21 12 1190 http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/56569bd097f18389a14e25301ee792dc.pdf 0cc921d0a9417efdc33aa066b7760771 PDF Text Text ANNO U NCEM E NTS AND A DS Cultural Survival Canada: Research, Education, and Advocacy in Biocolonial Times A round (he world, Indigenous peoples nrc the care· tnkcrs of sacred knowledge nbom the unity of all livIng things and life processes. from genes. micro· orgamsms and spectcs, to human societies nnd the ecosystems m which wt hve. These gtfts of the Cre01or h:t\'C enabled our peoples tO survive ftve centuries of colonialism and to continue to nurture an cxtmordinary diversity and richness of life. even within our much dlm>mshed land bGsc. Our sacred rclauonship with MO(htr Eanh >S also '""I for humanity as a wholt as the world seeks w3)'S to rebal- mals. and genetic motorial from bo ocllvcrsity roch regions, nnd of the associated knowledge-systems of indigenous peoples. Whether the Convention becomes a mechanism for protecung lndogenous peoples' nghts or a tool for cntrendnng b>ocolontallsm will depend to a large exlent on the negotlattons set tO bcgon in November in Buenos Aires where the Conference of the Parties to the CBD finttlly has Indigenous peoples' nghts on agenda For more anjormm1on, pleast comact; ance humnn need!io wnh respect for the environrncnt. 'fodny, however, the gifts of the Creator art under siege Cultw·al Sunlval Canada, lntmuttional Qlordinathog Ojffu. b)' corporotions and go''tmmcnts attempting to make hfe lndig<noou Proples' Biodi\Wily Ntl\,ork GPBN) 30-f-200 15ab<l/a itself anO(htr form of plivate propeny. This new wave of Strut. Ottawa. ON. Canada. KIS /Vl Phone 6JJ.2J7-S36J: colonmhsm seeks to open one "lnst fronucr· for ccononuc FDX: 613-2J7-IS47: Emaol cse@wcb.apc.arg globahzation: the expropriation of our knowledge and the privatlzn.tion of sacred plants. nnlmnls and our own genes. CulturJI Survivol Canad3 (CSC) ban autonomous charuable org3nization supponmg Indigenous peoples· struggles for self-determmntion and territorial integrity. In the face of this new wnvc of colonialism. we ore engaged in rcscarth, public educ:nion and oclvo.:acy around Issues of biotechnology. intellectual propeny rights. and other aspects of the intcmnuonaltrode tn genes and Indigenous knowledge. CS Canada also sup pons advocacy and capaC>· ty·bUJiding initiatives aimed m strcngthemng Indigenous peoples' ability to Intervene tn tmernauonal fora where polocoes on biocoloniallsm are bcmg shaped Biodive rsity and Human Rights CSC b worklng closely with Indigenous peoples' o~a­ nizatlons around the Founh lntcrn.1uonal Techntcal Conference on Plant Genctk: Resources of the Food ond Agriculture OrgamtntH)Il (FAO) {l.iepzig. Germony. J une 1996). the FAO's Food Security Summit (November J 996, Rome). UNESCO's lmemationnl Bia<thics Committee and, eriticall). the next meeting of the signatories to the Convcnuon on Blologocal Diver,,ty {CBD) (('lo,·cmbcr 1996, Buenos Aires). The CBD is a binding inte~overnmental agreement rot· ified by 138 states, including the majority of states In South and Meso AmeriCil While the Convention dots include some recognition of the rights C)( lndigenou• lleoples over our knowledge and innovations. private and public inter· ests '" the North are clearly poosccl to usc the Convcnuon as. fromework for exp.•nded privmization or plants, ani· 38 lit ~ r. lit BuF~ COM .. .. -~ ..: N ew n-o m t. U.Uurnl " on biological dlvcNJIIy Bu ffalo Commons dclbut:s Write to CS Caned a. t:mall: ~veb . apc.ol'l(. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Cultural Survival Canada: Research, Education, and Advocacy in Biocolonial Times Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Cultural Survival Canada: Research, Education, and Advocacy in Biocolonial Times Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 38 Publication Title SAIIC Newsletter ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note The gifts or the Creator, which many indigenous groups admire are endanger in today's society. These gifts have enabled indigenous peoples to survive five centuries of colonialism and to continue to nurture an extraordinary diversity and richness of life. But today the gifts of the Creator are under siege by corporations and governments attempting to make life itself another form of private property. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p38.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Biocolonial Times Canada Human Rights http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/f58d40d058de3fe07cc0f25e957ed291.pdf eff9035a41ea4cbe39a6d0728d62d99b PDF Text Text Abya Yala News \\~ ( ONTENTS Editors: SAIIC Soard or O:r«tors )ovmal COO<'dinaboo & 1.4)'001; Gilles Combrisson Copy EditO<S: SAJJC Staff ~." SAIIC Staff Oire<tor:Amalia Dixon Administrative COOc"d'JAator: David Rothschild )oconal COO<dinato" Gilles ComMsson Radio Progtam Coord'onator: uuta Soriano Morales t.:1bral)' Cootdlnator: Katia Terrett Editorial . .. ......... ." ....... . .. .. ... . . ... .3 . ,, ln"Br~e~.. . •. ., .. .... . ..... . ........ ...... . . . . .4 ~ t • ' ~ ...,..,_ . lndigenau s Women Organizing SAIIC Board of Directors Two Watershed Encounters il) Mexico ............6 Interview llllitb -q~ Maria de Jesus Hernandez ..8 Aetivist \ The Right to Love and P-olitics .. : . . ...... . . .... 10 ' 7 ' '·· Commentary o.n s eiJiflg . . , . . : .. . . .... . ..... .. 13 Empowering Native Wom~n in Central A. ierica ... 14 n " . .. 'I SpectaI Sectton on/!Brazt ' "Urn :leito de Veelos" .... .. .... -'... .... ~- , ..-16 Decree 1f77-5 .. .... ............ . ~· -~~ -- .. , .. 18 lnteniiew w ith Jacir Jose de Souza ........ -~ ... , ' ~' \ -. d. Se If Detern . ;unatton 31n Temtory Mariana Chuqufn ( oichua·&uador) GuiD•rmo Oefgad<i Que<hua-8o1Ma) Carlos Maibell'• lM•sl<ito-Nicaragua) Gina Pacaldo (San Canos Aj)ache·Chicana) Marcos Yoc (Maya-Kaqchil<cl-Guatcmala) Subscriptions: Yala News (ISSN 1071·3182) is P<lblished quar· in English ar.d Spanish. It is available fCX' an annual $ ~rsooal membership. $15 low-income subscription. $25 fot Indigenous/social jvstice non·~fits. $40 institutions. For Canada and Mexk.o add $5. ror all othcf' ifltemational membef'sh1ps, add $10.Your dona· lions help us send the joumal r~ ., Spanish tO Indigenous organizations in the South. l'lb: ~...,,, Wara Aldet¢te (Calchaqui-!'-rgentina) Alejond'o Ama.-u Atgl)med<> (Qvechua·Penl) Nilo Ca)'\i.quto (M~uthe-AtltCotina) ' We wclcome submissions of -attides. lctte.'S, pho- tograohs and relevant in~tion. l<!tt..-s and articles may be ed~ed for length ~ ~ ' - access to a computer. ~ send )'O!J"article on paper and on an Awle compatible 3 In. •nch disk s.tld all c~e t<Y. 1 P.o.~9a604, USA Ss7o3 0 aldand, lnlervie)N w ith Jose Maria Cabascango ..........22 , The Survival of N'atilie ~merican t:anguages .... ..~5 Environment ~ 2 3 ~H~JM~.r.42~ e·mast sa.u'-":!Pgc.apc.Of8 We YfOU)d lik~ to OJ~aniZJtiOOS !lw>k the following indMduals and for the1r generoos ass.stan<e to Abya Indigenous Conferences Reject Hidrovia . ... .. ...28 Biobio Update: State Grants Concession . . ... . . . .30 Billy R. Trice Human Rights Shannon Wright. Christi:t'\f! Halverston. Alfonso lararnil!o. and Dan ~r. SpectaJ thanks to Viclae Coca/eras March jn l a Paz .. ... . .. .. . ... .... ..31 Argentina: Kolla t' WYer Challenges Prejudice .....32 a l'ilamandu: An Evicted Community in Argentina ...33 Organization an d Communication Mexico: EZlN Calls for· Indigenous Forum ........34 EZlN-Government Negotiations .. ... . . . .... ...34 OAS Declaration .. . .. . ............... .... ...35 URACCAN Offers Degree in Indigenous law .. . . ..37 Announcements and Ads ... .... . . .... ...38 SAIIC News . . . . . ....... ... . . ... .. . . .... ..39 Yala Ne-ws: Jr.. uu.-a Soliano. Stefaro Va.'<'C, G!enn SWitkes. Ricardo Hueroa Katia Torreli. Marcia Campos. Wa.'d and Judith Su-onadl. Th.'1111<s to all the ~le and organ;zat•ons who sent us t~.eir greetings for the """' yWi 9~nlzations: Amerindl3 /Spain). CEDIS (8oi~Nia . DoGp ($1Nitzer1and). lndiansK Me<JiescntCf' (Notway , Grur>9 Rarumanta (\..ISA). Rainforest Action Net (USA). T!PI (Norway-Spa!n). Bin•gulam Magazine. Publicatioos: NAORP (UC Oav;s. USA). Presencia I.Fteraria (BoiMa). Revista Ojarasca (Mexico). NACLA (USA). Hoy (La Paz). Than1cs to the following foundations fO<" !heir gene.-ous support: john D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. General Service Foundation. Public W•lfare foondation. Judith Sb-onadl Fund of the Vanll).$'d Public Foundation. Foundation for Deep Eco!og)< SAIIC Rei>"'S<'ntatives abroad: juan Scba•ti.!n Lata (Spain). Rafael ~umedO (G<!rmany)..Aiejandro Argomedo (Cinada). and Susan O'Oonelf (WaJils). • ~ Yala is the Kuna word (or whkh includes all of the A.meficas. cover Photos: Dick Bancro~. Glen Switkes, Nilo Cayuqueo Continent of life Indexed: Memativc Pn:m Index. Ethn1c News Watch. SAIIC is located at 1714 Ftant<l'"' Street. ),yj Floor. OakiM<I. CA 94612. Please send all comspondence to the P.O. Box addre<• above. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Table of Contents Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Table of Contents Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 2 Publication Title SAIIC Newsletter ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p2 .pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Abstract Note Table of contents http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/da7813addbb1cf8f40e01436d061717f.pdf 2634457c63e718c34bb5dc555b5d52cd PDF Text Text _ _ _ _ _ __,'-"- l,_,__,"---'- T E R M I N A T I 0 N S E_, F 0 E A N 0 T E RRI T0 RY The Survival and Revival of Native American Languages The disappearance of Indigenous languages. although a deeply disturbing and ever accelerating trend, has received little national or international attention. Under enormous stress from a variety of sources. the Native people of this continent appear unable to halt the rapid erosion that is washing away a central strand of human identity. Not only are languages disappearing. but with them unique world-views and philosophies. The negative consequences of this loss of cultural. spiritval. and intellectual diversity will become more apparent as the spiritual and intellectual barrenness of the modern world more fully reveals itself. By Alexander Ewen and Jeffrey Wollock The Problem T he study or Native languages, anthropological linguistics. was developed under lhe ass\.tmption that Indigenous languages were doomed. hs main task has been to record languages (or posterity. This is imponant. but it is not enough. Toda)' there is glowing resolve to put a brake on this process: the Indigenous culmres and their traditions are too import~nt. For their survival, the languages must also continue. As a stuffed and mount· ed specimen can give little sense or the live animal it once was, so dry texts and even t~pcs are no substitute for living languages. These are not museum pieces. they are themselves living libraries, windows on worlds that can· not be replaced. The loss or language diver.;ity is a global trend. It has been estimated that, at current rates, the 5,500 currently living langu.,ges will be reduced in a century or two to just n few hundred.! American Indian languages have been especially hard hit. Indeed, o£ the worlds languages that are considered nearly extinct, over one quarter are Indigenous languages in the United States. At the time of Columbus, at least 300 lndigen.o us languages were being spoken in what is now the United Vol. 10 No.1 States.2 Today there are only 148 and, of those. one third have fewer than 100 fluent speakers and are consi.dered near exlinction. More ominous. 32 native languages have 10 or fewer speakers and are in critical danger or becoming extincl within the next few years) The percentage of Native-language It is estimated that 80% of all Canadian and United States Indian languages are in a similar process or d)1ng out." Few national governments are doing anything effective to reverse these patterns. For example, the United States has a strong commitment to bilingual education, yet the manner in which it is speakers in the various communities taught is almost useless in preventi-ng varies enonllOUSl)< While over 350,000 Native people, or one in six. speak their language, almost three-founhs or these come from fewer thar\ a dozen Native nations or groups o£ nations. and more than a third of the Indigenous-language languages from disappearing. There are many Indian communities that have successfully resisted the glob· al trend. Some, such as the Hualapai and the Utes. have long had vigorous and effective language progmms. Recent speakers in this country are Navajo. While Indigenous languages are threatened in other countries in the Americas. nowhere is the problem as critical as in the United States. More languages are on the verge or ext.inction in this CO\IIllf)' than in the rest of the Americas COJnbined, and California More languages are on the verge of extinction in this country than in the rest of the Americas combined. and California alone has more threatened languages than any other country. alone has more threatened langttages than any other coumry. Moreover. even those languages that are not immediately threatened with ext.inction are in danger. For example, although Yakima has 3,000 spe.1ker,;, most or all o£ these are middle-aged or older. Without a comprehensive program to educate ymmg Yakimas, the language will soon suffer a massive loss of speaker.; as they begin to pass away. income from gaming and other new enterprises has made possible strong language revival progmms among the Oneidas and Menominee of Wisconsin. ln Canada, there is growing awareness or the seriousness or the issue and there have been strong commi\mcnts to lan.. guage revitalization from national Native organi.z ations such as the Assembly o£ Fir.;t Nations. 25 �SELF DETERMII'ATIOt< At<D TERR I TORY A Navajo WOill!ln elder. The N~ajo are one of the few lnd!Set!OUS cu1Mes in the United States that have retained their la119uage to thJ, day. Nc<e than one third of the Native la119uage 5Pe4kers in the US are Navajo. The Needs hard for b1llngual education on public All prchmiiUII')' fmding.