Stop the Panama Government from Destroying Indigenous Villages

The indigenous Ngabe people of Panama have been gradually pushed off their land until there is nowhere left for them to go. They have been on this land for centuries. Already the Panamanian government dammed up the Changuinola River leading to the complete flooding of a Ngabe community. None of the community was compensated for the loss of their homes, land or crops. The people have had protests and some were arrested and attacked by police. Two died and many were injured.

Now another village, Kia, is at risk of being destroyed. A hydroelectric project called Barro Blanco is underway which will dam up the Tabasara River and put the village of Kia underwater.
You can read more about their plight here: http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2012/03/20123208464402131.html

The Ngabe are trying to negotiate with the Panamanian government but the Minister of Government, Jorge Ricardo Fabrega, has already indicated that “nothing” will stop Barro Blanco.

To sign the petition to help stop Barro Blanco click here

Old Indigenous Languages being Saved by New App

A new texting app has been released in Canada that enables indigenous people to keep the old indigenous languages from dying out.  The new texting application is called FirstVoices Chat.  It has custom keyboards for every indigenous language in Canada, Australia and New Zealand plus the Navajo language in the USA.  However, the app is only useful if people already know the dialects.  The app appears attractive to young people, who tend to be frequent texters,  so as long as there are still native speakers in the older generation who can teach the young the native tongue, this new texting app can be a great  help in preserving the native languages and distinct cultures.

Now, if only the app can be broadened to more indigenous languages throughout the world.

Nicaragua’s Indigenous Protests include Kidnappings

In recent months, Panama has been in the spotlight and received international coverage for its indigenous people protesting mines and hydroelectric projects on their native lands.  Similar coverage has not been forthcoming regarding indigenous protests in Nicaragua, however.

Kidnappings

The indigenous people on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua have been protesting non-indigenous cattle ranchers, loggers and farmers encroaching on indigenous lands. As in Panama, there have been road blockades. However, things changed on February 9, when the Nicaraguan Miskito community of Lapan kidnapped twelve non-indigenous outsiders, including nine volunteer policemen.  It is now April and the Miskito have yet to release their hostages. The kidnappers are demanding that 600 “colonist” (non-indigenous Nicaraguan) families leave their indigenous land.

History of Miskito violent protests

This is not the first time that the Miskito have been in violent protests. According to Columbia.edu, between 1982 and 1984 the Miskito were armed and in open revolt against the Sandinista government. As with other Contra forces at that time, the Miskito were encouraged by the United States. What angered the Miskito then was the Sandinista’s heavy-handed power in the region, the Miskitos’ low status among other indigenous Caribbean people and the lack of economic activity in the region. The Sandinistas eventually brought peace to the area by negotiating with the rebels and dividing the areas into semi-autonomous regions with limited self-rule rights and control over natural resources including land. The accord was incorporated into the 1987 Constitution and later legislation.

Ortega and Sandinistas ignoring current conflict

Fast forward to today where President Ortega has ignored the Miskito protests and kidnappings. For one thing, unlike in the 1980’s, there is no evidence of international support, including from the US, for the Miskito. However, the Sandinista government will be unlikely to ignore the protests if they significantly disrupt the Sandinista government’s long-term economic plans for the area.  These economic plans include logging, a major hydroelectric dam and a deep water port. At that time, President Ortega will likely, as he has in the past, negotiate another peace accord with the Miskito.

Sources:  Newsroompanama.com

country-data.com/Nicaragua

Columbia.edu