By Dev Kumar Sunuwar
Almost four months have passed since Chitwan National Park authorities forcefully attempted to evict ten Chepang families from buffer zones in South Central Nepal by burning down and destroying their houses. Landless Chepang families are still awaiting permanent housing promised by many, including the government, following the incident.
With Halloween, Day of the Dead, and Native American Heritage Month right around the corner, it’s a good time to talk about cultural appropriation. If you are unfamiliar with the concept or just want a refresher, here are some great resources.
1. Educate yourself! Read what Native writers have to say:
Por Norma Sancir
“Cuando yo empecé a crecer entonces con mi mamá y mis hermanos, acarreábamos el agua en tecomates, antes en esa época, era agua muy agradable, muy saludable, los ojos de agua los teníamos muy inmediatos de nuestras viviendas”. -- Francisco Ramírez, Autoridad Indígena Maya Ch’orti’ de Olopa, Chiquimula.
By Dev Kumar Sunuwar
A recent Chitwan District Court order to imprison Chiran Kumar Budha, a Nepal Army soldier who was arrested for allegedly beating 24-year-old Raj Kumar Chepang (Chepang) from Piple Milan Chowk Ward, in Rapti Municipality, Chitwan, is a sign of hope for Chepang Peoples. Justice is usually rare in cases related to conservation in Nepal.
With Halloween and Day of the Dead around the corner, join us for a discussion on how Indigenous cultures and knowledge continue to be appropriated and exploited for profit. Topics covered will exploitations of Indigenous arts and designs, spirituality, traditional medicine, food, and imagery.
On October 13, 2020, a mob of non-Indigenous fishermen trapped and harassed two Mi’kmaq fishermen inside of a lobster pound in West Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Canada. Jason Marr, one of the targeted fishermen of the Sipekne’katik First Nation, initially headed to the lobster pound when he heard of a plan to seize and release Mi’kmaq lobster catches back into the bay.
Dear CS Community,
As we all deal with the impacts of COVID-19, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work our on-the-ground grant partners are doing to continue to revitalize their Indigenous languages and cultures.
Cambridge, MA – October 22, 2020.
Cultural Survival, an international nonprofit, which advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights, is participating in a nationwide, nonpartisan effort to increase voter engagement for the upcoming 2020 election in the United States.
Reconocimiento de tierra
Reconocemos que nuestra sede está en la tierra de Massachusetts, en Cambridge, MA, y agradecemos a los administradores Indígenas pasados, actuales y futuros de este territorio.
