wayfinders circle governance report english - Flipbook - Page 29
c) The Sumu Mayangna Nation |
NICARAGUA
The Nación Sumu Mayangna, or Mayangna Nation, in Nicaragua covers nine territories, five located outside the Bosawás
Biosphere Reserve, and four within it. The Bosawás Biosphere Reserve and its buffer zone is part of the Western Hemisphere’s
second largest area of tropical forest and the third largest in Central America. These nine territories cover 8,101 square
kilometers of tropical rainforests and pine savannahs where 45,000 people live across 75 communities.
The Mayangna Nation has three levels of governance:
• The Sulani, or Mayangna Indigenous government
• The Asangni, which is comprised of nine Mayangna Indigenous Territories
• The Mapaki, which consists of 75 communal governments
Communities participate through the Aslawanga or community and territorial assemblies through discussion and analysis
that approve standards for their communities. Aslawangas are formed by communities to defend their surroundings and
habitat while reinforcing community principles. The Mayangna make decisions on issues concerning their territory in
accordance with their traditions and customs through the communal, territorial and national Aslawanga assemblies. The
national Aslawanga is led by the Council of Elders and Leaders who are representatives and Wihta. All men, women, youth,
and elders of the communities participate. Each of the nine territories has a territorial government that represents the
communities.
01
TROPICAL FORESTS
Mayangna self-determination is expressed through this community governance model from the grassroots communal
structures up to the territorial authorities and the authorities at the national level. This allows them to govern through their
own local autonomous community governance system and promote socio-economic development from their own identity
and worldview.
The Mayangna Nation’s struggle for the titling of their territories and the defense of Mother Earth is an example of how
Indigenous self-government can engage directly with the State. The Mayangna people are pioneers at the national and
international level regarding rights to autonomy and territorial rights. The self-determination of Mayangna communities is
expressed through the administration of their own community and traditional justice. Wihtas, síndicos, and their council of
elders lead conflict resolution processes, and promote harmonious coexistence of all the Mayangna communities.
Indigenous peoples were previously relegated and unrecognized by prior governments of Nicaragua, but since the creation
of the territorial governments, their territories have since been restored. Today, government funds strengthen Indigenous
territorial governments with an economic allocation from the national budget.
The Mayangna nation claim their territorial integrity as the basis of their origin as peoples, and proof of their continued
existence. They have full exercise of their spiritual life and worldview based on the principles of justice, reciprocity, equity,
solidarity, innovation, respect, and discipline. They continue to strengthen and sustain their self-government alongside
multi-culturalism of the country.
Mayangna
NATION
GOVERNANCE REPORT
|
APRIL 2022
29
