Native American Indians

Indigenous communities march for Morales

Sophie Team Observers — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:20:24 +0200

Tens of thousands of largely indigenous demonstrators who trekked for nine days in support of President Evo Morales' constitutional reform - which would give more power to the country's indigenous majority - Monday celebrated the draft's approval by Congress. Our Observer from La Paz took part in the "long march".

The demonstrators marched into the capital and up to the Bolivian parliament on Monday, where MPs were examining Morales' planned reforms of the constitution. They hoped to put pressure on ministers to agree that the constitution be put to the people in a referendum. And after hours of debates, the go-ahead was given last night. The changes introduced by Morales include a chapter on the rights of the country's native people, and increased state control of the economy. Initially opposed to the project because it was thought to give too much power to the president, the opposition has since reached a compromise with the head of state. The referendum, which is expected to be passed, is planned for 25 January.

Six Indians killed defending a Maya site

Sophie Team Observers — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:25:47 +0200

For the past month, a group of Chiapas Indians had been occupying an archaeological site, demanding a better share of tourism profits. On Friday, state police arrived, killing six of them. Now a video showing the start of the police intervention is circulating on Indian blogs.

Indians from an environmentalist group had been occupying the Chinkultic Maya archaeological site, situated near to Montebello, on the Guatemala border, since 3 September. They were asking for profits from the touristic site to go into local infrastructure construction. On Friday the police came to remove the demonstrators, who had started to collect entrance fees. The Indians defended themselves with sticks and machetes, even managing to capture a large number of officers.

Six of the defenders were killed in the police intervention. The governor of Chiapas was made to publicly explain what happened, and five police officers were arrested on Sunday.

Abraham Bojorquez, no bling-bling rapper

Julien — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:00:00 +0200

Far from the gold chains and bimbos of American video clips, Abraham Bojorquez raps to his American Indian fans at 4000 metres above sea level.

Material compiled with the help of our regional editor for South America, Johana Kunin.