How did the Association of Saamaka Communities (VSG) come into existence?
1996 – The Discovery That Changed Everything
The origins of the Association of Saamaka Communities (VSG) date back to 1996, when a Chinese entrepreneur arrived in the village of Nieuw-Aurora in Upper Suriname (Sipaliwini District).
He asked several young men from the village to take him to an area behind the village, claiming that he had been granted a timber concession there.
The young men were surprised. To their knowledge, no permission had ever been given for logging activities within their traditional territory. They referred the entrepreneur to the village’s traditional authorities.
A Shocking Discovery
The entrepreneur explained that he did not need permission from the village captain because he possessed official documents issued by the Government of Suriname.
Although he was unable to find anyone willing to accompany him, the young men informed the village captain about the incident.
Further investigation revealed a shocking truth: the Surinamese government had granted a timber concession of approximately 127,000 hectares within traditional Saamaka territory—without consulting or obtaining the consent of the Saamaka communities.
The Twelve Clans Unite
The discovery caused widespread concern throughout Saamaka territory.
A historic meeting was organized in the village of Piki Seei, where the chief captains of all twelve Saamaka Lo’s (clans) gathered.
None of the traditional leaders had been informed about the concession.
For the first time, all twelve Lo’s came together under one united movement called Wan Hati (“One Heart”), marking the beginning of collective action to defend their ancestral lands.
The Birth of VSG
From the Wan Hati movement emerged the Association of Saamaka Authority, which worked collectively to protect the Saamaka territory and the rights of its people.
As the organization evolved, its role expanded beyond traditional authorities to represent all Saamaka communities.
To reflect this broader mission, the organization was renamed the Foundation Bureau of the Association of Saamaka Communities (VSG).
2007 – The Saamaka Judgment
Their efforts resulted in the landmark case Saramaka People v. Suriname, heard before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2007.
The Court ruled that Suriname had violated the collective rights of the Saamaka people.
The judgment required the State to:
– Recognize the Saamaka people’s collective rights to their traditional territory.
– Respect the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) before approving activities affecting their lands.
– Amend national legislation to protect these rights.
Provide compensation to the Saamaka people.
Read more about this historic judgment → The Saamaka Verdict (https://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/casos/articulos/seriec_172_ing.pdf)
Our Commitment Today
Although the Court’s judgment was delivered many years ago, important parts of the ruling have yet to be fully implemented.
Today, the Association of Saamaka Communities (VSG) continues to advocate for the collective rights of the Saamaka people.
Working together with communities, government institutions, and national and international partners, VSG is committed to:
– Protecting collective land rights
– Strengthening traditional governance
– Preserving Saamaka culture and traditional knowledge
– Conserving the rainforest
– Promoting sustainable community development
– Empowering future generations
VSG envisions a future in which the territorial and human rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples are fully recognized and respected, while development is guided by the values, traditions, and aspirations of the Saamaka communities.
Learn more about our Mission & Vision → (link)