Stories about Indigenous from January, 2011
Mexico: Indigenous Rights Advocate, Bishop Samuel Ruiz, Dies
On January 24th, Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia passed away at the age of 86. He was known for his work as an advocate of the rights of the indigenous Mayan people in the state of Chiapas.
Brazil: Belo Monte Dam returns to the spotlight
The Brazilian government expressed its wish to start building the controversial Belo Monte hydroelectric dam in 2011. Immediately, a virtual mobilization against the project broke out. In spite of the intense flow of information on the Internet and other media, clarifications on the socio-environmental impacts of Belo Monte are still to be provided by the government.
Mexico: The Passing of Indigenous Rights Supporter Bishop Samuel Ruiz
Bishop Samuel Ruiz passed away this morning. Tim Johnson explains: “Ruiz […] started the Fray Bartolome de las Casas Human Rights Center out of his diocese, and played an instrumental role in keeping the Zapatista uprising that erupted in 1994 from flaring into broader violence. Ruiz’s work on behalf of...
Guatemala: President Colom calls Rigoberta Menchu a “Fabrication” in Latest Wikileaks Cable
Mike reports that a new Wikileaks cable on Guatemala reveals that “[President] Colom called [Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta] Menchu a “fabrication” of Elizabeth Burgos, the French anthropologist and author of “I, Rigoberta Menchu.” (Colom has already responded that he respects Menchu even though he often disagrees with her and that...
Mexico: Indigenous Town Burned by Arsonists
Alejandro Ortiz Sotomayor in Vivir México reports [es] that an indigenous town in the state of Durango was burned by about 60 men who were seeking retaliation after people from the town killed one of their men in defense days before; more than 37 houses and 27 vehicles were burned.
Paraguay: Government Enacts Law on Languages
E'a [es] reports that the Paraguayan government has enacted a Law on Languages. Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources explains that,”The law requires public institutions to use the Guarani language as determined by the Constitution.”
