wayfinders circle governance report english - Flipbook - Page 12
Bilingual intercultural education and Indigenous health are central
elements of their governance.
5. Constructive and respectful relations with the State regarding their
sovereignty (even if they disagree with the State on some aspects).
They are active in networks and build alliances with other Indigenous
peoples and non-Indigenous organizations, and actively implement
conflict prevention and resolution measures.
Similarities and Differences Among Wayfinders Territorial
Governance
The current Wayfinders Circle members employ various forms of territorial
governance, and in some ways these models reflect the historical processes
and land tenancy of each people. The following are not meant to be neat
categories; indeed, many of the Wayfinders exhibit aspects involving multiple
criteria, and many of the assumptions and groupings are subjective.
Mayangna Governance
The Nación Sumu Mayangna, or Mayangna Nation, in Nicaragua encompasses nine
territories covering 8,101 square kilometers of tropical rainforests and pine savannas,
with 45,000 people in 75 communities. The Mayangna have three levels of
governance: (1) the Sulani Mayangna government, (2) the Asangni of the nine
Mayangna territories; and (3) the Mapaki—the 75 community governments. The
Assemblies are held at all 3 levels, where they make decisions on issues concerning
their territory in accordance with their traditions and customs. The national assembly
is led by the Council of Elders and Leaders, with participation of men, women, youth
and elders from the communities.
The Mayangna strengthen and sustain their own self-government and fully exercise
their spiritual life and worldview based on the principles of justice, reciprocity, equity,
solidarity, innovation, respect, and discipline.
S E E A N N E X F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
gua; with rights to their own territorial management, justice systems, educational systems, and economic development.
Autonomous Governments
The Sumu Mayangna Nation in Nicaragua have maintained their land since
time immemorial and have achieved a level of recognized autonomous
governance that is relatively rare in Latin America. They are often looked to
as a governance model by other Indigenous peoples of the region, as well as
the rest of the world. Their main three levels of governance are similar to
many others: community-level representative organizations, regional organizations, and a governance institution that represents them as a whole Indigenous nation. Yet their autonomy goes further, with their local government
and territory recognized by the Government of Nicaragua as the legitimate
local government that makes up part of the broader Government of Nicara-
Similar to the Mayangna Nation, Rapa Nui is its own Indigenous municipality, forming part of the state-level formal government, and operating alongside traditional chiefdoms which are represented in the municipal government itself. However, as an extremely remote island they operate more independently than the Mayangna Nation, which actively participates in the
Nicaraguan government as its own autonomous region.
The Wampis nation also employs an autonomous government, operating
their government entirely independently of the Government of Peru—the
Wampis territory has not been recognized by Peru, and as a result they lack
GOVERNANCE REPORT
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APRIL 2022
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