Defiance Through Dance: Ngöbe and Naso Representatives Perform Cultural Rituals in Panama City

The following are photos of a Ngöbe and Naso cultural performance in Panama City on October 11. The event honored the rich identities of both communities, identities that are threatened by mining projects such as Dominion Minerals' Cerro Chorcha mine and hydroelectric projects like that of AES' Changuinola River development.

Forum on Indigenous Rights in Panama Condemns Mining, Hydroelectric, and Residential Tourism Ventures

Everyone pays attention when Yaritza Espinoza talks. Her small, wiry frame belies a strong, passionate voice when she speaks about the hundreds of mines, hydroelectric dams, and tourist resorts that are being planned for Panama's indigenous regions. Yaritza, a university student and a member of an environmental group called Voces Ecológicas (Ecological Voices), spoke to a over 100 indigenous activists, students, and supporters at the University of Panama on October 10. The diverse group listened attentively as Yaritza explained that this impending wave of projects will lead to a surge of internally-displaced people. Whole villages all over the country will be forced from their lands by mining activities, flooding from dams, and tourist development. These internal migrants, Yaritza warned, will affect the entire country as they attempt to find shelter and new employment. She closed her presentation by showing a map of all of the proposed mining concessions, and asked the audience if their homes were located near any of the small, colored boxes on the map. Many in the audience responded with anger and concern that yes, they lived close to these concessions. Yaritza explained that over 200,000 hectares have been granted for mining concessions, and, even more shocking, that 90% of Panama's waters have been concessioned for hydroelectric power.

Map courtesy of Centro de Incidencia Ambiental (www.ciampanama.org)

Yaritza was just one of nearly two dozen speakers at this forum on indigenous rights, convened by the Ngäbe Student Association at the University of Panama. The forum highlighted the concerns of Panama's indigenous communities about the wave of projects, including Dominion Minerals' Cerro Chorcha Mine, that threaten their lands and livelihoods.

Marchers Arrive in Panama City

After walking 380 kilometers in 19 days, the marchers of the Indigenous, Campesino, and Popular Movement will finally arrive in Panama City today, bringing the voices of the people to the seat of power. Participants will be holding events in the capital all week long to call for an end to the environmental destruction that has been waged on their communities by the government and mining companies like Dominion Minerals.

Follow all the news on a new photo gallery: www.caminatapanama.org (in Spanish only)

Hasta el palacio del Presidente ' "No a la Mina Cerro Chorcha"

"Nuestra tierra no se vende!"