Today is Indigenous Pueblos Day here in Guatemala and the Prensa Libre has printed a big article about racism and exclusion of Indigenous Peoples. They have also included several statistics that in some cases, seem hugely incorrect in which certain situations are either over or under estimated.

For example, the article states that 41% of the population of Guatemala is Indigenous, when according to many other sources, it is more accurately 60% of the population. The under reporting of this statistic is likely due to the denial that many Indigenous people have regarding their heritage. They have learned to hide their true identities as a result of overt racism between their group and the Ladinos here. As a result there is a gradual erosion of Indigenous culture, clothing, language and customs.

Prensa Libre reports that 74% of Indigenous people are poor, with 24% being extremely poor. They don't specify if the 74% includes the 24% extremely poor, because if it does, that leaves only 2% living above the poverty line, whatever that would be here. Whatever the case, it is an abysmal statistic.

Also, out of 10 Indigenous students only 3 will complete 6 years of education. The rest drop out well before that for a variety of reasons. Another 23% will never have any schooling at all! It isn't surprising then that only 0.3% will have access to University. They claim that 53% of Indigenous people between the ages of 15 and 64 years can read and write. This definitely seems like an optimistic statistic.

In health issues, only 5% of the Indigenous population have access to health care. Due to abject poverty 7 out of 10 children are under size for their ages.

But in true political fashion, the government forms committees to investigate the situation, the press dutifully reports the findings and the Indigenous remain poor and disenfranchised.