Again, this is written on the fly for immediate posting. Spelling and names are not necessarily all they should be. It's bits and pieces, not a holistic view. I'll add some photos and videos later if I can.
Ken Wilson, Christensen Fund - Amount of money to indigenous peoples increased from $10 - $40 million from 2005 and 2007. About 80,000 foundations in the US and they give about $80 billion so this is a very tiny fraction. We look a little differently, because we want to see how much actually goes to indigenous people, not to organizations that operate in their name.
Environmnet - 80% plus - is the area that they coordinate with. Recognition of the leadership that indigenous people have in global warming. Fairly well balanced in Asia, Africa, and South America, less in Arctic.
Constraints - foundations are creatures of Western Society. Have difficulty being holistic. Divide the world up. Created why powerful wealthy people. Top down outlook. Staffs had very little experience with lives of indigenous peoples. Have difficulty creating mechanisms that are flexible.
We have lost large proportions of our investments. McArthur foundation not here because of travel restrictions. Two have joined the Obama administration - EPA - head of international affairs.
James Stauch, Gordon Foundation Canada - Connecting Northern peoples with the public policy process at all levels. Most grants go directly to first nations governments, inuit organizations. Culturally relevant policies, emerging generation of leaders, research that is community policy related. Storytelling is important. It moves people more than facts. Supporting non-state actors.
As the ice melts in the Arctic - bizarre consequences of nation states jockeying about their role in the open sea. Canada, for instance, is talking about sovereignty. Need to talk about who is really using the land.
We shouldn't be doing nuclear, biofuels, wind, all of these things have negative consequences on Indigenous people. Listing polar bears as endangered species affects programs already in place. We should be talking about who is creating the carbon.
If going to support only one thing - support youth working with elders.
Claire Greensfelder, The Lia Fund
Small foundation - founder left $5 million in her estate, mostly in real estate, and our job is to give away the money : arts, access to holistic health and healing, climate solutions. 50% of funding toward climate solutions - about $2.5 million. Interdisciplinary projects.
Concerns: social and economic justice , diversity, equity, non-violence
Hope that my talk here will inspire others to copy the Lia foundation in their organizations - founding small foundations.
Ann Henshaw, Oak Foundation, family foundation centered in Switzerland. Oak believes that indigenous people around the world have a unique understanding of climate change and has important things to tell the conference in Copenhagen.
David Secord, Wilburforce Foundation, Pacific Northwest, Our board has come to understand how to do our core mission
As place based funder, landscapes do not just have animals, also have people, it's obvious, but it's new
Lots of conversations on climate change - realizing how climate change impacts our interests
More and more recognition that creative and novel partnerships are essential to have outcome producing strategies.
Christensen Fund, 1957 Palo Alto,California, 2003 new mission around biocultural diversity, $50,000,000 in grants through 5 regional and 2 global programs.
Five regions with high cultural and biodiversity: Greater Southwest, Central Asia,
Kai Lee, Conservation and Science Program, Packard Foundation
$100 million in grants every year. Worked closely with indigenous people over the years.
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
OK, I'll try to get some pictures and video up later. This panel is just closing down, there's no time for questions from the audience.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Indigenous People's Global Summit - Thursday - Neza Henry, Uganda
Neza's people were forcibly removed from their land that had been designated a national park. In the video recorded this morning, he briefly tells the story of his people.
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
Indigenous People's Global Summit - Thursday - Panel Foundations and Donor Community
I'm finally getting into synch here and figuring out how to report this with both my fingers at the computer and the still and video pictures. I'll try to get a little of what people say up right away. This snippets do NOT represent all they say, just parts I could capture. I'll try to add pictures and possibly video later.
Kristen Walker Painemilla, Indigenous and Traditional Peoples, Program, Conservation International
Deborah Williams, President of Alaska Conservation Solutions
Jenny Springer, World Wildlife Foundation
Doug McGuire, Mountain Partnership
They were asked to talk about their organizations' goals, their work with indigenous peoples, and their recommendations for the declaration.
