On July 10 Asociacion Sobriviviencia Cultural brought to a close several fruitful days of radio-to-radio exchange in Alta Verapaz. This project was carried out with the generous support of the Swift Foundation and with volunteers from Radio Planeta in San Marcos, Guatemala. An experienced team of the radio program staff and volunteers collaborated to visit Radio Kamalb’e located in the rural community of Chantaca, Radio Nimlajacoc from the community of Nimlajacoc and Radio Tzuu Talq’a in the community of Chisec. These radios all broadcast about 90% of their programs in Qeqchi’, the regional Mayan language and focus on educating about land rights, indigenous rights and women’s rights.
The goal of this event was not only to educate and encourage the rural community radios that were visited, but also to support and take part in the valuable work of Radio Planeta. Radio Planeta was founded in late 2011 by a group of young indigenous activists in the region of Tacana, San Marcos. Radio Planeta has been struggling to maintain their energy and feel supported in the valuable work they do because of their remote location. Exchanges like these help remote indigenous radios stay in touch and exchange valuable knowledge.
Each visit included a visit to the respective radio cabin, the community, and a meeting with the board of directors and radio volunteers. Volunteers shared work stories, radio programs and materials to improve the quality and diversity of broadcast in their respective communities. One common theme was the fight to preserve and defend Indigenous territories and resources. Each participant radio currently runs programs that talk about the right of Indigenous communities to free, prior and informed consent. Radio Nimlajacoo and Radio Tzuu Talq’a use Cultural Survival radio productions to educate and encourage their communities to know their rights.
All four radios have agreed to not just maintain but increase communication and to work together to create material on the ongoing fight to defend their territories. These radio-to-radio exchanges help strengthen the network of Indigenous community radios in Guatemala that face not only legal barriers but language and educational barriers. Cultural Survival will continue to provide these dynamic opportunities to radios in Guatemala in order to defend their right to freedom of expression.
