Latest news with #Afro-Indigenous
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Indigenous community brings back majestic animal once nearly driven to extinction in stunning land project: 'It's a very beneficial thing'
Charlie Carpenter, an Afro-Indigenous and Latino conservationist, is helping lead a movement to reintroduce one of North America's most iconic animals to the lands it once roamed freely — the buffalo. Carpenter is the braided science program manager at Indigenous Led, an organization working to elevate Indigenous-led conservation by weaving traditional ecological knowledge with Western science. At the heart of this work is a mission to heal land and community by restoring the sacred relationship between Indigenous people and the buffalo, an animal once driven nearly to extinction through colonization. In an interview shared by the Moab Sun News, Carpenter explained that buffalo were central to Indigenous life, providing food, clothing, shelter, and tools while shaping entire ecosystems. These efforts in cultural restoration are a holistic model that heals people and the planet together. Carpenter's work focuses on helping tribes reclaim land and restore it for buffalo. That includes collecting soil and vegetation data, removing invasive species, planting native grasses, and securing funding and permits. "Braided science is all about pulling in the Indigenous knowledge, then mixing in some Western science … and it just turns into this amazing thing," Carpenter told the Moab Sun News. Carpenter noted that while buffalo are classified as wildlife in some states, others define them as livestock, adding political and bureaucratic challenges to the process. So far, the group has sourced animals from Yellowstone National Park, private herds, and Canada's Oak Island. In addition to their importance to Indigenous culture, buffalo are a keystone species. That means their return has ripple effects, from boosting biodiversity and promoting native grasses to restoring balance to the ecosystem. "The native grasses also tend to have longer roots so they can hold more carbon in the soil. So it's a very beneficial thing to have buffalo back on the land," Carpenter told the Moab Sun News. "The ecosystem thrives if buffalo are back on the land." While restoring the ecosystem has plenty of environmental pros, it also benefits people. Healthy ecosystems support pollinators (crucial for protecting our food security) and improve water and soil quality for local communities, directly supporting farmers. Carpenter explained in the interview: "[Reintroducing the buffalo] is essentially bringing back what was taken from us. There's a lot of reconciliation that needs to happen with Indigenous communities, and bringing back the buffalo, I feel, is the number one way that it needs to happen." Should the U.S. invest in building more wildlife overpasses? Absolutely Depends on how we do it Depends on where we do it Nope Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
New York Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Family Seeks $15 Million in Death of Migrant Girl in U.S. Custody
The death of an 8-year-old migrant girl in 2023 while she was in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection prompted investigations and the removal of the agency's chief medical officer. Now, two immigrant rights groups are seeking $15 million in damages on behalf of the girl's family. In a wrongful death claim filed with the federal government on Thursday, lawyers for the family offer the most detailed public account yet of the life and death of the child, Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez, and her family's efforts to obtain answers about her care in federal custody. Her death came during a record increase in migration, as the Biden administration struggled to curb illegal crossings and faced criticism about overcrowded detention facilities and the treatment of minors. Illegal crossings plunged in the final months of the Biden administration after a change in asylum policy, and have remained very low under President Trump. But the Trump administration has made families with children targets for detention and removal as President Trump seeks to fulfill a campaign pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Rochelle Garza, president of the Texas Civil Rights Project, one of the groups that filed the claim, said Anadith's family wanted to ensure there was accountability and transparency in Customs and Border Protection facilities, which she described as 'one of the most obscure and opaque types of detention in our American immigration system.' 'They do not want their daughter to have died in vain,' Ms. Garza said. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment on the wrongful death claim. After Anadith's death, Troy Miller, then acting head of the border agency, requested a review of CBP facilities and made recommendations to address the medical care issues. Anadith, a Panamanian national, was diagnosed with sickle cell disease and a heart condition at a young age. When she was 5, she traveled with her father to Spain for open-heart surgery and returned to Panama. The family made their way up through Mexico and sought to cross into the United States in May 2023 in hopes of providing safety and a better life for their daughter, according to the complaint. Her parents, who are Honduran, are members of a long-persecuted Afro-Indigenous population known as Garifuna, and had fled their own country before their daughter was born. The other immigrant rights group that filed the family's legal claim was the Haitian Bridge Alliance, which focuses on serving Black immigrants. On May 9, 2023, she, her parents and two siblings were detained alongside other migrants at the border near Brownsville, Texas. The family was then taken to a processing center in Donna, a nearby city, where security camera footage showed her parents handed