinic as well.

Venezuela's indigenous population constitutes less than two percent of the national population. Indigenous communities have gained substantial constitutional, legal, and parliamentary recognition since President Chavez took office in 1999.

Author: James Suggett
Source: Venezuelanalysis.com

Mid term evaluation of the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People

2009-09-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

The evaluation is a stocktaking exercise, so as to identify progress made and areas on which the UN agencies and other intergovernmental organizations, Member States, indigenous peoples’ organizations and civil society organizations need to invest more effort, so as to further the successful implementation of the Decade’s goal and objectives. In order to obtain a balanced and well documented evaluation of the progress made in the implementation of the Second Decade.

Click here for further information.

Taino Documentary Turns Lens to Boriken

2009-09-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

UCTP Liaison Officer Roger Guayakan Hernandez,
Naniki Reyes Ocasio of the Caney Quinto Mundo,
and videographer Ray Ibsen meet in Orocovis, Boriken.
(Photo: A. Zacarias)

Boriken/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) - Emmy Award winning team Alex Zacarias (Producer/Director) and videographer Ray Ibsen traveled to Boriken (Puerto Rico) in August to continue work on their Taino documentary production.

The filmmakers interviewed various members of the island's local Taino community including representatives of the Consejo General de Taino Borincanos, the Caney Quinto Mundo, the United Confederation of Taino People and others. The team also interviewed the Hon.Victor L. Vassallo Anadón of Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives and Dr. Juan Martinez Cruzado, a Geneticist at the University of Puerto Rico.

Zacarias noted that the recent trip to Boriken resulted in the gathering of enough film footage and information to pursue the funding needed to continue production.

UCTPTN 09.05.2009

Karrau gets tractor from gov’t

2009-09-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai on Monday handed over a John Deere tractor to the people of Karrau Village, Region Seven to boost their income-generating capacity.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai (right) hands over the tractor keys to Toshao, James Cornelius of Karrau, Region 7.

At a brief ceremony held at the ministry, Sukhai said the $6.4M tractor is the latest effort by government to boost the lives of its first peoples. She said government has also designed several economic programmes aimed at developing traditional skills and has marketed produce from indigenous communities to help to generate income.

Sukhai handed over the keys to the vehicle to Toshao James Cornelius and urged him to ensure that it is used in productive activities that can benefit the community.

GINA said this year some $488M has been budgeted for the Amerindian sector. A total of $30.7M had been allocated to boost livelihoods in several hinterland communities where residents face difficulties accessing transportation to carry out their daily activities.

Source: Stabroek News

UN Observes International Indigenous Peoples Day

2009-08-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

Program Master of Ceremonies Roberto Borrero (Taino) and UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro at the 2009 Observance of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. (UN Photo)

United Nations (UCTP Taíno News) – An official observance commemorating the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was held at UN headquarters in New York on Monday. The event was organized by the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, in cooperation with the NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples and the New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The theme of the observance at UN Headquarters was "Indigenous Peoples and HIV/AIDS".

The event included messages from the United Nations Secretary-General, the President of the UN General Assembly, the Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, and the Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. There were also performances by indigenous artists, and a panel discussion on "Indigenous Peoples and HIV/AIDS".

In his message to mark the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized the vulnerability of indigenous peoples to HIV/ AIDS. “It is essential that indigenous peoples have access to the information and infrastructure necessary for detection, treatment and protection,” he noted.

Other observances for the UN Indigenous Day were held around the world with events celebrated in Suriname, Brazil, Northeast India, Nepal, and Geneva among others.

UCTPTN 08.11.2009

Suriname Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day

2009-08-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Paramaribo, Suriname (UCTP Taíno News) – The United Nations International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was celebrated in Paramaribo, Suriname on 9 August 2009. Suriname officially adopted the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples as a national holiday for the first time in 2007.

Photo: During a “Tamusji” ceremony held to commemorate Indigenous Peoples Day in Suriname, a local Carib spiritual leader blesses a young participant by pouring herbal water upon his head. (Photo credit: nachophoto.com)

UCTPTN 08.09.2009

Kalinago Carib Elect New Chief in Dominica

2009-08-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

Waitukubuli/Dominica (UCTP Taino News) - Elections were held in July in the Carib territory of Dominica, West Indies to choose a Chief for a new 5-year term of office. Former Chief Garnet Joseph won the election over incumbent Charles Williams.

Joseph said his work focus will include health, education and respect for council members in the Territory. The new chief has also pledged to bring more development to the 3,800-acre (1,538-hectare) territory, where Caribs live in greater poverty than the rest of the country. Dominica is home to about 3,000 Caribs, or ethnic Kalinagos.

UCTPTN 08.07.2009

Hugo Chavez in Dominica to unveil $35M facility

2009-08-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

ROSEAU, Dominica -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez unveiled a $35 million oil-storage facility Saturday in the Caribbean island of Dominica, a day after he met with regional leaders about his Petrocaribe program.

Chavez said the complex that Venezuela helped build will store 35,000 barrels of diesel, jet fuel and cooking gas.

The Petrocaribe program, which Dominica participates in, was created in 2005 to supply fuel to allies under preferential terms.

