wayfinders circle governance report english - Flipbook - Page 19
knowledge with external global issues.
Gabbra Governance
Many of the Wayfinders have programs to engage youth in governance
and guardianship work. Almost all have some type of bilingual intercultural education programs, some through the nation-state education system,
and some independently. Many of the initial Wayfinders Circle members
have noted strong values toward women participating equally in governance decision-making, but also recognize they have a long way to go—as
yet women are not participating equally in the main decision-making
governance structures, even if they are widely consulted at home and often
lead household decision-making. Many of the Wayfinders agree this area
has a lot of potential for overall growth and opportunities for learning.
The territory of the nomadic Gabbra includes vast rangelands of some 35,000 square
kilometers of Ethiopia and Kenya, and includes an estimated 50,000 people. The
Gabbra are known as the people of the five drums, referring to the ritual and
governance assemblies known as the Yaa, which uphold traditional laws that protect
the environment and the community. Each of the five Yaa are independent and
manage a traditional grazing area, following their own circuit, occupying and
managing a core area. Each undertakes pilgrimages, trekking along prescribed routes
at specific times determined by a combination of solar and lunar cycles of the Gabbra
calendar. Important decisions are made at the Yaa, including when and how to
undertake a mass cross-border spiritual migration that takes place in 15 year cycles.
When water and pasture are dwindling, the Abuuru (a team of emissaries) is sent to
potentially suitable locations to check availability and quality of water and pasture,
and the willingness of the host community to accept ‘visitors.’ Elders discuss and
assess potential sites, and eventually decide whether to migrate, when and where.
Wayfinders members collectively recognize there are ever fewer elders
present in their communities, and more youth seem to be drawn away
from their traditional territories towards urban centers; many of whom
never return to live at length among their people. Hence, youth engagement is an area of critical importance highlighted by many of the initial
members of the Wayfinders Circle, and many are actively working to
engage youth in activities rooted in their culture. The Heiltsuk formed the
Qqs Project Society (Qqs are translated as eyes), focused on creating
opportunities for Heiltsuk youth and families to explore and learn from the
land. Warddeken employs Indigenous youth in its land management
efforts, and organizes regular expeditions for traditional landowner families to explore the land and connect with sacred sites. The Wampis Autonomous Territorial Government runs the Sharian Leadership Academy,
which provides training and cultural grounding for future Wampis leaders.
The academy is named after one of the last Wampis warrior leaders,
Sharian, who defended the rights of the Wampis people and brought
The Yaa is a living open school where knowledge for cultural survival is passed from
generation to generation. It follows customary rules to manage time and activities
governing ceremonies, rituals, migrations, environmental protection, social order and
the rule of law. Decisions are usually made by consensus and all participants are given
the chance to express their opinions. It is the ultimate decision-making body and
does not bend its rules for internal or external pressures that do not conform to
Gabbra cultural values. The Gabbra institute taboos on the cutting of culturally
important trees and conserve sacred areas where all extraction is forbidden. These
practices have contributed to the conservation of biodiversity in the arid ecosystems.
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
them together to establish peace. The academy prepares leaders by instilling in them an integral, holistic, and broad cultural understanding of their
communities and a future vision of their people.
G overn ance L e arnings from the I nitial M emb ers of the Way fi n d ers Circl e
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