Stories about Indigenous from July, 2011
Bangladesh: Indigenous or Not Indigenous, That Is The Question
In recent months many Bangladeshi indigenous people have taken the streets holding meetings, human chains and rallies, demanding constitutional recognition of their identity. Bloggers also voice their opinions on this issue.
Colombia: Indigenous Peoples Seek to Restore Peace After FARC Attacks
As previously noted on Global Voices, Colombia's armed conflict is threatening indigenous peoples. Ahni in Intercontinental Cry reports that “The oldest and strongest grassroots indigenous organization in Colombia, The Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (CRIC),” has called for “a ‘Minga of resistance’ [“a traditional gathering or activity for the collective...
Chile: Mapuche Influence in Purén
In Don't Call Me Gringa Emily blogs about Purén, a town in the Araucanía Region, in an area “home to the country’s main indigenous population, the Mapuche”. Emily writes about the Mapuche history and influence in this town, illustrating her post with pictures of her trip.
Guatemalan Women Misrepresented by Guatemala's Tourism Board
“Please help me comprehend what’s wrong with our indigenous women that Guatemala’s Tourism Board hires light-skin ladinas and white women to represent our women? I need help understanding what’s wrong with the other 45% of the population? Don’t mestizos, ladinos, blacks and whites fit the ‘Guatemalan profile'?” asks Rudy Girón...
Peru: Amazonian Indigenous Life Threatened By Petroleum
An hour long documentary shows the traditional lives of indigenous people in the Amazon, and how their subsistence lifestyle is threatened by petroleum exploitation and monoculture of renewable energy sources like palm oil.
Bolivia: New Road Threatens Indigenous Territory of Isiboro Sécure
Bolivian President Evo Morales is under heavy criticism for his insistence in building a road that would pass through the Indigenous Territory and National Park of Isiboro Sécure, contradicting his international reputation as a defender of indigenous autonomous rights and environmental protection.
Guinea: Mass Slaughter of Cattles After Ethnic Clashes
According to guineelibre.com [fr] “Over 1,200 cattle were slaughtered after ethnic clashes between Fulani and Malinke – the minority groups of Guinea – reported residents of the village of Thiakoro, in south-eastern Guinea.”
Colombia's Armed Conflict Threatening Indigenous Peoples
“The continuation of Colombia’s internal armed conflict threatens the survival of Colombia’s indigenous peoples, and their experience is shared by the millions of other Colombians affected by the conflict”: writes Anthony Dest in a guest post for Just the Facts about the Nasa indigenous people getting “caught in the crossfire”...
Canada: “First Nation, Last Served”
Writer Mike Morey in Canada questions whether Canada's aboriginal communities will ever be rewarded with the degree of self-governance they seek.
Bolivia: Fighting Cholitas in the Spotlight
Female wrestling in El Alto, Bolivia has captured the attention of locals and visitors for more than ten years. These women add a bit of tradition to this popular sport: where else would you see colorful skirts with petticoats, fringed shawls, thick braids and bowler hats battling it out in a ring?
Caribbean: Indigenous News
Review of the Indigenous Caribbean posts a video of “a fairly elementary but well synthesized historical overview of the indigenous people of Dominica”, while The Voice of the Taino People Online notes the passing of Ricardo Alegria, “a Puerto Rican scholar known for his pioneering studies of the island's native...
Colombia: Killings of Indigenous Zenú Attributed to Paramilitaries
Ahni in Intercontinental Cry reports: “During the last week of June, paramilitary groups shot and killed five Zenú (Senu) indigenous people in northeastern Colombia, including a vice-governor from the community of La 18 and two of his sons. A total of thirteen Zenú have died this year at the hands...
