Who is looking for the
survivors of Indigenous Peoples Villages in Nepal?
April 29th, 2015
By: Tai Pelli
 |
| Pratap Singh Nachhiring |
 |
| Pratap Singh Nachhiring and a sister from the Rai Peoples |
I found out about the Earthquake in Nepal, the morning I was
to check-out of my hotel, after attending the first week of the United Nations
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York. As most of the Indigenous
delegates know, the cost of staying in NYC is high and most of us get to
participate for only one week. (The previous week, I mentored other Indigenous
Delegates through Tribal Link’s Project Access.)
Still, I found it peculiar that as I read news reports and
watched videos on the situation, there was a lack of mention of Indigenous
communities affected by the earthquake. Granted, I know there were landslides
making reaching those places almost impossible, but we now there are
helicopters, and although there was a shortage of those as well, one would think,
in all fairness, that as citizens of Nepal, they too, receive the same
assistance and consideration than those in the city and those foreigners who
were rescued in other parts by helicopters. That has not happened for
Indigenous Peoples. It wasn’t until yesterday that I first read about a concern
by an Asian Organization that wrote an article about the impact on Indigenous
Villages.
Since Saturday, I have been looking for my dear friend,
colleague and Indigenous brother, Indigenous and Human Rights Advocate, Pratap
Singh Nachhiring, and founder of the Kirat Rodu Nachhiring Sakham, Nepal, as
well as his Nachhiring Peoples and the Rai Peoples, who reside up in the hills.
I have found no mention on these communities at all.
Understanding that the airport in Nepal is now congested from
all the planes that are bringing aid, would it be fair to say, that perhaps
some of these efforts could be spread and not just centered for the Kathmandu city
area? ALL LIVES MATTER!!! There are other smaller airports that could receive
some planes and helicopters. I am of the opinion, that if there is a chance for
survivors in these communities, an effort should be made to try to give them a
chance at life as well. The impact of this earthquake and the aftershocks is
overwhelming, yet, we cannot forget about the Indigenous citizens of Nepal,
even if they have made a few reports on Human Rights Violations and have stood
up defending their inherent rights as a Peoples! One wouldn’t want to think
that this grave situation has become “convenient to eliminate the Indigenous
problem”, as some in many parts of the world have decided to nick those of us
who defend our inherent rights! ;-)
Tai Pelli
