Language Protection as Human Rights Promotion

“Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures…”

                Article 13, The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

It is estimated that more than 6,000 languages exist in the world today. It is also estimated that more than half of these languages will disappear in this century. The loss of undocumented and unwritten languages carries a great loss to human diversity as well as the cultural and ancestral knowledge that has been developed through centuries.

For over 100 years, the Wampanoag people of Massachusetts had no fluent speakers of their traditional language. However, in a truly inspiring story, when Jessie Little Doe committed herself (along with others) to revitalizing the Wampanoag language, she discovered many old documents written between the Wampanoag and the English immigrants, giving strong translation tools. A translation of the Bible was included in these old documents, and was a tremendous resource for rediscovering and revitalizing the Wampanoag language. As documented in the film "We Still Live Here" (the story of Jessie Little Doe and the revitalization of the Wampanoag language), the daughter of Jessie Little Doe is now the first fluent speaker in over 100 years.

The Kogi representatives singing songs in their
own language (Pastor Juan Carlos is in the front)

With all of the above in mind, I wanted to write about an event last Sunday night, the 18th of January, held to celebrate the completion of the translation of the New Testament into the Kogi language. After some 36 years of work, the translation has been completed and released, creating a great tool for guarding the Kogi language into the future.

Many great stories were told comparing traditional Kogi stories to those in the Bible, how they can complement each other, and what they have to learn from and teach to each other. Songs were sung both in Spanish and in Kogi, as well as a reading from the Kogi translation. The event was full of excitement and accomplishment as the story of the translation project was told.

The Kogi language did not have a written system, making efforts to learn how to write the language the first step. Now, after 36 years of work, the New Testament is finished and published in the Kogi language. During the process, some Kogi individuals were granted opportunities to pursue university degrees, especially in education. This has worked to further promote the school in the Kogi community which IELCO accompanies, and strengthen the teaching of the language to future generations.

This picture includes Lynda Gawthorne (left side), the missionary who has worked for the last 36 years to complete the translation, Kogi representatives in white, and members of IELCO involved in the accompaniment of the Kogi community

Surrounded by the dominant Spanish speaking Colombian society, it is easy to imagine the Kogi language being slowly chipped away from its people. In order to communicate with the government, with businesses, with NGOs, with churches, with many other actors in society, they need to know Spanish. As has been witnessed around the world, this situation leads to the loss of the local and traditional language of a people, further promoting loss of culture and identity. This is why the translation of the New Testament has such a significant role to play in defending against the loss of language. 

The New Testament in the Kogi language

Similarly, a goal this year for the human rights program, in its accompaniment of the Kogi community, will be to translate the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into the Kogi language, and to publish and distribute it throughout Kogi communities in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. This is a project I am very excited about as it will greatly complement the human rights training and development projects planned for the year.

Vacation Bible School

I know, some of you (or most of you) are thinking it is the wrong time of the year for this….but last week and part of this week is Vacation Bible School (VBS) [9 days here!]. I have been helping with the VBS in Porvenir, a congregation in the south of Bogota, where I have been helping with the women’s ministry. The women’s ministry is hosting the VBS, which is how I got involved, and I am so glad I have!

The week has been exhausting (to say the least), but also overflowing with love and laughter. In a lot of ways the VBS is very similar to a VBS in the states with songs, kid-style worship, crafts, games, and of course snacks. I have been in charge of the games for the week. It’s been fun and tricky for me. Some days have gone really well, and others, well, not quite as well, but still fun. Wednesday last week I divided the older kids up into two teams, boys vs. girls, for the game. Each group made a human knot, and had a race to see which group could untangle first. I really like doing this game as a race, in my experience girls-groups tend to do better (which I think is extremely important to their self-esteem and confidence in such a patriarchal society), and that is exactly what happened on Wednesday, the girls won by a long shot! The girls came over to tell me that they had won; I congratulated them, and told them how well they had worked together, and how proud of them I was. That was exactly the right thing to do, the girls had been very shy to talk to me before, but immediately they realized I liked them (and was happy they had won)….they didn't leave my side the rest of the day. I immediately felt like I was there for a reason. We spent the rest of the day talking about anything they could dream up to ask me; from my favorite Colombian food, to which I liked more: jeans or leggings! 