> mdtcat.: schools, only to Ond tb.11 it IS tnade\Ylth N:u.ivc communiurs m tht UnHed that Nntl"e commumues tn the Umted qU3te lO stem the IO.S of speakers. Due to the L~k of re$0Un:e5 a\'allStot<> on mtenswe languas~ tc..:hms or Stntes. Canad2, and other p;trts of this reviv:tl: ond that there ore successrul hemisphere Ond the languoge rtl<nuon able to ruos.t NAdve communities, many modds of how to pro<:<<cl. M•ny ISSUe tO be OnC or thetr blg&CSI COn• or whonl RIC ~tntggling \VIlh ;\ host of Indian communities rcqutrc immtdlnte cems. The inablhty to p.15$ On the lon- other problems. l:onguage pmgr:mlS nn: n<'tl<>n. In the form of specially designed guage to the youth l' mnklng it mort us11o.tly not an <>i>lion. Most lnd1gcnous J>rogmms, if their languages ore to sur- :md more difrkult lO 1>:1<< on tradition;; people in this hemisphere have much and culture. or C\'et\ to loster the tradi- lower stundnrds of lhing than the survive. The inabtlity of the modem mmd to tional le~dersh1p necessMy to guide roundmg populntlOIIS and are often under~ouUld 1M wealth thm surrounds 11 lnd1:m communottes lnt<> the future. extremcl)r poor Many Native commu· I> every d.l)• molang 1M world n poorer The general consensus among those niues suffer pohti(';tl oppression, conpi.ICe A report ISSUed b)· the who work Wlth N;ul\.: people on theu unwd eros1on of their land bost, :md Worldwnteh lnstltute in 1992 wamed b>IX!' is that the ~ tll.ljOrit)· of Natn·e th~ demo! of their legal and cultur:ol that the consequences of C\tltun: loss communities would gladly org.mlzc or nglns • Effons to develop and provtdt an nmong tnb-•1 peoples would Include the parti<:ip;~te on lan~c reco'Cf)' prod15nppearonce of millions of plant and jects If they had the op11on. When eco- econOmiC b;ue to these Indian communmmnl spcdcs. which currcmly Hvc nomic opponuniucs prcS('nl them· nities Cllll hnve detrimental effeCls on under their protection.) One can only selves. Indian reurv(luons usually l~ng:n:\ges and, cuhurcs-.7 New economJ>Oncler the question: when the world Is begin a language rcvttahznuon pro- Ic devclopmtnt ncti,.ties such as the reduced to a single language. w11\therc gram. Many cornmum11cs, .such as the NQrth American Free Trnde Agreement be anything of value left to sayl Seneca and Ont>ndo~, h~w fought (NAFTA) c•n be expected to ha.·c a All of this indicates two th.ngs: thnt thc:rt Is> cntto1l need to be&Jn \\OOOnj: 26 �nta;.uw~ cfft-ct <>II Indian Lmgu;t.:<> on !>kX>a> "he"' •lmost 10'- or the pop- • ...., .. lncllgtlous.• Lan~ rt\1tolluuon as • com· p.u•mely ncv. clf•>rt, wnh few SU<· ._._,and m•ny f•llurco Program> arc n-qulrcd that con t.tkc onto •ccount the •f'<<lh< pohto.:.tl, <Uhuml, and <<O· n€1mK cucum,tan<t~ or N:tU\'t' .:om~ muntll<'- • hen ~~ Nathe people wllh cconorn~< 1\''<llli'Ct< often la<k the rn.tny diffcr<ru •kills needed tc> put f<>rwot<l • comprchrMovc progr.>m. M<lr<O\'t'r, cultur•l <h.tn~ IS """ so raJ>od •nd pen·~~l\t. thAt ne>> "•l~ to lml.l the mtcrc>t ,,[ >••un,t: pcoplt and c<Ju<are them nad to he de-.lopcd Tht bock of communiClhon amonll :-o;.,t>c communltlet h:as h.ndtr<d the r.... •ucc:.,.,ful m<><ltl< from ~'"Ill applocd m Othtr ""·" In,......, \\here languogc los. h•• rc"Chcd ~ cnucol lt,·d, go'·4:m"'"nt' and tn~uuuon.'\ put the emphAsis on rc~ordtng bn~· ralltcr th;on '"' rescuon~ thtm \luch mor. n-~>l'<h nc~ch to~ done M thl\ ossue to better sur<<)' nnd evol· ur11r the cum•ou •tntc of lonj~ungc retention amon11 North American lnd~.t.ns o.s well • to o«k out <uccessful ><>lull""" .. H oteet I Ooernoncl IIIH3l m '"thee global ... _ lo... ~houGh I ote of he cetcu· latoo tho numbOr of liVIng fonQuliQOI at 6,000. 2 Teetor (19761 U•VOI en OIHm<!IO Of 300 Na""" Amfonc3n ~-· It cont.oct 3 c.-. (lge4l ' ..... ,.,. 176 .... ~ .. nM!IY ··'""''·of w!IICII•9 .... .n the Uno•od s.~,·· 1n ""' - · on1y A<l•t""" dole to tl>oS number· there It no other countty w.lh mote than I 0 cni1CII1v enciM(Iera<l JM. ""'h •3 ...,.,.,.. fo, tt'ldrt 111/ttr~ndtk•,.. COftttJt.f , \fco.'l F"'t" Dl o 'lJool W ~ '-'ol4r..... JIO \\hl '>! ~r. lM~. ~"1: 10019. ~ Zl2·16S~ ,,, fcx. 2Jl. ~1J.I t- 11""110• a.c.,., •., M(•rent ree-cho<s u.M d-Hetet~l n• ct•t .. for delt'"'*"*"'Q - - • ........_ .. ••'O<"od Ot - ' f _,_ the<e 1 s - diKr_,. on the ~~gut-. The , ... of uoed on the~t on<t · ...., . _....,.. al fewer tholn · - hundred ~"""' elderly, cen be conotdorod near extonctoon. • Teeter 119761 o•t"""'" that 11411 ofel AIM•Iean lnd4n ~ WI. become ••ttonct ~ w.th .......... gene•••- or ~ (19931 cot..• Moct.-el Kreuu of tho UnM!< ..ty ol Alia... "' Footbonk1. 'For tho 187 lncl13n lnngungos 1uMvong In North Amonco OUIItdo ol M>tke Ktau" ..t•ncltee that 1•9 ol ! ' - are ~nd · Fen.. I 1993) ttateo !hot 110 of the 53 NatM> len· _ . . opokon "' Cencodo are • conaod.....,., <Jechnong or endMgored • -ker.. .,,..,.tv 5 According tO Brtocoe (1992). 'Up IO 5.000 ~ -~~ t2 ~ent of the r.ndw.. T'-Yclilfetl,_ the •est of .,._,. be<lcM.oe t'-Y M cloMf 110 .,. . . -- '" ' -·a -~t countnea duo••••t cut:~· l"he ..-port '-'<1 lll4t ~ . . .I*'P'- - · .a.o Vol 10 No.1 !l7 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Survival and Revival of Native American Languages Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jeffrey Wollock Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title The Survival and Revival of Native American Languages Item Type Journal Article Author Alexander Ewen and Jeffrey Wollock Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 25-27 Publication Title SAIIC Newsletter ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note The disappearance of Indigenous languages although a deeply disturbing and ever accelerating trend has received little national or international attention. Under enormous stress from a variety of sources the Native people of the South American continent appear unable to halt the rapid erosion that is washing away a central strand of human identity. The loss of language will create negative consequences like, loss of cultural. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p25-27.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Disappearance of Native languages Indigenous languages Native Language Revival http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/dfbda9a08988349e2e20f96b82374eae.pdf 54a4d89e62826bb9b4acb5fb784ae3bf PDF Text Text ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM SAIIC Daughters of Abya Yala Testimonies of Indian women organizing throughout the Continent. Statements from grassroots Indian women leaders from South and Meso America. Includes resolutions from Indigenous women's meetings. a directory of Indian · women's organizations and key' contacts, information on lndiaJ> women's projects. and poems by Indian women. Contains 128 pages with beautiful black and white photographs. Printed on recy· cled paper. $8 + $3.00 shipping. Video: A Skirt Full of Butterflies 15 minutes. A love poem to the Isthmus Zapotec women · of southern Oaxaca. Mexico. by filmmakers Ellen Osborne and Maureen Gosling. For every purchase made. a second copy will be sent to an Indigenous women's o~ganization as a gift. $19.95 + ~.00 shipping. Video: Columbus Didn't Discover Us Native people's perspectives on the Columbus Quincentennial based on the footage of the 1990 Quito Conference. 24 minutes. A co·production of SAIIC, CONAIE. ONIC and Turning llde Productions. Available in Spanish or English. $19.95 + $3.00 shipping. Amazonia: Voices from the Rainforest A resource and action guide with a comprehensive list· ing of international rainforest and Amazonian Indian organizations sponsored by SAIIC and the International Rivers Network. and published by Rainforest Action Network and Amazonia Film Project. 1990. Available in Spanish or English for $4.50 + $3.00 shipping. ·1992 International Directory & Resource Guide An annotated directory of over 600 international orga· nizations that participated in 500 Years of Resistance projects . Includes declarations from Indigenous confer· ences and organizations and information on curriculum resources. speakers bureaus. computer networks. audio-visual .resources and print resources. $5.00 + $3.00 shipping. ''Indigenous Voices" Radio Program SAIIC's latest taped radio program is now available. Focusing on topics related to biodiversity and Indigenous peoples.' jt serves as an informative base with which Indigenous peoples can protect themselves against unwelcome bioprospecting and biopiracy. 1 hour. Narrated by members of SAIIC's Board of Directors. <Available in Spanish only) $8.00 + $3.00 shipping. South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ' P.O. Box 28703, Oakland, CA 94604 Non·profit Organization US Postage PAID Oakland, CA Permit No. 79· � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM SAIIC (Back Page) Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM SAIIC (Back Page) Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 40 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p40.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] "Indigenous Voices" Radio Program Daughters of Abya Yala http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/3c4932b78e4f3ed63b13d07a5930f2fa.pdf 6ede06ef579a625b15a3dc17e08de642 PDF Text Text H u MAN RIGHTS - Namandu: A Guarani Community Pays a Heavy Price for a National Park in Misiones,Argentina O n the lOth of October, 1995. ftelds-<\11 of which were ready for bar- soon after mid-day, a group of vest. Soon the men ret\lrned from the uniformed. amted men from the Body of Park Wardens of the Ministry of Ecology and Nawral Resources of the Government of Misiones entered the Mby'~ Guarani community of Namandu-Arroyo Azul and destroyed its dwellings and nearby fields. The motive for the attack remains unknown. but it is widely believed that it was due to the political interests associated with the creation of the Provincial Park of CuM Pi<U. and the broader governmental plans to bring tourism to the area. The area of Namand(t is located in the eastern end of the valley of CuM Pi<U, in the center of the province of Misioncs of nonheastem Argentina. 1t is <:overed 'vith virgin rainforest and is one of the last undeveloped areas of the ParaM-Misiones Forest. It is also sacred to the eleven Mby'a Guarani communities that live there. The three commttnities of Namandti (Arroyo Azul. Namandu and TamMdua-1) are conSidered the guardians of the sacred area. Only four women. the children. and the elderly were present in the village when the unifo.m1ed men anived say· ing that, in the name of the government. they had to withdraw from the provincial park immediate!)< The women responded in Guarani Mby'tt that they would wait until the men returned. When the women refused to accompany them om of the park, the officials broke into the dwellings, threw otu all of the belongings. and destroyed all of the dwellings in the community, including the "House of Prayer" (Opy). Then the.y destroyed the communitys Vol. 10 No.1 forest with food and found their community completely destroyed . They quickly sought refuge in nearby villages. On the 12th of October, with the help of Other chiefs, the members of Namandt\-Arroyo Azul wrote a letter to Lorenzo Ramos. leader of the Counsel of Caciques (chiefs) of the GuaranJ People. They stated that. · we are J 3 aboriginal L1milies that. for a long time. have lived on this forest. Eight of our families ha,·e been evicted: fony people, old and young... Today we arc thrown out into the streets and we sleep in the forest and don't have anything to eat. The children are gelling sick and us poor mothers and fathers. we don\ know what to do with them because we "This in an incident that does not deseNe all the expensive 'hoopla· that has been made ov.er it. •· -Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources abandoned our houses and the fields of manioc and wheat . \Ne are suffering.. . We do not know what will happen .. . We do not know why we were evicted ... Although the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources did not accept the (esponsibility for the events of Nainandti and stated. "This in an incident that does not deserve all the expensive 'hoopla' that has been made over it," in November a court case ensued during which an ·apology" was issued. The Counsel of Caciques of the Guarani People continue to pressure the local and national governments and arc demanding that a Community Indigenous Territory in the name of the Guarani be created out of the Provincial Park, Ku Pi<U. that would be pan of the Natural Culturnl Reserve. '1l Ple<~se show your Sttpport for tlte Guara11f people by writing I<IW~ demanding: · that du~ governmeru rt pair the ttamagcs they have ir1cun~d m1d d1at the wardens be madt legally n:SI>Onsiblc in a court cjlaw; - "'1'1"'" of tltc rt/p<e$1 cf the Ctwranr communities of K« t>inl that their ltmd II< denwr('ated fn a CommuniLy Indigenous Territory of 12,000 hwarcs; - the re-establishment of Law 2435 that IU· ogni.te.s tile Gtutranf People. and d1eir polid· cal, social. economic., a11d cultuml systems, and grants them relative. autonomy: Sr. Cab<mador de Ia Provinda de Misiones. Don Fc<lerico RamOn Pucna, Casa dtl Cobicmo, 3300 Posadas. Argcmina; Tel: 54- 752-31183 Sr. Pn:sfdcmt de Ia Nadon, Dr. Carlos 5. Menem, Casa de Gol>icmo, 8/lkan:e 50. 1000 Buenos ;\ires; Argentina; fax: 54-1331-6376; Tel: 54-1·343-3051 Sr. P~<sidente Mision~. de Ia C<lmara de Dip«tados cle Don Hector Caballero, Palacio Ltgislativo, h·anoswl<y 1950, 3300 Posadas, Argentina; fax: 54-i52-39193 For more irifonnalion contact the Centro Mocovi "lalel1 lav'a: CasU/a de Como 36, 2728 Mel!nwt (Prov. de Santa Ft). Argentina; Td: ()4) 0465·99015; fax: (51) 0465-99197. 33 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Namandu:A Guarani Community Pays a Heavy Price for a National Park in Misiones,Argentina Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Namandu:A Guarani Community Pays a Heavy Price for a National Park in Misiones,Argentina Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 33 Publication Title SAIIC Newsletter ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note Armed men from the Body of Park Wardens of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Government of Misiones entered the Mby'a Guarani community of Namandu-Arroyo Azul and destroyed its dwellings and nearb fields with no known motive. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p33.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Argentina Namandu-Arroyo National Park Rainforest http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/9b390183dd082b481ab5ec8964e11288.pdf 2cd907da8c82eedb655574c4414db7ec PDF Text Text ORGAN I ZATION AND COM M UNICA T ION OAS Drafts Inter-American Declaratio n on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Recently, the Organization of American States <OASJ distributed a rough draft of 8 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. On February 27-28. 