Stories about Indigenous from January, 2010
Haiti, Poland: “Lost Polish Tribe on Haiti”
“Poland and Haiti – who would have thought…?” Raf Uzar writes about “the most intriguing group of people among Poland’s huge diaspora” – the “Poles of Haiti.”
Australia: An Australia Day of Celebration and Protest
Celebrated on January 26, this year's Australia Day was characterized by an increase of flag-waving patriotism. However, the day was also commemorated with the Great Australian Internet Blackout, where Australians protested the government's plan for an internet filter.
Nigeria: Bloggers discuss the massacre in Jos
On January 17th, violence erupted in the central Nigerian city of Jos. In the following hours, reports of the conflict spread as witnesses reported mobs armed with knives and machetes roving among burning houses, mosques, and churches. The conflict is ostensibly sectarian: Jos is a major city along Nigeria's “Middle Belt” – the fault line which divides the country's Christian-majority south from its Muslim-majority north.
Chile: Modern Day Human Rights for the Mapuche
The Museum of Memory in Chile documents human rights abuses during the Pinochet dictatorship. During its inauguration, 2 Mapuche women interrupted President Bachelet's speech, reminding the country that there are still present-day concerns for human rights in their indigenous community.
Jamaica, Haiti: Using the Language
Jamaica's Active Voice says: “Trust the Brits to do the right thing. While our newswomen and men are contorting their mouths reproducing peculiar versions of the Queen's English, British broadcasters are broadcasting to Haitians in their mother tongue–Kreyol.”
Morocco: A Case for the Moroccan Sahara
American blogger in Morocco Eatbees makes a case for the Sahara to remain Moroccan.
Canada: Aboriginal Youth Suicides Hit Crisis Rate
Suicide rates have declined in Canada but not in Aboriginal communities, particularly among the youth. Suicide among Aboriginal youth continues to occur at alarming rates, leading to crisis-like situations in some communities
Mexico: The Choir of Acteal Sings for Peace and Justice
Soon after the Massacre of Acteal in Chiapas, Mexico in 1997, the Choir of Acteal began to use their song to demand peace and to call for justice for those killed by paramilitary forces.
Algeria: Indigenous March for Autonomy
Indigenous Algerian Kabyles took to the streets demanding more autonomy from the central state. Amidst a media blackout imposed by the authorities, supporters of the marchers reported the event on the Net.
Haiti: Power of Music
Repeating Islands recognizes that music by Haitian artists is making a difference on to survivors of the ‘quake, inspiring resilience and strength.
Ecuador: Radio Voice of Arutam Taken Off the Air
Radio Voice of Arutam, which broadcasts to the indigenous community of the Shuar, was taken off the air because the Ecuadorian government said that it had incited violence during protests in 2009.
Taiwan: How the Puyuma people started Year 2010
The Puyuma tribe is one of the indigenous groups in Taitung County along Taiwan’s East Coast. The Nanwang Village, the leading village of this tribe, holds the Monkey Ceremony and Hunting Rite in December and starts the new year with the Annual Ritual.
Avatar: For or Against Indigenous Rights?
Bloggers worldwide are discussing the themes in the wildly successful film Avatar by James Cameron. Is it racist in its depiction of an extra-terrestrial indigenous tribe?
Taiwan: Teaching anthropology in Hualien
Kerim Friedman writes about his experience teaching anthropology at Dong Hwa University in Hualien.
Morocco: First Indigenous TV Channel Launched
The View from Fez reports on the launch of a long-awaited Amazigh language TV channel by the Moroccan government on Wednesday. It is the first government-funded TV channel in the region broadcasting exclusively in languages spoken by indigenous Berber populations.