If it's true, a photo is worth a thousand words, then some of my pictures from the week will say more than I can. It's been a great week! 

The group of girls I really bonded with - pretty awesome young women! 

Juan Pablo making his penguin ornament (such cute crafts!)

Some of the elementary school girls coloring (learning about communion) 

Me jumping rope with Kenia (in the purple)

The youngest class (ages 2ish-4ish)

The middle class (ages 5 - 8/9)

The oldest class (ages 9 - 16)

Dismantling the History and Idea of Discovery

Today, December 3^rd, and next Wednesday, December 10^th , International Human Rights Day, the radio station of the Lutheran Church of Colombia, Punto4Radio, will be airing a two part series about building right relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the church.

The difficult history that exists between them is built on a foundation known as the Doctrine of Discovery, a series of historical documents such as Papal Bulls, Royal Charters and court rulings which call for non-Christian peoples to be “invaded, captured, vanquished, subdued, reduced to perpetual slavery and to have their possessions and property seized” by Christian Monarchs. Collectively, these documents and other concepts form a standard or pattern of domination that is still being used against Indigenous Peoples today.

This image shows how the world was divided by the Vatican during the European exploration

Rejecting this doctrine, and working towards building a relationship based on human rights, equality, peace, integrity, community, and stewardship is an important task for the Church everywhere, in fact many have issued statements repudiating the doctrine (World Council of Churches, Anglican Church of Canada, Friends General Conference, United Church of Christ,  Episcopal Church, Unitarian Universalist Church, United Methodist Church).

Wrestling with the history that comes out of this doctrine, these radio programs will look to discuss: the challenges to the construction of right relationships between churches and Indigenous Peoples; effective models of Indigenous syncretism or the blending of Christianity into their own history, knowledge and culture and how the church can accompany them in this process; examples of respectful and right relationships; and ways to build solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and organizations in their many struggles.

These exciting radio programs are a small step in dismantling the doctrine and changing relations between the church and Indigenous Peoples to a model of accompaniment and solidarity. This small step, however, is important and needed to initiate difficult conversations.

About ten minutes before the show today, I abruptly found out that I was going to be participating in the conversation over the radio.  A chair was pulled up to the table and I was told to check my microphone. With much surprise and anxiety I was able to stumble through the program (completely in Spanish). Also, due to some guest cancellations, I learned that I will be helping lead the program next week, which will more heavily focus on the Doctrine of Discovery, its impacts on Indigenous Peoples today, and challenges in promoting and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Below is the link to listen to the radio program (in Spanish) from today:

http://www.punto4radio.com/?pagina=post.php&p=700

The Fragility of Peace and International Support

On Sunday, November 16, the FARC Guerrillas captured a general of the Government’s army who was traveling within their controlled territory. The government responded with a suspension of the peace negotiations until his release. This has been the most serious setback for the relatively successful peace process. However, with assistance from Norway and Cuba as guarantors of the peace talks, as well as assistance from the International Red Cross, the FARC agreed to release the general and his companions, which should be happening this coming week.

The peace process is set to continue, and after such a hurdle, the hope is that it will have gained strength. As this exemplifies the fragility of the peace process, I wanted to include information here on the conflict in Colombia and what can be done by our brothers and sisters in the United States to support the people of Colombia to reach a lasting and just peace. A return to the table to negotiate a peace is crucial. While an agreement written down on paper will not automatically bring peace into the everyday lives of the Colombian people, it will lay out a strong blueprint and path for its implementation and the construction of peace.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA, who we work with) builds its relationship with the church and people of Colombia based on the model of accompaniment, or: “walking together in solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality”. Walking in solidarity with the church and people of Colombia starts with the victims of violence by all armed actors in the conflict. The victims are calling for truth, justice, meaningful reparations and a guarantee that the vicious past will not be repeated, including the root causes of the conflict.