1996. the IACHR (see below) of the OAS organized a reunion in Guatemala in which Indigenous leaders critiqued the declaration. The initial May deadline for receiving the input of Indigenous people has been indefinitely postponed. so there is time to unify Indigenous voices into one to modify the Declaration. For this. Indigenous peoples must come together in inter-regional meetings. SAIIC encourages the OAS to go further. as the Draft Declaration falls short of meeting the aspirations of Indigenous peoples for their collective rights. Despite addressing key problems Faced by Indian communities. the paternalistic dominance of national ideology pervades the document, leaving Indigenous peoples in a subaltern position of entities somehow "protected" by nation-states. In what follows, we present excerpts from the Draft Declaration. he prcs.:nt draft approved by the Inter-American TCommission on has been RightsGovernments,the OAS for Human (IACHR) of consultation about Its text with indigenous organizations. other interested institutions and ex pens. On the basis of their answers and comments, the IACHR will prepare its unal proposal to be presented to the Geneml Assembly of the OAS. Section On.e. 'Indigenous Peoples' An. l. Definition. 3. The use of the term "peoples" in this lnstmment shall oot be constmed as having any Implication ";th respect to any other rights that might be attached to that tenn in international law. Section Two.' Human Rights' An. II. Full observance of human rights 3. The States also recognize that the indigenous peoples are entitled to collective rights insofar as they are indispensable to the enjoyment of the indh<idual human rights of their members. Accordingly they recognize the right of the indigenous peoples to collective action, to their cultures, to profess and practice their spiritual beliefs and to use their languages. Art. V. No forced assimilation. The States shall not take any action which forces indigenous peoples to assimilate and shall not endorse any theory. or engage in any practice, that importS discrimination. destruction of a culture or the possibility of the extennination of any ethnic group. Section Three. Culrural Development Art. XVI. Indigenous Law. I. Indigenous law is an integral part of the States' leg.• I S)'S· tern and of the framework in which their social and economic development takes place. 2. Indigenous peoples are entitled to maintain and reinforce their indigenous legal systems and also to apply them to mauers within their communities, including systems pertainVol. 10 No. 1 ing to ownership of real property and natural resources, resolution of conOicts within and between indigenous communities. crime prevention and law enrorcemem. and maintenance of internal peace and harmony. Section f ive. Soc:ial, Economic, and Property Rights 5. In the event that ownership o[ the minerals or resources of the subsoil pertains to the State or that the State has rights over other resources on the lands, the governments must establish or maintain procedures for the participation or the peoples concerned in detennining whether the interests of these people would be adversely affected and to what extent. before undertaking or authorizing any program for tapping or exploiting existing resources on their lands. The peoples concerned shall panicipate in the benefits of such activities. and shall receive compensatlon in accordance with international law. ror any damages which the)' may sust.ain as a resuh of such activities. Art. XX. Intellectual propeny rights. 1. Indigenous peoples shall be entitled to recognition of the full ownership, control and protection of such intellectual propeny rights as they have m their cultural and artistic heritage. as well as special measures to ensure for them legal status and institutional capacity to develop, use, share, market and beque:uh. that heritage on to future generations. 2. Where circumstances so warrant. indigenous peoples have the right to special measures to control. develop and protect. and full compens;~tion for the use of their sciences and technologies, including their hum.~n and genetic resources in geneml. seeds, medicine. knowledge of plant and animal life. original designs and procedures. SccLion Six. General p-rovisions An. XXIV. Nothing in this instmment shall be constmed as granting any rights to ignore boundaries between States. Scprcmbcr 19, 1995. 35 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource OAS Drafts Inter-American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title OAS Drafts Inter-American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 35 Publication Title SAIIC Newsletter ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note Recently, the Organization of American States distributed a rough draft of a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. On February 27-28, 1996, the IACHR of the OAS organized a reunion in Guatemala in which Indigenous leaders critiqued the declaration. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p35.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] OAS Organization of American States Rights of Indigenous Peoples http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/1ab6159c91592ef70d65ca4917f12b68.pdf 0ee86fdbe2406051c95835b33ce64a25 PDF Text Text ABVAVA NE JouRNAL or THE SouTH AND MESO AMERICAN INDIAN INFORMATION (ENTER (SAil() V OLUME 8. N UMBERS 1 & 2. SUMMER 19?4 PRICE $4.00 �c 0 T E T s Editorial............................................................................................................ 3 In Brief..............................................................................................................4 Perspectives on Chiapas Abya Yala. N ews Edllors: SAIIC Board of Oke<tors Coordinators: COMt:ann C:a.svo. David Tecklin Design & Uyovt; At!onso j:u·amiiSo SAIIC Staff Director: Nilo Cayuquco Offl.ce M1nage1': Oavtd T« .kiln C>evdopmcm CoordiNtor/Adminls:trator. Kimberly R~ Oevek>pment A.sshunc Ron Afegrb SAIIC Boar d Maya Identity and the Zapatista Uprising by Aroceli Burguete ...................................................................................................... 6 Nlfo Cayvqueo (Mapuche-Art:endo.a) Guillermo Ocl~do (Qu«:hu~ ·BoiM:a) Chronology of Events ................................................................................... 15 Indigenous and Campesino Peace Proposals .......................................... 12 Interview with Antonio Hernande~ Cruz of CIOAC ........................... 12 The Zapatista Project .................................................................................... 16 Chiapas is seen from Temuco: Interview with Auc:an Huilcaman by Ximena Ortuzor .................................................................................................... 18 Chiapas for the Continental Indigenous Movement ............................. 21 Self Determination and Territory or DirectorS Wan. Aldel'ete (Calchaqu;·ArgenUna) Akjandro Arnaru Atgumtdo (Qu«hV<l·Per-U) Xihulnel HU«'Q (Chlcanit'l(fi;a) C~rios M:Ubt'th (Mis.J<.ito-Nican.gu:&) Gin:a ~caldo (San Carlos ApachdChlu.ru) Subscf'iptions: Aby3 Yal:a News (ISSN 1071-3 I$2) is 3-v:tilabte for :an annUli $1 S peNon:ll m~mbco:rs.hlp. $2 S (or lndige-~VsocQ.l justic~ non-protrts, $<Kl in.st:itutions. For Canada :md Mexico ~dd $5. for ~~~ other int~rN.tional ~mbershlps.. ~dd $10. We wckome..submluions o( :al'(ioeles, l~ttcrs.. photographs -and rclev.ant lnform.ation. l.tUtr"$ :and ;a.rdctes ~y bt edited for lenzth. If you have ;KCC:SS to ~ <omp.~ttr~c $(lnd '{QUI' ~rtldeon~r andonanApplec~~b!e 3 lf2indt<fis.k. Send :til toe• UF ~ ~ckncc to: SAIIC After the Constitution: Territorial Demarcation in Colombia by Ana Cecilia Botero & Hernon Rodriguez ........................................................ 22 P.O. Box 28703 Oakland. CA 94604, USA Phone: (S 10) 834·4263 No Life without land: Interview with Teofilo Lacayo .......................... 24 Fax' (S 10) 834-4264 e-mail: saik@igc.apc.org Suicide before Eviction: The Guarani-Kaiowa of Brazil. ....................... 26 Environment and Development Closing the Darien Gap!: The Pan-American Highway's last Link by Alida Korten ................................................................,.......................................... 29 Increased Oil Development Rejected in the Amazon .......................... 30 Healt h Public Policy and Traditional Health Systems ......................................... 34 Human Rights Waye of Violence in Colombia ...................................,.............................. 36 Earthquake Devastates Paez Communities of Colombia ..................... 37 Military Represses Indigenous Protests in Ecuador .............................. 38 W e would like> to th<\nk the following individu· a Is and organizations for their g enerous :usis· tance to Abya Yala News I ~ Al:trcoo. Alberto ··nco" Al'enu, Beto Bot't~. Araccll e~,n'guete. Ad~l ~. M:ui&IU Hegge-man, Angelle~ Mendoza. M:trbn3 Mon.. Katy Null~ Adler. Eva Ops:'lhl. Glen Switkcs. G\l'illtrmo P~do. Peter R.oberuon, K:ati:\ TorreUi. Silly It Tritt Jr. St~ V.a('ese Orsanlutions: Aroerfndia (Spain), OoCip (Switterbnd). Ind~nsk Mediescnter (NOt"'o'4y), Grvpo K.an,un.anta (USA). Nork l~i:lMk Forcming (Norway). Sol y L\ln:l (Noi"W:Iy). Ralnfort$t Action Nctwotk.(USA). Publkations.: NAO RP (UC O~vl$, USA), Revista de £studios Culwrales (Bolivia), Rt'lista Multt't$ (USA). Re..,ist.l Uniw (8ollvb). Sh~n·s Drum (USA). S\ldwind Magalin (Germ.any). Than.ks to the following foundations for tht!:irgener· ous support: john 0. 3M Catherine T. M:ac Arthur foun<bdon. General SeNic~ found3-tion, P\lblic Wel&re Fourtdadon. The Tides Foundation. Nxln<btion for Deep Books Whose History!: Much Work Ahead for lndigehous Historians ....... 39 Organization and Communication...................................................40 Calendar of Events ....................................................................................4 1 News from SAIIC......................................................................................43 E<oiOi)'. SAIIC Rpresenta.tives abroad: juan Seb.ut1oin L:.ra-REGNSUEN {Norw:ay), Raf3-cl Argumedo (Gertn:arty). Alepf\dro Argumcdo & Sus.an O ' Oonell (Canada), Mareos Yoc (Gt.t.atemala). On the Covef': Com3..nd3.nte ~ Maria of the EZlN: SAIIC. 8ae~rotJnd: Peter Robtruon �EDITORIAL nj~nuary first. O uprising in Chiapas. l994, much of the world was shocked with the news of the Zapmlsta Mexico imcrnmlonally recognized as a stable. peaceful and dcmocmtic coumry. proud of its governm~nt and admired by others. fin~lly stood revealed. The uprising showed the wotld what many of us already knew: the extreme exploitation, oppression, discriminauon and misery of the close to fifteen million Indigenous people that live there. We also know that the same conditions e.~ist in the majomy of the countries on this commcm. We hope that the events in Ch~apas caLLSe to reOect not only governments but also the so<allcd national societies which have gener.:~lly remained indifferem to Indigenous demands--so that this indifference lS recognized ns complicity with inJusUce. Go,·cm· mcntsand societies in general cannot continue U> ignore Lhe clamor for jusuce being made by om· people. In Lhe meantime, Indigenous people are creating the necessary strntcgy and ideology to see more. clearly our road to liberation. and to avoid confusion in the sense t hm Indigenous aspirations are reducecl only to class or economicdemands. We w:mt to clat·ify that Indigenous demands are not just for n betlcr salary, or a piece of land, rnther they oriented towards reconstructing our commun(ties and cultures. In the last edition of Ab)-a Yala News. we noted that even though some anent ion hnd been given 10 Indigenous problems by governments, institutions, and non-governmental organi~ations, liule justice was actually achieved. Nonetheless, and despite cvcrythmg. there arc positive signs which hold out hope for a betrcr future. We can affirm that Indigenous peoples contmue to develop nnd communu::ate their objecuves and polictes with increasing clarity and unity. The International Year of lndtgcnous Peoples declared by the United Nations in 1993 created many expectations. But \\1th few cxccpuortS, and despite Lhe good intentions of some international agencies and governments such as Lhose of Norway, Canada and Australia,lmle has changed. Not only do lndtgenous demands continue to be dented. but the systematic violation of our peoples' human rights continues. Repression, murders. forced displacements and indiscriminate natuml resource exploitation arc the continuation of work begun five hundred years ago. The United Nations has now declared this the decade of Indigenous Peoples. It is likely that governments with LLSethisdeclaration todlvcnanemion from existing problems, with the usual paternalistic propaganda. The difference is that now, Indigenous peoples scrutinize government policies. We are bcncr organized and have more experien~e. The current challenge for lndigenousorgonizations Is create the necessary strategies for change and a solid continental unity. SAIIC Board of Dtrcctors Voi. 8No.l t 2 3 �IN BRIE F Indigenous Leaders Awarded Goldman Environmental Prize Indigenous Groups in Argentina Push for Rights Under New Constitution OnApril18. 