Kristen spoke about the goals of Conservation International and their interest is doing more with and for indigenous peoples.
Debora Williams, working on climate change for the last decade and working with indigenous people has been a great pleasure. Climate change is the biggest problem facing us today. Climate change represents a fundamental human rights violation for most indigenous peoples.
Jenny Springer,
Doug McGuire,
Mountains are home for some of the poorest people in the world. Of the 1 Billion hungry people in the world, one-third live in mountains, though they represent only 12% of the world's population. All our water comes from mountains.
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
Kristen Walker Painemilla, Indigenous and Traditional Peoples, Program, Conservation International
Deborah Williams, President of Alaska Conservation Solutions
Jenny Springer, World Wildlife Foundation
Doug McGuire, Mountain Partnership
They were asked to talk about their organizations' goals, their work with indigenous peoples, and their recommendations for the declaration.
Kristen spoke about the goals of Conservation International and their interest is doing more with and for indigenous peoples.
Debora Williams, working on climate change for the last decade and working with indigenous people has been a great pleasure. Climate change is the biggest problem facing us today. Climate change represents a fundamental human rights violation for most indigenous peoples.
Jenny Springer,
- Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately affected by climate change
- Indigenous Peoples have critical roles to play in climate change solutions - traditional knowledge, practices, institutions
- Actions to address climate change can have negative impacts on indigenous peoples - need to prevent these
Doug McGuire,
Mountains are home for some of the poorest people in the world. Of the 1 Billion hungry people in the world, one-third live in mountains, though they represent only 12% of the world's population. All our water comes from mountains.
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
Indigenous People's Global Summit - Thursday - Q&A
Questions to the previous panelists.
1. In French: Many indigenous people especially people of the forest do not know that they are represented. Please help get the information out.
2. In Spanish: We need to understand and acknowledge indigenous peoples organizations and I would like to denounce that you have not provided the answers to the questions I've requested:
Please ask your question:
Are the policies about the forests legally binding?
Answers - Terrance
Charles: Who was being denounced? Not clear. I asked you many times to visit our discussions. Sincere apologies, if I've overlooked something I apologize. I wasn't aware of the problem. Question about Sudan with regard to China, China is a country we are dealing with. I appreciate youre alerting us if we do work with China.
About getting message to national governance about needs of indigenous people. In collaboration with World Bank, working with the bank. There was a joint mission with DRC (?) where we were able to bring local community voices right into the discussion between the government and local people. We think we can play such a role.
Joseph: Thank all the speakers. Comments.
1. Human rights - frustrations there. UN tendency to develop any problem, the UN declaration needed to have indigenous people at the beginning, not just at implementation. In Africa, but indigenous people not on board. Failure of UN. Need to find way to address it.
2. Serious conflict in Africa, due to resources. Implementation will be done on indigenous people's territories. What matters putting in place to insure local people will be direct beneficiaries? Indigenous people are the poorest of the poor. Minorities in most countries. We don't want to become victims of these programs.
3. Thank the UN Gen Assembly President. Yesterday shocking when agency said could not adopt. All most adopt. Appreciate person from Greenland.
4. When we talk about capacity building - UN, World Bank, and others need to be taught about indigenous people - they have no idea how we are coping.
Humble request - never hide behind governments. Never tell us you are a government institution. Bring government to the table and bring indigenous people to the table.
Nina (Indonesia): Many of seek long term change for the better in our countries. How do you support better change in policy and behavior in ten years.
Tanzania - Want to underscore the importance of including indigenous people at the grassroot level, at the beginning. I participated in Philippines, but when I went back home there was nothing.
Response: Greenland - we have contacted the government of Denmark that indigenous people need to be included. But I cannot guarantee. We need everyone's support.
Vicky- ask Danish government to ask Patricia to present. We will have an indigenous people's day.
