Miskito leader seeking support

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BEAVER LAKE RESERVE - Dr. Armando Rojas, director of the Miskito Indian organization of Nicaragua, made a stop at Beaver Lake, Alberta, on April 18, 1986 as part of his Canadian tour to speak about his people's efforts toward autonomy.

Rojas sits on the Indigenous Committee on Autonomy which is looking at how to achieve regional autonomy for the indigenous people and communities of the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua. He reported that there are talks currently underway between the Nicaragua government and indigenous people.

"The Indian struggle has never been a struggle to overthrow the government in power. We demand mutual respect and participation in constructing a new society in Nicaragua," said Rojas.

"Internally, we are about to finalize talks on autonomy, by the end of this year, added Rojas.

Rojas did admit that there was a problem at the beginning of the Sandinista government which had overthrown the former Samoza regime.

Autonomy for indigenous people in Nicaragua can set an example to other countries with indigenous populations, he said. For the first time Indian people can have a legitimate government," said Rojas. He compared the self-determination efforts of the Indian nations in Canada with the autonomy aspiration of his people.

The indigenous population in Nicaragua is composed of about 80,000 Miskitos (including those in neighboring Honduras). 30,000 Creoles, 8,000 Sumas, 1,500 Garifunas and 800 Ramas. There are also 120,000 mestizos (Spanish-Indian mixed people) who live in the same Atlantic region.

Rojas extended an invitation to Treaty Six Chiefs and councillors to a Symposium on Indigenous Peoples to be held in Managua, Nicaragua July 15 to 17, 1986. This conference will focus on Aboriginal rights and what self-government means to indigenous people.

"I hope this is just a beginning of our relationship with you," concluded Rojas.