Archaeologist speaks on behalf of Mayas in court…

The courtroom today did not have the drama it did on Wednesday when the land rights case of the Mayas versus the government began. Hundreds packed the courtroom then, spilling into Battlefield Park when opening arguments were heard. It was quiet today when further arguments were heard before Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh. The Mayan Leaders’ Alliance and the Alcaldes’ Association are trying to seek protection for thirty-eight Mayan communities in Toledo. While it is yet to be seen how the C J’s ruling of 2007 that Conejo and Santa Cruz have constitutionally protected customary land tenure rights will play into this particular hearing, the contenders shared their views. The claimants’ expert witness, Archaeologist, Dr. Richard Wilk, was cross-examined by the attorney for the government, Lois Young. Wilk says there is sufficient evidence to show that the Mayas have continuously occupied the Toledo District over the last several hundred years. But Young differs and hopes to rely on an affidavit by government’s Chief Archaeologist, Dr. Jaime Awe.

Dr. Richard Wilk, Claimant’s Expert Witness
“There were Mayan people, Mopan speakers, Chol speakers and probably some Ketchi speakers living in Toledo District before the conquest and that many of them were driven out, many of them were killed, many taken as slaves, but some of them survived in the forests. We now have good evidence that the Toledo District was never an empty land. So I think indigenous people, Mayan people, if you wanted to say they had a right from time immemorial, you could.”

Lois Young, Attorney for A.G.
“It would be very, very easy if you could jump up and say I have been here from time immemorial and this piece of land is mine. Now land is a huge issue. What the cases show, in my humble opinion, is that the people who have gotten indigenous title have been able to show that I have been here. They can actually show you by tracing it that we don’t have any outside influences coming in.”

Marion Ali
“What makes their case different from the Mennonites, especially the ones from Blue Creek?”

Lois Young
“Because the Mennonites came recently. You see, you have to establish that you were here at the time when sovereignty was asserted.”

Marion Ali
“But they are saying that they were here long before the British and Spaniard settlers. Doesn’t that give them more right to their claim?”

Lois Young
“Well, we wah argue that in court Marion.”