Jackie - During the course of the meeting hard to find space, so we have offered them space in downtown Copenhagen and invite you to organize meetings there. We would be very happy to have you there. In a practical and political way, I will - Europe will play a critical role and in mu role as head of an agency I will make sure your concerns will be brought to their attention at the meetings. They would be horrified if they thought their solutions were causing more problems on the ground.
Charles: Thanks to reps from Tanzania about not being involved. Two leaders like yourselves not being involved is a huge oversight and I will check on why. I take your point that the UN needs capacity building. Point about not hiding behind governments - understood and need your help on the policy board. Ask for your engagement with the indigenous peoples guidelines.
Indonesia's questions - others can talk about various programs, but also possibility if governments engage in REDD pilot, that there will be benefits for local people.
REDD = Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries
OK, my fingers are dying here, but this should give a sense of the questions and responses.
Talking about translations into many languages now for projects. Not sure who is talking or what organizations he's talking about.
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
1. In French: Many indigenous people especially people of the forest do not know that they are represented. Please help get the information out.
2. In Spanish: We need to understand and acknowledge indigenous peoples organizations and I would like to denounce that you have not provided the answers to the questions I've requested:
Please ask your question:
Are the policies about the forests legally binding?
Answers - Terrance
Charles: Who was being denounced? Not clear. I asked you many times to visit our discussions. Sincere apologies, if I've overlooked something I apologize. I wasn't aware of the problem. Question about Sudan with regard to China, China is a country we are dealing with. I appreciate youre alerting us if we do work with China.
About getting message to national governance about needs of indigenous people. In collaboration with World Bank, working with the bank. There was a joint mission with DRC (?) where we were able to bring local community voices right into the discussion between the government and local people. We think we can play such a role.
Joseph: Thank all the speakers. Comments.
1. Human rights - frustrations there. UN tendency to develop any problem, the UN declaration needed to have indigenous people at the beginning, not just at implementation. In Africa, but indigenous people not on board. Failure of UN. Need to find way to address it.
2. Serious conflict in Africa, due to resources. Implementation will be done on indigenous people's territories. What matters putting in place to insure local people will be direct beneficiaries? Indigenous people are the poorest of the poor. Minorities in most countries. We don't want to become victims of these programs.
3. Thank the UN Gen Assembly President. Yesterday shocking when agency said could not adopt. All most adopt. Appreciate person from Greenland.
4. When we talk about capacity building - UN, World Bank, and others need to be taught about indigenous people - they have no idea how we are coping.
Humble request - never hide behind governments. Never tell us you are a government institution. Bring government to the table and bring indigenous people to the table.
Nina (Indonesia): Many of seek long term change for the better in our countries. How do you support better change in policy and behavior in ten years.
Tanzania - Want to underscore the importance of including indigenous people at the grassroot level, at the beginning. I participated in Philippines, but when I went back home there was nothing.
Response: Greenland - we have contacted the government of Denmark that indigenous people need to be included. But I cannot guarantee. We need everyone's support.
Vicky- ask Danish government to ask Patricia to present. We will have an indigenous people's day.
Jackie - During the course of the meeting hard to find space, so we have offered them space in downtown Copenhagen and invite you to organize meetings there. We would be very happy to have you there. In a practical and political way, I will - Europe will play a critical role and in mu role as head of an agency I will make sure your concerns will be brought to their attention at the meetings. They would be horrified if they thought their solutions were causing more problems on the ground.
Charles: Thanks to reps from Tanzania about not being involved. Two leaders like yourselves not being involved is a huge oversight and I will check on why. I take your point that the UN needs capacity building. Point about not hiding behind governments - understood and need your help on the policy board. Ask for your engagement with the indigenous peoples guidelines.
Indonesia's questions - others can talk about various programs, but also possibility if governments engage in REDD pilot, that there will be benefits for local people.
REDD = Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries
OK, my fingers are dying here, but this should give a sense of the questions and responses.
Talking about translations into many languages now for projects. Not sure who is talking or what organizations he's talking about.
