James Stinson Participates in Maya-Led Ab’ink

October 29, 2019

Postdoc Fellow James Stinson was in Toledo, Belize, last week to participate in Ab’ink (Listening Space) of Maya Traditional Knowledge Holders and Academics.

Organized by Maya leaders, the event follows their recent victory at the Caribbean Court of Justice, which now requires the Belize government to recognize and protect Maya land rights. The gathering was an opportunity to envision and plan for a future of land security and integrity, and a community-oriented economy owned and controlled by Maya people.

Dr. Stinson was invited to speak at a session titled Natural Resources Stewardship In Maya Communities with local conservationists Rafael Manzanero and Esther Sanchez-Sho and academic scholars Becky Zarger and Sean Downey. His long-standing relationship with this community began with Dr. Stinson's PhD. research on Indigenous co-management of the Sarstoon Temash National Park in the Toledo District of southern Belize.

Image Credit: Speaker at Ab'ink of Maya Traditional Knowledge Holders and Academics / Maya Leaders of Southern Belize facebook page / 2019