1994. Luis Macas president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAl E) and Mathew Coon Come. grand chief of the Cree were awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in San Francisco, California. The prize includes a no-strings attached $60,000 grant. Macas was recognized for his role in the 1990 Levantamiento lndigena (Indigenous uprising) in Ecuador which forced the government to seriously negotiate the conditions for oil drilling in the Ecuadorian Amazon. He was also praised for his role in the negotiations between CONAIE and the Ecuadorian govemmem which resulted in a sweeping settlement giving Indigenous nations title to three million hectares of rainforest in the Amazon. Coon Come has worked for decades to oppose the Quebec government's monumental plans for hydroelectric dam building in James Bay. Both these struggles put Indigenous and environmemal organizations against some or the world's most powerful forces. With these awnrds, the Goldman foundation has helped give world attention and stature to these leader's struggles. Following is Luis Mac.1s' statement at the cercmO· The fifteen Indigenous nations in Argetnina arc car');ng out a country-wide mobilization in response to the opening of a process for constitutional revision. lncligcnous groups are pressuring the national congress to finally include an article nies. arrival of wescem civilization tl1e plundering of natural resources was initiated as was the ta,~eover and destr'UCrion of our moeIter earth and the exploitation of our p<ople. This fntensivt and irralional exploitation of natural rtsmuces ca«sed not only impoverishment of Ute earth liUI has gener(l(ed poverty and the viola!ion of human rights among our t>eople in the South. nte culture ofcapitalism and avarice has forced i!Self on natur'c to achieve its goals no nuwer what the ~tcrifice. As <l reSilh, we: arc now experiendng an accelerated process of tnle globed collapse. st~ning their rights under the constitution . Indigenous orga- nizations held two assemblies regarding the issue of constitutional refonn and have drafted a proposal for rights to be included in the new constitution. The proposal's most important points were recognition that Indigenous peoples ex.isted before the creation of the National state and birth of the provinces; the recognition of the Argentinian Republicasa pluri-ethnicand pluri-cuhuralstate: the inclusion of rights to communal land ownership as well as control of all natural resources found in these lands: the right to educate their children in their own language and culture; and finally, the deletion of pan 15 of article 67oft he current <.:Onstitution whlch states lhm the govenment should •main' taina peaceful relationship with the Indians and promote their conversion to Catholicism•. After drafting these propos.1ls. rtpiXSCntatives of alithe Indigenous communities presented a declaration to the national congress to urge inclusion of these changes in the new constitution. .. .1Vitl1 tilt As inhabitancs of this planet, ft is vital and w~e111 to scop these crimes against nature mullife and worl: tort incegmteourselves wich the natuml world so as to rtdirea our p<Uit tOw(ir'd a more respectf«l and harmonious relarionship with i1. Tltt.s.: beliefs motivate us to defend our motl1tr ear·t11 and resist her des! ruction with her. Therefore it is important that wegain tille lo terrilmies which will guarmtlee !heir protection, nor only for «s, bwfor che benefit ofalllife... IVe have co oppose dtw'Uction and death with justice. sustainable developmen! and life. 4 lnnu Activists Blockade Hydro-Quebec Roads lnnu from the Coalition for Nitassinan (their traditional lands) supponed by observers set up camp on Mal' 29. blocking the access ro.•d which Hydro·Qucbec intends to use for construction of the massive Sainte-Marguerite Ill (SM Ill) hydroelectric project. Hydro-Quebec officials have rcportedlysoughtan official injunction against the blockade in ordc.r to remove the protesters. TheSM Ill project would be built in lnnuterritoryalongthe north shore of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. It would flood over 450 square km. and, possibly contaminate this area with the toxin methyl mercury. lnnu fear this (ontamination will render the region's fish, one of their main food sources, · �IN BRIEF uns.1fe to eat. In addition, the construction would divert tribUiaries from the Moisle river. reducing nows by up lO 42% of one of the world's most important salmon rivers. This could furtherendanger the Atlantic salmon. Reportedly, one million cubic meters of forest would also be c1earcut for the reservoir and access roads. Quebec hopes to sell power generated b)• the projects to utilities in the nonheastern US. Coalition Pour Nicassinan, 182 de l'Eglise, Mani·UConam. QC, Canada C4R4K2. Tel: 41.8·927·2102 Mapuche Exert Rights over Cultural Heritage On February 20. remains of human skeletons, pieces of Valdivian St)'le ceramics. a.nd a stone pipe were discovered at a construction site in the city of San Martin de Los Andes. Argentina. Representatives of the three Mapuche communi· lies in the region. the Curnohuinca. Vera, and Cayun. de· manded immediate return of the artifacts. stating. •\vc cannot accept any manipulation of these remains be il for scientific or other reasons. There is no doubt that these remains were found on ancestral Mapuche territory where oul:' ancestors rest and this is S3.Cred to us." The three communities, members of the Mapuche Organiza. tion ofTain Kine Cetuam held a series of public demonstrations and meetings with municipal authorities, from which they obtained a promise that the artifacts would be retumed 10 their "rightful heirs". The Mapuche remain concerned that this commitment will be kept. The discovery, also brought to light the lack of legislation (or protection of such ani facts. The Mapuche representatives n(){ed that protection oftheircullural heritage was the "most fundamental human right' of their people. First Restitution of Indigenous Remains in Argentina One hundred and six years after his death, the remains of the 19th century hero of Indian resistance, Cacique lnacayal, will be moved from the Museum of La Plata in the province of Buenos Aires, to the community ofTecka in Chubul . This is the first such restitution in Argemina. which recognizes that Voi.8No.l &2 the rights of the Indigenous communities precede scientific interest in these remains. lnacayallived his last days in the capital city, where he was brought with his family by the researcher FranciS<::o Moreno to Uve on his estate of•Paseo del Bosque'. On September 24, 1888 the chief died of sadness. Continental Indigenous Foundation Formed Indigenous leaders from throughout the continent came to Oakland, California on. April 16 for the founding meeting of the first foundation fonned and led by Indigenous people from South and Cemral America. SAIIC hosted this meeting for the Ab)•a Yala Fund during which the various leaders decided the foundation's strategies and goals. The foundation aims to ftmd projects developed by lndig· enouscommunities in South and Ccml'al America and Mexico. Areas of interest will be territory. environment, trainjng, selfdevelopment, women's issues. health, education. organizing. scholarships. and exchanges between Indigenous peoples. Anotherofthc foundation's goals will be to support I raining in lmen1ational communicalion. for example the improvement of communities' access to other foundations. The Abya \'ala fund ;'liso plans administrative training and assistance in elaboration of gram propos.,ls. The meeting pa.nicipams noted that it is time that the Indigenous communities have direct access to foundations and other fonns of financial and technical support for their development efforts aimed at improvi1\g living conditions. In addition they observed that hundreds of non-indigenous intermediary groups have been receiving funds to work with indigenous people or in the name of indigenous people, and that man}' of these fund have been wasted in administration. Intermediaries have at times also imposcd their political conditions on Indigenous communities. or have not been responsive to the communities' own interests. The Abya Yala Fund currently has an office in Oakland, Califor· nia. and aims to fom• regional offices in Central and South America, The fund is sponsored by the Tides Foundation umil it obtains legal stalliS. Donations are,.., deductible, and compu1ers. f.-.x machines. primers and other office equipment are grea.tly needed. Abya l'ala Fund c/o Tides Foundation 1388 Sutcer St, J9rh Floor, San Francisco, CA 94109. 5 �CHtAPAS: MAYA IDENTITY AND THE ZAPATISTA UPRISING "In Chiopos. the own~rs of tht fincos trtoltht Indians worst thon they trtottheir onimols. Chiopos is on~ grtot finco in which we lnd•ons ore less tmportont thon the cows. Test•mony of o Mayo reptestntotr~ to the Notional congress in 1992 by Araceti Burguete Cal y Mayor he VIISI lllOJOriiY or the bpotista N.ulonrolllberauon Arm)'(EZLN) nghtCI'$ 11re lndtgcnous Maya To;olnbnl, Tzchnl . Tzotzil and Chole !"'OJ>It•ln addition 10 n smaller number of me;,u:os and other ethnic groups. TI>tlf demands ore dwcrs<. osctllatmg betwt<'n tho!.e rat~d by the m·olution2rycbs.- ommcd mo\'~mentsof Central Amcnca, clu.tc \lt>ucan amp<SIDO T (~t)demands.2ndthecl.aunsbetng made by the lnd•gcnous tnO\-.,mem. The EZLI' ha, also tncorpor2tcd m:o il.s po>nton>a "'de =R• of demands rdat• mg 10 tit< urb.tn mO\·cment's struggles, the polott<:.ll p;1rttcs, •nd to the demands for democracy ''Otced by Mcxtcan society In gcncr•tl, Is thos an Indigenous rebellion or an Indigcnous uprl•lng whh cam!"'Sino demands l is this the hegmmng or a Mexi· C.10 Cl\11 W,lf (or m'U,Oila) democracy oris 1 u a local struAAic to change the medit\'3] structures of Chtapul Is thiS the bst duptcr of the Central Amcncan classb>scd moluuons or 1011 the r.,... chapiU CJoop;:s.""""""" Ar«<h a.tpct<" • -.cCij' tZNl IANvul tZNl •cwolfdl 1-.ltpt'llloll W..l'r"JJIr'• fr""' (f!PI). ...,...._for tt.< 6 of the modem lndtgcnou• 'lndtamst" revoluuonsl The rc<ent h•story of Chint>as can help cxpl.oln the nppmemly exclusive nnnue of these questions. The 7~1patlstn tcbelllon Is embedded in the histone nnd j\Co)<mphtc S!"'cificiues of Chtapo> Titc c•n be dl\1dcd 11110 fourdt>tlnct rtj\"'"' the fir-t.mcorporatc.thedcn-.clypopulatcd htghlands and the nc" 1) colonlUd bordtr zone; the ttntr.>l rtp<>n "hteh h.u only been popubtcd b)· fiiCl.lll"" ••nee ~ 19th Cmtury. the eoutal rtli'OncolonlUd tn thts Ccntu')· by n\C>Itzotmmtgrants:and the Soconu,.;o r<lloon ""h tiS old colonl31 sculcmems Th~ ••~ have few relauons wnh e•ch oth<r They are sustamed by d1ITcrent ctonomlc ::~cuvities. parually due 10 the ab.encc. until the 1970's, of ronds nnd communication. The conOict developed in the highland and border orca 1he highlands arc the ancestr.>lt<mtOI)' of the rtbdhon's pnn· ctpol actors. the· M•>·• Tzotztl. Tzclw. TO)Olabal•nd {hole pcopl<s The bordcrrtg~<>n. "htehmdudesthe Lacandon r:11nfore<~. h.urtcci\<'CI "a>tsol m•gnnt lndW>S from the htghlandso>crtht last JOyears h 110" CONI IIUte:> the r<gtonaJ 2nd soml ba.ic of th< l.lpatl>U army. ""'< Chiapas and Guat. mala: e shared identitie s The ong~rul \1 )Jtcmtory """!rag· mentcd dunng tht f,>m\Jllon of the colomal tUliOru,, Into rt\c Mt~lt:.tn Sl~ltS­ Chi:lpas, Tabosco, Yucnt.m, Qumtana Roo.and Cam(lechc· m ~ddt lion to Gun· temala and lld1 Ounng the wlom.tl tc. period. Chtapns bdongcd ll> $pam's Guatemalan C.1ptnlnt)' Ci<•nrral Its so· cia!. economic, ruhur•l • .tnd pnllucal structures "ere dchncd on thl> pcnod. and have pcr>l>trd 111 comrmpontf)' Chiopas "'''hout rrwluti<>NII)' change.. Ch12p3S was annc'cd b)· the \le>lcan R<:pubbcm 182-t astht rtsultof a plcbosotc m ,.hoch only lad•OO> (those of mix<:d Europcon and lrt<ltgc~ mcouy) --bcmg tit< onI)' cw:cn' "ho could �read and write--voted. Despite annexation to Mexico. Chiapas continued to be in~egrate:d with Guatemala. Even toda)'. iiS geogmphy, its language. e"en hs commerce rail within the limits or Guatemala. ln· migrmion or Guatemalans looking for work has also lxen common. Until the 1970's. there was no direct ro3d connecting Chiapas to the non hem pltt of Mexico. Thus, the state capital of Tuxtla Gutitrrez was located 1,000 km by road from Mexico City. An important aspect of highland Chiapan society which dearly identifies it with Guatemalan societ)' is that of identity. Indians were given a ke)' role in the construction of the Mexican state, but only as dead Indians. living Indians in comrast were denied. In Voi.8No.l &2 this way. a nation;;tl model was con . . structed based on the notion of a glorious Indian past and a hon>ogencous, that is. mestizo, (mixed ancestry) present. Guatemalan ideology differs substantially. There, people who are biologically mestizo assume themselves descendants of the criollos referring 10 themselves as ladinosand as the people of reason . In opposition obviously ore those lacking reason, the Indians. Chi apas in contrast to the rest of Mexico echoes the Guatemalan notion of identity. The ladinos negate racial mixing entirely and have org•nized society according to racial divisions~ thereby guaranteeing racial discrimination and turning the devaluing of Indigenous people into a dail)' act. Not the first indigenous uprising Indian people have paid an extremely high price to maintain their identity. Indian relxllions, though nearly always fnostrmed. have been as much a constant of Chiapas' history as has the ex-ploitation and oppression which followed the conquest. In 1532,the Maya rose against the Spanish. Followingtheirdefeat many heroically threw themselves from a cliff knownasCat)ondc!Sumi<lero. In 1712, followingseveml localuprisings.the Indigenous people throughout the highlands relxlled again: this time grouped around an apparition ofthe Virgin Mary. They declared the htdigenous headquarters of Cancuc as their capital and rejected Ciudad Real (now San Cristobal de las Casas), along with its civil and 7 �PERSP ECTI VES ON(H IAPAS several Indigenous revolts. The federal government responded in 1849 with a Jaw outlawing forced and uncompen· sated labor. This law ended the semifeudal custom of debt peonage. under which an indigenous or campesina (am· ii}'OCCupiesa portion of land in a finca in exchange for unpaid work: a situation which convened them imo the landlord's property and made securing their own land impossible. This legislation provoked an armed upnsing led b)' the landlords. who succeeded m overturn~ ing the law two years later. Debt (>tOn~ age was progressively e:Hminated in the rest of Mexico followi ng the revolution of 1910. In Chiapas, however, several hundred Indigenous people continue, even today. to work as indebted peons on the large plantations. just as the counter-reform gripped Chiapas in the 19th century, the state'' landlords also won the 20th century's counter-revolution. In 1910, Mexico was convulsed with the first social revo~ lution of the 20th century, its chat>gcs weren't felt itl Chiapas. One of the first actions of the re.volutiontuy government was to begi11 agraria11 reforms that respollded to the expectations of the millions of campesinos who had panici· pated in the re,·olution. President Venustiano Carranza scm his officials to the republic's different states in order to Many lapatista Comnw>nders and fighters, induding Comandante AM Maria, are women. ecclesiasticamhoritics. Finallyinl714. to ensure practicall)' free labor for their a powerful army from Guatemala anni· plantations. hila ted the rebels who had taken refuge in Ocosingo. The tremendous miser)' A state the revolution passed by which resulted from this defeat, followed l3bor relations are detem1ined by by lossoflandsand frequent famines led ethnic oppression maintained by politito further rebellions in 1864 and 1867 cians and ladino plantation owners. by Tzotzilcs attempting to reclaim their During Mexico's r.rst period of Libsovcreigntyuan imem which was again el':ll refonns in the 19th century. landrepressed. Since then. the state'scriollos holding families headed the counterand ladinos have perfected their control rcfonn. New privalization laws and colom·er the Indigenous population in order nization of Maya lerritories had caused 8 implement this reform. In 1914. General jesus Agustin Castro arrived in Chiapas as govemor and initiated land distribution and effons at protecting worker's rights. The land Q \vners immediately rose in arms declaring themselves against Venustiano Carranza. Their re· bellion coincided with the revohs in the counti')'S Nonhern and Central regions led b)' Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata . Histol)•'s paradox is that the Chiapan landowners declared themselves Villistas and Zapatistas, in order to ally with these armies. Thus, the first Zapatistas in Chiapas were counter·revolutionarics. The coumer~re"olutionarics' threatened secession from the Union, and the fedel':ll government was forced to negotiate. At this time, they conceded that Abya Yala News �PERS PECTIVES ON(H IAPAS Chiapas would always be governed by members of the Familia Chiapaneca··as the local criollos were known--and also that privately held land would not be exprop•iated. Since then, the Chiapan elite have invoked the specter of seces· sion and the defense of state sovereignty to avoid intervention b)• the national government. The cost has been too high. The revolution's institutions which are ubiquitous in the rest of Mexico. never arrived in Chiapas. Thus the continuity of Chiapas' similarity to Guatemala re· mained unbroken. Likewise, the lnsti· tutional Revolutionary Party's (PRJ) which has ruled Mexico since the revolu· tion only recent!)