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
Indigenous People's Global Summit - Thursday David Chinquehuanca
The Bolivian foreign minister's speech was in Spanish, so I got some earphones to hear the English and typed as fast as I could. I'll fix the typos later. This is a fast and somewhat loose transcription of what I heard. I'm assuming this was President Evos Morales' speech, being given by his foreign ministers, since Morales was unable to come today.
.....We're in unbalance and we have to get back to equilibrium. Unbalance will have fatal conseuqences for planet earth. It's the Western world that is in crisis, the model of West that looks to living better is in crisis. Made it so some people better than others. It allows some to be better than others. Some regions better than others. Some people better than others. Generated unbalance among people, among regions, among countries. But also this development model of the West has also created disequlibrium between man and nature. Mother earth has wound threatening life today.
So important that humanity and international organizations become aware so we have international day of Mother Earth. Not just humans, but everything. All of creation we live on the skirts of our mother. All living off the milk of our Mother which is water. The plants live off the milk of Mother earth - water - all creations of Mother Earth, we are all brothers and sisters. Not just brotherhood among humans, looking for life in harmony with ourselves, we want a harmonic life with our enivornment, because all nurtured by mild of Mother Earth are brothers and sisters - not just humans, animals and plants.
Indian cultures cannot easily attack a tree. Not capable of doing so because all life brothers and sisters. We have been living based on the laws of man, taught at Unitiversity, but do not take everyting into account. Unbalanced. Leave out Mother Earth. Just based on mankind. Not living under law of nature. Not taking into account the Natural University. Contribution of indigenous people could be important there, people who have maintained their balance.
Edge of precipice, we have this summit on climate change, thanks to the implementation of methods and policies that have taken us to where we are now. Two roads. One to capitalism. Most important thing is money, profit, life doesn't matter Two is socialism where mankind is most important. For us indigenous people most important thing is not just mankind, we have that common with socialism, but we also believe the most important thing is life.
Wehn talking about climate change, were talking about life at risk. As Father Iscoto said, not just risk for humans, but climate change threatens life. And for us as indigenous people the most important thing is life. Life of rivers, life of mountains. We had snow in La Paz. Now it is disappearing. Someone said we will have to paint snow ont he top of our mountains. Life of plants, animals, birds, fish is disappearing.
We need to find avenues of discussion to create proposals, have to listen to everyone, not exclusive, inclusive. I thought I'd be here with the indigenous people of Alaska and hear what they think about these issues. We have to know that life is at risk.
We in Bolivia have taken certain actions. First the Bolivian people decided to elect an indigenous president. Second, the recovery of natural resources is important, water, for all people, not just a few. I was in Trinidad and people were alarmed. In Mexico they are rationing water. Working to start to talk about rights of mother earth. First human rights, continue to advance beyond individual rights to collective rights, indigenous people's rights. Bolivia was the first country to implement the declarion on indigenous peoples rights. Today we continue to work at UN, but the rights of everything. Of plants of fish, rivers, animals, and surely on the rights of mother earth. In some countries, Ecuador for example, the constitution considers Mother Nature as a right holder. We are advancing and I hope at the UN will be working on these. UN had to include rights of indigenous people. In a few years we can have a declaration on the rights of mother earth.
Need to work on actions - not privatize water, because water is life. We have to defend life, we have to be pro-life.
Thank you for the invitation. Not a lot of time. Have to listen ttaro one another. Have to start to read the wrinkles of our grandparents. The codes that have existed for more than 500 years. Implementation of indigenous universities that bring in these principles, the codicles of that ancient knowledge, we call that our cosmo knowledge. Indigenous peoples can make a contribution to the saving of planet earth so we can recover life.
Thank you very much.
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
Indigenous People's Global Summit - Wednesday Father Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann Speaking
[Picture of UN General Assembly President Father d'Iscoto with Bolivian Foreign Minister before the speech.]Father d'Escoto Brockman is now speaking. He's reading a speech, so he sounds much less compelling than most of the other speakers. He began by announcing that the UN yesterday recognized the day as Mother Earth Day.
