STATE VISIT TO THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES - Round table discussion in San Cristóbal in Chiapas

During her visit to San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, also participated in a discussion with citizens and representatives from five non-governmental organizations dedicated to supporting women, youth and Indigenous groups in the region, among others. The projects from these organizations are funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

The discussion focused on the current situation of Indigenous women and youth in Chiapas, and the challenges they face.

The Governor General attended a dramatic presentation that aims to raise awareness of the various migration issues faced by women at the custom’s office, at the border and within the city. FOMMA is a collective of Mayan women who use theatre as a tool for education and community building. They are performers, playwrights and teachers who tour in their communities and internationally, performing plays that focus on women’s and Indigenous rights, literacy, cultural survival, ecology, health and education in the Tzeltal and Tzotzil Indigenous languages.

Canadian delegate Mr. Nicodemus Illauq, deputy mayor at the municipality of Clyde River in Nunavut expressed his ideas during the discussion.

Canadian delegate Ms. Jaime Koebel, artist, performer and Aboriginal rights advocate, shared her opinions and offered a native song to the participants.

The First Lady of Chiapas and President of the Family Services Institute for the State of Chiapas Ms. Maria Isabel Aguilera participated in the round table.

Women from the local community talked about the issues they face to the Governor General and representatives from five non-governmental organizations: Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya (searching for new labor alternatives); Domestic Employees Collective of the Chiapas Highlands (literacy program); Fundación Arroz con leche (establishing women’s embroidery co-operatives in Chenalhó communities); Madre Tierra México (communities for infrastructure development); and Germinalia (centre for creativity development and learning).