The ELCA is a member of the Latin America Working Group (LAWG), a coalition of over 60 organizations dedicated to promoting U.S. policies toward Latin America that support human rights, social justice, and sustainable development. This coalition has issued a number of quality resources to learn about the conflict that has existed in Colombia for more than 50 years. LAWG has also coordinated advocacy efforts to push the U.S Government to adopt policies that will advance the peace process based on justice and human rights.

“The Human Costs of the Colombian Conflict” is an infographic with a number of statistics about the armed conflict.

“How can the United States help Colombia Achieve Peace?” is a memo produced by LAWG covering a detailed list of the many different manners the United States Government can support the peace process in Colombia.

Once the peace talks resume (hopefully soon), I will post some action items for those interested. 

Diálogo Intereclesial por la Paz de Colombia DIPaz-Colombia

This past Monday, November 10, the Diálogo Intereclesial por la Paz de Colombia or Inter-Eclesial Dialogue for Peace (DIPAZ-Colombia) was constructed. The initiative comes out of a long path taken by Churches and faith based organizations walking together for two years to build an ecumenical body involved in the peace process of Colombia.

The Churches and organizations involved in DIPAZ-Colombia include the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, the Lutheran Church of Colombia, The Mennonite Church of Colombia, Justapaz (a Mennonite organization focused on Justice, Reconciliation and Nonviolent Action), Mencoldes (a Mennonite foundation focused on development), the Inter-Ecclesial Commission for Justice and Peace, the Baptist University, the World Service department of the Lutheran World Federation, and the program of Faith, Economy, Ecology, and Society of the Latin American Council of Churches.

The three areas of work decided on for DIPAZ-Colombia will be 1. Reconciliation 2. Non-violent Action and de-militarization 3. Truth and Justice. The group has decided to work for advocacy inside the churches, with the government, other social sectors and also directly with the peace process between the government and the FARC (Spanish acronym for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) in Havana, Cuba. This work will be developed considering the following components; formation and pedagogy, media and communication, documentation, and specific processes of accompaniment.

The Dialogue (DIPAZ-Colombia) is already planning a trip to Havana, Cuba this December to present themselves to those participating in the peace negotiations and share the proposals being developed by the group. The main focus will be to push for a confirmation that after successful negotiations there will be a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to make sure the story of the conflict and the experiences of violence and rights violations do not go unaccounted by the civilian population that experienced it.

The Human Rights Program of the Lutheran Church of Colombia is very happy to be involved in DIPAZ, as am I, especially at this stage of facilitating dialogue between different churches, all searching to fulfill a reconciling role for these times in Colombia. 

From left to right: Abilio Pena of the Inter-ecclesial Commission for Justice and Peace; Milton Mejia of the Latin American Council of Churches; Jenny Neme of Justapaz and the Mennonite Church of Colombia; Andres Alba of the Lutheran Church of Colombia; myself; and Luis Fernando San Miguel of the Presbytarian Church of Colombia; and the photo was taken by Beatriz Garcia del Foro of Lutheran World Federation. 

After this post was written, before being published the Colombian peace talks were suspended.  The government decided to suspend the negotiations after the FARC guerillas captured and refused to release an army general, considering him as a prisoner of war. There has been no ceasefire agreement, meaning the peace negotiations have been conducted during the last two years while the conflict was ongoing. Please keep the people of Colombia in your prayers, as well as a return to the peace talks and its success.

To read more about the suspension: Colombia Peace Talks

Gracia (Grace)

Grace, routine, language, home….these are all things I have come to understand differently since moving to Colombia. I have been reading (almost finished) with the book “How Coffee Saved My Life”, by Ellie Roscher. It was gifted to me after returning to the states from my year in Zambia, I read it then and liked it. I started rereading it a few weeks ago. It’s about an ELCA Missionary in South America. She writes about language, routine, home, white noise, and grace….wow, there are parts of this book that could have been straight from my journal. I highly recommend it! Ellie writes so well about both the good and struggles of living overseas and living as a missionary…and stumbling upon grace.