"Dominica will no longer have to concern itself about the supply of gasoline and oil,'' he told a cheering crowd. "All the oil Dominica will need for the next 200 years will be right there in Venezuela.''

People wearing red T-shirts in support of Chavez lined the streets for about two miles (three kilometers) as he made his way from the airport to the facility.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit promised to supply free cooking gas to poor people, but he did not provide details.

The storage complex is located near the capital of Roseau and is named ''Waitukubuli,'' the Carib Indian name for Dominica.

Chavez said he also will help fund a coffee-processing plant in the tiny Caribbean island and set up a local branch of a leftist Latin American trade group.

Source: Associated Press

Elections in 133 titled Amerindian communities a success

2009-06-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

One hundred and thirty-three titled Amerindian communities have recently completed elections of village councils and Toshaos for the first time under the new 2006 Amerindian Act and from all accounts the process was successful, Minister Pauline Sukhai said yesterday.

GUYANA - At a press conference at her ministry, Sukhai acknowledged that there have been complaints lodged by a disgruntled group at Orealla concerning a nominee who was later found to be ineligible to contest the polls in that community.

Eight members from the group staged a picketing exercise outside the ministry yesterday.

“They have not sought an audience with the ministry … if they choose to go elsewhere we will only respond when they are ready to take the matter up with us,” she said.

The minister acknowledged that with any system or process there would always be some section of the electorate that will want to raise issues about something they feel did not go in their favour. However she noted that the dissatisfied had not seen it wise to approach her.

Sukhai said she received complaints from the winning side and was only privy to a photocopy of the complaints from the disgruntled group through a representative of the Alliance for Change (AFC) party.

“If you are seeking redress for any matter you feel offended about the ministry has established a forum and institution whereby Amerindians could come to have issues redressed, she said, and insisted that Amerindian issues should not be used as a political football.

The minister said she received a report that the protestors were eight in number and were accompanied by AFC Member of Parliament Khemraj Ramjattan, who in her mind was there either to “monitor, join or instigate and that is their right.”

She indicated that the party should dedicate its efforts to see that developmental issues are addressed and work to foster development rather than try to sow seeds of discord.

Meanwhile in relation to the issue of the man who was not allowed to contest, Sukhai said the people of Siparuta and Orealla felt the nominee was not residing consistently in the community for three years prior to the election and this was a prerequisite to contesting according to the Act.

“You can vote in those circumstances, but you cannot run for Toshao,” she specified. She explained too that while the Act provides for being an absentee, the person still cannot run if they do not have a home in the village. She said that based on the complaints she received residents have argued that the home which the man visits belongs to his parents and is currently occupied by his son.

Sukhai said further that the Act gives three months following the elections for any issue to be ventilated and then addressed and she was letting that time frame go its full course.

She noted though that the matter was not a closed one and will be investigated.

“We will deal with the matter but we have to allow due process to follow. Our hands will not be forced by anyone, we have to deal with it fairly and squarely,” she maintained.

Source: Stabroek News

Nicaragua gives asylum to Peru protest leader

2009-06-17T17:01:00.000-07:00

MANAGUA, (Reuters) – Nicaragua’s leftist government has granted political asylum to Peruvian indigenous leader Alberto Pizango, wanted in Lima on charges he fomented protests against Amazon oil exploration that killed 60 people.

Nicaragua’s ambassador in Peru, Tomas Borge, told Reuters yesterday that Pizango sought asylum in the Nicaraguan Embassy in the Peruvian capital.

PR Representative Vassallo urges respect for Taino

2009-06-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

Ponce, Boriken (UCTP Taino News) – Representing District 25, Ponce – Jayuya, the Hon. Victor L. Vassallo Anadón this week urged the citizens and government of Puerto Rico and federal agencies to respect the island’s “sacred national patrimony” and the rights of the Taino People. The official statement was presented to the Boriken Liaison Office of the United Confederation of Taino People in the form of a proclamation displaying the seal of the Puerto Rican House of Representatives. The proclamation issued by Vassallo recognizes Taino People as pre-Columbian inhabitants of Puerto Rico whose descendants remain on the island today.

Photo: In Ponce, UCTP Boriken Liaison Roger Guayakan Hernandez looks on as the Hon. Victor L. Vassallo Anadón signs the official proclamation urging respect for Taino People in Puerto Rico.

UCTPTN 06.16.2008

Indigenous leaders urged to practise inclusiveness

2009-06-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

GUYANA - Amerindian leaders were urged to examine the issue of good governance in their communities and to practise inclusiveness as it is vital to development.

According to a Government Information agency (GINA) press release Minister Pauline Sukhai made these statements at the recent Conference on Sustainable Development in St Ignatius, Region Nine. She said the Amerindian Act addresses the issue from the community level which comprises the village council, national toshaos and district councils. The minister highlighted many instances where governance issues arose and attributed them to the breakdown of collective decision-making.

Sukhai advised the meeting to seek ways of boosting collective decision-making in order to reap greater benefits for the villages and gradually eradicate issues related to weak administration. She said several village offices have been erected to facilitate this process as inclusiveness is vital to driving development.

Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall urged indigenous leaders to take the lead in developing their communities. He said communities that enjoy inclusiveness are more vibrant and that is needed as plans for sustainable development become reality.

Source: Stabroek News