He has also noted the irony that indigenous peoples who have contributed the least - the lightest ecological footprint - have been impacted the most and have called out the first warnings years ago.
A summit of leaders from all 192 member states will meet 1-3 June to discuss the impact of climate change. Many others have met on this, UN is the appropriate forum where the needs and interests of all countries to be taken account. The 21st Century, inclusiveness is critical. The third world cannot continue to subsidize the first world. Those who are subsidized characterize themselves benefactors and the victims are like beggars. Time to call a spade a spade. Always with love, but love must not be interpreted as cover up.
In addition to reform, I hope this meeting will discuss global economy as it emerges from economic crisis. It's time for a change in how we think about mother earth. We need and most peoople want healthy societies not driven by consumerism and hyper emphasis on wealth. Need reorientation of society in direction of solidarity, our guiding star.
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
Indigenous People's Global Summit - No Evos Morales in Anchorage
The President of Bolivia Evos Morales WILL NOT speak in Anchorage today. Critical issues in Bolivia prevented his coming here and the foreign minister of Bolivia
David Choquehuanca will speak in his place.
Wikipedia says about him:
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
David Choquehuanca will speak in his place.
Wikipedia says about him:
David Choquehuanca Céspedes (born May 7, 1961) has served as the Foreign Minister of Bolivia since 23 January 2006.[1] Choquehuanca, who is an Aymara Indian, is an Aymara activist. He has worked with international agencies and has been an advisor to President Evo Morales, a fellow Aymara, since before Morales's election to the Presidency.
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
Indigenous Peoples Summit Anchorage - Thursday -H.E. Father Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, M.M.H.EH.E. Father Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, M.M. President
I don't usually post entire articles, but this is from the official UN press kit so it is intended to be used. But, of course, read between the lines as well. As the official puff piece, it is intended to show him in his best light.
The President of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to speak after President Evo Morales today.
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
Published by the United Nations Department of Public Information - DPI/2516A
The President of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to speak after President Evo Morales today.
H.E. Father Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, M.M.H.EH.E. Father Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, M.M.
President of the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly
H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann is President of the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly since 16 September 2008.
A veteran statesman, politician, community leader and priest, Father d’Escoto served for over a decade as the Republic of Nicaragua’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, a post he held from July 1979 until April 1990. During his tenure, he played a key role in the Contadora and Esquipulas peace processes to end internal armed conflicts in Central America in the 1980s. Also at that time, he spearheaded his Government’s decision, in 1984, to bring to the International Court of Justice a claim against the United States for supporting military and paramilitary actions against his country, with the Court subsequently ruling in favour of Nicaragua.
Father d’Escoto is currently Senior Adviser on Foreign Affairs, with the rank of Minister, to President Daniel Ortega Saavedra, a post which he has held since 2007. He also chairs Nicaragua’s National Committee on Water, in which capacity he plays a leading role in efforts to conserve Lake Cocibolca, the largest source of water in Mesoamerica. He is a member of the Sandinista National Council and the Political Commission, the highest governing body of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN).
Ordained a priest of the Maryknoll Missionaries in the early 1960s, Father d’Escoto has travelled extensively, visiting most of the world’s capitals, as well as many remote and less accessible areas of the globe, and has dedicated much of his life to helping the poor. In 1963, he founded the National Institute of Research and Population Action (INAP) in Chile, aimed at empowering the disadvantaged populations of the callampas or slum neighbourhoods on the periphery of Santiago and other cities, through community action in defence of labour rights. Following the earthquake that devastated the capital city of Managua (Nicaragua) in December 1972, Father d’Escoto mobilized assistance for quake victims and, in 1973, established the Nicaraguan Foundation for Integral Community Development (FUNDECI), now one of the oldest and most prestigious non-governmental organizations in Nicaragua.
