Forthcoming Publication: Where They Stand

“They are bound to that land, and they are its true custodians.”

Written by author and journalist Fred Pearce, Where They Stand reveals the reality of life for the Wapichan people. With detailed observations, Pearce documents their determined efforts to secure effective recognition of their customary land rights covering extensive rainforests in the Upper Essequibo basin and savannah grasslands, dry tropical forests and montane forest in the South Rupununi District of Guyana.

The connection between the people and their land runs deep through generations. “I feel the land belongs to me and my people,’ says 25-year-old Tessa Felix, from Shulinab. “I want to continue my grandfather’s work so we can govern the land which belongs to us.” However, building the case to reclaim the 85% of their traditional land, which the government has so far refused them, is a long struggle.  The Guyanese government so far seems more interested in portioning off their land to gold miners.

Tessa is part of a planning team that convenes with 17 Wapichan communities to discuss their vision and a way forward for protecting and regaining their territory. She investigates claims of their land being invaded by gold miners, loggers and cattle rustlers. To carry out this work, many of the Wapichan, like Tessa, combine traditional methods and modern IT forms of technology such as using GPS on their smartphones.

Where They Stand offers a poignant insight into the way in which the communities see the mapping process as far more than just an evidence-gathering exercise.  “Mapping awakened our struggle for land among our people,” says Angelbert Johnny, a former acting Toshao of Shawaraworo village. “It brought people together.” Underpinning their land claims, the Wapichan have documented the values of their collective ownership, lives, culture and traditions.

Another villager, Claudine La Rose has focused on documenting and translating the traditional knowledge of the elders from all 17 Wapichan communities. “The elders told us how we came to be in the mountains, about the sacred sites and the spirit grandfathers that preside over natural resources.”

Positive benefits to the mapping process are already emerging. Ron James, a skilful Wapichan mapper and IT expert, co-ordinates data collection for the Wapichan’s mappers. Since completing the main maps, he comments on how surveyors have been able to deter intruders from their land. “In one six-day patrol along the river that forms the border with Brazil, we found 30 crossings, six of them active… The rustlers fear what they call the ‘monitors with smart phones’. They turn back if they hear we are around.”

Despite their efficacy, the maps used by the villagers are often ignored by the government whose own models are out-of-date or inadequate. “It is very frustrating,” says Angelbert. “We know the land much better than they do. Our maps are better than theirs. But they seem to regard them as worthless.” He added, “They asked us to justify our demand for the land extension. We have done that. But now they ignore us.”

The Wapichan people in Guyana are also facing a clash of cultures as traditional values collide with modern forces of change generated by external global influences. As well as outlining the many challenges the Wapichan face, this powerful publication highlights how their world is undoubtedly changing.  However it is hoped that modern technology and the opportunities it presents for digital mapping and global advocacy will help pave the way to the Wapichan securing their land rights for future generations.

The Wapichan want their own proposal for a large Wapichan Conserved Forest to be fully recognised by Guyana and supported by the international community as a key strategy for curbing climate change, protecting forest biological diversity and sustaining local livelihoods. 

Hundreds of copies of Where They Stand will be distributed among the South Rupununi indigenous villages. It will be shared by Wapichan leaders in global policy as part of raising the profile of their long struggle for legal recognition of their lands and forests.