Change of Authority on
Municipality of Prinzapolka
January 31, 2005
The new office of Contigo
International/ Limi-Nawâh. S.A. was
the site of the official change of
the guard from the old municipal
officials to the new. Prinzapolka
is one of three municipalities of
the Atlantic Coast that has elected
Yatima leadership for the first time
in the history of Nicaragua. The
new Alcalde, Ekland James Molina and
Vice-Alcalde, Roy Wilson Saunders
were sworn in as power was
transferred from the outgoing
Alcalde, Raymundo Jorge Tripas to
Eklnad James. The new consejales
include Donald Odon Rostran, Jose
Elias Reyes Moris, Mariana Gradiz
Vanegas y Ronald Flores Aragon.
Limi-Nawah S.A. is optimistic that
the new leadership will work hard to
create a positive business
environment and that the new
sawmills in Alamikanban and
Prinzapolka precede in a positive
environment of business.
2005 a Pivotal Year for the
Federation of Indigenous Communities
January 07, 2005
The new year promises to be full of
excitement for the member
communities of the Federation of
Indigenous Communities of the
Prinzapolka and Bambana Rivers and
for their fledgling corporation,
Limi-Nawâh S.A. Limi-Nawah will be
commencing operations at two sawmill
sites, one in Alamikanban and the
other in the community of Sawmil
near Prinzapolka on the Caribbean
Sea. Together these mills will
process in excess of 10,000 m3 of
logs creating both jobs and wealth
for the communities. In addition
spin-off benefits will include the
production of electricity for
community use.
March 2005 also marks the date for
the first secret ballot, 4 year term
elections for the leadership of the
Federation communities and the
Federation itself. Elections will
be held for positions of Wihtas,
Sindicos, and Board members for
social affairs, cultural affairs,
and environmental protection. The
Federation itself will then hold
internal elections for its executive
and begin the task of detailing its
governance policies and regulations
in support of its constitution. The
leaders of the communities will have
the difficult challenge of setting
the path for the future respecting
the realignment of powers between
the communities and the Federation.
In addition, the relationship
between the Federation and the
management of Limi-Nawâh needs to be
fully documented and legislated.
The Federation is planning to work
closely with the Meadow Lake Tribal
Council of Saskatchewan, Canada and
Harvard University of Cambridge
Massachusetts, USA to define the
most appropriate mechanisms for the
separation of business from
politics. The Federation is
fortunate to have the opportunity to
learn from the years of business
experiences of the Meadow Lake
Tribal Council and other indigenous
organizations in setting their
goals, objectives and strategies for
business success.
Contigo International and Limi-Nawâh Bring the Internet to
Alamikanban
Jan 5,
2005
Limi-Nawâh S.A. finally completed a
long held dream to bring internet
communication systems to Alamikanban.
Until the installation was
completed, Limi-Nawâh depended on
satellite telephone for
communications between the zone and
Managua, and unfortunately the
connection was only one way.
SATELINET, S.A. owned by Leonel E.
Roman of Managua are the service
providers for a high speed internet
system connected to the Satmex KU
band 2 using a 1.8 metre dish.
Limi-Nawâh and Contigo will share
the system and will provide
community access to information and
emails on an as yet to be set ‘fee
for service’ basis. Limi-Nawâh is
also looking to set up other systems
at the sawmill site near Prinzapolka
in early 2005 providing connectivity
between all offices of the
corporation.
|
CONTIGO
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS WITH CANADA TERMINATES IN
SEPTEMBER 2005 |
|
January 05, 2005 |
|
The next
year marks the end of the current ‘contribution
agreement’ between Contigo International and the
Canadian International Development Agency. The
current agreement which covered the period from
2001-2005 provided the money for the March 2003
elections leading to the establishment of the
indigenous corporation Limi-Nawâh S.A. , the
investment in business activities of Limi-Nawâh
and the funding for the formation of the
Federation of Indigenous communities and their
elections to be held in March 2005. The execution
of contribution agreement has led to numerous
accomplishments and essential ‘firsts’ in
international indigenous development initiatives.
Contigo is taking an ambitious approach to the
future with the development of a Phase II concept
paper that targets the following 5 major themes:
-
Economic
Demarcation through the Development of a
Integrated and Sustainable land Management Plan;
-
Political
Demarcation through the preparation of
documentation for entitlement of indigenous
lands;
-
Initiation of Pilot
Education Project based on Canadian First Nation
Successes;
-
Institutional
Strengthening of Indigenous-led Municipalities,
and
-
Evaluation of new
economic/social development programs on the
Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua and initiation of
action plans.
The Phase II
proposals are being refined and budgeted for
presentation for discussions with CIDA in early
2005 for possible support beyond September 2005. |
ALAMIKANBAN IS CONNECTED TO THE World Wide
Web
December 28
“Hello to all I am writing to let you know
that internet service has been
installed in Alamikanmban offices.
Instructions will be given to Susan and
Manuel Gradis so that the use is
effective. The cable will not be stapled
until you decide where you want it.
I hope your respond soon.”
