· August, 2011

Stories about Indigenous from August, 2011

Chile: Mapuche Youth Takeover Municipal Building

  30 August 2011

Katie Manning from Mi Voz reports that forty Mapuche teenagers have staged a takeover –toma in Spanish– in Ercilla: “Since August 19, the 11-to-17-year-olds occupied the town’s government center. They’re not giving it back, they said, until Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter hears out their grievances over the “constant police presence”...

Peru: Congress Passes Law Requiring Prior Consultation With Indigenous Peoples

  24 August 2011

The Peruvian Congress unanimously approved the ‘Prior Consultation Law‘ for indigenous or native peoples (“Ley de Consulta Previa a los Pueblos Indígenas u Originarios“[es] in Spanish), which establishes the mandatory or biding character of the consultations with indigenous peoples [es]. It is expected that President Ollanta Humala will soon sign...

Bolivia: An Indigenous March Against an Indigenous Government

  22 August 2011

Sueños para Atar [es] says Bolivians are wondering “Why are indigenous people marching against an indigenous government?” and “Why does an indigenous government refuse to listen to indigenous people?” as indigenous groups march towards La Paz protesting a road threatening the Indigenous Territory National Park Isiboro Sécure (TIPNIS).

Madagascar: Expectant Mothers, Beware

  22 August 2011

In an interesting post on “Fady” (cultural taboos)  in traditional Malagasy society, blogger Ariniaina lists a few “do not” tips for pregnant women [fr], for example:  “Do not carry fish in a basket on your head (and do not eat it) otherwise, your baby could grow scales on its skin”.  

Brazil: Construction Starts on Controversial Belo Monte Dam

  20 August 2011

Despite the protesting voices of indigenous populations and traditional settlers of Volta Grande do Xingu region, construction on Brazil's Belo Monte hydroelectric plant has begun. Protests against the project will take place in 10 Brazilian cities and 16 countries on August 20.

Chile: Indigenous People's Education and Chilean Law

  18 August 2011

Laura Seelau and Ryan Seelau of Indigenous News write about the “Indigenous peoples’ fight for education in Chile” at I Love Chile: “What many do not know […] is that Chilean law actually makes certain guarantees to indigenous peoples that do not exist for other portions of the population. Many...

India: Nationality Debate In Mizoram

  13 August 2011

Paritosh Chakma reports that a recent comment by Chief Minister Lalthanhawla about the nationality of Mizos sparked much reaction and resentment among the Mizo society.

Paraguay: Uncontacted Indigenous Group in ‘Imminent Danger’

  12 August 2011

Ryan Seelau from Indigenous News.org reports that “the only remaining uncontacted people in Paraguay” are “in imminent danger”: “the Totobiegosode are being systematically removed from the Chaco forest where they live so that the land can be used for cattle grazing. The destruction of their land, however, is occurring illegally.”

Bolivia: Indigenous Groups to March to La Paz in Protest of New Road

  12 August 2011

As Eduardo Avila recently reported for Global Voices, the Bolivian government announced “a controversial project to build a new road that would go through the Indigenous Territory National Park Isiboro Sécure (TIPNIS for its initials in Spanish).” Emily Achtenberg in the NACLA blog now reports that “on August 15, representatives...

Mauritania: Discrimination Plagues Census

  11 August 2011

adrar-info.net publishes an article on Mauritanian demonstrations in Paris and Mauritania, related to the current population census in Mauritania. Black Mauritanians apparently have a difficult time getting their name registered [fr]. According to Haimout Ba, the Paris based representative of  UFP (Union of Forces of Progress, an opposition party), “they...

Guatemala: Police Kill Peasant With Tear Gas Canister

  9 August 2011

Indigenous peasants living on lands claimed by landowners in Guatemala are often violently evicted from their homes by policemen and soldiers. Last week, 31-year-old Sergio de León was killed when a policeman fired a tear gas canister at his chest during an eviction.

Trinidad & Tobago: The Caurita Stone

  3 August 2011

Ever heard of the Caurita Stone? Review of the Indigenous Caribbean notes that “among Amerindian communities in Trinidad…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...

Chile: 4 Years Since Aymara Woman Detained for Losing Son

  2 August 2011

Katie Manning, a reporter for MiVoz.cl (which publishes 14 citizen journalism online newpapers in Chile), writes about Gabriela Blas, a 28-year-old Aymara woman who “spends her days locked up in the Acha Prison in Arica, a mid-sized city in the north of Chile. […] August 2, marks four years since...