You can help elevate meaningful stories from Indigenous nations when you support ICT during Arizona Gives Day! ICT is headquartered in Arizona, and covers the Indigenous world across North America. Help us reach our goal to raise $10,000 for reliable, compelling, Indigenous-led journalism in Arizona and across the U.S.
Deusdedit Ruhangariyo
Special to ICT
Around the world: Uyghur publisher imprisoned for advocating independence and identity, Suriname halts Mennonite pilot project, Australian Indigenous psychology project continues work, colonization impacts mental health, and an Indigenous New Zealander is named High Commissioner to India
CHINA: Uyghur publisher imprisoned
According to a foundation based in Norway and officials in Xinjiang, a notable Uyghur advocate who authored books on Uyghur cultural identity and China’s oppression of the Uyghur community has been sentenced to prison, Radio Free Asia reported on March 23.
Erkin Emet, 65, listed among detained intellectuals in Xinjiang by the Uyghur Hjelp Foundation in Norway, was apprehended in July 2018, stated Abduweli Ayup, the organization’s founder.
According to a source in Kashgar, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, Emet’s family reported that authorities charged him with inciting ethnic separatism and confirmed his incarceration. However, specifics regarding his whereabouts and the duration of his sentence remain undisclosed.
Ayup learned through confidential channels that Emet’s arrest likely stemmed from his association with the publication or distribution of two specific books. One of these, “Altun Kesh” (Golden Shoes) by Halide Israel, delves into the persecution of Uyghurs during China’s Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) and underscores the importance of preserving Uyghur identity. The second, “Ana Yurt” (Motherland) by Zordun Sabir, narrates the Uyghur triumph over Chinese nationalist forces in the early 1940s and the establishment of the second East Turkestan Republic (1944-1949).
Emet was detained during the “Hui Tou Kan” (Looking Back) crackdown, as disclosed by a police officer near Xinjiang’s Health Publishing House in Urumqi, where Emet previously worked. This operation targeted Uyghur intellectuals, including writers and publishers, accused of producing materials deemed supportive of separatist agendas.
Emet, who had managed the Kashgar branch of Xinhua Bookstore in the 1990s and later became director of the Kashgar Uyghur Publishing House, moved to Urumqi in 2018 to helm Xinjiang’s Health Publishing House. There, he collaborated with Qurban Mamut, a retired Uyghur editor, until Emet’s arrest. Mamut, father of RFA journalist Bahram Sintash, was subsequently detained and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
SURINAME: Suriname halts Mennonite project
The Surinamese government recently made headlines with its decision to halt a controversial pilot program aimed at introducing hundreds of Mennonites into the country for agricultural ventures, potentially encroaching upon forested regions, Mongabay reported on March 20.
President Chan Santokhi of Suriname confirmed to local media outlets this week that he had terminated the pilot initiative, which had earmarked 30,000 hectares (74,131 acres) of land for 50 Mennonite families. This decision allayed concerns that the nation was on the brink of extensive deforestation within the Amazon Rainforest.
Mark Plotkin, president of the Amazon Conservation Team, commended President Santokhi and the Surinamese populace for their discerning approach in resource management.
“We in the international conservation movement congratulate President Santokhi and the people of Suriname for taking a thoughtful and considered move in deciding how best to manage the country’s resources for the benefit of all the country’s citizens,” he said, according to Mongabay.
The cancellation of the Mennonite pilot program is perceived as a positive step, especially in light of revelations from Mongabay last year regarding the government’s broader agenda to develop approximately 467,000 hectares (1,153,982 acres) of land for agricultural purposes. This vast expanse, predominantly consisting of primary forest, was slated for transfer to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Notably, the Mennonite pilot program appeared to intersect with this expansive area, hinting at its role within a larger agricultural development strategy involving private entities. Despite the cessation of the pilot program, concerns persist among conservation groups regarding the government’s overarching plans.
John Goedschalk, former executive director of Conservation International-Suriname, emphasized that while halting the Mennonite program is a step in the right direction, it should not divert attention from the systemic issues at play. He remarked, “People’s takeaway is that the Mennonites are the problem. But the Mennonites are just a symptom of the problem. The real problem is the careless management of our forests and the lack of land rights for Indigenous and tribal communities.”
AUSTRALIA: Indigenous psychology project
Professor Pat Dudgeon, a key figure in the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project, emphasizes Indigenous scholars’ role in embodying resilience and pride within the project, the National Indigenous Times reported on March 22.
She views the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project as a pioneering Indigenous-led initiative, essential for decolonizing and Indigenizing psychology education in Australia. Dudgeon underscores the transformative potential of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into mental health practices, aligning with the project’s objectives.
“It requires Indigenous leadership, relationality, respect, and trust. These are the core values by which (Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project) conducts itself,” he said, according to the National Indigenous Times.
