UnderMining Indigenous Rights: Pan American Silver in Guatemala
Wednesday, 20 November 2019 from 18:00-20:00
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SFU Harbour Centre, Room 2270. 515 W Hastings St. Vancouver, unceded Coast Salish territories
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With:
- Luis Fernando García Monroy, Xinka Parliament, Guatemala
- Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Neskonlith First Nation Chief and Secretary-Treasurer, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
For nearly a decade, the Indigenous Xinka people in Guatemala have peacefully opposed the Canadian-owned Escobal silver mine--in defense of their lands, waters, and way of life. For their resistance, Xinka community members have been killed and jailed. Some have been forced to abandon their homes and land.
In 2017, community direct action stopped activity at the mine. Shortly after, the Guatemalan courts recognized that the Guatemalan government discriminated against the Xinka and ordered the state to consult them. Incredibly, the Escobal mine--one of the largest silver mines in the world--was suspended mid operation.
In February 2019, the halted Escobal mine was purchased by Vancouver-based mining giant Pan American Silver.
Now, instead of implementing the open, inclusive consultation process promised in the court ruling, the Guatemalan government appears to be working in the interests of the Canadian mining company--by fast tracking an exclusionary, potentially illegal process aimed at reopening the mine without the Xinka people or their consent.
On November 20th and 21st, delegates of the Indigenous Xinka Parliament will visit Vancouver to share their stories of resistance to Canadian mining, to communicate their longstanding practices of self-determined development, and to call on Vancouver-based Pan American Silver to Stop UnderMining Indigenous Rights! Drop the Escobal Mine!
Please join us!
This event features Luis Fernando García Monroy. Luis is from the San Rafael las Flores, Santa Rosa region in Guatemala and has been active in the resistance to the Escobal mine for nearly a decade. Luis, his father, and other community members were shot outside the mine while participating in a peaceful protest in 2013. He was a plaintiff in the lawsuit against Tahoe Resources, which was concluded earlier this year. Currently, he works as a paralegal and community organizer with the Xinka Parliament.
Local respondents' panel includes:
Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary Treasurer of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. Chief Wilson has served the Neskonlith First Nation for ten years as chief and eight years as a council member. She is a strong advocate for recognition of inherent title and rights and self-determination and for the fundamental shifts needed for the survival of all Peoples.
Tour and related events organized by:
Amnesty International | Breaking the Silence (BTS) | Bows & Arrows Coffee Roasters | Central America Support Committee (Victoria) | CoDevelopment Canada | Earthworks | Institute for Policy Studies - Global Economy Program (IPS) | KAIROS (Victoria) | MiningWatch Canada | Mining Injustice Solidarity Network | Mining Justice Alliance (Vancouver) | Mining Justice Action Committee (Victoria)| Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) | SFU Institute for the Humanities | Students for Mining Justice (UBC) | Sum of Us
Endorsed by:
BAYAN Canada | BC-Central America Student Alliance (BC CASA)/Cafe Justicia | Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights | Care for Colombian Leaders | Gabriela Women's Collective | MIGRANTE BC | Place + Space Collective, SFU | Rights Action | Stop the Institute | UBC Social Justice Centre | UBC Social Justice Institute
Accessibility: SFU Harbour Centre is wheelchair accessible via the main entrance off Hastings Street. Room 2270 is on the second floor, which can be accessed by elevator in the east corridor of the building. The room has tiered seating which is not wheelchair accessible, however a wheelchair or scooter can be accommodated on the main level of the room. Accessible women’s, men’s and gender neutral washrooms are located on the second floor. Additional gender neutral washrooms are on the main floor.
Stop UnderMining Indigenous Rights! Events are being held on the unceded traditional territories of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), Stó:lō (Stolo), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples.
- Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Neskonlith First Nation Chief and Secretary-Treasurer, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
For nearly a decade, the Indigenous Xinka people in Guatemala have peacefully opposed the Canadian-owned Escobal silver mine--in defense of their lands, waters, and way of life. For their resistance, Xinka community members have been killed and jailed. Some have been forced to abandon their homes and land.
In 2017, community direct action stopped activity at the mine. Shortly after, the Guatemalan courts recognized that the Guatemalan government discriminated against the Xinka and ordered the state to consult them. Incredibly, the Escobal mine--one of the largest silver mines in the world--was suspended mid operation.
In February 2019, the halted Escobal mine was purchased by Vancouver-based mining giant Pan American Silver.
Now, instead of implementing the open, inclusive consultation process promised in the court ruling, the Guatemalan government appears to be working in the interests of the Canadian mining company--by fast tracking an exclusionary, potentially illegal process aimed at reopening the mine without the Xinka people or their consent.
On November 20th and 21st, delegates of the Indigenous Xinka Parliament will visit Vancouver to share their stories of resistance to Canadian mining, to communicate their longstanding practices of self-determined development, and to call on Vancouver-based Pan American Silver to Stop UnderMining Indigenous Rights! Drop the Escobal Mine!
Please join us!
This event features Luis Fernando García Monroy. Luis is from the San Rafael las Flores, Santa Rosa region in Guatemala and has been active in the resistance to the Escobal mine for nearly a decade. Luis, his father, and other community members were shot outside the mine while participating in a peaceful protest in 2013. He was a plaintiff in the lawsuit against Tahoe Resources, which was concluded earlier this year. Currently, he works as a paralegal and community organizer with the Xinka Parliament.
Local respondents' panel includes:
Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary Treasurer of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. Chief Wilson has served the Neskonlith First Nation for ten years as chief and eight years as a council member. She is a strong advocate for recognition of inherent title and rights and self-determination and for the fundamental shifts needed for the survival of all Peoples.
Tour and related events organized by:
Amnesty International | Breaking the Silence (BTS) | Bows & Arrows Coffee Roasters | Central America Support Committee (Victoria) | CoDevelopment Canada | Earthworks | Institute for Policy Studies - Global Economy Program (IPS) | KAIROS (Victoria) | MiningWatch Canada | Mining Injustice Solidarity Network | Mining Justice Alliance (Vancouver) | Mining Justice Action Committee (Victoria)| Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) | SFU Institute for the Humanities | Students for Mining Justice (UBC) | Sum of Us
Endorsed by:
BAYAN Canada | BC-Central America Student Alliance (BC CASA)/Cafe Justicia | Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights | Care for Colombian Leaders | Gabriela Women's Collective | MIGRANTE BC | Place + Space Collective, SFU | Rights Action | Stop the Institute | UBC Social Justice Centre | UBC Social Justice Institute
Accessibility: SFU Harbour Centre is wheelchair accessible via the main entrance off Hastings Street. Room 2270 is on the second floor, which can be accessed by elevator in the east corridor of the building. The room has tiered seating which is not wheelchair accessible, however a wheelchair or scooter can be accommodated on the main level of the room. Accessible women’s, men’s and gender neutral washrooms are located on the second floor. Additional gender neutral washrooms are on the main floor.
Stop UnderMining Indigenous Rights! Events are being held on the unceded traditional territories of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), Stó:lō (Stolo), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples.
Date:
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - 18:00
