educational kit

(to be ready for Jan 2008 - sample of content follows)

Global Indigenous Communities

One of the common struggles of all indigenous peoples globally has been the struggle of land and territory rights.   The land is essential, not only as a source of livelihood but also as a way of life and makes up the basis of indigenous identity and culture.   Global economic policies have further contributed to the abuse and marginalisation of indigenous peoples.   States and corporations are attracted to the investment potential of indigenous lands, which has resulted in violent land replacements of indigenous groups from their ancestral homelands.

In a diverse world, there needs to be space for expressing different knowledge claims and ideas about how we ought to live.   Increasingly, video is being used as a way to communicate ideas, share stories and build popular support for movements and causes.   The First Voices documentary aims to bring to the fore some of these untold stories to create awareness, stimulate discussion and generate enthusiasm for the wonderful work that is being accomplished in indigenous communities.   The project also serves to strengthen links between aboriginal communities in the North and South.     

The Kaqchikel

The Kaqchikel are one of the indigenous Maya peoples of the Midwestern highlands of Guatemala.   The Kaqchikel number about half a million, which is almost 8 % of the population of Guatemala.  

The Kaqchikel are struggling to preserve their way of life and culture.   In the early 16th century, Kaqchikel were attacked by the Spanish and have lived under colonial and government repression ever since.   In more recent years the history of Guatemala has been plagued by civil wars and military coups.   These events have had a serious impact on Kaqchikel identity and disturbed the transmission of their culture across generations.

In spite of these challenges, the Kaqchikel have a deep culture that they are determined to preserve.   They maintain a strong connection with their ancestral land that is embedded in their religion, education and self-identity as a people.   They also continue to preserve their native handicrafts, ranging from baskets, stone carvings to an array of hand-woven items.   The women make hand-decorated pottery and finely-crafted silver jewellery for personal use and trade on the local market.

The Métis of Labrador

The Labrador indigenous population has lived in the Atlantic region long before Europeans arrived in North America.

The Métis people emerged out of the intermixing of Indian and European peoples. The initial generations possessed mixed ancestry.   With time however, the gradual establishment of distinct Métis communities outside of Indian and European cultures and settlements, as well as the subsequent intermarriages between Métis women and Métis men, resulted in the genesis of a new Aboriginal people - the Métis.

The Labrador Métis are a nation whose people continue to relay upon the resources of the land and the sea.   The fish, sea mammals, birds, caribou and forest resources have always been an integral part of their way of life.   These ties to the earth carry values such as respect for the environment, elders and other peoples. These aboriginal heritages form the basis of Labrador Métis existence.

The Mi'kmaq

Archaeological evidence suggests that the Atlantic region has been populated by aboriginal people for the past 10.500 years.   The First Nations People of Nova Scotia are known as the Mi'kmaq. At the time of first contact with European explorers in the 16th and 17th centuries the Mi'kmaq lived in the region now known as the Maritime Provinces and the Gaspé Peninsula. Later they also settled in New England and Newfoundland.

Traditionally, the Mi'kmaq economy was based on hunting, fishing and gathering.   This meant that the seasons had a significant impact on settlement patterns as well as the division of labour and socio-cultural activities.   Mi'kmaq culture emphasized sharing over individual accumulation of wealth.

Many of these traditions changed with European contact.   The land treaties of the mid 18th century as well as European religion and technology, distanced Mi'kmaq from their original connection and spiritual understanding of the earth and its resources.   After decades of abuse, First Nations people are beginning to have their voices heard and Canadian federal and provincial governments are beginning to make apologies and pursue amendments.   Individual communities such as the Mi'kmaq are also making great headway in the healing process and there are many initiatives underway to help individuals and communities as a whole move forward.

The Williche of Chiloe:

The Williche are a group of indigenous people who live on the island of Chiloe, located at the southern part of Chile. Williche, literally translates to mean "the people of the south." The Williche make up more than half of the Chiloe island population making it one of the few provinces in Chile where the majority of the population is indigenous.

The Williche of Chiloe represents a "culture of the sea". Their livelihoods are largely based on potatoes, lambs and seaweed harvesting.   Horses are important animals to the Williche as a mode of transportation.   There are currently issues concerning the privatization of land and sea that affect the Williche.   The sea represents an important part of the Williche way of life and tradition.

In the last century, the indigenous people have struggled with land rights and cultural survival. Under the dictatorship of Pinochet, laws were passed that denied the legal status and cultures of indigenous people in Chile. Although the past decade has resulted in recognition and improvements for indigenous communities, there are still social and political problems from the past. The Williche still encounter many challenges and are the victims of discrimination in their daily life.