August 9 was first proclaimed International Day of the World's Indigenous People by the United Nations in 1994 to promote and protect the rights of the world's Indigenous population. This day also commemorates the achievements and contributions that Indigenous people make in the world.

This summer Cultural Survival's partners in the community radio network in Guatemala have embarked on a new initiative of local exchanges among radio stations. This past weekend, on July 21-22, two pairs of radio stations visited each other to get to know their work models.

Stations were paired up for exchanges based on shared languages, regional proximity, and a good match of skills and weaknesses.  One pair of stations included Radio Doble Via, of San Mateo Quetzaltenango, with Stereo La X Musical, of Cajola Quetzaltenango.

On July 7–8, 2012, members of 15 community radio stations partnering with Cultural Survival’s radio network across Guatemala gathered for a workshop in the Mujb’ab’l Yol training center in San Mateo, Quetzaltenango. The workshop focused on the difficult topic of historical memory of Guatemala’s 36-year armed conflict, which claimed the lives of 200,000 mostly Indigenous people. With the goal of using self-expression as a tool to alleviate trauma, participants wrote and

By Meg Holladay

By Kelsey Klug