over their daughter's medical records to border officials in a medical screening area, the claim states. But medical personnel there did not properly assess her medical history or communicate the details of her medical conditions to the staff at the facility in Harlingen where the family ended up, investigators have found. Anadith and her family were held in custody for nine days, more than twice as long as newly arrived migrants, particularly children, should be detained, according to the border agency's own standards. In that time, Anadith exhibited a high fever and complained of pain in her chest and abdomen, among other symptoms, lawyers said. The claim contends immigration officials failed to provide the girl with proper medical care and to adhere to a 22-year-old consent decree that lays out the minimum standards for care of the nation's youngest new arrivals. Between the evening of May 14 and her death on May 17, an internal investigation found, medical professionals at the holding facility in Harlingen saw Anadith at least nine times. A nurse practitioner who saw the child told internal investigators that she dismissed three or four requests from Anadith's mother to call an ambulance or take the child to the hospital. The previous year, a report from the detention ombudsman at Homeland Security had warned that critical shortages in medical services at border facilities could put migrants' lives at risk. A report from the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year found the circumstances of Anadith's death were 'not an aberration, but indicative of systemic problems' within border facilities and medical care. Anadith's family is now in the process of seeking asylum, and her parents have secured work permits, lawyers said. In an interview on Thursday, the girl's mother, Mabel Álvarez, said her family had filed the claim in hopes of preserving Anadith's memory and preventing another tragedy. She recalled that her daughter was healthy when she first arrived at the South Texas border. But she said the small room where her family was detained was filthy with trash and dust. She also recalled it was frigid, the reason such facilities are often referred to as 'hieleras,' or coolers. Ms. Álvarez wept as she described staff members who she said ignored her pleas for medical attention as her daughter's condition worsened. After the family's release from immigration detention, Ms. Álvarez said, she took on a job at a factory in New York, but she had to leave it as she struggled with depression and anxiety. 'It was a difficult thing, that my daughter died in my arms, looking for help,' she said.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Famous Singer Among 12 Dead In Devastating Plane Crash Near Remote Island
A devastating off the coast of Roatán, Honduras, has left at least 12 people dead, including a U.S. citizen and beloved Honduran musician and politician, Aurelio Martínez. The Lanhsa airline Jetstream aircraft had just taken off from Roatán, a popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, on Monday night, when it reportedly suffered a mechanical failure and plunged into the sea just minutes later. According to Honduran authorities, the aircraft was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members. Five survivors were rescued from the wreckage, while one body remains unaccounted for as search efforts continue. Among the deceased is Aurelio Martínez, 56, a legendary Garífuna musician and politician, whose impact on Honduran culture was widely recognized. Martínez was a renowned voice in the Garífuna music scene, an Afro-Indigenous community with roots tracing back to St. Vincent, whose ancestors were exiled to Honduras in the 18th century. His group, Lita Ariran, was one of the first Garífuna bands to achieve international recognition, according to the Kennedy Center. Later in his career, Martínez transitioned into politics, serving as a representative in the Honduran National Congress. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize was among those who paid tribute, calling him a 'great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music.' 'His passing leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people.' The flight manifest revealed that the passengers included a U.S. national, a French national, and two minors. A State Department spokesperson later confirmed the death of an American citizen, offering condolences to the families of all victims. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected,' the statement read. 'Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment.' One of the survivors, a 40-year-old French citizen, was reportedly transferred to a hospital in San Pedro Sula for treatment. Carlos Padilla, a civil aviation official, described how the aircraft took off, made a sharp right turn, and crashed into the water about 0.6 miles from the island's coast. A local fisherman who was out at sea at the time narrowly avoided being struck by the falling plane. "The plane almost fell on us. I was fishing," he told HCH television, per CBS. Authorities continue to search for one remaining victim, but challenging underwater conditions have complicated efforts. 'It's been difficult to access the accident site because there are 30 meters (98 feet) of rocks, and you can't get there by walking or swimming,' Roatán Fire Captain Franklin Borjas explained. 'The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility.' Dramatic footage from the scene showed rescue workers frantically searching the water for survivors. One video, described as a 'rescue' by officials, captured the moment a woman was pulled from the sea on a stretcher, though no further updates have been provided on her condition. In response to the tragedy, Honduran President Xiomara Castro issued a statement confirming that she had 'immediately activated' an Emergency Operations Committee to handle the crisis. Roatán, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, is a major tourist hub, known for its stunning coral reefs and pristine beaches. