Jean La Rose

Last updated

Jean La Rose
Born6 May 1962
NationalityGuyanese
Known forGrassroots environmentalism
Awards Goldman Environmental Prize (2002)

Jean La Rose (born 6 May 1962) is an Arawak environmentalist and indigenous rights activist in Guyana. She was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2002 for her work to halt mining in their territories, to secure inhabitants full rights to traditional lands, and to save Guyana's forests. [1]

She is the Executive Director of Amerindian Peoples Association which was founded in 1991, La Rose joining in 1994. She worked with Oxfam charities for funding. [2]

According to La Rose, bringing indigenous issues to the national stage is to "preserve the environment in a wholesome way. We want to do our farming yes, We want to preserve our cultural sites. We want to preserve our languages. We can still preserve many of these things if legislation and policy protects us." [2]

Personal life

Born in Guyana's North West district, La Rose attended Rosa Roman Catholic School (Now Santa Rosa Primary), then obtained a scholarship to attend South Georgetown Secondary School, graduating in 1974. She worked at the University of Guyana library, until securing a scholarship to study there for her Bachelor’s Degree in History in 1991. In 1992, she participated in an International Cooperative Human Rights Training Programme, sponsored by the Canadian Human Rights Foundation in Quebec and in 1998 an course on ‘Indigenous Rights in the International System, organized by the International Training Centre for Indigenous Peoples in Greenland. These programs gave La Rose insight to the deficiencies of the Amerindian Act for protecting indigenous people. [3]

In Guyana, she coordinated a signature campaign to put a moratorium on timber concessions at a 1994 World Bank Meeting, as well as other efforts in campaigning for "reducing the effect and impact of mining on indigenous communities, reviewing the Amerindian Act, reforming the Constitution of Guyana to include indigenous and environmental rights, renouncing the Beal Aerospace Project in the Waini area, amending the Kaieteur National Park Act to encompass right of occupation and use for Patamona people, and ensuring Amerindian rights in the establishment of protected areas." In 1998, she worked with Amerindian communities to put forth a lawsuit for land titles. Amerindians were granted land under the Constitution of Guyana, however, destructive mining activities adjacent to Amerindian owned lands impact their water supply. [3]

She was elected vice-chairman of the Constitution Reform Commission in 1999 [4] resulting in creation of the Indigenous Peoples Commission and Article 149 G. [3]

In 2017, she worked with indigenous communities of the greater Caribbean region to form a group similar to Latin American countries. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arawak</span> Group of indigenous peoples of South America and of the Caribbean

The Arawak are a group of indigenous peoples of northern South America and of the Caribbean. Specifically, the term "Arawak" has been applied at various times to the Lokono of South America and the Taíno, who historically lived in the Greater Antilles and northern Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. All these groups spoke related Arawakan languages.

Matthews Ridge is a small village within the Barima-Waini administrative region of Guyana. The village name comes from the name of a public official, Matthew Young, as well as the ridges in the area. The village is divided into three sections, Heaven's Hill, Hell Hill and the valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiriyó people</span> Cariban ethnic group of Brazil, Suriname and Guyana

The Tiriyó are an Amerindian ethnic group native to parts of northern Brazil, Suriname, and Guyana. In 2014, there were approximately 3,640 Tiriyó in the three countries. They live in several major villages and a number of minor villages in the border zone between Brazil and Suriname. They speak the Tiriyó language, a member of the Cariban language family and refer to themselves as tarëno, etymologically 'people from here' or 'local people'.

Guyanese literature covers works including novels, poetry, plays and others written by people born or strongly-affiliated with Guyana. Formerly British Guiana, British language and style has an enduring impact on the writings from Guyana, which are done in English language and utilizing Guyanese Creole. Emigration has contributed to a large body of work relating the Guyanese diaspora experience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahdia, Guyana</span> Town and regional capital in Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana

Mahdia is the capital of the Potaro-Siparuni region of Guyana, located near the centre of the country at an altitude of 415 metres (1,362 ft).

The Arawak village of Wakapau is located in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region of Guyana, on the Wakapau River, a tributary on the west bank of the Pomeroon River, 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from its mouth. The name originates from the Lokono word ‘Wakokwãn’, which means pigeon. The village is composed of twenty inhabited islands. Some of the islands only contain a single family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalina people</span> Indigenous people native to the northern coastal areas of South America

The Kalina, also known as the Caribs or mainland Caribs and by several other names, are an indigenous people native to the northern coastal areas of South America. Today, the Kalina live largely in villages on the rivers and coasts of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil. They speak a Cariban language known as Carib. They may be related to the Island Caribs of the Caribbean, though their languages are unrelated.

