By Carola Rico
In San Miguel, free information is provided for indigenous peoples and communities, regarding the process for the nomination of candidates for federal positions in popular elections.
León Rodríguez García, director of the Coordinating Center of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples, spoke in detail at an interview with Atencion San Miguel. He explained how the indigenous identity of a participant is accredited, so that he or she can become part of the electoral process. This applies to any public office, such as alderman, deputy, or any other position. Rodríguez pointed out that the characteristics of an indigenous person must be defined, and that it is important to do this because this is part of guaranteeing indigenous rights. This right requires having access to free and informed consultation, not only regarding elections but in other areas as well.
Rodríguez stressed that INE tries to make it so that the indigenous communities will participate in the electoral process. Previously, the process of participation in the congress was less rigorous, and everyone could participate. But some individuals said they were representatives of the indigenous people, even though it was not true. They just did it to obtain the benefits of being an indigenous participant. In some cases, by stating: “I represent them in the congress, I am a counselor,” even if he was not part of the community. No requirements were needed, it was as simple as saying “I am indigenous.”
According to Rodríguez there is now a protocol with certain requirements. One of these is that the traditional community authority provide a certificate of participation in the organization and community work. In this way it will be easier to verify that the person is indeed involved in the community. He also explained that someone who aspires to such a candidacy must declare the political party that he ir she wants to represent him or her.
He related that a consultation process was employed to arrive at this position. In the case of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples in Guanajuato, comprehensive studies of the residents of the communities have been made and opinions gathered. He noted that in the past they had not been allowed to participate, or be included in the planning process in the city councils. However, Rodríguez stated that there are still pending issues. For example, by law there must be an indigenous representative in the city councils, who has a voice and a vote, even if he is not a counselor. They must also indicate to the local planning committee how much financial responsibility they will need to support their community. That is still not done in the local budgets nor has it received legal authority. He added that even though indigenous communities name their authorities, the city councils often do not recognize them. Often the mayors and the aldermen think that they are the ones with this power, when it should be the indigenous community which chooses its representatives.
According to Rodriguez there are still many issues regarding advancement, recognition, and planning, but they are on the way to being resolved. He stated that one of the strongest needs in these communities is for its members to recognize themselves as indigenous. He notes that it requires a lot of work to achieve the proper status. He explained: «it seems that we are waiting to be told that we are indigenous, but first we must recognize it ourselves.»
In the state of Guanajuato there are 96 indigenous communities, and in the northeastern part there are the Chichimeca Jonaz and Otomí groups. “The area historically occupied by the Chichimecos Jonaces is located in the Sierra Gorda. The Chichimeca Jonaz language is spoken in northeastern Guanajuato. In this area, the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics (INEGI), through the XII General Census of Population and Housing 2000, identified three localities, in each of which 5 percent or more of the population speak Chichimeco Jonaz.” (Information provided by The National Network of Cultural Information National Coordination of Institutional Development).