Magaly.
MAGFOR, INAFOR AND IDR say hello to
Limi-Nawâh in Alamikanban
December
13
At 10 am in the
morning of the 13th of December,
the Minister of Magfor,
José
Augusto Navarro, the President of INAFOR,
Indalecio Rodriguez, and the President of
the Institute of Rural Development, Mario
Rosales landed in Alamikanban accompanied
by other government officials to meet with
representation of the Federation of
indigenous communities of the Prinzapolka
and Bambana Rivers and their corporation,
Limi-Nawâh S.A.
The
event was private and provided an
opportunity for the guests from the west of
Nicaragua to visit the construction site for
one of the new Limi-Nawâh sawmills, to tour
the community, and to engage in relaxed
dialogue with the leaders of the
Federation. The Federation gave a
presentation of their structure and
accomplishments, and how these achievements
reflect the important role that Contigo
International, the Meadow Lake Tribal
Council and the Government of Canada have
played in this most unique plan to transfer
the ingredients of successful indigenous
community development from the boreal forest
of northeastern Saskatchewan, Canada to the
tropical forests of eastcentral Nicaragua.
The Nicaragua officials responded with
overtures to strengthen the relationship
with the indigenous communities and of their
desire to see the people of the zone to
realize the benefits from the management of
their resources.
Limi-Nawâh has always believed that building
bridges to unite the cultures and economic
development of Nicaragua will produce the
most sustaining benefits for the country.
The open and respectful dialogue between the
Miskito and Sumo communities of the
Federation and the leadership from the
central government of Nicaragua towards a
shared vision of a future for the people and
the forest of the region gives hope to a
positive future.
A
DAY TO REMEMBER
November 19
November 19th, 2004 marks
another day to remember in the
evolution of our 16 Miskito and Sumo
communities, the collective owners
of the first indigenous corporation
of Nicaragua, Limi-Nawâh S.A. In the
afternoon of November 19th
two trucks arrived carrying more
than 11,000 board feet of Cedro
Macho ready for shipment to the
United States and the Dominican
Republic. In the evening the third
truck arrived carrying another
10,000 board feet. The first trip
was a challenge meeting all of the
requirements of INAFOR and passing
each municipality that wanted to
impose road taxes on Limi-Nawâh, but
finally after several days all was
resolved and the wood was on its
way. We are hoping the next trips
are easier and Limi-Nawâh can begin
shipping 30-40,000 board feet a
week.
IIMPLEMENTATION OF THE
AGREEMENT FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
BETWEEN THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL
DEVELOPMENT AND LIMI-NAWÂH S.A.
SUSPENDED.
November 19
The
agreement signed between Limi-Nawâh
S.A. and the Nicaraguan Institute of
Rural Development in July 2004 has
run into roadblocks which have
seriously impacted the financial
management plans put forth by
Limi-Nawâh as part of that
agreement. In early 2004, IDR
signed a memorandum of understanding
with the Canadian International
Development Agency to co-finance
operations for the management,
harvest and processing of timber
under the management control of the
communities signatory to Limi-Nawâh
S.A. We had previously announced
this agreement which allowed for
Canada to contribute $250,000 USD to
operations and for IDR to contribute
up to $290,000 USD for capital
equipment purchases. However, since
the agreement was signed in July,
IDR has refused to implement the
agreement thereby forcing Limi-Nawâh
to search for alternative financing
and to revise its business plans.
The result of the failure of IDR to
honor this agreement has had serious
financial consequences for
Limi-Nawâh as the company was forced
to search for a contractor to
process the timber.
Given the difficulties in finding a
suitable contractor and subsequent
production schedule problems on
behalf of the contractor, Limi-Nawâh
has watched the quality of its round
wood deteriorate from both exposure
and insect damage. The losses are
expected to exceed more than
$250,000 this year. In addition,
Limi-Nawâh will be forced to service
debts for financed money adding
substantially to future costs of
operations. Since signing the
agreement, IDR has expressed doubts
respecting the legitimacy of
Limi-Nawâh and have subjected the
managers to a series on unending and
unrealistic approval demands;
clearly those elements that define
the success of government
institutions can be deadly for
corporations. In simplest terms,
IDR has done nothing to help
Limi-Nawâh. To the contrary they
have erected a series of barriers in
front of the corporation. Given the
large losses the corporation was
facing as a result of its failed
relationship with IDR, Limi-Nawâh
managers had little choice but to
suspend negotiations and focus all
of its energies on how to compensate
the negative impacts of this
association.
INDIGENOUS
LEADERS OF FEDERATION OF 16 COMMUNITIES
OPT FOR MODERN ELECTION FORMAT
FOR 2005
The
Wihtas (Chiefs) and Sindicos
(Land Managers) unanimously voted
to reform their election processes
at the inaugural meeting of the leaders
for 16 indigenous communities situated
along the Bambana and Prinzapolka
Rivers by calling for secret ballot
elections based on terms of office
for its leaders of 4 years. This stands
as a great step forward for democracy
and a break with traditional election
formats based on one year terms and
a show of hands to elect successful
candidates; there was essentially
no support for the maintenance of
the traditional system. The communities
have been experiencing a great deal
of problems with political instability
and a system was highly vulnerable
to corruption. Now with the communities
making a commitment to electoral reform
and the joining forces to protect
their lands and resources through
the Federation, and to promote indigenous-owned
businesses, the door opens for
an exciting new future which can serve
as a model to all indigenous people
in Nicaragua.
