Message of thanks

Dear fellow indigenous peoples, advocates and friends,

Greetings of solidarity!

Last Thursday, joined by our advocate groups, friends and families, we, indigenous peoples from various parts of the country gathered in the second convention of the KATRIBU Partylist. The gathering formally launched the historic bid of indigenous peoples for Congress. And I am honored and humbled to have been nominated by my fellow indigenous peoples to lead KATRIBU to victory in the 2010 election.

Founded by 25 grassroots indigenous peoples’ organizations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, KATRIBU embodies the aspirations of our tribes and communities:
To foster solidarity with all peoples for a free and just society
To seek representation and advance recognition of and respect for indigenous peoples’ rights
To assert self-determined, self-reliant and sustainable development towards the eradication of poverty among indigenous peoples
To protect our environment, culture and heritage

Indeed, indigenous peoples must play a significant role in defining the economic, socio-cultural, and political life of the nation. We have after all played a historical role in nation-building even as we faced a historical injustice and misrepresentation.

Now is the opportune time for us to champion our genuine and meaningful representation in the legislature and engage in policy-making that truly protects and promotes our rights to land, life and self-determination. KATRIBU will be the voice of indigenous peoples that will reverberate from the mountains to the halls of Congress.

We humbly ask you to join and support us as we participate in this crucial electoral process.

In the service of the indigenous peoples,

Beverly Longid
President