Every week life seems to fall more into a routine, which I am so thankful for. We are totally moved into our apartment, unpacked, and settled. Last week, Curtis came from work with flowers for me. There are a ton of different kinds of flowers grown here, and we live very close to the flower district. These flowers came as a gift of encouragement for me on a day that was particularly difficult as I was struggling with my Spanish. This was one of those moments of grace, that I understand very differently now.  

Spanish has been a struggle for me, and everyone around me has been extending lots of grace every time I open my mouth. People gently correct my grammar or provide a word that I don’t know. And when I told everyone in the office I was going to be starting at a new school (and therefore wouldn’t be around as much), they could tell that was difficult for me and have been so encouraging to me and complimenting my Spanish (even when/especially when I don’t feel worthy of a compliment).

Yes, I did find Mtn Dew here! 

Yesterday, I began a Spanish immersion school. I needed something a little more intense to be able to speak Spanish at the necessary level, and this school is intense. I have class for four hours in the morning, with at least as many hours of homework. There are 8 students in my class and we are all from a different country: Hong Kong, Brazil, Germany, England, Australia, Sweden, India and the US (and all about the same level of Spanish). We are all in Colombia for different reasons, some to stay and work, others for fun, and others to just learn Spanish. The class is taught almost exclusively in Spanish. I can tell that this with class, and a little extra caffeine, and I will be at the level of Spanish I need to be to really start working.

“When we become aware that our stuttering, failing, vulnerable selves are loved even when we hardly progress, we can let go of our compulsion to prove ourselves and be free to live with others in a fellowship of the weak. That is true healing.” – Henri J. M. Nouwen

Kogi Education

The view from the community. The Sierra Nevada de Santa
Marta is the highest coastal mountain in the world,
and that is a river running into the ocean.
(Picture taken by Marian Coy)

On the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in northern Colombia, live the Kogi Indigenous People. When the Spanish started arriving in the territory that is now Colombia, the Kogi were part of an ancient civilization called the Tayrona. Witnessing the destruction brought by the Spanish to other nearby peoples, the Tayrona decided to retreat higher into the mountain and separate into different communities. The Kogi of today are one of these communities. The Wiwa, Arhuaco and the Assario are others. Living separately for the last 500 years, these communities have developed into different recognized tribes with very similar cultures, but different languages.

Another beautiful view of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
(Picture taken by Marian Coy)

Last week I was able to visit a Kogi community that is working hard to develop a school which will not only be recognized and supported by the government but stays true to their culture and world-vision. The process was fascinating, and the results were exciting. Instead of focusing on rote learning in the classroom, the structures will be based on projects that will assist the community in its development vision. A project, for example, of building an organic composting system includes all subjects needed (math, natural science, social science, art, etc.). In this way the education process will contribute to the community’s development according to its own vision as well as impart their cultural vision to the next generations.

Marian, a volunteer for the human rights program,
and a master's student in education,
 facilitating the planning process. (Picture taken by Curtis)

I was able to share my experience in an Indigenous community in Southern Mexico
and the education system they have developed. (Picture taken by Marian Coy).

Jose, one of the teachers, walking the group through the process of
building houses as a possible project, utilizing all school subjects.
(Picture taken by Marian Coy)

The committed teachers of the school spent three long days planning these projects, ensuring they are not only teaching the school subjects, but also cultural ethics and values. Discussions were held over every project about whether or not it successfully included environmental consciousness, the empowerment of women, skills training for life in the community, the strengthening of participatory processes and democratic values. The implementation of these projects for education is important and I am excited to accompany this community throughout the process.

The group of teachers and community leaders involved in the process
before we went back down the mountain (I am in the back row).
(Photo taken by Marian Coy)