Final Reflection

When we arrived at the Guatemala airport the Mayan culture was represented by colourful pictures of children splashed across screens and billboard, selling Guatemala as the heart of the Mayan world.

As we traveled past Guatemala City to the more rural communities what became evident was that there existed a parallel world of indigenous people that has limited access, if any to formal structures and public services. While indigenous people represent more than half of the population they are practically invisible in the mainstream media, in political office, and in professions. We also heard that although the Peace Accords were signed in 1996, there are more people being killed daily today than during the war. Targeted killings continue and de-militarization has largely been unsuccessful.

The Mayan partners described government departments operating with impunity when it came to the misappropriation of funds. Change is happening at an incremental level. All four Mayan partner organizations were led by educated leaders in their respective communities. Their analysis and critical assessment of the role of citizens to bring about change plays a vital part in their coordination of local projects with a view to strengthening civil society.

Horizontal partnership

What struck us most about the work of Horizons of Friendship was the model

through which funding is channeled to support Mayan led projects. The projects tend to be ambitious and yet small in scale due to limited funds. However, the impacts of the projects are far reaching on a practical human scale and most importantly, are grounded in building leadership capacity amongst the indigenous partners.

The partners had been asked by Horizons to plan each day that they hosted the delegation. They introduced us to their work arranging meetings with the communities that they worked with. The encounters were treated as an opportunity for exchange, with the partner organizations often expressing gratitude for our interest in their struggle.

The delegates had brought donations to distribute amongst the partner groups. OPSEU donated shirts and pens. Once again the method of distribution spoke volumes about the regard for the leadership role of the partners and the importance of resisting the temptation to derive personal pleasure from giving. Patricia, Horizons ED, delivered the donations to the partner leaders who then distributed to the communities they worked with at the appropriate time. This was significant because even well intentioned giving would have changed the tone of our gatherings, as it was our encounters emphasized the connections between us and solidarity across cultures.


Indigenous solidarity

The presence of Darlene Kaboni, First Nations OPSEU member, was recognized at each gathering where Mayan leaders asked Darlene to participate in ceremonies and invited her to address them in her indigenous language.

For the delegates and partners Darlene’s insights regarding the parallels between Mayan and First Nations struggles, provided a unique lens through which to analyze the legacy of colonialism in the struggle for indigenous land rights and cultural and linguistic rights.

The Canadian mining connection

Canadian mining companies actively lobbied the Harper government last year to defeat Bill C-300. This bill would have set standards for mining companies to adhere to when operating in other countries. It was defeated in the house by five votes. Horizons staff had been in the federal legislature with partner Dr. Surama from Guatemala to witness this defeat.

We heard first hand how communities are organizing local consultations and are consistently voting against mining exploration. The Guatemalan government has said that it does not recognize these widespread community consultations. Mining has polluted local water tables and contamination has affected local population health.

The fight continues and hopefully this bill will come before the federal government in the future in some other form. For more information got to: http://www.miningwatch.ca/

Final note

This trip brought home that our humanity is irrevocably linked, knowing that

only chance separates our vast differences. This knowledge can bring us closer as we struggle individually and through our organizations to realize the dream of a common humanity.