In 1970, Father d’Escoto assumed responsibility for Maryknoll’s Social Communications Department at its headquarters in New York, where he founded Orbis Books. The publishing arm of Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Orbis quickly became a leader in religious publishing, offering works on spirituality, theology and current affairs, often from a Third World perspective. Later, while living in New York, Father d’Escoto was one of the founders of the “Grupo de los Doce” (Group of 12), composed of progressive, democratic intellectuals and professionals who supported the FSLN in its struggle to overthrow the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza in Nicaragua. He was appointed Foreign Minister of Nicaragua shortly after Somoza’s downfall.
Inspired by the lives and works of such personalities as Leo Tolstoy, M. K. Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Dorothy Day, Father d’Escoto is an advocate of multilateralism and respect for international law, and is deeply committed to the principles of active nonviolence, solidarity and social justice, which, together with a deep sense of ethics, have formed the basis of his political life.
Father d’Escoto is the recipient of numerous awards, such as: the Order of Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo (2007), the highest honour awarded by the Catholic University Redemptoris Mater (UNICA), for his work for peace; the Thomas Merton Award (1987), for his commitment to world peace; the Order of Carlos Fonseca Amador (1986), the FSLN’s highest honour, for his contributions to international law; the International Lenin Peace Prize (1985/86) awarded by the Soviet Union; the Julio Cortázar Prize for Peace and Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean (1985), awarded by Argentina’s Institute of International Relations; and the Alfonso Comín Peace Prize (first recipient, Barcelona, Spain, 1984), which he accepted on behalf of the Nicaraguan people. In June of this year, Father d’Escoto received the unanimous endorsement of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC) within the United Nations as its candidate for the Presidency of the sixty-third General Assembly of the United Nations.
Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1933, Miguel d’Escoto spent his childhood years in Nicaragua, but returned to the United States in 1947 to study. He entered the Catholic seminary at Maryknoll (New York) in 1953, and in 1961 was ordained a priest. In 1962, he obtained a Master’s of Science from Columbia University’s School of Journalism (Pulitzer Institute).
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change (click link for all the posts on the summit)
Published by the United Nations Department of Public Information - DPI/2516A
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Bolivian President Evo Morales To Speak Today In Anchorage
[UPDATE: President Morales did not come to Anchorage. His Foreign Ministers spoke in his place. That post is here.]
Bolivian President Evo Morales is scheduled to speak today at 10:45 am the Indigenous Peoples Summit on Climate Change here in Anchorage. The best known fact about Evo Morales around the world seems to be that he is the first indigenous President of Bolivia. Thus he brings to the office a perspective that is different from the past presidents. He sees the world through different eyes. And, of course, that is why he is due at this conference of indigenous peoples. He speaks today as both a national president AND a one of the people gathered here in Anchorage this week.
Here are a few glimpses of the way the world portrays President Morales:
From the Miami Herald, on Evo Morales in Trinidad the other day:
PBS' Wideangle has this overview of President Evo Morales. You can get the whole report at the link:
The Economist talks about his hunger strike:
Bolivian President Evo Morales is scheduled to speak today at 10:45 am the Indigenous Peoples Summit on Climate Change here in Anchorage. The best known fact about Evo Morales around the world seems to be that he is the first indigenous President of Bolivia. Thus he brings to the office a perspective that is different from the past presidents. He sees the world through different eyes. And, of course, that is why he is due at this conference of indigenous peoples. He speaks today as both a national president AND a one of the people gathered here in Anchorage this week.
Here are a few glimpses of the way the world portrays President Morales:
From the Miami Herald, on Evo Morales in Trinidad the other day:
''Our government will not sign this document,'' he said at a midday Saturday news conference. ``Garbage is more important than human life. We should go for human life rather than the scraps of the United States.''
Morales' threat to reject the summit declaration followed a similar announcement by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez prior to Friday's opening ceremony. At a gathering in Venezuela, Chávez said he would ''veto'' the declaration because the written document appeared ``as if time had not passed.''
At the Morales press conference, the Bolivian leader used the opportunity not only to voice his concern over the summit document, but also to express his disappointment over the absence of Cuba. He said he could not understand how debates over human prosperity and the environment could take place at the summit without Cuba's presence. . .
