Murray Angus
Northern News Services

Costa Rica (July 01/02) - For a country of the size of James Bay, Costa Rica has a remarkable variety of climate and scenery.

During a recent visit, students of the Ottawa-based Nunavut Sivuniksavut program experienced steaming hot jungles, balmy coastal beaches, deep mountain valleys and even cloud forests.

Sarah Dunford rides a cable across the canopy of the cloud forest. - photo courtesy of Murray Angus

Among its Central American neighbours, Costa Rica has had no army. Instead, the country's resources have been devoted to health care and education, making it one of the more developed nations in Latin America.

The indigenous peoples who make up about one per cent of the country's three million people, however, continue to struggle to protect their lands and culture.

The 15 Inuit students from Nunavut saw this first-hand during their two-week stay.

In the Buenos Aires region in the southwest part of Costa Rica, the students were hosted by the Dikes Regional Indigenous Association (ARADIKES), an organization that helps indigenous communities defend their rights, promotes environmental conservation and assists with economic development.

Canada supports ARADIKES through the Canadian International Development Agency.

Students were given a tour of an eco-farm, a hill-top forest owned by local indigenous people. After having been de-forested and farmed, it is now returning to its natural state. Traditional plants valued as food and medicines are being cultivated in their traditional setting.

Relocations evoke sympathy

While the climate and landscape makes re-forestation possible in a remarkably short time, the area is also being viewed for other purposes.

The Boruca Hydro-electric project on the Terraba River will be the second-largest hydro development in all of Latin America when it is completed in 2010. It will affect seven indigenous reserves, completely flooding the indigenous community of Rey Curre and its surrounding lands.

Nunavut Sivuniksavut students, who studied Inuit relocations during their eight-months in Ottawa, felt great sympathy for the people.

"The dam will destroy a valley too beautiful for comprehension, as well as the livelihood of many people. Too frustrating," said June Shappa of Arctic Bay.

The visit also included a cross-cultural exchange that saw SOS students performing songs and dances from their various countries. NS students gave their own performance which included a slide show about Nunavut, ayaya songs and drumming, throat singing, a fashion show and demonstrations of Inuit games.

Flying through the clouds

The final stop on the students' two-week visit brought the most thrills.

Students visited the Santa Helena cloud forest, designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations because of its unique ecological features. Students saw the forest in a unique way: along cables strung through the treetops. The experience was exhilarating.

"Oh my God! That's all I could think of," said Andrea Carter of Gjoa Haven. "I almost cried at one point, man was I ever scared!"

By the end, however, the enjoyment proved greater than the fear. "I'll do it again someday --- with my son," said Carter.