DISCUSSION
OF MEMBERSHIP ISSUES
The
Provisional Junta Directiva
held discussions respecting membership
issues. They are concerned that
with the predicted stream of social
benefits from Limi-Nawâh’s operations
may initiate a flood of transient
movement to the region. Each
community needs to therefore establish
a membership list of all recognized
community residents and a voters
list for the upcoming election.
The Wihtas discussed the
concept that only individuals who
are members of communities that
are part of the Federation would
be eligible for benefits of the
Federation. They also suggested
that individuals must speak either
Sumo or Miskito, must be recognized
members of the community,
must have at least residence of
one year in the community, and cannot
be members of more than one community
at the same time. They also
agreed that a central registry of
membership must be maintained and
that each individual member should
carry a membership card. If any
community makes a decision to voluntarily
leave the Federation, all individual
rights are automatically lost.
SIXTEEN
COMMUNITIES OF PRINZAPOLKA AND
BAMBANA RIVERS SEE A FEDERATION
AS THEIR PATH TO STRENGTH AND PROSPERITY
September 19th-News Release
Important steps were taken by indigenous
leaders of the Prinzapolka and Bambana
Rivers on September 19th with
the formation of a Provisional Federation
of 16 communities. This
provisional political body is charged with
providing consistent and transparent
governance on behalf of the member
communities. A total of 16 Wihtas (Chiefs)
and 15 Sindicos (Lands and Resources
Managers) carved out the basic statutes
for the operation of the Federation
including internal elections for the
provisional executive of the Federation
and direction for the holding of a full
round of new elections based on 4 year
terms and secret ballot voting in late
March of 2005. This represents a major
change from tradition election processes
which have been based on one year terms
and show of hands voting for leadership.
[ more...
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THE EVOLUTION OF A POLITICAL
GIANT THE CONSEJO TERRITORIAL PRINZAPOLKA-BAMBANA
June 23, 2004
While Limi-Nawâh S.A. is putting together its
business operations, the 16 member communities are
moving towards a new political future with a Canadian-style
Indigenous Tribal Council. This 'Consejo Territorial'
will add the communities of Kuam Watla and Prinzapolka
on the Atlantic Coast providing the organization with
a reach to the sea. Kuam Watla is one of the oldest
Miskito communities on the coast and with the exception
of the Sumo community of Wasakin and the Miskito community
of Liasiksa, is considered the maternal community
of all the Prinzapolka and Bambana communities.
Limi-Nawâh
starts its program of economic demarcation
April 13, 2004
Limi-Nawâh S.A. has begun forestry operations.
A contractor arrived in Alamikanban April 9th and
began clearing the site for the sawmill and putting
the road. Harvesting operations began April14th.
Limi-Nawâh
pursues support for long-term forest management PLAN
March 28, 2004
The Board of Directors of Limi-Nawâh S.A. has
given its executive administration direction to pursue
a large management plan for the pine forest savanna
area covering approximately 470,000 hectares. This
plan forms part of the 'Economic Demarcation' Strategy
of Limi-Nawâh. An overview of the approach is
available here in PDF format (CLICK HERE TO VIEW).
The plan is being presented to FUNICA (Fundación
para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Agropecuario
y Forestal de Nicaragua) for 50% of the total project
funding estimated at almost $800,000 US.
Limi-Nawâh
UNVEILS NEW POSTER
March 22, 2004
Limi-Nawâh
S.A. BEGINS
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
March 04, 2004
Almost a year following the elections. Limi-Nawâh
S.A. is set to begin business operations. With the
help of the Institute of Rural Development, Contigo
International and the Government of Canada, Limi-Nawâh
S.A. will construct and operate a small sawmill near
the community of Alamikanban. IDR is providing the
resources for the capital expenditure of $162,000
for the sawmill and associated infrastructure and
Contigo and Canada are providing another $250,000
for the initial years operations. The IDR loan is
non-repayable and the operating advance is a repayable
loan to Limi-Nawâh from Contigo. Limi-Nawâh
has secured LEGAL AGREEMENTS with the Community of
Alamikanban for access to 1,000 hectares of forest
land through 2 management plans (ZARAO and SABABILA)
and another 3,500 hectares have been secured
through a legal agreement a group of Indian ex-combatants
in an area known as SUPAUNTA. In its initial year
of operations, Limi-Nawâh S.A. plans to process
3,000 m3 of roundwood, most of which will be Andiroba,
locally known as Cedro Macho. It is anticipated that
half of the production will be sold to the national
market and the other half internationally. Plans are
to move the international production by barge to the
port of Rama.
