baitoon settlement

Baitoon is satellite to potarinau village. Baitoon means “Moscovy ducks island” years ago there was a large lake with bush island surrounding it, ther were the Moscovy ducks by the hundred s and thousands feeding in the lake and they normally use the bush islands for roosting and over flock the bushes, that is why the village is called “Baitoon” bearing the legend of it.

First settlements were: Pokondi Toon

Baudukoro Toon

Mokorro Toon

“WAROMA” all there settlements were relocated most of the settler went to form the village Potarinau while other remained and formed Baitoon because of the schools and churches. Children from Baitoon are to school in Potarinau and every one goes to church in Potarinau as well until the church w built in 1987, and the school was bult in 1989.

First settlers to form Baitoon were:

Anthony David (wapichana) Iuo “ Kazoto “ Teunanha “ Jose “ Francis (atirida)

LAND RIGHTS

Our community only has a fraction of our customary lands protected under a legal land title.  Baitoon Primary school and most homesteads are in the titled land of Potarinau village, but the catholic church is cut in half, with just half in the titled land. Most of our customary land is untitled. We are seeking legal security over our lands as part of a formal application for the extension of land title of Potarinau Village. In 2017-18, this extension application is now being discussed as part of the formal land talks between the SRDC and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MIPA).

POPULATION

Baitoon have fifty-six (56) homesteads and a population three hundred seven (307) for 2017.

MAIN ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES AREAS

The ecosystem comprises of flat savannah with bush islands, creeks, and rivers, some small mountains and swamps. The villagers depend on the bush islands for farming, hunting and gathering, while the savannahs are used for rearing cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and chickens as well as hunting and gathering too. The water from the creeks and rivers are used for bathing, drinking and fishing.

ECONOMY AND LAND USE

Crop farming: Peanuts and Cassava. Ranching: rearing livestock: sells in the villages sometimes in the neighbouring country. Village ranch Youth ranch Church ranch School farm Cotton spinning wapichana hammock weaving, selling in the village and to neighbouring villages.

SERVICES AND FACILITIES

Primary school Nursery school Health post Village office 2 radio sets one at the Heath post and one at the village office.

GOVERNANCE

1 senior councillor who acts as a toshao. DPT senior councillor Secretary and treasurer 5 other councillors They hold their public meetings every month and where most of the time invites the toshao to the mother village, they plan and do projects as a separate village.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

Parent Teachers Friends Association. Village council Community Policing Group Church group Youth groups Vehicle Exeo body community management team

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

1)Cattle rearing

FUTURE PLANS

1) Building bridge across sawariwau creek at their main crossing.

2) Revenovation of the primary school.

3) Revenoation of the multi-purpose building.

WILD LIFE INTRESTS AND TOURIST ATTRACTION

1) “kaipin” A deep pool in the Takatu river arapaima.

2) Hammock making and cotton spinning.

HOW WE CARE FOR OUR RESOURCES

Strengthening our village rules on all our resources.

Update and educate all our villagers and neighbouring villages on our inter-community agreement on our resources.

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