Saamaka-oto

Statement by the Association of Saamaka Communities (VSG) regarding amendments to the draft law on the Collective Rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples 

Governance /

A Gross Violation of Fundamental Protections and International Law  The Foundation Board of the Association of Saamaka Communities (VSG) strongly condemns the recent memorandum of amendment to land rights, which was approved by the Government Council and sent to the National Assembly without any consultation with Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, violating the principle of Free, […]

Statement by the Association of Saamaka Communities (VSG) regarding amendments to the draft law on the Collective Rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples  Read More »

Interview with VSG youth leaders, Samunda Jabini and Biza Akienboto, regarding the work of VSG on land rights. Suriname, November 30, 2022.

Governance, Youth /

As a result of the petition handed in by the VSG youth to Mr. Marinus Bee, chair of the National Assembly of Suriname (link to the news) on the 28th of November, two VSG youth leaders are interviewed to go deeper on the matter of the petition, including its relevance in the context of the

Interview with VSG youth leaders, Samunda Jabini and Biza Akienboto, regarding the work of VSG on land rights. Suriname, November 30, 2022. Read More »

11 members of the VSG youth, hand in a petition to Mr. Marinus Bee, chair of Suriname National Assembly, to ask him to approve the land rights law and comply with the Saamaka judgement

Economy /

On 28 of November 2022 the VSG and VGS Youth (Organisation of the Saamaka Leaders) was at the National Assembly of Suriname to submit a petition where, the VSG youth group, asked the government to recognize our land rights according the verdict of OAS (Organization of American States) of 28 November 2007. Also, they need

11 members of the VSG youth, hand in a petition to Mr. Marinus Bee, chair of Suriname National Assembly, to ask him to approve the land rights law and comply with the Saamaka judgement Read More »

Women workshop news

Governance /

Women workshop news On the 24th and 25th of November 2022 a group of approximately 45 women from 13 villages participated in a women workshop. This workshop was facilitated by Samunda Jabini, a TBS consultant supported by Sara Ramirez, a TBI consultant. On the 24th the women were able to discuss the access they have

Women workshop news Read More »

From November 16 to 18, about 45 traditional authorities, including 5 members of the VSG board, met in Menimi resort, in the Upper Suriname River to define strategic actions for 2023 in relation to land rights recognition and local readiness

Governance /

From November 16 to 18, about 45 traditional authorities, including 5 members of the VSG board, met in Menimi resort, in the Upper Suriname River, to hear about the roadmap developed by Saamaka representatives who were in the Gaan Kuutu in Colombia and, based on it, to define VSG priorities on land rights in 2023.

From November 16 to 18, about 45 traditional authorities, including 5 members of the VSG board, met in Menimi resort, in the Upper Suriname River to define strategic actions for 2023 in relation to land rights recognition and local readiness Read More »

About 20 Saamaka youth members, from the interior and from Paramaribo, meet in Eselie Resort, Nieuw Aurora from 4 to 5 November 2022 to discuss the role they want to have in territorial governance of the Saamaka territory

Youth /

They conclude that they want to get formally established as VSG youth and want to actively support the Association of Saamaka traditional Authorities (VSG) in their land rights recognition processes.

About 20 Saamaka youth members, from the interior and from Paramaribo, meet in Eselie Resort, Nieuw Aurora from 4 to 5 November 2022 to discuss the role they want to have in territorial governance of the Saamaka territory Read More »

Between June and November 2022, a round of 65 meetings with 137 Saamaka traditional authorities 640 Saamaka community members were completed by VSG, VSG youth and Tropenbos Suriname to discuss the legal personality that needs to be defined to administer land rights

Governance /

In the period of June to October 2022, 65 villages Saamaka villages were informed about the implications of the draft law Collective rights of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples for the communities. These consultations were part of the governance pillar of the Working-Landscape Programme of Tropenbos Suriname. During these community meetings the communities received information

Between June and November 2022, a round of 65 meetings with 137 Saamaka traditional authorities 640 Saamaka community members were completed by VSG, VSG youth and Tropenbos Suriname to discuss the legal personality that needs to be defined to administer land rights Read More »

Between August 7 to 13, eight Saamaka leaders (four women and four men) travel to Colombia to exchange knowledge and experiences on territorial governance with indigenous and local communities from Colombia and Bolivia

Governance /

From August 6 to August 13, three members of the VSG youth (Biza Akienboto, from Botopasi, Samunda Jabini from Nieuw Aurora, Ketura Adjako, from Kajapati), two Saamaka women representatives (Celestina, Alma), captain Stiefen Petrusi, from New Aurora and Hugo Jabini, a Saamaka leader, travelled to Colombia to meet peers from Bolivia and Colombia. This reunion

Between August 7 to 13, eight Saamaka leaders (four women and four men) travel to Colombia to exchange knowledge and experiences on territorial governance with indigenous and local communities from Colombia and Bolivia Read More »