|
Corporate Social Responsibility
News
8.18.2008 - 11:11am ET
|
CSR News from:
|
|
|
News Categories: |
| | |
Guatemala Formally Recognizes Its Indigenous People
Grandfather Alejandro Cirilo Perez Oxlaj is named Ambassador for the indigenous peoples of Guatemala
(CSRwire) GUATEMALA CITY,GUATEMALA. - August 18, 2008 - In a groundbreaking move
toward national reconciliation and unity among its peoples, the Guatemalan
government has formally recognized the Maya and other native cultures in
this Central American nation, granting them an official government seat to
represent their rights and interests. 13th generation Maya Kiche spiritual
leader and head of the National Mayan Council of Elders of Guatemala, Don
Alejandro Cirilo Perez Oxlaj, has been chosen by Guatemalan President
Alvaro Colom Caballeros as the Ambassador Extraordinary Itinerant of the
Council of Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala.
The Ceremony
On Saturday, August 9, 2008, Grandfather Cirilo as Don Alejandro is
affectionately known, was formally inaugurated in his new role as
Ambassador by President Colom. The date was chosen to coincide with and
commemorate the Day of Indigenous People of the World, instituted by the
United Nations in 1994. Attended by close to 2,000 people, the event
marked an unprecedented step by a head of state to recognize the rights of
all of its people and work toward full solidarity and collaboration with
and among them.
Inauguration ceremonies began at sunrise on August 9 at the site of an
ancient Mayan temple in Guatemala City, where the attending Elders led a
traditional fire ceremony in front of 250 indigenous people, mostly from
Guatemala. The ceremonies then moved on to the National Palace, the
former seat of Guatemala's government and the building that marks the
precise center of Guatemala. A chorus of indigenous children from San Juan
Sacatepequez greeted the attendees. The formal act of bestowing Grandfather
Cirilo with the title of Ambassador was accompanied by speeches by
President Alvaro Colom and other luminaries. The day concluded with
traditional Mayan dances and a marimba concert.
Impact and Purpose of the New Post
As Ambassador of the Guatemalan government, Don Alejandro is authorized to
represent the interests of the indigenous people of Guatemala and abroad.
This recognition and the significance it carries fall in line with an
ancient Mayan prophecy that says the people of the center will bring
together the north and the south. Don Alejandro's international work over
the last 20 years, along with President Colom’s own study of and
immersion in the teachings of the Mayan elders—he is the first ordained
Mayan Priest elected into public office—represent a joint will and
active effort toward unity, equality and peace not only for the people of
Guatemala but ultimately all peoples throughout the world. In the light of
continued oppression of indigenous communities both in Guatemala and
elsewhere, the Guatemalan government and its new Ambassador certainly face
tough challenges. Both men, however, expressed their strong positive
sentiments about the newly formalized relationship between government and
people:
"The assignment I have received today is a great responsibility," said
Grandfather Cirilo in his inauguration address. "In the Maya tradition,
these are the Carriers of Time. I am at your service. I am following in
the steps of my ancestors, without violence, without hatred, without
intrigue, because valiant men deal with dialogue, while cowardly mean deal
with weapons. What we need now, without distinction of race, color or
creed, is to understand that we are all humans and we have the same needs
and the same feelings. I ask of you, Ministers of State, let's forget
about racism, let's walk together; we are beings of equal value." He
closed his speech with a nod of respect to President Colom and his
government, asking them to understand that he accepts the role of
Ambassador not as an employee of the State but as a representative of
native people.
In his address, President Alvaro Colom talked about his long personal
interaction and study with the Mayan elders, a path taken by few heads of
state in office today. "I have had the honor to meet many of the
indigenous elders who are here today," he said. "We have shared many
things in the past 14 years. It is this connection with them, walking at
their side, learning from them, has transformed my life. It transformed me
so much that it has made me President today." Paying respect to the ancient
Mayan values and traditions, he said "the Mayan worldview isn't about the
number of indigenous posts or the number of native "acts" performed by the
government. The worldview of the Maya is something you live every second of
every day, with twenty life principles and with profound respect, [governed
by] full consensus."
President Colom also announced the upcoming re-inauguration of the Council
of FODIGUA, the Fund for Indigenous Development, whose original mission and
goals had been virtually forgotten in previous administrations. "We're
going to have a FODIGUA dedicated to indigenous issues, the preservation
of language and culture, the establishment of the ancient houses of
knowledge … and more support for the councils of elders to help them
implement their vision, their prophetic heritage, and their love for their
people."
Participants
Attending the inauguration ceremony were elders representing every
indigenous population in Guatemala, along with select VIP’s
including: - President Alvaro Colom of Guatemala
- Don Alejandro Oxlaj
- Jerome Lancerio, Minister of Culture of Guatemala
- Miguel Angel Amaya y Amaya, Grand Elder of the Maya Kakawira ethnic
community in El Salvador
- Dr. Francisco Quiroga Navarrete, representing the indigenous people of
Colombia
- Joseph Giove, founder and executive director of Common Passion
- Adam "Yellowbird" Armon, President of the Institute of Cultural
Awareness (ICA) in Arizona
- Steve Copeland, producer of The Shift of the Ages, an upcoming
documentary film about the Maya people and their culture
The Minister
of Culture of Guatemala, Jerome Lancerio, noted that this recognition will
bring new relevance to the role that the indigenous peoples of the Americas
play not only at home but throughout the world.
"This event has sought unity and solidarity among indigenous entities and
a national celebration that promotes the beginning of a new era for
indigenous peoples in Guatemala. This historic moment signifies that the
Guatemalan government has a serious commitment to their indigenous
people," he said.
Other key figures present at the ceremony echoed the sentiment that this
event will have far-reaching consequences for indigenous peoples around
the world who have been subjected to oppression and atrocities. The event
is of particular interest to U.S. organizations such as Common Passion and
the Institute of Cultural Awareness that are working toward a more
equitable and peaceful global environment for all people, regardless of
their ethnicity, nationality or origin.
Joseph Giove, founder and executive director of Common Passion, one of the
key organizations in the U.S. that has been working with Don Alejandro to
advance global peace and cultural acceptance, said "The profound wisdom of
our indigenous elders is as contemporary and relevant as modern science.
Don Alejandro's tireless mission to invite the world to arise in unity is
manifest in this historic event. What's happening in Guatemala is a model
for a new way of social and political integration that is calling forth
the long-awaited age of peace and harmony.'
About Common Passion
CommonPassion.org is a global social collaborative connecting people from
all walks of life who share compassion as a common passion. We are a non
profit, non sectarian, educational and scientific consortium dedicated to
validating and applying the power of collective human intention through
prayer, meditation and music to ease violence and suffering in local and
global communities, and to help solve the persistent problems of
humankind. These challenges include replacing conflict with harmony at all
levels: within individuals, between diverse cultures and interests, and
between individuals and their environment. For more information about
Common Passion, please visit www.commonpassion.org.
For more information about ICA, please visit www.ica8.org.
For more information about The Shift of the Ages please visit www.shiftingages.com.
|
|
