/* Written 9:57 AM Apr 21, 1997 by nfnena in igc:nfn.tempforest */
/* ---------- "Sumo Statement from Nicaragua" ---------- */
From: Native Forest Network-ENA <nfnena@igc.apc.org>
NOTE: The following was delivered to the Native Forest Network and
Burlington/Puerto Cabezas-Bilwi Sister Cities Project during our
research expediton to Nicaragua's R.A.A.N. TRENAMAKS has asked us
to distribute this to an international audience. Please forward where
you think appropriate.
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TRENAMAKS -- Territorio de Promocin para el Desarrollo Sostenible
Mayanna de Kuhkanawas
Territory for Promotion of Sustainable Development for the Mayanna
(Sumu) of Kuhkanawas
Puerto Cabezas-Bilwi, Regin Autnoma del Atlntico Norte
(R.A.A.N.), Nicaragua
International NGOs and Supporters:
The president of the Territory for Promotion of Sustainable
Development for the Mayanna of Kuhkanawas (TRENAMAKS) has
plans to initiate a Sustainable Development Project.
For more than 6 decades mining companies have been working
in Bonanza and Rosita to exploit the renewable and non-renewable
resources. In doing so, they have created a deplorable geographical
and ecological situation. The daily life of our Mayanna (Sumu) people
has been turned into suffering and misery caused by the lack of
access to work and health care and high infant and adult mortality.
These problems originate in the political oligarchies in the
governmental structures of this country. The result of these politics
reflect themselves in the ecological contamination in the geographical
region where the affected families live. As a result of mercury and
other toxins from the mining companies, the Sumu families by the
Bambana and Tunkiproducto Rivers have experienced a reduction in
their population and the destruction of fertile lands and local flora
and fauna.
The plans and objectives of the affected families, due to the
massive disasters caused by this same contamination, are to move
ourselves to a healthier zone known as UNAWAS where our
TRENAMAKS Nation can reside. The work of the TRENAMAKS Nation
will be to put into place our 1997/98 Peasant Promotion with the
goal of improving not only the economic standard of living but also
the social and cultural aspects of the families, as well as to
discontinue feeling the affects of the contamination. Three hundred
and fifty-six families will move in 1997/98, this will continue in
upcoming years until 712 in total have moved.
The ecological and geographical problems are irreversible,
there are no ways to return the water and banks of the rivers to
their original state nor to revive those people that have died. We are
trying to save the lives of those currently living around the shores of
the rivers by beginning a natural resettlement program onto the
banks of the Kuhkanawas River and continuing the traditional
relationship of indigenous people with their environment. This
urgent plan is a result of recent history and will defend the lives of
the families that live in the ecologically-harmed areas, where our
health has been put in danger along with our habitat and culture.
In conclusion; we believe we are justified, especially those that
live in the areas affected by these disasters, to be united under our
own natural, traditional laws which deliniate a life in cooperation
with nature. To preserve it, to defend it. This has been our custom
during centuries of existence of the Sumu (Mayanna) Nation.
We need to request international financial assistance in the
forms of grants, loans and donations in order to carry out the
following programs:
*To plant 356 hectares of agricultural products.
*To build 356 houses, and for our self-sufficiency, a health
clinic and school.
*To develop an artisanUs program using sustainable, local
materials.
*To develop a tree nursery and the sustainable collection and
sale of mahogany seeds.
*To install a marketstand for our agricultural products in the
city of Bilwi.
Due to our circumstances, we are soliciting formal economic
assistance to purchase agricultural tools, supplies and construction
materials for our houses, school, etc.
Please do not hesitate to contact us. For whatever purpose, we
can be reached at:
TRENAMAKS c/o Doa Karen Vda. de Watson,
Puerto Cabezas-Bilwi, R.A.A.N., Nicaragua
Telephone: 505 22221 FAX: 505 2673032
Attentively,
Ernesto Almendrez R.,
President, TRENAMAKS March 20, 1997
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Translation: (Llamar para obtener la version en espaol)
Burlington/Puerto Cabezas-Bilwi Sister City Program
For more info: Tel. (802)865-4074 FAX (802)863-2532
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Information transferred via:
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POB 57
Burlington, VT 05402 USA
(802)863-0571
(802)863-2532 Fax
email: nfnena@igc.apc.org