Morales also railed against capitalism, blaming it for the global financial crisis, and he also accused Washington of previous meddling in his country's affairs. He said he wanted Obama to repudiate a recent alleged plot to assassinate him, otherwise, ``I might think it was organized through the embassy.''
Last year, Morales ejected the U.S. ambassador and Drug Enforcement Administration officials based in his country over accusations that American diplomats had supported the opposition. He said that while President Obama has promised changed, it has not reached U.S. officials in Bolivia.
''Those staff members continue to operate as if they were serving the Bush administration,'' he said. ``It's up to the U.S. government to improve our relations. If diplomatic relations have to do with investments ... and not meddling and conspiracies, they are welcomed.''
Morales said he came to the summit ``seeking a dialogue of cooperation, not relations built on conspiracies.''
''One hundred days have gone by and we in Boliva [sic] have yet to feel any changes,'' Morales said, referring to Obama's length in office. ``The policy of conspiracy continues.'' [Full article: the Miami Herald]
PBS' Wideangle has this overview of President Evo Morales. You can get the whole report at the link:
Evo Morales Speaks at Columbia
Jeff Seelbach
Juan Evo Morales Ayma, President of Bolivia, spoke in New York on Tuesday as part of the Columbia University World Leaders Forum. Morales, the first indigenous president in Bolivian history, was elected in 2005. In September of this year, he kicked out the U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, accusing him of conspiring against the Bolivian government, and America followed suit by expelling the Bolivian ambassador. Diplomatic relations deteriorated further this month when Morales suspended the Bolivian operations of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). (The complete article here.)
Bolivia's Evo Morales
Fasting and dealing
Apr 16th 2009 | LA PAZ
From The Economist print editionA presidential hunger strike
And Wikipedia's bio of Morales begins like this:DURING his career as a cocaworkers’ leader, Evo Morales took part in hunger strikes on 18 occasions. Then he was elected as Bolivia’s president. So it came as a surprise when just before Easter he unrolled his mattress on the floor of an ornate state room in the presidential palace and began a five-day political fast, fortified by chewing coca leaves. This time the object of his gesture was not to change government policy but to implement it. In January Mr Morales won a referendum approving a new constitution inspired by his Movement to Socialism (MAS). This calls for a fresh election on December 6th, in which the president hopes to win a second term. But the opposition, which controls the Senate, was holding up the requisite electoral law, because the government refused to agree to a new electoral register.
Morales was born in the highlands of Orinoca, Oruro. He is of indigenous (Aymara) descent.[6] He was one of seven children born to Dionisio Morales Choque and Maria Mamani; only Morales and two of his siblings survived past childhood.[7] He grew up in an adobe house with a straw roof that was "no more than three by four meters."[7] At age six, he traveled with his father to Argentina to work in the sugar cane harvest.[7] As a result of his indigenous heritage, his parents made offerings of coca leaves and alcohol to mother earth, or Pachamama.[7] At the age of 12, he accompanied his father in herding llamas from Oruro to the province of Independencia in Cochabamba.[7]
When he was 14, Morales showed his organizational skills by forming a football team with other youths; he continued herding llamas to pay the bills.[8] Three ayllus (network of families) within the community elected him technical director of selection for the canton's team when he was only 16 years old.[8] That same year, in order to attend high school, he moved to Oruro. There he worked as a bricklayer, a baker, and a trumpet player for the Royal Imperial Band (which allowed him to travel across Bolivia).[8][2][9] He attended Beltrán Ávila High School but was not able to finish school,[10] and fulfilled his mandatory military service in La Paz.[8][11]
[Morales bio continues here.]
Indigenous People's Global Summit - Elaine Abraham
Tuesday a beautiful woman whom I haven't seen for several years sat next to me and we starting talking. We knew each other at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I was asking her impressions of the summit so far. Eventually I asked if I could video tape some of what she had to say. . .
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change(click link for all the posts on the summit)
Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change(click link for all the posts on the summit)
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