Redefining indigenous policy 3/18/2009 Presidents calls for overall of plans to overhaul indigenous institute.

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo announced an overhaul of a government-run pro-indigenous institute that he said had previously worsened poverty for this marginalized group.

Lugo, who has promised that his government will work to improve the lives of Paraguay´s impoverished indigenous population, refused to recognize the election of Erasmo Pinto, a Nivaclé indigenous leader, to the state-run National Indigenous Institute. In a March 9 press conference, Lugo said he made the decision because of numerous accusations of fraud in the elections, which were carried out by 1,500 indigenous Paraguayans in an assembly on March 5, and reports that some ethnicities were excluded from the process.

Pinto was elected to replace Margarita Mbywangi, who was fired in December amid criticisms of her management, with which Lugo agreed. The agency will be transferred from the Education Ministry to the president´s office.

The institute “has contributed to worsening poverty and has been used as a political instrument,” Lugo said.

The change in policy will allow for a more equal representation of the 18 indigenous peoples of Paraguay. The president announced a national indigenous council with participation of all native peoples and that government officials will oversee the process in 500 indigenous communities.

Lugo´s press office said the government would survey the indigenous communities to determine their most pressing needs.

According to the June 2008 National Indigenous Households Census, Paraguay´s indigenous population totaled 103,308 people, or 1.7 percent of the Paraguayan population. —Latinamerica Press.