KUNA YALA PANAMA

Cordial Greetings,

Usdup, Usdupu, (Island of Ñeque) is one of the 49 Kuna communities and the most populated island in the Comarca of Kuna Yala. Located across from the mouth of the Río Abudi River, it is an Island formed by two communities: Ogobsucun and Ustupu. It was from Usdup, in 1925, that young guerrilla fighters set off in defense of Mother Earth and to liberate the Kuna people from police repression and the policies then being applied by the Panamanian government throughout the Kuna region.

Currently in Usdup, preparations are underway to receive visitors who will be participating in the 35th International Indian Treaty Conference organized by the community of Usdup, the Kuna Youth Movement (founded in 1972), the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC. which has worked for more than 30 years in at the local, national, and international level promoting and defending the historic rights of Indigenous Peoples), the Kuna General Congress (the highest institution of the Kuna people), and other associations.

Panama has been undergoing an economic liberalization, allowing foreign and domestic investment in tourism, mining, hydrocarbons, livestock, and the installation of hydroelectric power. This has a direct impact on the territories, lands and natural resources of Indigenous Peoples. It is our hope that support strategies will be forthcoming at the International Conference to solve problems affecting Indigenous Peoples.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN WORKSHOP IN GAIGIRGORDUP, AUGUST 26TH - 27TH , 2009

In Gaigirgordup, Kuna Yala, as a first event, a Human Rights Training Workshop will take place. We’ll tour the boundary region historically disputed between the Kuna People and the Panamanian State, in the ancestral lands of Santa Isabel that border the province of Colón. We’ll learn about the historic struggles of the Kuna People, the incursion of tourism, the influence of multinational corporations, and political, economic, social, and cultural issues.

The Island of Gaigirgordup (Porvenir) is located in the Gulf of San Blas, Comarca of Kuna Yala, along Panama’s Atlantic coast, near the city of Colón. It takes 30 minutes to arrive by plane from the Marco A. Gelabert (Albrook) airport, and 45 minutes by plane to the Island of Usdup. An MJK representative will be waiting for you at 4:00 a.m. in the hotel lobby to take you to the Albrook airport, as long as you first provide us with information on your plane trip.

The participants and coordinating team will head out by highway to the Carti sector, Kuna Yala, starting at 4 a.m. on August 26, 2009. During the road trip, we’ll observe the physical boundary between the Panamanian State and Kuna territory, (you’ll see the deforestation being promoted by the State, in contrast to ecological biodiversity within Kuna territory). This trip takes approximately 3 hours, after which we’ll take a one-hour boat ride to the Island of Gaigirgordup (Porvenir). That’s where the offices are located of the General Kuna Congress, the highest political and administrative entity of the Kuna People.

In Gaigirgordup, we’ll hold a Training and Capacity-Building Workshop on the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples (August 26 and 27), to be attended by more than 50 youths from 30 Kuna communities and from the 7 Indigenous Peoples of Panama.

BOAT TRIP TO USDUP

On August 28, we’ll travel by boat from Gaigirgordup to the community of Usdup, the site of the International Indian Treaty Conference (the boat trip takes approximately 6 to 8 hours). We’ll see several Kuna communities and arrive at the Island of Usdup, from which the revolutionary Kuna youth set off in 1925 in what was called the Armed Kuna Uprising or the Tule Revolution of 1925. The conference will be held on August 29, 30, and 31.

What participants should to bring to Usdup, August 29, 30, and 31, 2009.

Participants can bring hammocks and sun hats. But it can also rain every day. Bring sun screen and light clothing. Be aware, however, that it is prohibited to enter the Halls of Congress (the community’s political discussion space) in short pants. The community of Usdup has Internet service, and if you wish to visit other communities, rivers, or historic sites, you should consult with the community itself. The community of Usdup also has telephone and cell phone service. The Sapi Dummad: Tecio Martínez, is coordinating the Conference on the Island of Usdup. His telephone number is: 6039-9165. If calling from abroad first dial country code (507).

Lodging in the community of Usdup

All the participants will be lodged in homes of Kuna families at no charge, although you have the option of sleeping in Tourist Cabins such as Kosnega  http://www.kosnega.com/fotosesp.htm at a price of 20.00 dollars per day (without meals). The cost for the cabin, room and board is 90.00. On  Gaigirgordup (El Porvenir) there are several tourist cabins running from B/. 60.00 to 90.00 dollars per day. Feel free to contact us for more information.

Climate and temperature

The climate is tropical. There can be days with heavy rains and intense sun. The temperature can range from 80° to 95° Fahrenheit (27° to 35° degree Centigrade).

THE COMMUNITY OF USDUP

The community of Usdup also invites participants and visitors to the cultural festivities paying homage to the memory of the leader of the Kuna Revolution of 1925: Nele Kantule, which will take place on September 1 to 3., featuring several artistic, cultural, dance, and oral history activities, excursions and a strong fermented chicha [fermented corn] drink.

HOTELS AND LOCAL FLIGHTS

There will be an MJK team to meet you at the international airport, identified with the Emblem of the IITC or of the MJK. They’ll take you to the Hotel ROMA Plaza, (located at Avenida Justo Arosemena & Calle 33). For reservations contact reservas@hotelromaplaza.net Telephone: (507) 227-3844. This Hotel is near our office. You can also contact us to make your reservations at: manigueuigdinapi@yahoo.es. Please be sure to send us your flight itinerary. Taxis from the Tocumen international airport generally charge B/. 25.00 dollars from the airport and another B/. 25 dollars back. We recommend that you let us know if you want us to come for you. That way you’ll only pay B/. 10.00 dollars.

VISAS

Most countries in our region don’t need a visa to enter Panama, but we suggest you consult us.

FLIGHT COSTS AND SCHEDULES

To travel by plane to the Island of Usdup (roundtrip cost of B/. 120.00 dollars), be sure to send us the information on your dates of arrival to reserve the domestic flight. Reservations need to be made ahead of time, since many tourists and local residents make the trip each day. The departure time for these flights to Usdup is 6:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 10:00 a.m. There are no flights in the afternoon or at night. This means that flights need to be reserved far ahead of time to ensure you’ll have a return flight and won’t have problems with your international flights.

TRANSLATION

The Kuna population speaks Dulegaya and Spanish. For English speakers there will be two IITC translators at the Conference. There will be translation English/Spanish/Kuna translation.

Allow us to remind you that for this 35th International Conference, as in years prior, the IITC does not have funds to defray travel expenses or international and domestic airfares, visa and passport expenses, or domestic transportation expenses.

The organizers: MJK, IITC, and the community of Usdup, will take charge of room and board expenses during the days of the International Conference. We are pleased to invite you to this 35th International Indian Treaty Conference. Welcome to Kuna territory!

For more information, questions, and reservations, contact: 

Mani Stanley: +(507) 6904-5476    manigueuigdinapi@yahoo.es

Conference Coordinator, or

Andrea Carmen + (907) 745-4482 , andrea@treatycouncil.org

Executive Director, International Indian Treaty Council

For emergency calls in Panama, if for any reason you do not arrive on the day indicated, call: + (507) 302-0549 and ask for Diguar or Iguandili

Other information of interest:

Telephones in the community of Usdup: + (507) 299-9218, 299-9219/72/72.

Thanks, and we hope to see you there!