The dominance of western knowledge in psychology education marginalizes Indigenous perspectives, perpetuating colonial oppression. Dudgeon highlights the urgency of reforming psychology education through decolonial and antiracism practices to create a culturally safe workforce respecting Indigenous experiences and knowledge.
Indigenous representation in psychology remains low, with less than one percent being registered Indigenous Psychologists in Australia. The Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project, established in 2013, actively addresses this disparity by advancing decolonization efforts and boosting Indigenous student participation. Its first iteration (2013-2016) laid the groundwork for curriculum decolonization, leading to the implementation of a new accreditation standard (Criterion 3.8) in 2019.
Under the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing initiative at the University of Western Australia, the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project’s 2020 iteration continues its mission. It fosters a national community of practice, collaborates with stakeholders, and conducts studies to enhance curriculum and student support, promoting cultural safety and responsiveness.
The Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project collaborates with organizations like the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association to embed Indigenous knowledge in psychology textbooks and journals, driving decolonization efforts. Professor Dudgeon emphasizes persistence in decolonizing psychology education, highlighting the project’s role as a catalyst for change.
CANADA: Indigenous mental health discussed
Hundreds of delegates gathered this week at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg for the Southern Chiefs’ Organization’s First Nations Health Gathering, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, APTN News reported on March 21.
Discussions at the gathering included Indigenous peoples and mental health. Ed Connors, a psychologist from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory near Montreal, emphasized the ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous mental health. “That colonization process is one that’s ongoing, ever since that mind was developed. It’s ongoing to this very day,” he said during a panel addressing various aspects of colonization, as reported by APTN News.
Throughout his career, Connors has focused on suicide prevention within Indigenous communities, stressing the importance of cultural connection for mental well-being. He conveyed the sentiments of youth, stating, “We’re losing our culture, we’re losing our ways, we’re losing our teachings, we’re losing our language.”
Albert McLeod, a Two-Spirit knowledge keeper and human rights activist, discussed the mental health of Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. He linked the homophobia and transphobia they face to colonialism, suggesting it stems from a fear of losing control. McLeod expressed, “It’s nostalgia for the past, and we can’t go backward in our society. We can only go forward as a democratic society,” according to APTN News.
A 2023 report by the Trevor Project revealed alarming rates of suicide ideation and attempts among Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Some provinces, such as New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Alberta, have implemented policies restricting gender expression in schools for trans and gender-diverse youth.
Despite challenges, McLeod highlighted opportunities for inclusion of Indigenous and Two-Spirit LGBTQ+ people in policy-making. He proposed the creation of Two-Spirit specific governance models within Indigenous communities to promote policy and local legislation related to health, healing and wellness.
Reflecting on the conference’s forward-thinking approach, McLeod emphasized its focus on reconciliation and decolonizing health. He remarked, “As Indigenous people across the Americas, we’ve done that for generations. Now it’s time to actualize it, and live it, and experience it as we move into the future.”
NEW ZEALAND: Indigenous diplomat sent to Indian
Career diplomat Patrick Rata (Ngāti Kurī, Te Aupōuri), appointed as the new High Commissioner to India, brings extensive experience in international relations, Te Ao Maori News reported on March 23.
Rata, currently the Acting High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, is slated to depart for New Delhi soon. Foreign Minister Winston Peters unveiled Rata’s appointment this week.
“Our diplomats play a pivotal role in advancing and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world. We are pleased to appoint senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to these important positions,” as stated by Te Ao Maori News.
The appointment holds significance as the coalition government endeavors to secure a free trade deal with India and bolster security and defense arrangements. Peters emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing New Zealand’s relationships in South Asia.
Rata brings extensive experience, having served as New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea and Italy. His background includes work on Security Council issues during his tenure with the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the UN.
Before entering diplomacy, Rata held a senior position at the World Trade Organization for a decade, demonstrating his expertise in multilateral issues.
My final thoughts
My final thoughts are in China where notable Uyghur advocate Erkin Emet, who authored books on Uyghur cultural identity and China’s oppression of the Uyghur community, has been sentenced to prison.
The sentencing of Emet, who bravely shed light on China’s oppression of the Uyghur community and championed Uyghur cultural identity, is deeply concerning and condemnable. It reflects a blatant disregard for human rights and freedom of expression.
Cultural identity is an intrinsic aspect of every individual’s humanity, deserving of respect and protection. The suppression of Uyghur cultural identity not only violates fundamental human rights but also erodes the rich diversity that contributes to the tapestry of our global society.
It is therefore imperative for the international community to stand in solidarity with the Uyghur community and advocate for justice. Governments, organizations and individuals must continue to pressure China to end its oppressive policies and release all arbitrarily detained individuals, including Emet.
Moving forward, concerted efforts are needed to uphold human rights, protect cultural identities and ensure accountability for those responsible for human rights abuses. Dialogue, diplomacy, and activism must be employed to effect positive change and create a world where every individual can live with dignity, freedom and respect for their cultural identity.
Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT’s free newsletter.
