BUILDING UNDERSTANDING:

Peace & Justice Conference Features Indigenous Peoples
BY MITCHELL STROHMINGER

On April 19, about a hundred people attended the 12th annual Maryland Peace & Justice Conference, sponsored by the Maryland United for Peace & Justice and the Institute for Positive Action. The theme of the event, held at the Episcopal Diocesan Center, was "Indigenous Peoples: Joys & Struggles for Justice."
A panel discussion on various indigenous movements around the world. The panelists, representing a patchwork of nations, were culturally unique but united in their hopes for attaining social justice, respect and prosperity for their respective peoples. The speakers included:
Ms. Yuzana Khin, Women's Representative from the National League for Democracy of Burma. Ms. Khin, a longtime activist in the Burmese arena of Human rights and prodemocracy movements, discussed the need to boycott those companies which actively trade with the military junta in power in her country (also known by its orwellian acronym of SLORC: State Law & Order Restauration Council). Texaco, for example, is drilling for gas in Burma's territory, thereby bringing in much-needed cash to the junta. In order for Texaco's gas pipeline to run through rebel-held territories, the SLORC had to brutally weed out anti-govemment opposition so the pipeline project could get underway in a "stable" environment. Ms. Yuzana Khin can be reached at 410-467-8097 or by e-mail at jmac@welchlink.welch jhu.edu.
Mr. Remigius Kintu, organizer of the Uganda Democratic Coalitions Inc., has been involved in a number of political and economic initiatives in order to bring about a democratic government in Uganda, as well as improve the socio-economic level of its people. He is seeking grassroots support around the world to educate all people about human rights issues and responsibilities, especially as they relate to his country. Uganda is currently run by the dictator Yoweri Museveni. Mr. Remigius Kintu can be reached at 301-681-9035.
Ms. Pedrina Burrero Lopez, co-founder of the Rabinal Widows, Orphans & Displaced Persons Committee (a Guatemalan group seeking to rectify the abhorrent human rights record of its U.S.-supported/CIA-trained military). Ms. Burrero Lopez has known great personal tragedy in her life, having lost both a brother and a husband to paramilitary activity. For information about Ms. Burrero Lopez's goup and its activities, please call 202-783-1123 or email at manos@igc.apc.org.
Mr. Ian McIntosh, an independent mediator involved in the continuing land disputes that have plagued Australia ever since the first colonists started grabbing land from the aboriginals, spoke about the current situation in his native Australia. He also serves as a consultant for many aboriginal land owners, discussing mining proposals and tourism, and their potential effects on the aboriginals. Currently, Australia is experiencing a rash of land claims by the aboriginals, and at the same time, a far-right nativist political group is growing in power. For information on the aboriginal struggle for land and respect in Australia, call Mr. McIntosh at 617-441-5400 or e-mail him at I_MCINTOSH@BANKS.NTU-EDU.AU.
Mr. Ezekiel Pajibo, former political prisoner under the brutal Doe dictatorship in Liberia, is a longtime advocate for social justice, human rights and democracy in his country. Mr. Pajibo chastised what he characterized as the self-serving political administrations that America has had (and has now), stating that it is America's "imperialist mentality" that has caused it to support brutal, corrupt regimes around the globe in the name of large, rapid, short-term capital returns. "The American public needs to look at itself in the mirror and say we are all God's children," ended Mr. Pajibo. Mr. Ezekiel Pajibo can be reached at 202-832-3412.
Mr. Constancia Pinto, a native from the former Portuguese colony of East Timor, has been involved in the human rights/social justice struggle that Timorians have endured ever since the illegal occupation of their land by the Indonesian armed forces. He is a co-founder of the 007 Underground movement. In addition, he has participated in many diplomatic forums addressing his people's struggle for self-determination. Underscoring a common theme throughout this panel discussion, Mr. Pinto asked the audience to demand that U.S. corporations divest from East Timor. He added. "What are their [the corporations'] responsibilities for what is happening with regards to the human rights abuses?" Mr. Pinto can be reached by fax at 401-274-4784.
Mr. Keith Colston was adament about the need for self-determination among the native peoples of the U.S. "The dominant anglo culture is hurting and controlling the native american peoples," he said. With casinos sprouting up all over Reservation land, Mr. Collston's stressed that the problem is acute and urgent. In his view, Native Americans first had their land stolen, were then forced onto Reservations, and are now under cultural assault by the larger anglo society. (Later, during the workshop part of the conference, Chief Redwing Tayac, another testifier, asserted that, for the Native Americans, "Assimilation equals Exermination. Chief Redwing Tayac can be reached, during the daytime, at 301-735-5555.

