Guatemala Formally Recognizes Its Indigenous People

[Judi Lynn]

8.18.2008 - 11:11am ET
CSR News from: LUCITÀ
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, ccc 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.

More:
http://www.csrwire.com/News/12876.html



Alejandro Cirilo Perez Oxlaj
May we hope the GENOCIDE by right-wing, Republican-supported dictators is over, hundreds of thousands of lives later?