Stories about Indigenous from August, 2012
Bolivia: Consultation on Hold as TIPNIS Communities Reject Militarization
[…] the consultation process on the Bolivian government’s proposed highway through the Isiboro-Sécure Indigenous Territory and National Park (TIPNIS) has ground to a halt. Emily Achtenberg from NACLA blog Rebel Currents reports.
Controversial Tibet Theme Park Project Launched
Tibetan dissidents have described the USD 4.7 billion Chinese project as the “Disneyfication of Tibet.“ The park will first be used to shoot 'Princess Wencheng', a film about the niece of a Tang-dynasty emperor who married a Tibetan king.
Palestine: A 1920 Eid Celebration in Jaffa
The Facebook page Tradition in Palestine shares a picture which reflects Eid celebration in Jaffa in 1920 with the following comment: as in my parents description to Eid: magic lantern, rope swing and ice cream and juice vendors
Colombia: President and Indigenous Leaders Meet to Discuss Cauca Conflict
President Juan Manuel Santos met with the indigenous people of the Cauca to hear their grievances and to talk about the ongoing conflict in this department. Thousands of indigenous people came from several regions of the country with the intention of speaking with the President and to push an initiative of peace. The meeting ended without having reached substantial agreements.
India: Assam Riots – Truth Vs Hype
In July, clashes between indigenous Bodo tribes and Muslim settlers in the Indian State of Assam broke out which lead to riots, killings and mass displacement. After almost a month the situation is yet to calm down as politicians and organisations on both sides resorted to spread fear and exaggerated claims on the issue of illegal migration.
Paraguay: Struggles and Threats Over Aché Indigenous Lands
August was supposed to be a month of prolonged celebration after the Paraguayan government transferred some 4600 hectares of ancestral lands back to the Aché indigenous community of Kuetuvy. However, an ongoing conflict with peasant groups that claim that this land should be ruled in excess has put a damper on this joyous occasion.
Brazil: Belo Monte, the Film
The film Belo Monte, Announcement of a War was recently launched in the Internet. It is the result of a collective effort that involved the independent producer, Cinedelia, and a crowdfunding campaign mobilized by Catarse. The film shows the reactions of indigenous people, inhabitants of Altamira, Pará, Brazil, and activists against...
The Nazi Past of the Father of Colombian Anthropology
Cristina Vélez posts [es] her thoughts about “Nazi intellectuals” in her blog after it was revealed [es], at an academic Congress in Vienna, that Austrian-born Gerardo Reichel-Dolmatoff (1912-1994), considered the “father of Colombian anthropology,” had been a member of the Nazi party and the SS in Germany before World War...
Peru: Amazon Officially Inaugurated as Nature's Wonder
On Monday, August 13, the city of Iquitos was the scene of colourful celebrations marking the official inauguration of the Amazon as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Netizens shared diverse reactions to this new recognition for the Amazon.
Mexican Constitution Translated into Indigenous Languages
Ileana Fernández from Vivir México [es] reports that the Mexican Constitution was translated into Mayan and other indigenous languages.
Brazil: Judge Orders Halt to Belo Monte Dam
Brazilian judge Souza Prudente ordered halt to the construction of the controversial Belo Monte dam, in Altamira, state of Pará, on August 13, 2012, reports [pt] independent researcher Telma Monteiro on her blog. Netizens’ reactions on Twitter are being shared under the hashtag #BeloMonte.
Chile: Mapuche Women Continue Occupation of UNICEF Office
The peaceful occupation of UNICEF headquarters in Santiago, Chile, by Mapuche women has continued for 20 days. Mapuche leaders have stated that the occupation will continue until UNICEF becomes more actively involved in cases of police violence against Mapuche children. On August 12, blogger and photographer Kena Lorenzini Lorenzini [es]...
Bolivia: New Video Campaign Seeks to Boost Tourism
'Bolivia Awaits You' is the name of a promotional tourism campaign recently launched by the government of Bolivia. It seeks to boost tourism by investing 20 million US dollars in the next five years, which will primarily benefit indigenous communities.
Bolivia: Communities Divided in Consultation about TIPNIS Road
Emily Achtenberg from Rebel Currents blogs about the latest developments in the project to build a road through the Isiboro-Sécure Indigenous Territory and National Park (TIPNIS): “Last week, the Bolivian government launched a highly contested community consultation process […] Affected communities responded with a range of creative tactics—some in support...
Guatemala: Indigenous Village Declares Internet Access a Human Right
In the village of Santiago Atitlan internet access has been declared "a human right" by both their inhabitants and their local authorities. Authorities are also implementing a plan to provide free community Wi-Fi to the entire population so that everyone can benefit from it.
Chile: Mapuche Women Demand Withdrawal of Police Forces
Leyla Noriega from online citizen newspaper La Opiñón [es] reports that three indigenous Mapuche women have been occupying UNICEF headquarters in Santiago for over one week. The women are requesting that the organization ask the Ministry of Interior to withdraw police forces from Mapuche communities in southern Chile.
Mozambique: Meanings Behind Women's Traditional Mussiro Masks
In the northern coast and islands of Mozambique, it is very common to come across women with their faces covered of a natural white mask, called mussiro. The purposes of its use seem to have varied over time, but the tradition still survives.
