Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM)

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The Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) was created in 1999, and for almost fifteen years has served the needs of the Q´eqchi´ Maya and Garifuna villages and the wider community. Initially established to manage the Sarstoon Temash National Park (STNP), SATIIM has since evolved to address not only environmental concerns but also the wider political context, including defending the land rights of indigenous peoples against encroachment by prospecting extractive industries and aiding the development of independent environmentally sustainable revenue streams for the communities in the Sarstoon Temash region

SATIIM´s mission is:
• to promote and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples
• to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Sarstoon Temash Region
• to promote the sustainable use of its resources for its Indigenous Peoples´ economic, social, cultural, environmental, and spiritual advancement.

SATIIM´s objectives and goals:
• To advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples with particular emphasis on Maya Customary Land Rights and Garifuna Land Rights.
• Support culturally sensitive green economic development of indigenous communities in the Sarstoon Temash Region.
• Preserve the ecological integrity and biodiversity of the Sarstoon Temash Region.
• Further SATIIM´s institutional sustainability.

Programs and projects
• SATIIM´s Exchange in Guatemala
• Community Sustainable Alternative Livelihoods: SATIIM and international partners have helped residents to plant organic cacao in the buffer zone communities, to establish gardening projects and chicken rearing projects and agroforestry. We are currently constructing facilities and organizing tour guide training for community members for ecotourism related activities.
• Park Management: SATIIM´s work since 2001 has focused on biodiversity conservation and management of the Sarstoon Temash National Park.
• Education and Awareness: The main objective of SATIIM´s Education Program is to increase environmental awareness, building knowledge and support for SATIIM´s conservation strategies. Strategies employed for the education program includes field trips, classroom presentation, educational exchanges, production of educational materials (maps, lesson plans, brochures, and newsletters) and training workshops.
• Coastal Marine Management: In 2004, a project was initiated that was aimed at establishing a management plan for the coastal waters off the park. The coastal project undertook new scientific research of the area, combining expertise from the Fisheries Department and the local stakeholders.
• Advocacy: SATIIM mounted a multifaceted advocacy campaign that involved raising awareness of the oil exploration issue through public outreach and education, coalition building, legal action, policy research and analysis, mobilizing local supporters, lobbying Government ministers, generating international political, technical and financial support and preparing to monitor and mitigate activities in the STNP if oil exploration goes ahead.

Gregory Ch´oc is the Executive Director of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM).

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.