Deusdedit Ruhangariyo
Special to ICT
Around the world: Argentina’s Indigenous communities worry about wildfires, the New South Wales police in Australia are under investigation over the arrest of a young Indigenous youth, and a new program will train new Māori leaders
ARGENTINA: Wildfires could return to drought-stricken areas
Indigenous communities in Argentina are worried about a return this year of the heavy forest fires that devastated millions of acres across the country, Mongabay.com reported on May 23.
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A report from Greenpeace Argentina, which incorporated information from the National Fire Service, found that about 235,000 acres of forests in Salta province were impacted by forest fires in 2022, with nearly 4.5 million acres impacted by fires nationwide.
“We couldn’t see the sun for a whole month because of the clouds of smoke. For an entire month, between October and November (2022), we didn’t see the sun,” said David Sarapura, from the Indigenous Kolla Tinkunaku community in Argentina, Mongabay reported.
“It was awful,” Sarapura said, “the older people told us that fires like this had never happened before. Even airtanker planes couldn’t be used to fight the fire because there was no visibility.”
Hernán Giardini, coordinator of Greenpeace Argentina’s Forests and Climate Change campaigns, said the large number of fires in Salta was unusual, particularly in the Yungas Forest, which is mountainous.
“Last year, Salta had a significant number of fires. It is a growing problem and one that has persisted over the last three years thanks to drought,” Giardini toldMongabay.
Giardini stated that a large number of areas catching fire in Salta is unusual, particularly in the Yungas Forest, which is a mountainous area. Giardini attributed this situation to Argentina’s severe drought, which has led to the widespread spread of many fire outbreaks.
By mid-December, the fires had been slowed down by rainfall, although they continued to burn in certain locations. In early 2023, a few fires remained but their numbers were minimal, officials said.
According to Argentina’s National Meteorological Service, droughts have affected a significant portion of Argentina since 2019. In particular, the year 2022 experienced a rainfall deficit of 12.8 percent compared to the average, making it one of the 14 driest years since 1961.
AUSTRALIA: Police investigated for excessive force
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission will hold a public hearing on the use of force by the New South Wales Police Force in Australia, which already is under investigation over the arrest of a 14-year-old Indigenous boy who suffered what were described as “serious and horrific” injuries, National Indigenous Times reported on May 25.
The inquiry will also examine other systemic issues related to the arrest and detention of children following a series of incidents that have garnered extensive criticism of the NSW police force, National Indigenous Times reported.
Officials with the Redfern Legal Centre said the 14-year-old boy, identified only as YPM1, suffered injuries that were “serious and horrific” during his apprehension and subsequent arrest by the NSW police on Sept. 11, 2022. The investigation is focused on both the arrest and various issues arising from his custody following the arrest, according to National Indigenous Times.
“The use of force is a systemic issue,” Samantha Lee, the senior solicitor overseeing the police accountability practice at the Redfern center and the legal representative for YPM1, told the National Indigenous Times.
“Communities who are policed disproportionately, including First Nations people, young people, and people with living with disability and/or mental illness, will also experience excessive use of force by NSW Police disproportionately,” Lee said. “NSW Police must face greater scrutiny and oversight on this issue. The public LECC hearing is a forum to ensure accountability and transparency on use of force.”
Lee said the hearing and investigation come amid growing concerns about the use of force by NSW police.
“Monitoring, transparency and accountability is critical, not just for the benefit of the community but also the benefit of police,” she said, according to National Indigenous Times.
The commission has reported that “systemic issues within the NSW Police Force have arisen out of this incident,” including the responsibilities of the custody manager in overseeing individuals in custody, cases in police conduct interviews despite being told not to do so, and the use of body cameras.
NEW ZEALAND: Māori director training program starts
Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust welcomed the inaugural group of eight participants in a newly established Māori associate directorship program, Te Ao Maori News reported on May 26.
The eight were selected as associate directors from more than 100 candidates from diverse professional backgrounds who applied to the program, Te Ao Māori News reported.
Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust is an organization that supports Māori individuals and communities, empowering them in business, education, and governance, with the goal of sustainable prosperity and cultural growth.
The program, spanning two and a half years, was established to address the increasing need for tikanga-led leadership. Its objective is to equip aspiring Māori directors with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive as resilient leaders in constantly challenging environments.
The program has assembled mentors from Māori governance and leadership sectors, who collaborate to deliver a series of sessions for the participants.
“We all come from different paths, but we all realize that being a part of this kaupapa is more about giving back to the communities that we are involved in,” director Emma Winiata told Te Ao Māori News.
My final thoughts
My final thoughts are in New South Wales where police have come under intense scrutiny following a series of distressing incidents, including the arrest of a 14-year-old Indigenous youth. The current situation calls for immediate attention and action, as these troubling occurrences cannot be ignored.
The actions taken by the NSW police, especially when dealing with vulnerable individuals, need to be scrutinized and resolved. It is crucial that the relevant authorities promptly and objectively investigate the incident while emphasizing transparency and accountability.
Law enforcement agencies must prioritize the safety and well-being of all individuals, with special attention given to those in vulnerable situations.
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