• installed itself in Chiapas. Its peasant and worker organi· zations which ha,·e coopted social movements in the rest of Mexico only arrived in Chiapas in the 1970's, and still have liule presence. The Lacandon rainforest: cradle of rebellion Due to its regressive agrarian po1ic)' most of the state's arable land was con· cetnrated in a few hands by J9qQ. Ac· cording to population censuses, more than half was owned by 2.6% of the population. just nine landlords ac· coumed for 630.532 hectares. In con· trast the average size of Indigenous and C;"tmpesino farms was under two heeLares. At the same time, a significant proportion of the state corresponded to 'National U.nds", that is forest areas susceptible to colonization. Population growth and the exhaustion of the ances· tral Indigenous territories. government support for forest colonization. the dis· ever is characterized by steep slopes and oil. Nonetheless, the majority of com· extreme!)' poor soils underlain by calcar· munities lack electricity as well as a'!)' of cousrock. These soils retaillwater poorly; the other benefits yielded by their rc· making agriculture very difficult. The sources region's physical harshness further sharp· Chiapas has the second highest proened social discontent. portion ofindigenous inhabitants (28%) The Indigenous colonists adapted 10 of all the Mexican states, three quarters life in the forest only after profound of whom live in dispersed l'ural seulc· cultural, political and ideological mems. It also has the highest infant changes. They left parents and grand· mortality and illiteracy rates, percentage parents behind and remodeled their iden- of citizens with inconles less Lhan two tity around the central desire to obtain minimum salaries (about $250), and out· land. In order to survive new and difn . . standing petitions for land. just under cult conditions half of the state's and the land· families live in "Is this the last chapter of the Central owners unre· houses with din letaing violence. American class-based revolutions or noors. a statistic the colonists is it the first chapter of the modem closely related to formed political children's disease Indigenous "lndianist" revolutions?" or productive orrates. A study preganizations. pared by the insti· These strengthened their nascent tute for European·l<ltin American Stud· campesino identity, subst itutingfor their ies reponed the following: 'Chiapas has communal (Indian) identity. The the lowest levels of electricity in the rainforest's new colonists and their young country (66.7%). 0nly58%ofthehouses descendants are the protogonists of the have running \vater when the nalional conflict in Chiapas. The four municipal average is 79%...The. state's population centers taken by the Zapalistas: San is only 4% of the nation. but constitutes Cristobal. L'5 Margaritas. Ocosingo and 25% of all the disputes between Altamirano were all poims of departure campesinos and landlords in the coun· from the jungle, specificall)' from U.s try. disputes which often are violem!l Cm)adas. The uprising's detonators Chiat>as' economic structuresarearchaic; plantations for export of coffee, carda· mom, extensive livestock grazing and logging--with· out value added processing. placement resulting from constmction According to official stat is· of hydroelectric dams, the advent of oil tics, Chiapas holds the un· exploitation, soil deterioration, political enviable position of being and religious persecution and violence between 1960 and 1980 led to accelcr· ated colonization of the U.candon. The population grew from 5,000 to 300,000 inhabitants in those years. Thousands of Indigenous families from the highlands needing a piece of land to work took refuge in the forest . principally in the region of U.s Cm)adas. This region howVoi. 8No. l &2 Mexico's poorest state. Ninety-four of its Ill mu· nicipalities are considered highly marginal. The paradox is that Chiapas is also a rich state. In the last 10 years, it has held the third and fourth place respectively in the production of gas and 9 �PERSPECTIVES ON C HIAPAS In a good will gesture, the EZlN inaugurated peace talks by releasing ex-governor ~bsalon Castellanos, held since the u prising's second day. Castellanos a nd his family own a significant portion of Chiapas' la nd and wealth. The EZlN and Indigenous organizations demand his trial for crimes committed during his administration, a period w idely seen as the state's most repressive in modern history. OUI of the total population of close to 2,000,000. about 1.130,000 are •economically active• that is, 55.4% of the population receive-s no income. While Chiapas occupies Rrst place in the country for social marginal h)'. this is further aC(:entuated in the conflict re· gions. Illiteracy for those over 15 years old in Chiapas is close to 30%, in the Indigenous municipalities it is nearly conclude that lands are totall)' distribtned and that there are no large landholdings. others provide contrary opinions. According to leaders of the opposition, Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), the last census showed that 2.8%of the estates in thestate have more than I . 000 hectares each; while 40.75% have less than I 0 hectares each. According to this source. five large properties twice that. In Altamirano 51% of the concentrate 36,000 hectares. Thiny population over 15 years old is illiterate, percent of the nation's petitions for land in Las Margaritas 48%, In Ocosingo 47% arc concen!Tated in Chiapas, totaling while in San Cristobal24% and Comit~n approximauily 134,000 petitioners. 23%. The Indigenous people living in These petitioners saw their hopes for this region are the most marginal of the receiving land dashed with reform of marginal. article 27 of the constitution in january of 1992. In addition to land, productive reLand ownership and Article 27 sourcesarealsoconcentrated. The probThe virtual lack of an agrarian refom> in Chiapas, as explained before, is di- lem of inequ.~lity corresponds not only rectly rtlated to the socio·e<:onomic and to the concentration of propeny but also political problems are at the root of the 10 a discriminaLOry sysunn which sharp~ January first explosion. The land distri- ens the exclusion and oppression of Inbution which occurred was realized prln~ digenous people and reproduces exploicipally on National lands, and resulted tation. from the struggles of the Indigenous people and campesinos without land. The 1970's: explosion of Rather than resolve petitions for grant- campesino organizations ing ejidos or restitution of communal Stntggle for land in Chiapas has allands. the government has responded to ways been a radical process subject to demands for land by promoting coloni- violence from landlords. The federal zation of ncar wastelands. There is no consensus on the current quantities within each type of land ownership in the state. Some investigations 10 Indigenous peuuoners for land were given no choice but to opt for the ejido Conn or ownership. In this Wa)'. Indigenous people panicipating in the stntggle for land assumed a campesinista con· sciousness through which they demanded land to work rather than the autonomous terri~ories which were stolen during the European invasion. This campesino-class consciousness has homogenized the struggle of the Indigenous people of Chiapas. The figure of Emiliano Zapata has been continuous!)' ilwokcd to suppon land struggles, whereas the indigenous stntggles for recovery of Indian govern- mem were forgotten with the oral history of the tmditionallndian communi- ties. An organizational landmark In October of 1974, the state's first Indigenous Encounter was hosted by Bishop Samuel Ruiz. This event marked the beginning of the campesino and In- digenous mobilizations in the region. At this event Indigenous people reflected on their common problems and began to organize. This proce-ss was accelerated with the arrival in these years of several political organizations with different ideologkaltendencies. go"ernment's general agrarian re£onn One of the first to arrive was the policy emphasized the ejido form of ten· Central of Independent Agricultural ure (individual and sub-divided) in det- Workers and Campesinos (CIOAC), a riment to trnditional communal tenure. national campesino organization affili· Abya Yala News �PERSPECTIVES ON (HIAPAS atcd with the commumst p:~ny and inspm:d b)•the progr:unofEmdlllnOZap:lta hs members <stabli$hed thc~lvos in lndtgcnous communmes and worked for l~nd rdonn and to org;~nizt agricultural day-laborers attached through systems of peonage to the flncas. A S«ond lmponant movements in the count ry'sagmrlnn stntggle since 1979 was the N:uional Coordination Plan de A)•ai:~(CNPA). hsprofoundlyagrarianist and anti-partisan program was also de· nved from the program of Emiliano Zapata. hsmost imponamexpressionin Chiapas has been the Emihano Zapa12 C.ampcsmo Ot'ff'nlz:ltton (OCEZ). Both or thCaOO\'COrf'lntZOIIOOSSUffered from brutal represston camcd out b)' local death squads and S«ttrit)' forecs in the 1970's and 1980's Also dunng these years, young a®·· ists, mostly cconomtes Students and ad· herents to Maotst plulosophy arrived from the country's non hem region becoming known as l..os Norte~os. They had both rtsour<;esnnd enthusiasm. They teamed Indigenous languages and organized. In contrast to CIOAC and OCEZ. this group did no• omphasize land struggles, but rather the formation of ejido unions (coopemnves) to enhance productive actlvttlts. Current!)'. man)· of these ex·acnvlstS hold htgh offices in Salinas de Gonan's government. A slgnific•nt nuntherofthc members of these \-arious org;~mmnons ha\1! pre· sumabl)' joined the r:1nks of the EZU>!. Campesinista and lndianist organizations The formation of Indigenous organi· zations that nssumc a humanitarian ban~ ncr is tl recent nctlvity th:n has not been able to establish itself significantly in the consciousncssofthe Indigenous peoples. The C.1mpcstna and lap:1tist.1 tradition has until now subjug.1ttd lndianist elrons. Among the Indigenous organizations formed tn the rt"ttnt years, are the Organozanon of Indigenous Doctors and the Coordinator of Maya Org;~nizations Strugglingforuhernttort(COLPUMALI)· Vol8No.l &2 -member of the Independent Indian dudes m p:~rt: I) modtfleauon of the Peoples Front (FIPI). The majority of relation bet"un the State and thelndtg· these org;ont:ations \\Cre formed by In- enous peoples which imphcs consutu· digenous actl\1stS that had experiences tional recogniuon or thctr nght 10 self. tn the camllCStna dctcrmtnatton: 2) rec· struggle, but 1hirty percent of !he nation's ogmuon of ttrntorial rights of the lndig· whom in A r.:.ctnt petitions for land are concentrated cnous people of the process or rc· indiani.t.1tion (no in Chiapas...These petitioners saw coumry and o r more than 7 years their hopes for receiving land Chiapas and estnbllshold) have begun mcm or plurl-ethnic dashed with reform of article 27 ..: Indigenous t'egions to base their where the different claims nnd urg."l· nization in thetr Indian identity. These Indigenous identities and mestizos claims still have hulc \\"Ctght in Chiapas. would live under equal conduions: 3) Ftrst bec:tuse 11 is • young movement, modificlllOn or nationalllW$10 guaranbut also bec:tusc 11 has nOt had the inter· tee the p:~rtldp.1tfon of lndtgenous repnational economic support that other resentation m the leg1sbtavt. execunw: movements ha\·t ruch·rd Sorne mem- and judicial branches of government at bers of these org;~ntz.1uons nlso joined the federal and Slate level. the ranks or tht Zap.1tisto anny. The differences between the It is imponant to note as well. thot Campcstni$talndtgcnousmo'·emcntand even as the EZLN was nourished by the the lndi:3nist lndtgtnous movement nre movements mentioned above, the great clear. The Zap.11istodcmandsnrise from majortty of the activists and organiza· both thes.: traditions which follow the tions in the state decided not to actively campesinista line. but :u lhC snme tinle. panicipate in the armed uprising. Even identify in the lndianist demands possi· so. they have noted on several occasions bilities for ending coloniAl oppr~ssion. that they share the s.1nte struggle. After This most recent lnthg,cnous upristhe upnsing, tht.sc org;tni::ations fom1ed ing in Chiapas has gtven new atr 10 the themseh..,stntothe State Indigenous and Indigenous movement in Mexico. A new Campcslno Counc:il ofChi> pas (CEOIC). feeling has nooded the rnilltons or lndi· in an attempt to rorm 3 common front to ans of Me.'