Discussion Nov. 13 to look at prospects of indigenous peoples

Few people have been more affected by outside political, economic and environmental pressures than the indigenous and Afro-indigenous people native to the rainforest of the Mosquita, or “Mosquito coast,” of Honduras.

Longtime resident, researcher and advocate Wendy Griffin, a 1977 graduate of Western Washington University, will discuss the relations of the Pech, Tawakhka and Garifuna peoples with their environment at a presentation from 3 to 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Arntzen Hall Room 319 on the Western campus.

Griffin also will discuss the impacts of national and global developments that include degradation of forest and water ecosystems, legacies of war, complex ethnic alliances and growing tourism.

Committed to affirming indigenous and Afro-Honduran voices and knowledge, Griffin visits in association with repatriation of unique cultural materials to the Burke Anthropological Museum at the University of Washington.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

Sponsored by the WWU Department of Anthropology, the WWU Department of History and the Western Anthropology Club. For more information, contact James Loucky at james.loucky@wwu.edu or 360-650-3615.