Marginalization of Indigenous Communities and Indigenous Peoples

Reported by: Rutchell D. Daguplo

CONTINUED MARGINALIZATION OF RURAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

The control of state over forests

has largely been at the expense of forest dwellers, indigenous peoples, women and local communities following a history of incorporation of the forest commons into state forests and the alienation of local control.

In many countries especially in

Southeast Asia, the state owns majority of the land called public lands. Forestry laws, which override the basic agrarian law, criminalized unauthorized occupation or working of official forest areas and prohibit the cutting and unauthorized cutting or harvesting of forest products.

 The alienation of forest lands from

local communities has long-term damaging effects on traditional regulative institutions that control access to resources. The damage maybe so severe that, even when local populations subsequently manage to reassert their rights to forest resources, deforestation only accelerates further since traditional controls no longer operate.

 Most government policies bias against

local people and in favor of timberbased economies which also severely damaged the evolution of democratic institutions in tropical countries. This has undetermind democratic principles and caused an increasing marginalization of rural people, who find they can no longer rely on their political representatives to defend their interests.

Like forestry reserves, national

parks established on indigenous lands have denied local rights to resources, turning local people practically overnight from being hunters and cultivators into poachers and squatters. The problem is widespread.

THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (from: IFAD,2003)

Poverty

is closely linked to marginalization, and among the most vulnerable and marginalized of the rural poor are indigenous peoples who make up one-third of the 900 million extremely poor rural people in the world. For a host of political and historical reasons, many have been pushed onto the least fertile and most fragile lands. Many indigenous people find it difficult to grow enough food to eat to earn a living, to be educated and learn new skills, to get medical care and to take steps to improve their lives.

 Living in remote areas, far from centers of

commerce and power, they may also find it difficult to influence the policies, laws, and institutions that can improve their circumstances and shape their futures. Many indigenous people do not have the legal right to live on the lands they depend for survival or to use the resources in a sustainable manner for some thousands of years. The resources are being exploited by outsiders, with few benefits flowing to indigenous communities with little regard for natural environments. This exploitation of resources can result in the displacement of indigenous peoples from their traditional lands.

Tradition and Indigenous Peoples

Culture and traditions are exceedingly

important for indigenous peoples. Their value systems are often based on a close relationship with natural resources, for both subsistence and spiritual needs. They play a crucial role in the stewardship of the earths natural resources and biodiversity.

 Have rich and varied local systems of traditional knowledge, such as ecosystems management, technologies, medicinal plants and local crops. Territories where indigenous peoples live hold considerable economic potential as sources of water, timber and high-value niche products such as medicinal plants, organic foods and hand-woven

products. These products are increasingly the focus of commercial interest but indigenous communities rarely receive a fair share of the economic benefits. Private companies apply for patents on plants and other resources that have traditionally been used by indigenous peoples.

 Secure access to their lands Empowerment through capacity-

Issues Crucial for the Indigenous People

building and genuine participation Recognition and revitalization of indigenous knowledge and culture Promotion of inter-cultural awareness Support to bilingual and crosscultural education

 Enhancement

of indigenous identity and self-esteem Promotion of womens capacity for autonomous action in the face of constructing social sanctions and structural inequalities Strengthen institutions and organizations

Sapay kuma ta naawatan yow apow!!! THANK YOU and GODBLESS ....