<ico who have Strengthened defend the mterests of the Indigenous their struggle through processes or uni· organlz:luonsond campcsmos in the con· ftca~ion. Nc,-enhelcss. the mOSI impor· text ofthe negotillions thot were opened tam thing IS the hope that It hos brought between the go,·cmmcnt and the EZI..N. tothelndigcnousmovemcnt worldwide. There nrc se,•cml lmponant dilfer- The S)•np:~th)• wluch the EZLN pro· e.nces between the programs of the voktd in the world ~hows that the IndigCampcsinista and lndianist organiz.1- enous struggles have reason and justicc tions. The campeslnlto organizations on their side. A report presemcd to the European demand: I) land distribution nnd nlodir.cation of orticle 27 tocontlnuc with the Parliament on the topic of Chlapas by agrarian rclom~; 2) cheap and appropri- the Institute for Europenn·l.atin Ameriate credit lor agricultural production: 3) can Rclationsemphasizcdthnt'Thcconroods, health care, cducauon, housing nict shows that the increasing aggresand other services; 4) support in the Si\"encss of the Indigenous communtties productl\"e process, installauon of ogre- in latin America will lead to urmed conindustry and 5) gu.tmntees of indtvidual nicts. if the gro\\1118 consciousness of human nghts. Indians as subjects Wllh rights, is not The lndillnlst org.1nlzat!on's program. followed b)• tncrtased go,emmemal cawhose proposal is he:~ded by FIPI in- pacity to satisfy their necessules.' " 11 �P ERSPECTIVES ON (HIAPAS Indigenous and Campesino Organizations Unite to Present Peace Proposals Peace will come when everyrhing that hos bten confiscated and stolen from the people has been returned, especially in regord to land. because the legitimate and authentic owners of the land ore the compesinos ond Indigenous people. ---Working commision, Store Indigenous ond Compesino Council of Chiopos tx thou,1ttd lndtgenous people and campt•IIW> arc occupytng the publtc plw tn Ch~:~pas' capital Clt)' of Tuxtl1 Guu~rr": as thtS m.t)?Zinc fiX> to press. The OCX'Up:atton btgln when 10.000 membtr.. of the :.tate lndt!)!J10US and Campcstno Counctl of Churw (CEO IC) m.trchedon the captt:al;a, ponofanation-w'lde mobthz.auon C311cd •Zapota \'1\c" The)· •rc S«lang resolution of tl~tr dcnunds for tcmtol")·, autonom)· bnd reform, and acttptancc of the CEOIC peace pion The lndepcndcntlndtan Pcoplt's From reponssomc advance> tn negOtt:tltOns w1th the government However, but ncgotlauon> on hum.1n nghiS guarantee> temaln unresolved. Indigenous org.1nlz.1tlons ~·gn no ngreemcms wuhout sccunngthe release of all those people who hnvc hccn unjustly oncl.trbhmrily arrested in the state. S ""II OnI)' ten dnys after the first shots wtre fired, every tnnjor lnclinn organiz.1· tlon mctln S.1n CnS1ob.1l de las Casas to foml··alcmg with non-Indigenous campcstno org.mtzattons--thc Indigenous and Campestno St~te Council or Chtapa$ (CI:OIC). The Indigenous organtutlons Jn: ,, mlnonty in the tumultuOU\ Jnd frag1le coabtion Howc,-cr. they arc current!)· the m~ acll\ c and (l'O" crfully \'OC2l faction. Although the Zap:aust:as' positions ha'-e btcn mtntm.tlln relauon to Spcc1ftcall) lndtan concnns. lnd.i~ org.mt.rauon• throuf)lout tbt "Jtc of Chupa, have ukcn ad,oantage of the polttte~l 'J»CC opcntd b)· the janual")· rcbtlhon tO unnc forttS and are dC\-elopmg thctr own ahemall\-e peace 1>ropoo;:~ls. These proposals have spcctal relevance sin«' the Mex•can government ~grtcd that a prerequisite toncgouauon> wns thnt there would be no return to the pre-rebellion si.tuation in the state. Whether CEOIC will taken seal at the negotiating table with the go"crnmcnt and Z.1patistas rcmnlns unclear. CI'OIC hns endorsed mos1of 1he EZLN's demands, Itt addition m their janu:tl")' II . 14 mceung, the council called for consmmi<>ttal reform to enable a new relauonship btlween Indigenous jl<'Oplc' and the Mcxtcan state Thts would bt based in the reorgantz.auon of tcrntOl")' :as well as polmc.ll rc-.tru<tunng. CEOIC proposes the .rcauon of autonomous plun~thntc rcgJons wluch would shtlt (l'O"Cr fwm the >Ute and the fcder:auon to lndtgenous peoples' in the Slate A<1u:al j:t(>gr:apluc rcg~ons ha'-e not h«n drawn Actualterritort:ll dernucmon 1> the next challenge 12 (~~ii)Mt. Antonio Hernandez Cruz Maya Tojolabal and Secretary G e neral of the CIOAC Hernonda is o founding m~m~ of th~ Stot~ lndig~nous and Compesino Council of Chiopos. He spoke with SAIIC in Son Cristobal de los Cosos regarding the Indigenous movement in Chiopos, government repression ond tht CEOIC's work. Following the uprising, Hernandez wos omong the hundreds of lndionsdetolncdond tortured by the military. Can you teU me what happened tO you when you were dciJtncd b)· the mthtary. what dtd the) "<OlSC' )'OU ofl -We were dcuu~d on )anll:ll")' 5 until2:00pmthcfo1kmlngd:ay .• They accused us of bctng the Zapoustas' political leader> The)· took us from the car"~ were ndtng m. put hoods o--er our heads and lied them \'Cl}' nghtly around our necks We "-ere hke this for 24 hours. I hen 1he)• mtw·og~tcd us he.wily,uylng to for~:c us to say that we sympathized or were nctive 111 the Zapatistaamly. When wcs.1id no,thC)' hit us. I rccetvcd blows In the s1omnch. chest. back. and hcJd, about 20 hard blo-•'S. Did )'OU denounc:e thts OCX'Urrtncd -To~ n:auon:al:and tntenutton:al press. to the tde"SJon, butte!C\'151011 doesn' repon an) lhtng The press �P ERSP ECTIV ES ON CH lAPAS didn't report everything that o<:curred. days in the attempt to establish a com- begun to understand liu le by linje as I have publicly denounced the deten- prehensive plan for Indigenous people's we talk. As the)' become more aware, tion in meetings but the only thing rights, We need constitutional refoml the)' are surprised that we are not infewhich rernains is the message, no ac· 'where a whole new chapter establishes rior, bm that we have our own capations have been taken . After being various aniclcs that speak of Indian bilities. our own culture and our own freed , I vomited blood for two days, people's concrete rights. identily. Now we are organizing at the because the beatings were severe. The level of both campesino and indighoods they ptu on us had ground chili enous. under the principle of mutual pepperandoureyeswerestinging. The Identity and Alliances respect. The intellectuals, the students. powder would fall in our C)•es with the the allies. are all surprised that we are slightest movcmcnlS, and also we were Do the peoples in Chiapas speak their more than they imagined. tied up. own languages or have they stopped When you raised demands for selfspeaking them? Do you think torture has become -Many people have stopped speak- governance and autonom)', did )'Ott common? ing them, be~-ause they think that their encounter an)' type of resistance to -What was donetous was humani- language is inferior to the other these ideas? wrian compared to wlm they did to societ)•'s. They have been raised to -There are still man)' problems with othercompar)eros. People are tonured believe this way. There are moments the process we are undertaking. With simply because they do not speak Span· when we are dominated. and then we the appearance of the EZLN. we need ish very well , and do not understand SlOJ> speaking our language. to accelerate this process even more. orders they are given. From lhe maxiAt the same time, there are problems mum security cdl where they held Is this still occurring or are there now with Protestant sects in the communius,you could hear the beatings and processes to recover these languages? ties: with caciques who impose their continuous screams. -Now, there is more awareness of way of life on our communities. These our identity. Many people now--even are the problems and difficulties that In addition to being repressive, is the those that are not lndians--callthe.m- are present in the Indigenous commumilitary fe>1rful of what could happen sclvcs Indian peoples. The conscious- nities. with the Zapatista revolt? ness of the indigenous people is much -Absolutely. When they had us in greater than two or three years ago, Do most of these sects negate indigthe jail-cell... We noticed that even now with this situation, il'saccelerated enous peoples' righlS to self-goverlhough we were tied up, they came to even more. nance? look for us in groups of seven or ten -Yes, the Catholic Church has taken people and would point their guns at \Vhy do you think the struggle in on a new understanding with the indigus. They were afraid of the people they Chiapasappears more like acampcsino enous communities and has proposed were holding. I imagine that if we were rather than an Indian struggle? that we be recognized by the Constitufighting in thejungle and armed that it ·Definitively because of the nega- tion. On the other hand, although the)• would be more difficult for them. tion of Indigenous culture. We are have not openly stated it, the other Regarding the past evenlS , we do discounted and in discounting us they religions are, in practice. trying 10 tO· not know if this lconflictl can be re- say that we are backward, infelior to tally exterminate us as peoples. solved or not. We as organizations the other society. For this reason. have taken the initiative; in order to many brothers refuse tO tell the truth Have the Maya preserved theirspiritucome to an understanding wilh na- that they are Indian. That is why the alily, or has it become mixed with tional society, thel'e will have to be struggle is known more as a campesino Catholicism? profound reforms to establish a new movement and we are seen as -There is a mix, but the Maya relirelationship between the indigenous campesinos: nothing more than gion is present. Our elders tell us that communities, society as a whole and campesinos. our great ruler the Sun is one of the the govemment. great gods on this earth, and that our What is occurring with the supposed mother is the earth, that is how we What type of refonns does the State progressive allies' How do they see understand everything. The Mayan Council have in mind' you' calendar is also kno"" a linle but is no -We have been advancing these past -Welltherearemanyalliesthat have longer used in the Ma)'an religion ... Voi. 8No. I &2 13 �P ERSP ECTJY.E ON 5 CH lAPAS Land and Rebellion What percentage of mdtgenous people h.wc land m Chiapas. Do they ha'-e enough? -It's difficult in concrete tenns to give you a number of people that have land and those thm don'1. Approximate!)• 60% hnvc land. and the other 40% arc still peons working for landowners. Oo they have enough land to live on? -Those who have been awarded land [in agrarian rcfomts) have an a,·erage of fi,"C: hectares per person. These bnds howe,·er are m the mountains and of poor quahty. while the bottom lands are held by landlords ... How have the landlords displaced the Indigenous people from their lands? Was it before or after the revolution in Chiapns1 -Here in Chlapas we have been or· ganizing the revolution since independent organizations like ours started in 1979. that dates back 20-30 years. At that time. indigenous people began to recover the lands that were ours. We began what the government calls 'land in\'nsions•, but we were onl)• recover· ing lands which were ours. The years 1979 and 1980. until 1985 were some or the most dtfficult for us. because the government dtSploccd us from our lands. They disoppearcd people: killed our lenders. in short. the government carried out much repression against the communities. bcc.~use we had begun to recover lands which were taken from us b)' the landlords. This primarily occurred in the North. cases such asthoseofSimojovcl. Huichipan. Bochil and Nuevo Pueblo. especially acute due to the policies ap- Zapatistas ~nd the mthtnry? plied by the governors of Chiapas. ·Many times these problems are natural because manycommunitiesare In regard to the January flrst uprising. go,·emed by lndtgenous and non-In· dtd it surprise you? digenous caciques who ~ccuse people ·There were some signs. but I be· or being Zapatistas even if the)' aren't. lievc that the Zapatistos knew how to The municipal presidentS. and theca· prepare this movement verydiseretcly. ciques have ~'ken advantage or the because they didn't give much infor· moment to try and cxtemtinate our mation.they didn't give ~oncretc num- companions in the communities that bers. In our organization we have said are forging n new path for national that we don't accept. m this time, the democracy. armed struggle. Nonetheless many of our brothers felt that there was no other wny. that the anger had become Larger Contacts too great. that Is why the Zapatista anny appeared. Do you have contact as an indig· eno115 orgamzauon at the notional The Zapatist.1 commumc:ations do not and international levels? talk much about indigenous rights. As -We hove CIOAC at the national indigenous people, what poinLSdo you level , and at the in ternational level have in oommon with the Zapatistas? we arc pnrticip~tlng In events held -We believe that thcad,'l!nces made by the international lndion moveby the ZapatlSt:l.S are part of the pro· ment. paruculnrly CON IC. !><>sal. Wearecompletingtheproposal's political and ideological parts for new Do you feel that Indigenous contirestructuring of territories and the na- nental unity is Important? tional political structure. -Definitely. the Indigenous imerna· tiona I network is p.1rt of the struggle. It Do you think that the Zapatistas will is our support and protection. That is the case with this wllr 111 Chiap.'IS. These accept thtS? -!think they will. The)•are making mo,·ements are ncct$$3ry. 't demands for these proposols seriously and wtll make them part of their pro· gram. Is the change to Article 27. eliminating community property. negative for indigenous people? · It Is completely negative. In the end it is the weapon that will dest roy our people: because it is a wa)• of dividing us Into pieces. families or in· dividuals. because the lands will be privatized. in the ejidos everyone will have their parcel, with title to their When did the aggression against the propeny. and the collective life of the Mayan people begin. it Isn't new is it? commumty will be destroyed. -Dellnucly not. we ha,·e been suppressed in a thousand ways. We have Ha,·e )'OU ronstdered the problems that bttn brutally repressed. like any ani- ha,·e been cre;>tcd in the communities mal, formanyycors. Some periods were as a result of the closhes between the 14 ~YalaNews �P ERSPECTIVES ON C HIAPAS Chronology of Events Since the January I Uprising WruiCI()! l 1991. The Z:lpatista Nntlonal Liberation Anny (EZLN) forced Its way Into Mexico's political and military arena. and focused not just Mexrco's. but much of the world's auemton on the southern state of Chtnp.1S. In the tori) hours of the morning o( Oeccmbu 31.the EZL>'I dt'idtd tts anny tnto fi,< columns and rn Hoordltuttd 3Ction took control of aU major towns m Chup.b wnh the exception of the stat< capualTUXIb Gutierrez. The EZI.N stormod ojatl tnAltamiranoand ltbtr>ted 160 pnsontrs. most of whont wrr< Indians accused of llle~llond takeovers. cutting trees Mthout prmtits and other such crimes by 1=1 authoritits-·known res•onally as caciques. Front a captured radio station tn Ocosingo.the EZLN denounetd thecon0i<1 WliS caused by governmental repressron. corrupdon and Indigenous peoples' miserable li\ing eondutons From the bakony of the municip.1l bwlding in San Cristob-11 deb, Casas the Zapaus"ts rt':ld therr now famous deeb.ration of w1r encompassmg the fringe of the highlands a11d much oft he l.acandon foreSI fanuarj' 13. The government and EZLN agmd to a cease-fire. Followmg the cease fire. the ~ovemment's death toll counted 35 soldters .md 75 Zapattstas. lnde~dent sources put the nutn!xrat wello,-er200. Q\-er20,000peoplc mostlyToJOiabal llnd T:ttltollndians ha'-e also Red thetr Vlllages and are living m make.