Past Projects
Nation Re-Building
Garifuna Nation Re-Building:
Self-sustainability is central to the Garifuna belief system, both as a collective and as a people, and is paramount to the continued cultural survival of the Garifuna. We are supporting the Garifuna across five countries in Central America in their Nation Re-Building efforts. We are helping them rebuild localized food security and economic development opportunities with a focus on regenerative agriculture, natural healing remedies and superfood products for the healing and wellbeing of the Garifuna people and society at large.
Partnerships for Economic Empowerment Peru
Working with the communities in Chumbivilcas, Cusco, Peru, to support them in developing a vision, a plan and economic opportunities for their people, and to diversify their local economy through organic agriculture and businesses to support inclusive and participatory natural resource development in the mining sector.
The project included annual educational exchange trips to Canada with Indigenous community leaders (women, men, youth and Elders) to meet with First Nations leaders, local businesses and programs to learn and exchange lessons in sustainable development and mining.
The project also included 4-6 month internships for farmers
from Chumbivilcas at Harmony Organic to learn about organic
dairy farming.
Project partners included:
Communities of Chilloroya, Uchucarco and Cullahuata, Northern College, Harmony Organic and Hudbay Minerals Peru.
Creating Maya Economies, Belize
Working with the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledos Alcaldes Association to support the 39 Maya communities in Southern Belize begin to implement their land rights victory by looking at opportunities and planning for sustainable development for and by Maya people.
Project partners included:
Maya Leaders Alliance, Toledos Alcaldes Association, the University of Arizona’s Indigenous Law and Policy Program (led by Prof. James Anaya).
Shuar Federation, Ecuador
Working with the Shuar Federation that represents 77 communities in Southern Ecuador, near the Lundin Gold Frutas del Norte gold mining project. We supported the community leaders in understanding the mining cycle, how they may negotiate their interests and plan for a diversified local economy that reflects their values as a strong and vibrant people.
Project partners included:
Shuar Federation, Global Affairs Canada, Lundin Foundation, Lundin Gold.
Shuar Land Mapping, Ecuador
Supporting a number of Shuar communities in the province of Morona-Santiago to map their traditional territory in order to secure title to their lands. Mining has recently come to this province and the communities are eager to participate from a position of strength that reflects their true rights as land owners in the region.
Project partners included:
Shuar communities, AmazonGISnet, MEC Capital.
