Greg Ch oc is Appointed the Commissioner of Indigenous Peoples Affairs channel5belize.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from channel5belize.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Written on January 22, 2021 | Posted in Featured,Health,People & Places | Comments Off
On Thursday, the new U.S. President Joe Biden signed a flurry of executive orders within his first twenty-four hours in office. But one of those executive orders can have grave [.]
Jan 22, 2021
Melissa Zuniga
On Thursday, the new Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs addressed the Caribbean Court of Justice and stated that her appointment signals a new day of respect for our Maya sisters, brothers, and other indigenous people. On that same day, Minister Dolores Balderamos Garcia and her team also met with the National Garifuna Council leaders. The meeting allowed both sides to be brought up to speed on the accomplishments of preserving the cultural heritage of the Garifuna people in Belize and the plans going forward. News Five spoke with N.G.C. Project Coordinator Melissa Zuniga, who says that the meeting was very promising.
Samantha Matute-Tucker
“Your honor, it is my instruction that the current structure of the commission is actually under review with a view to possibly expand the responsibilities and persons who make up that commission. We have not finalized that review at this point, your honors.”
What the M.L.A. may very well be faced with is having to return to the drawing board insofar as any progress that has been made when it comes to defining their lands. With a new government, a new minister and a new commissioner in place, perhaps the end is near.
Cristina Coc
“The Maya would like to see that one day when we finally have our lands demarcated, our titles in our hands, that we have a very rich and productive land that can still maintain our livelihoods and wellbeing. We understand that it will take some time to reach this goal and in the meantime, however, our lands must be protected from any acts that might seek to erode and destroy the richness and integrity of ou