~htft refugee camps in lion Cristobal and other towns Wnuarv JJ .. J4. Indian and campesino orgamzntions in Chiapas corried out an unprecedented mob!llznuon in San Cristobal. Fh·c hundred and twenty delegmes from 280 lndogenous and campesmo organl%11tlons m thesta\< ofChiapas met to propose rosolutionsto the oonOict The dde~tes called for :mend to hum3n nghts abuses. a tOIJl cease fire. r«:ogJlition of the EZI.N as •lxlhgerent pany :mel ntgottattons to resoh-e the conOtct. They then \'Oied 10 form • State lanugo- 2 The EZL'I rttrtattd from lion Cri$tobal··the second Council ol lndrgenous and CamptS'tno Organu:anons of Chiapas largr:11 city rn Ot.rapas. Thc)•a!soO\'ttT.uu m3JOr mlluary bast in the (CEOIO. rutte and c:a!Tttd off tons ol cxplos11•ts and ammunition. The ad oil nt5t r:IUOn Of Carlos Salinas de Gorul ri denounced the Zap.1US13S fanumy 16·22. The State Coun<tl met for the first time to try and funherde\·elop their proposals for Ouap.1S. CONIC dele~tes from as forergners and outlaws. Non h. South ~nd C<ntrnl America panlcipated as mvited observers Wpunrv 3. The Mexican amly eoumcmnncked by land and air. in this meeting. Eight thousmtd soldiers were deployed In the Brst few days while the alr force bombed presumed Z.apatista pos11tons. lanuar)! 21 Mexkangovemm<nt negotiator Manutl Cam3choSolb .evemllndigtnous ,;!!ages. and even a group of Tzeltal g•rls acknowkdgtd tlw •we must ask forgh-eness from indigenousgroups and eommunuies lor all the sufftnng they hove undergone.···• and a press vehrcle. $13t<m<nt mdrca.ting m-.,;ol ol the \ltXlCall go.-emmtnt's tarlt<r /qOI!al)' j. The EZL'< abandontd the htghbnd towns. retrtaung to denunttauon of the Zapatist.as IS outbws. b.1ses m the l.acandon forest. SAne recetvod a call from lndrgenous actl\1stS 1nS.nCnst<>OOiv.11h the news thatthealr force w:ISbombmg lanuaO' 25. Prcsrdem liolrnas met wuh 42 rtpresentoU\"eSOfCEOIC Indian oommunuies, as well as ktdnappmg and ~illing civilians m the atpltal cuyoi1'U.\1la Guuerrez ~le was met with fiery speeches accused of supponlng the Zapntlstas. The SAIIC office launched a demundlng a definitive end to the repre;siQn. and ajust solution to campargn to denounce thes<: hum•n rights violatio> and apply th~ eonOI<t. ts pressure o11the Mexican regime. Human rights organizations all over the world began effons to ha.lt the repr~lon. fcbnuuy 6-8. Indian and campe.slno orgmizntions seized four The Coordinanng CommiSSion of lndrgenous N•tionsand Orga· town halls and held protests In at least a dozen other commu· nwnons of the Contioou (CONIC) through the coordinating office nltles to demand the remo,..Jol corrupt local (PRJ) authoriues. tn l'atUtn2 btl>:ldcas~ th<st t.\'tnts throughout the continent and deetdtd to send delegates to Chiapas m sohdanty \\ith the lnd.12n f'tbDIQQ' 21. With Bishop Samuel Ruructmgasmediatorthc. populouon. EZLN ond Mextcan go,·enunem, represented by ex-mayor of MeXIco Ctty Manuel Camacho Solls.lxgan negotiations in the tanual)' 6. The military sealed off the town of San Cristobal de las Ouhcdml of San Cristobill . Cas.1s nnd all the Other zones of conOict. preventing movement of jot>mallsts, humnn rightS monitors a11d IQC<ll civilians alike. M;ta:b l . The government and cZI.N announced an end to the first round of talks. The govcntmem announced its peace lgou«r)! 8. Reacting tointertutional outcry •ga•nst the anny repres- proposal which the EZLN promised tO present to their base sron tn Chupas. Ptesident Salinas proposed a cease fire. peace commumties for a final de<:islon ncgotlanons :mel a (eondttiOIUI) gtner:al omnesty1or those im'Oh'ed rn theconOICt. The EZL'I rtmarned tn<ontrolofaswathoft<mtory <Continued on page 42l Voi.8No.l82 15 �PERSPECTIV ES ON (HIAPAS Democracy, an E.nd to Discrimination and Regional Development: THE lAPA TISTA NATION LIBERATIONARMY PROPOSALS AL he extent to which the Zapatista onny h:ts been able to communi c:ue itS positions and observauons to the nauonal :md international press Is unprecedented in the recent h1SIOI)' of 1..1\un American anned uprisings. On June I 0, 10 a rejection of the go,·emment"s peace proposal the EZLN 1ssucd a "Second L1candon Declaration" (the Rrst being the January I delcar:uion of war). In addition to rciterotlng old demands for national democracy. the EZLN proposed a new T conslilutionnl convet"'lion. • .. .We address our brothers and sisters in different non-governmental organiz:uions. in peasant and indigenous organmulons. workers in the cities and in the counti)'Sidc.teachers and students. housewives ond squatters, anIStsand mtellectunls, membersofindependcnt pohucal panu:s, Mexicans. We call rou all to 3 nauonal d~alogue with the theme of democracy, freedom and justice. For thlsreru;on, we put forward the following invitntion to a National Democmtic Convcmlon ... we call for a sovereign ondrevolutionary National Ocmocmtic Convent ion to createa tran· sit ion govcmmem and a new national law, a new constitution that will guarantee the lcg.1l futnllmem of the people's will. This soverctgn revolutionary convention \\11l be n.11ional in that all st:ues of the federation "~ll be represented. It '"ll be plumI m theser~Sethat all patrioucsectorswill be represented. It Will be dcmocntuc in the W3)' in whtch n wtll make decisions by na16 tiona! consultations. The convention "~II be pre51dcd over, freely and voluntarily by cn1llans. prestigious public figures. regardless of thetr poliucal affiliation. race,rehglon,sexorage. The convention will be launched b)' local, state and reg1onal commmees in every ejido, seulemem. school and factory. These committees Mil be charged with collecting the people's proposals for the new consmuuon and demands to be carried out by n new government following the convention. The convention should demand free and democratiC eleCtions nndshould fight for the people's will to be respected. The EZLN w11l recognize the Nauonnl Dc:mocmucConventionasthe authenuc rcpresent.11ive of the interestS of the Mextcan people m their transnion to democracy. The EZI..!.'I is now tO be found throughout the nauonalterntory and IS m a position to offer itself to the Mex1c.'n people as an amt)' to guammee that the people's will is canird out. Fort he first meeting of the Nntlona l Democratic Convemion,the EZLN offers as a meeting-place a Zapatista settlement with all of the rcsotn•ces to be found there.. ." Apart from the fatrly geneml comuni EZLN St:tted ItS positions rnostspccificaUy in the1r now fnmous 34 point peace proposal last March. fhlS proposal included dcmandsformuonaldemocmcy, regional economic development and in general. the abobuon of d~SCnnunatOI')' auitudes. poliCies and go'-emment rept1!SSion. The foiiO\-.ng IS a bst of central demands in each of these catej,'Ones. Political Change 1. We demand free and democrauc elections wnh equal rights and obligauofiS for all pohucal org:tmzations conu:ndmg for power, true libeny to choose one or another proposal and respect for the majority's "111 Democracy tSa fundamental right of all Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Without democmcy there can be no Iibert)'. justice or dtgnity and \\1thout dignity there is nothing. 2. To ensure free and trulydcmocrauc elections it is ncccs.o;.1ry for the Federal Execuuve and occupantSof state offices who reacheclthetr positions of power through electoral fraud to resign. Thclnitlesdonotcome from majomy consensus but mther are the result of usurpauon. Consequently, 11 will be necess.•ry for a tranSitional government to be fonncd. 3. The recognition of the EZu'-1 as a belligerent force. 4. A new pact between federation members to do away with centralization and ollow regions, indigenouscommunlticsand municipalities to govern themselves with political, economic and cuhuml autonomy. 5. Genernl elecnons m the state of Chtap.'\Sand the legal recognition of all the state's political forces. Regional Development 6. It IS of the utmOSttmponance that all Chiapan communmes recel\·e Abya Yala News �P ERSPECTIVES ON ( HIAPAS a) Chtldborth clinics with gyn~colo­ gists: b) Child-care facilities in all communities: Membol$ of tho EZlN general command ot press conference in San Cristobal do 1M C&os electricity nnd that a certain perdependent radio station th.•t IS directed and opemted by mdigcnous cemagcofthe t:Lxeseamed from the commerc~alizallon of Chtapan pe· people. troleum be applied to mdus11ial, 11. We demand tha1 housmg be buolt in all rural communities m Mexico, agrocuhuml, commercJal and social :md pro,~ded with necessary serinfrastructure projects for the benvices such as: light, running water. efit of nll Cltiapanecos. roads. sewage systems, telephones. 7. The revision of the North American Free Trade Agreement signed with public transportation, etc. And also the l)nitcd States and Canada. Inus that we be granted the benents of the city such as tclcvboons, sto,·es. present form it does not take Into rdrigerators, washmgm<tchines,etc. account the indigenous populauon Furthermore, 11 represents a death ll.We demand an end lO illiteracy in md1genous commumues. For thiS sentence ix'cause it docs not mwe need better elementary and seccludr any labor qualifications what• soever. ondary schools'" our communities 8. Article27 oftheMagnaCanashould which provide free materials and have teachers with unovcrsity derespect the originalspirit ofEmlllano Z.1pata: bnd is for the indigenous grees who arc at the seo·vice of the people and peasants who work it, pCO!>Ie and not just defending the wcahh)•. not for lmifwulisws {large landowners), In addition, the proposal calls for 9. We demand that the go\'ernmcnt jobs with fair salaries for all, cancellabutld hospitals in the capotals of tion of htgh-imcrest debts held by the all municopalities whtch are poor, an end to hunger and go\'cmcquopped with spectahzed doc- ment supported eoopemtl\·es stores in tors and sufficient medicme to at- each community. and access to free tend to all patients and rum! clln· markets without intem>ediarics. This ics in smaller communities with ' Indigenous Women's Petition• was tminlng and fair salaries for health also included: representatives. 10. That indigenous people be guaran- We, Indigenous peasant women, deteed the right to information on mand the immediate solution 10 our lac:~!. regional. state. national and urgent needs which ha,·e long been internationalle,<els through an In- ignored by the go\'emmcnt Voi.8No. 1 &2 c) Sufficient food for all children in ruralcommunlttcs including: milk. corn nour. rtcc. corn, soy. oil. beans. cheese , eggs. sugar, soup. oats etc: d) Fully-equipped popular kitchens for children on the communities: e) Community gnnding mills and tortilla presses depending on 1he number of ramilies in each community: 0 Poultry. r:obbit, sheep and pig farms: g) We dem:1nd projects for baked goods: h) ArtiSan workshops well equipped "ith m.•chlncry lnd primary matertals. i) Markets m which to sell our crafts at fa1r prices: j) Technical tramlng schools for women: k) Preschools and maternal schools: I) Adequate mcansoftmnsponation. Discrimination and Repression The propos.•! also called for an end to discrimtnauon of all kinds. respect for digntty of Indigenous cultures and languages, and bilingual education in the schools. Fmally, 1hc EZLN demanded that federal security forces be baned from entering their communities. rcforn1 of the state penal code to pem1it free political expression, release of pohtical and poor prisoners •who are being held unjustly in Me.'<ican jails". and Ml end to expulsions of dissidents from lndtgenous communities. tmponantl)', lhC)' also called for "pohucal trta!s• for former state officials Patrocinto Gonzalez Blanco Garrido. Absalon Castellanos Dominguez and f:lmar Setzer M.--all accused of abuse of power, corruption and more serious crimes such as murder while in office. The EZLN propos.• I stales that all accords should be enforced b)' a Nauonnl Commission for Peace with Justice and Dignity. ..., 17 �P ERSP ECTIVES O N ( HIAPAS c -=:......:..._ :. .i:. . : h. p :._::_::...:::... a S_____:_::_::_ se...:...:..;_.....:...:...;;..:..:__ as--=--:. en from a=-=1= . Te m u c 0: Interview with Aucan Huilcaman Consejo de Todas Las Tierras in Chile. In theCityofTcmuco in the heortof Mopuchc onccstrol territory. the Consejo deTodos los T ierros (All LondsCouncil} mcets onceo year. Their international Werken (messenger). Auc6n Huilcomon is charged with making known the denunciations, agreements and projects from the Mopuche Tribunal. He is also responsible for relations with other Indigenous peoples of the continent. He is27years old and in hisfourth yeoroflowschool at theAutonomous UniversityofTemuco. he was also a congressionol condidotc in lost Decembers elections. but didn't achieve a scot in the House. In the following interview he spoke regarding the situation in Chiopos. of the Mopuchc in Chile, ond the continental Indian movement. by X ena O im rtuzar* How do the Mapuche evaluate what happened in Chiapas this past january? -There are ''arious points related to thiS action. Per.;onally, and in genernl, I celebrate the Zapatista's cournge. declsh·cness and organizational capacit)' which pcrrniued them to prepare their uprising without being detected by the Mexican intelligence apparatus. That is remarkable. In addition, the Mapu· chc support all Indigenous peoples' struggles in defense of their legitimate rights. I observe though. a huge split between the discourse and ideology of the contlnentallndigenous movement and whattheZapatistasare proposing. In one of their points. they demand, 'More land for the Indigenous people.' TI1is Is good. but insufficient. Even if they give more lands. these will continue to be just fragments of the larger landscape. The fundamental lnclig· enous problem in a.ll of America is that of territory. When the state distributes parcels of land. they remain under its sovereignty. The central demand 18 should be territory. where indigenous rights have clear legitimacy. You cannot attack the real problems of the Indigenous people of the comment if you do not approach thiS ISSue. manner wah being human, and with our own nature. Our concept ion Is that the territory IS a physical space where the Mapuche people should have control. plannmg power and autonomy to e.xercise free self-determination. Land and Territory I understand that one of the Mapuche's principal struggles in these moments is precisely fo1 territory. · -That's1ight. That has meant charges against us for 'Illicit association' . and ' failure before the Jaw, morality and good customs• which affects 144 of us. We could go to jatl, but this will not stop our dwsion to recover what belongs to us. What is the conceptual difference between land and territory? -Land is an individual concept relating a person to a specific place-person-propcny. whcre:tS the concept of territory is collective and refers to a group of people With a ponion of collective land. Fonhe tnd1genous people, the concept of temtory holds dements of identity. of culture of a form of organization. I can give you an e.xample: with us. the Mapuche. many of the trees that surround us have names like the names of our children. And when the huinca -·white person cuts the trees, clearing the natl•e forest, we feel that our Identity has been cut off. Territory is connected In a substantial And you miSS this conceptual element in the Z.