Indigenous People and Maroons
Suriname is home to five main Indigenous groups—Trio, Wayana, Akurio, Kaliña, and Lokono—as well as several smaller Indigenous communities. The country is also home to six Maroon tribal groups: Ndyuka, Saamaka, Paamaka, Matawai, Kwinti, and Aluku. While acculturation has occurred over time, these Indigenous and Maroon groups remain deeply connected to their traditional lands, speak their own languages, and uphold distinct cultures, customs, and belief systems that set them apart from broader Surinamese society.
Much of our work focuses on Indigenous and Maroon communities in Suriname’s interior. This includes projects related to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) [link], public health [link], Social Impact Assessments (SIA) [link], education, and sustainable livelihoods.
Some of our previous projects include:
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Brazil Nut Project Evaluation – Assessed a conservation initiative with the Trio Indigenous community in Alalapadu (Conservation International).
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Education in the Interior – Evaluated educational challenges in remote areas (UNICEF) [link].
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Participatory Ocean Governance Analysis – Conducted a gap analysis on Indigenous Peoples and gender issues in Guyana and Suriname (WWF).
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Desk Studies on Indigenous Peoples and Maroons – Researched communities in French Guiana (Newmont Suriname) [links].
LINKS