Laao Aj Ral Cho’ch’
We are Children of the Earth
Aj Ral ch’och’ is central to who we are, to how we see ourselves, how we see the world, and how we relate to it. Ral ch’och’ means we are people of the land, who live on the land, depend on the land, and work and care for the land. This is who we are as Mopan and Q’eqchi Maya people of Southern Belize.
To Be Maya and To Be Well
It has always been clear in our minds that the struggle for land rights is only part of a larger struggle. This larger struggle is to secure a place to be and to be well in community; it is a struggle for life and for our way of life. It is no different from the struggle of numerous other peoples in Belize and abroad who fight for a dignified life. Though there are still valleys and mountains we must walk to implement the CCJ court order, we can now focus our efforts on other elements of our fundamental struggle to secure a dignified life. It is in this spirit that we embarked in a process to articulate a collective vision for the future, the results of which we wish to share.
The Future We Dream – Li Ka Nabuuch
In coming together dreaming and joining our thoughts, we the Maya people envision:
- A peaceful, safe and happy place for our families, children and communities living together — Se Komonil.
- We are strong, self-confident, self-reliant and self-determining people.
- Integrity and security of our lands and sustainable reciprocal relationship with our lands.
- Sustained culture and identity.