NETWORKING SESSIONS

After the two-hour panel discussion, there was an opportunity to take a look around at the many socially concerned groups that had booths set up, or to participate in "Networking Sessions" centered around the themes of peace, justice human rights, the environment and youth in peace work.
Activists from throughout the region joined together to share their stories and solicit support for their work in a climate of great peace and cooperation. Organizations represented at the conference included Amnesty International, the Green Party, the City Wide Coalition, the Central American Solidarity Coalition, and the Baltimore News Network (whose monthly newspaper, The Sentinel, appears as an insert in The Baltimore Chronicle).

CONFERENCE ORIGINS

Mr. Tony Langbehn, one of this year's conference organizers, provided background information about the Maryland Peace & Justice Conference.
In l 985, during the dark period of this nation's history known as the Reagan years, Jesse Aiken issued a call to action to diverse socially responsible groups throughout the state, in an attempt to unite them though cross-organizational networking. The end result was the establishment of the first annual Maryland Peace & Justice Conference, and the establishment of the Maryland United for Peace & Justice (although this organization's by-laws weren't drafted/accepted until 1987).
The focus of many of Maryland's activists was geared towards the Freeze Movement: preventing a nuclear holocaust. By the early 1990s, the Cold War was over, but the work of Maryland activists continued. From their anti-war, pro-peace roots, many in the social justice community began to branch off to different areas in order to address a wide array of problems such as environmental degradation, lack of social justice, human rights abuses, economic inequality, and discrimination. Hence the topic of this 12th Annual Conference made sense, as all of these problems must be surmounted by indigenous peoples in their quest for a better life.
A hearty vegetarian lunch was accompanied by a Native American drum-beating session by the Pennsylvania-based group called Lenape Red Thunder. The men beat a large, home-made drum in perfect time, while chanting in their native tongue (Lenape). One song was particularity moving, as the words had no meanings, intended not to offend members of different tribes when there's a multi-tribal pow-wow. This type of graceful understanding and sensitivity is what is needed to help promote inter-cultural communication and understanding. For information on Lenape Red Thunder, call 717-627-1077.
Junior and senior high school students read their moving and inspiring peace and justice essays, which had been entered in MUPJ's annual contest. The essays demonstrated that the legacy of concern for social justice will continue into the future.
Afternoon workshops offered an opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the various problems faced by indigenous peoples. One, led by Ms. Njoki Njihu, was called "Fifty years is enough: IMF & World Bank vs. Indigenous Peoples' Rights Worldwide." Her premise was that these two financial institutions should be giving a helping hand to developing countries, but in reality they ensnare them in a complex cycle of debt dependency from which it is almost impossible to free themselves. The "models of development" proposed by the IMF/World Bank, she said, are actually destroying the environment and creating wide-spread poverty. "People want a health care system. They want education. The economic choices and decisions must be made by the people themselves, not by the `haves'," she said. "Ultimately, it is the ordinary people who should decide which model of development they wish to pursue. The IMF/ World Bank only want to create wealth at the expense of the people." Ms. Njihu can be reached at 202-667-fi098 or e-mail at wb50years@igc.apc.org.
Aother workshop, "Humanitarian Efforts in Nicaragua & Haiti," was led by Father William Callahan, co-founder and co-director of the Quixote Center. Involved in peace and justice issues for many years, Father Callahan has travelled extensively in Central America and Haiti. He gave participants an overview of the current situation in those countries, which face dire economic predicaments. His presentation was interspersed with hope: Haiti, he pointed out, is embarking on a modest literacy campaign, and its current President, René Preval, is committed to many of Aristide's reforms. In Nicaragua, the civil war is over, and the Quixote Center has been able to bring electricity and clean water to its Nicaraguan sister village. Contact Father William Callahan al 301-699-0042 to learn more about the Quixote Center.

ASSESSMENT

In this writer's view, the 12th annual Maryland Peace & Justice Conference was a very moving and important event, carefully planned and well-organized. Participants were able to learn a great deal about a wide array of issues facing native peoples throughout the world, gaining insight into the everyday lives of indigenous peoples. By bringing people together and encouraging the free-flowing exchange of ideas and expressions of solidarity between the indigenous "ambassadors" and the conference participants, Maryland United for Peace & Justice perforned a valuable public service.
For information on Maryland United for Peace & Justice, located at 327 East 25th Street, 21218, call 410-363-3140 or 301-390-9684.

Mitchell Strohminger, a recent graduate of Northern Arizona University, works and lives in downtown Baltimore.

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This story was published on May 7, 1997.