National Garifuna Council says ‘back our own’ in village council elections

By Aaron Humes: The National Garifuna Council (NGC) wants members of their ethnic group to look out for themselves and the Garinagu as a people in village council elections.

In a statement issued today, the Council says it is concerned “about reports of non-Garinagu vying for office in one of our communities” – i.e., Barranco, Hopkins, Georgetown, and Seine Bight.

It claims it “does not support partisan politics because it has never positively impacted our people.” But it does ask members and the residents of these communities to “exercise their rights and choose leadership that will represent the best interests of the Garinagu. Let us put aside our differences for the future of our Garifuna communities and ensure the continuity of Garifunaduoun.”

The Council says the Garifuna’s spirit and nature of what it calls “Au bun, Amürü Nun (I for you, you for me)” has previously been taken advantage of, but not anymore: “Let us not allow anyone who does not put the best interests of our people first to take control of our Garifuna communities. We encourage you to support genuine and committed Garinagu vying for different positions in this year’s Village Council elections… Let us be our brother and sister’s keeper…”

The statement comes amid efforts among some Garinagu to preserve portions of the Stann Creek and Toledo District as property with communal land rights, similar to the Maya of the Toledo District, with whom some leaders of the Garinagu have made common cause.

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