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Large scale logging of Rosewood in the Sarstoon Temash National Park, SATIIM’s rangers report

Thirty eight Rosewood flitches were found on the Bank of the Sarstoon River inside the national park. Significant amounts were located further away. The rangers did not extract the logs because of safety reason. The locations of the operations are the areas of the Black Creek and the Graham Creek. Since the Government of Belize terminated its partnership with SATIIM, only SATIIM has maintained presence since August of 2013.

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SATIIM continues to patrol the entire area along with traditional leaders considering that some of these areas from part of indigenous peoples traditional lands.

Considering the escalation of illegal operations in the area, SATIIM appeals to the Government to support the efforts of SATIIM and the indigenous leaders to safeguard the pristine resources. rosewood logs

Position available immediately

Finance and Administration Manager

SATIIM is an indigenous community-based organization, which promotes and protects the rights of Indigenous Peoples and safeguard the ecological integrity of the Sarstoon Temash Region and promote the sustainable use of its resources for its Indigenous Peoples economic, social, cultural, environmental, and spiritual wellbeing.

SATIIM is looking for a highly motivated individual for the position of finance and administration manager. The manager’s primary responsibility will be to ensure the effective and efficient financial and administrative functions of SATIIM. The manager will play a critical role in collaborating with the Executive Director and Board in strategic decision-making and operations as SATIIM continues to enhance its quality programming and build capacity. The manager leads, develops, and supervises an internal team to support the following areas: finance, business planning and budgeting, administration and human resources and management.

SATIIM is looking for an individual that has the following skills and qualifications

  • University degree in finance, accounting or other related field
    • Three or more years of financial management and staff administration in an NGOs is required
    • Proven experience in working with Quick books accounting software is required
    • Demonstrated experience and skills with budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting preparation and presentation and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports
  • Strong accounting skills and experience
  • Prior management experience and strong organizational skills
  • Fluent in oral and written English
    • Experience in grants management and an understanding of donor regulations is an advantage
    • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines
  • Result orientated and organizational capacity.
    • Ability to work with a team in an intense environment

Interested individual can obtain copies of detail TOR for the position by writing to [email protected]

Interested individual should send their application with three references clearly labeled: Finance and Administration position to Administrative Secretary at 81 Main Street, Punta Gorda.  Or email documents to [email protected]  Only finalists will be contacted.

Deadline for application is Tuesday November 26, 2013.

Friday October 25th, 2013:

The Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) and the four Maya Q’eqchi communities’ case concluded on Wednesday October 23rd, 2013, before Supreme Court Justice Michelle Arana.  SATIIM, Midway, Conejo Creek, Crique Sarco and Graham Creek filed the claim on July 22, 2013, after the Government of Belize approved an environmental compliance plan (ECP) and provided a permit for US Capital Energy to drill for oil. SATIIM and the four Maya communities contend that the Government violates their rights to Free Prior and Informed Consent as customary land owners when it granted US Capital Energy the green light to drill on Maya ancestral lands and inside the Sarstoon Temash National Park; territory which also forms part of Maya ancestral lands.  SATIIM and the four communities’ legal counsel argued in court that the EIA consultation process cannot be a substitute for the State’s obligation to obtain the Indigenous Peoples’ Free Prior and Informed Consent as required by domestic and international laws. SATIIM, as legal representative of the four indigenous communities, and the members of the communities maintained that they were never consulted. Justice Arana reserved her ruling for a date to be announced.

Images of the hearing

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Media reports on the hearing:

Text transcript- http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/91689#

Video-  http://vimeo.com/77558462?

Text transcript- http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=26860&frmsrch=1

Video- http://vimeo.com/77557942

http://amandala.com.bz/news/maya-gob-hearing-due-tuesday/

Text transcript- http://www.plustvbelize.com/news/satiim-challenges-gob-over-oil-drilling-in-national-park/

http://amandala.com.bz/news/petroleum-rights-trump-land-rights/

The Community Development Program recently focused on creating an Indigenous model of food sovereignty and sustainable development. As a result of UN- and EU-funded pilot projects, the combination of modern sustainable soil and Mayan practices tripled corn yields and increased plant resilience to documented climate changes.
As a result of the recent ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice that the Belize government legalize communal Maya land, this program is now focused on creating a replicable model of community-led mapping and demarcation, leading to the country’s first Maya Land Registry. SATIIM is also leading peer-to-peer trainings in Maya-led mapping and demarcation with communities in Guatemala.

The Human Rights Program is designed to empower SATIIM’s member communities – and ultimately all people in Belize and those with similar struggles across the globe – for full participation in their societies. In Belize, SATIIM’s legal success has inspired other grassroots groups to fighting for a voice in decisions that affect them. Globally, SATIIM continues to inform other Indigenous efforts on how to defend their lands and sustainably manage them according to their cultures. Most recently SATIIM is at the forefront of a nascent regional movement in Maya-led natural resource management and forest protection.