November 21, 2009
Latin Indigenous
Shipibo-Konibo elects first tribal council in Peruvian Amazon
On Oct. 18, the Shipibo-Konibo elected its first tribal council, consisting of an Apo (Chief) and four officers. The election was the culmination of the 2nd Congress of the Shipibo-Konibo held Oct. 16 – 18 at the Institute of Bilingual Education of Yarinacocha outside of Pucallpa, Peru.
Economist de Soto angers Peru Natives, experts with documentary
Hernando de Soto, a renowned Peruvian economist, has upset Natives as well as the foremost local experts on Peruvian Natives and Amazon issues with a documentary critics see as another attempt to strip Peruvian Natives of their lands so they can be transferred to oil and lumber companies.
Venezuelan ambassador in Alaska to promote cultural, commercial exchange
WASHINGTON – When Bolivian President Evo Morales expelled the U.S. ambassador last fall for allegedly inciting violence in the streets of Bolivia, a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions occurred, including the Bush administration’s expulsion of Venezuela’s ambassador to Washington.
Indigenous Hondurans face persecution and great risk after coup
The coup government of Honduras is severely repressing opposition, curtailing constitutional rights, allowing excessive police violence which could be linked to several deaths, beatings and disappearances.
More violence in Bolivia after referendum
LA PAZ, Bolivia – In the three weeks after the contentious national referendum vote, anti-government forces from Bolivia’s half-moon region staged a series of protest actions including: attacks against Cuban doctors treating poor communities; strikes; and massive road blockades.
Morales and hundreds of tribal leaders in historic Alaska meeting
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Hundreds of tribal leaders will travel to Alaska later this month for a historic meeting with Bolivian President Evo Morales.
Indigenous languages added to new Ecuadorian constitution
QUITO, Ecuador – Ecuador could soon become the fourth country in the Western Hemisphere to have indigenous languages included in the list of the nation’s official languages.
Venezuelan Indian Affairs official seeks solidarity among hemisphere’s indigenous peoples
CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX RESERVATION, S.D. – The Venezuelan vice minister for Indigenous Affairs visited four Lakota communities in early August to explore possibilities for friendship, student and cultural exchanges and other mutually beneficial projects between the Native peoples here and in the South American country.
Time to negotiate
LA PAZ, Bolivia – The immediate political future of Bolivia has been decided, partially.
Guatemala appoints Mayan ambassador to indigenous people
GUATEMALA CITY – In the midst of increasing conflict between Guatemala’s indigenous people and transnational corporations, Mayan elder Don Alejandro Cirilo Perez Oxlaj was appointed Aug. 9 as Indigenous Peoples Ambassador for Guatemala by President Alvaro Colom.