Michael Arthur Gilkes was a Caribbean literary critic, dramatist, poet, filmmaker and university lecturer. He was involved in theatre for more than 40 years, as a director, actor and playwright, winning the Guyana Prize for Drama in 1992 and 2006, as well as the Guyana Prize for Best Book of Poetry in 2002. He was also respected for his insight into and writings on the work of Wilson Harris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patamona people</span>

The Patamona are an Amerindian people native to the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana and northern Brazil. They speak a Cariban language, Kapóng, and have often been referred to interchangeably as Akawaio or Ingariko. Patamona are considered a sub-group of Kapon people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guyana</span> Country in South America

Guyana, officially the Co‑operative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern mainland of South America. Guyana is an indigenous word which means "Land of Many Waters". The capital city is Georgetown. Guyana is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Brazil to the south and southwest, Venezuela to the west, and Suriname to the east. With 215,000 km2 (83,000 sq mi), Guyana is the third-smallest sovereign state by area in mainland South America after Uruguay and Suriname, and is the second-least populous sovereign state in South America after Suriname; it is also one of the least densely populated countries on Earth. It has a wide variety of natural habitats and very high biodiversity.

Prostitution in Guyana is illegal but widespread. Prostitution law is antiquated and dates from the colonial era. Law enforcement is inconsistent and sex workers report violence and abuse by the police. Many turn to prostitution for economic reasons and the lack of other job opportunities. Prostitution continues to receive greater public attention due to the high incidence of HIV/AIDS among prostitutes. Prostitution in the country is separated into three types: "uptown", servicing affluent clients, "downtown", servicing the working classes, and mining sites. UNAIDS estimate there to be 6,000 prostitutes in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aleta Baun</span> Indonesian environmentalist

Aleta Baun is an Indonesian environmental activist. She has been described as the Indonesian Avatar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indigenous peoples in Guyana</span> Earliest inhabitants of Guyana

Indigenous peoples in Guyana, Native Guyanese, or Amerindian Guyanese are Guyanese people who are of indigenous ancestry. They comprise approximately 9.16% of Guyana's population. Amerindians are credited with the invention of the canoe, as well as Cassava-based dishes and Guyanese pepperpot, the national dish of Guyana. Amerindian languages have also been incorporated in the lexicon of Guyanese Creole.

Karen de Souza is a Guyanese women and child's rights activist who has worked to advocate for victims, educate and provide support for victims of violence. Founder of the NGO Red Thread anti-violence campaigns, she has been involved in training programmes of judicial officers and contributed to the drafting law to protect trafficking and anti-violence. Her advocacy has been recognized by both regional and international organizations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liz Chicaje</span> Peruvian environmental activist

Liz Chicaje Churay is an indigenous Peruvian leader who has contributed significantly to the protection of rainforests and rivers in the Loreto area of northeastern Peru, safeguarding the rights of the Yagua people. Thanks to her efforts, the Yaguas National Park was established in 2018. In January 2019 in Lima, she was awarded the Franco-German prize for human rights by the French and German ambassadors.

Isseneru is an Amerindian settlement in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region of Guyana, approximately 15–20 miles west of Kurupung.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squatting in Suriname</span> Occupation of unused land or derelict buildings without the permission of the owner

Squatting in Suriname is the occupation of unused land or derelict buildings without the permission of the owner. Maroons and indigenous peoples such as Tiriyó Amerindians have squatted buildings and illegal gold prospectors have occupied land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yvonne Fredericks-Pearson</span> Guyanese politician

Yvonne Fredericks-Pearson is a Guyanese politician. She has been a member of the National Assembly since 2015. She served as Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka from 1994 to 2012.

Alexandra Narváez Trujillo is an Ecuadorian scientist and Indigenous leader who advocates for the protection of her community's lands and cultures. She is a professor at the School of Biological Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, where she has conducted research on the bioactivity of Ecuadorian fungal endophytes. In addition to her scientific career, Narváez is an Indigenous leader and activist in Ecuador, and has played a crucial role in her community's efforts to defend their rights to land and cultural survival in the Amazon rainforest. She has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to science and Indigenous activism, including the 2022 Goldman Environmental Prize.

Paul Sein Twa is a Karen environmentalist and indigenous activist from Myanmar who works to preserve the culture and environment of the Salween River basin. He co-founded the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN) in 2001 to help Karen indigenous communities the preservation and protection of their land and heritage. He received the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2020 for his efforts.

References

  1. Goldman Environmental Prize: Jean La Rose Archived 7 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved on November 10, 2007)
  2. 1 2 "APA: 28 years of fighting for Indigenous People's rights". Kaieteur News. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Untiring advocate for indigenous rights and environmental integrity". Kaieteur News. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  4. "GUYANA: Jean La Rose Wins the Goldman Environmental Prize". www.culturalsurvival.org. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  5. "Caribbean Indigenous peoples to form regional body". Department of Public Information. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2021.