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, as the nation mourns the lives lost in this devastating tragedy. The United States has experienced a sharp increase in deadly plane crashes in 2025, marking a concerning shift in aviation safety trends. So far this year, 19 fatal aviation incidents have occurred, resulting in at least 106 deaths. Before 2025, the last fatal U.S. airliner crash occurred in 2009. While general aviation accidents—such as small private planes—have accounted for most fatal crashes in recent years, this year's incidents have raised alarm due to their frequency and impact. The NTSB has confirmed that preliminary reports for each 2025 aviation accident will be released within 30 days of the incident. However, full investigations, which determine probable causes and contributing factors, will take 12 to 24 months to complete. As aviation authorities continue their investigations, safety concerns remain high following the unexpected surge in fatal U.S. plane crashes this year.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Famous Singer Among 12 Dead In Devastating Plane Crash Near Remote Island
A devastating off the coast of Roatán, Honduras, has left at least 12 people dead, including a U.S. citizen and beloved Honduran musician and politician, Aurelio Martínez. The Lanhsa airline Jetstream aircraft had just taken off from Roatán, a popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, on Monday night, when it reportedly suffered a mechanical failure and plunged into the sea just minutes later. According to Honduran authorities, the aircraft was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members. Five survivors were rescued from the wreckage, while one body remains unaccounted for as search efforts continue. Among the deceased is Aurelio Martínez, 56, a legendary Garífuna musician and politician, whose impact on Honduran culture was widely recognized. Martínez was a renowned voice in the Garífuna music scene, an Afro-Indigenous community with roots tracing back to St. Vincent, whose ancestors were exiled to Honduras in the 18th century. His group, Lita Ariran, was one of the first Garífuna bands to achieve international recognition, according to the Kennedy Center. Later in his career, Martínez transitioned into politics, serving as a representative in the Honduran National Congress. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize was among those who paid tribute, calling him a 'great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music.' 'His passing leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people.' The flight manifest revealed that the passengers included a U.S. national, a French national, and two minors. A State Department spokesperson later confirmed the death of an American citizen, offering condolences to the families of all victims. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected,' the statement read. 'Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment.' One of the survivors, a 40-year-old French citizen, was reportedly transferred to a hospital in San Pedro Sula for treatment. Carlos Padilla, a civil aviation official, described how the aircraft took off, made a sharp right turn, and crashed into the water about 0.6 miles from the island's coast. A local fisherman who was out at sea at the time narrowly avoided being struck by the falling plane. "The plane almost fell on us. I was fishing," he told HCH television, per CBS. Authorities continue to search for one remaining victim, but challenging underwater conditions have complicated efforts. 'It's been difficult to access the accident site because there are 30 meters (98 feet) of rocks, and you can't get there by walking or swimming,' Roatán Fire Captain Franklin Borjas explained. 'The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility.' Dramatic footage from the scene showed rescue workers frantically searching the water for survivors. One video, described as a 'rescue' by officials, captured the moment a woman was pulled from the sea on a stretcher, though no further updates have been provided on her condition. In response to the tragedy, Honduran President Xiomara Castro issued a statement confirming that she had 'immediately activated' an Emergency Operations Committee to handle the crisis. Roatán, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, is a major tourist hub, known for its stunning coral reefs and pristine beaches. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, as the nation mourns the lives lost in this devastating tragedy. The United States has experienced a sharp increase in deadly plane crashes in 2025, marking a concerning shift in aviation safety trends. So far this year, 19 fatal aviation incidents have occurred, resulting in at least 106 deaths. Before 2025, the last fatal U.S. airliner crash occurred in 2009. While general aviation accidents—such as small private planes—have accounted for most fatal crashes in recent years, this year's incidents have raised alarm due to their frequency and impact. The NTSB has confirmed that preliminary reports for each 2025 aviation accident will be released within 30 days of the incident. However, full investigations, which determine probable causes and contributing factors, will take 12 to 24 months to complete. As aviation authorities continue their investigations, safety concerns remain high following the unexpected surge in fatal U.S. plane crashes this year.
CBC
20-02-2025
- General
- CBC
Sask. Afro-Indigenous teacher helping students understand where they come from
Sentilla Bubb is teaching her students about history and culture she feels is often ignored. The Afro-Indigenous teacher from Regina said the work is even more important during Black History Month and Indigenous Storytelling Month.