•patista proposal. -From what I know, yes. I sec also that they ask for Salinas de Gonari tO resign. I believe that he could resign and that wouldn't solve the problem for Indigenous people in Mexico. In my opinion, this is a weakness in the proposal. because the basic question is Abya Yala News �P ERSPECTIVES ON C HIAPAS not of changing the president but of changing the nature of the St.1te, in order to achieve transfo...-ru~tion thnt restrains the State's absolute dommion O\'Cr the Indigenous people which Is e:<emsed ng:unst their Mil. In the ZapatiSt.1 proclamations I don't sec a questiomngoft he st mcture ofthe State. Another point that seems curious to me is that the highest visible lender Is a 11 :sub-commander• ...\Vhcn we mcel in our Tribunal there is no pres•dent. or secretary or treasurer of the Mapuchc community, rather we have n Lonko. Mnchi--original authorities_ These positions bring together the in· sututtot>.11 stntcture and the JUridoc concept of the community. the lndogenous people, but rather the form in which this was implemented. If we travel through the province or Arauco we encounter bare.ly five Mapuche communities. The rest are villages close to cities. They applied colonial thinking. Historically, the Council of the Indies--which was an organization designed to organize the Indians according 10 the dominant concepts--it recogmzed the Indigenous people's right to organize in mumcipalities and gave them a structure for this. With the agr:lrian refom1, the Mapuche were oblignted to live in villas on lands awarded in a determined place. malongthlsa population center that breaks with the concept of individual-land that represents a human collectivity. In this aspect, I see in the Zapatistas a ronccptual weakness. has holes in the area or Indigenous rightS. They propose the need for justace which is impossible while the rightsoHndigenous people in Chiapns to decide their own future is not reonstat~d. And this happens by reinslating lerrit01')' and changong 1hc struc- What do rou nttnbute this to? -I don't exactly lo1ow. I believe that lurc of the State. I also sec that the)' the Indigenous peoples in Mexico have sufficient institutional Structure and they should have employed this in Chiapas. I am certain that the Mapuche would never hnve a sub-commander in a simtlar Situation. We could ha\'e a Toquo, an ongmal authorit)'. but never a copy. nn assimilation. I want to clanfy that I don't intend to take away from what the ZapatiSlas have done. buttt's my duty to say that I detect a cutain strange influence on And you Ond this important... the Indigenous people in these circum-DcOnitely, yes. It is not a question stances. of form. While you don't rclnstmc your own forms of organization as a What is the basis for your statement? weapon to oppose the forms or ideo· -For the last sbc years, we ha,·e met logical domination that the State om· periodoc:Uiy \\1lh lndogenous leaders poses. you are fighting wuh your of Mexico,! know all of them. The last oppressor's weapons and they are not Aucan Huilcaman addressing the UN time. I was in Oax:~ca last October. ours by Mture. World Conference on Human Rights They assume that t he)• are ethnic groups and don't '~ndocate their existence as How would you c"plain this situatton held in Vienna during June. 1993 peoples or nations. Ideological domiin the case of Chiapas? -As a certain amount of mental colo· propose the need for n agrarian reform nation has entered into their minds nization. No one can fail to recognize law which is a concept distorted from and language. In Me"ico, the Indian the effort. the courage and the deci- the essence of an indigenous commu- walks in the streets like a dominated siveness or the Zap:nistas that rose up nity. In Chile there was an agrarian being. despite being pan of the majorin Chtapas. But I reiterate that in m)' reform and we don't questoon the ity, biologically speaking. They are not judgement the proposal that we know amount of lands that were returned to conscious of who they are. This is Vo4.8No.l & 2 19 �P ERSPECT IVES O N (HI A PAS explained by the fact that Mexico's government has implememed the most policies of assimilation against Indigenous people. Already in 1942 in the government of Lazaro Cardenas it was said, "We have tO Mexicanize the Indians, and not to lndianize Mexico.". And they worked on the Indians with that purpose. Maybe the roots of the problem lie in the Conquest. .. -Without doubt, the Spanish crown had a strong influence on the Indigenous people that inhabited the territory that is now the Stale of Mexico. Today they are disarticulated, they cannot decipher their own writing. and this blocks their ability to reach. once again, their own scientific explru1alion of life,. The Indigenous trunk was cut and they are still in the process of reassembling themselves. While this process is incomplete, the consciousness. the commitmem of being Indigenous will cominue to fail, despite being the majority. Self-understanding as a person What does it mean to be cotnmiued tO being an Indigenous person> ·It is not a specific contmiunent or political belief but rather a way of understanding yourself as a person . A good example of this is that in Mexico. there have been two Indian presidents: Benito juArez and Porforio Dfaz who governed for many years. Nevenheless, this did not mean any advantage for the Indians of Mexico. To be Indian in biological or racial tenus doesn't mean anything if the kind of commitment 1 was speaking about doesn't exist. Will Chiapas set an important precedent in the Indigenous struggle? With what resp<mse? -Without doubt. But it's important -Ourconceptsare very well received, but there has been unevenness in the not to let out of our sight that this level of who deals with the subject that precedent and its lessons are imporstops at the level of leaders. Further- tant for both parties: Indigenous more, lhe communities of Mexico have peoples and States. An example of this been very controlled. If one visits an is that the forst constitutional and juIndigenous community, you ftncl that ridic recognitions of Indigenous people it has a plaza. it has its musical bands arose in Nicaragua during the that is, everything is organized as the Sandinista Revolution when the IndigCouncil of the Indies would have it. enous people rebelled against the The Romano-Spanish concept of orga- Sandinista government and began the nization is palpable i.n the communi- armed struggle which was erroneously ty'S Structures, which seem more like called counter-revolutionary. The govthose of a city. I'm speaking of an ernment decided to recognize them, ideological concept , applied through and it happened that other States took external st.ructures, and contradictions similar measures. These were re-ac- arise such that Indians end up being commodations, small legal rectifications ... Legally functional for the States, Mexicans. bm not for the Indigenous people ... And this doesn't occur with the MapuThings change so that everything reches> -I would say it occurs less. l will mains the same? -Exactly. The State makes legal give you an example: we hear and we read about Emi.liano Zapata. If we modifications in order tO insure the don't have prior knowledge we don't maintenance of its institutional domiknow that he was Indigenous, because nation. as happens with Benito juarez and J'orfirio Diaz. despite being Indians. Is there a message you would like to they have Spanish names. We have convey? -Indigenous movements are the ones struggled to conserve our Mapuche names and we have accomplished that which will give a new face to America with very few exceptions. The great in terms of justice, democracy, ar1d majority oft he Mapuche conserve their liberty--which today are onl)' a dream original last names. and for us, that for us. Thus. its fundamental that constitutes an important elemem of every political and social movement in our identity. Meanwhile in Mexico America takes into account this elemany times, Indians only recognize ment which "~II define relations Statethemselves inside themselves--and people and Indigenous nation. Bemany limes. not even there. Here, our cause today, it is not Marxism that puts last name identifies us as Mapuches, the State at risk. but the lndigenousand in consequence, not as Chileans. OJiginalorganizations. The State knows this. and takes its precautions. Every social and or political organization that fights for human rights must know that Chiapas a Landmark the indigenous people should prevail TofirtiSIIthefotmhanrtual scssiort ofthe and contribute tO the construction of a In the meeting with Indigenous leaders Malntelte Toibunal, Huilcmnan gave a true inst itutionalit)'with our own charof Mexico which )'OU alluded to, did speech in Tcmuco.lnfinishinghesaid, "To acter and based on our own particuyou raise these observations? tlte brothers in Chiat>as,fmward with rite lalities. ~ -All of them. slrl<ggle for land tmd liberty." "RL'!lril\1tdin!X"tln>mP>m:<?,Modro.Aprilll,l994· 20 N>ya Yala News �PERSPECTIVES ON (HIAPAS What is the Significance of the Chiapas Uprising · for the Continental Indigenous Movement? AMALIA DIXON, Miskito ,Yapti Tasba , Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua First, to be sincere. on the Atlamic Coast we are very isolated from all international news, and even local news hardly makes it to the interior. In PuertoCabeza we only have one radio station. We have heard very lillie information on the situation in Chiapas. But as Indigenous people we understand that this situation is pan of the Indigenous reality. The people of Chiapas had been suppressed by the ideas of others. and it was too much. We as a people say enough. We area people with many valuable experiences, and we want to participate in the decisions. It is also time that we make our situations known to the world, and stop living as devalued citizens within the national societies. Chiapas was one of these situations. From this perspective. we are clear in our solidarity with the people's struggle in Chiapas. ATENCIO LOPEZ, secretary, Kunas Unidos por Napguana The struggle of Indigenous peoples ... has always been obscured by non Indigenous political groups. especially by guerrilla movements that have swept it under their ideological class struggle. No colonizing ideology has served the liberation of Indigenous people. Christianity had to take root in Abya Yala by blood and fire. then the supposed •caudillos" kept Indigenous people as slaves in their haciendas while they proclaimed themsekcs "liberatOrs of America•. Then liberalism. and now neo-liberalism continues by profiting from our misery. selling lands to transnational corporations and landlords. That is why for us the armed uprising of our brothers in Chiapas was not a surprise nor by chance. h was the explosion of repressed feelings, an explosion ofa culture denied for more than five hundred years. Some nation, among the forty million voices, had to shaHer the silence and move against capitalism and modernization which day by day confronts us with greater indifference. JEANNETTE ARMSTRONG, Okanagan Nation, Director of the En'owkin International School of Writing in British Colombia Canada. In my view the most significant issue arising is that the governments of Canada and the USA which so publicly espouse the principles of democracy worldwide, are in a partnership with a government which has a long history of perpetrating terrorism, armed oppression, and e.'l>loitation of peoples and natural resources. It is a government which has used and continues to use political and military violence as weapons of repression to maintain a S)'Stem of elitism. A system which has and continues today to perpetuate racialgenocidal policies and practices against Indigenous peoples. The North American Free Trade Agreement between the USA. Canada and Mexico can only heighten the necessity for stronger measures of control to protect the vested interest of the elite classes of all three countries. Perhaps most apparent is that . as long as the "conflict" is portrayed as a "dornestic" crisis, Lhcn those two governments who are complicit in such serious human rights violations, can continue to maintain a pretence of innocence. The responsibility falls then on those who espouse true democratic principles, to expose the blood on the hands of thcsego,•emmentsand the multinational corporations that they play hand maiden to. Voi.8No. l &2 21 �SELF DETERMINATION AND TERRITORY After the Constitution: Indigenous Proposals for Territorial Demarcation in Colombia T Colombian constitution granted all indigenous territories /ego/ status os ·rerritorio/ he Entities" within the republic. T Indigenous movement's triumph during the constitutional he convention is particularly important since it makes Colombia the first country to have recognized oil indigenous communities territorial rights, rather than selectively granting rights to certain peoples. b Ana Cecma Betancourt and Heman Rodriguez y .th82differentethnicgroups iving within its national boundaries. Colombia is second only to Brazil in terms of ethnic diversity in South America. As a result. we in Colombia have learned tO respect differences. while working together to defend our ancient cultures. ancestral tenitories. and autonomy. This history explains. to a certain extent, why the Organization ofColombian Indigenous Nations (ON IC>. and the Colombian Indigenous Authorities (AICO), representing 40 d ifferent local and regional organizations. were the only nonpartisan groups represented in the Constitutional Assen1bly of 199 I. Acting as spokespeople, Lorenzo Muelasof AICO. Francisco Rojas Biny of ON IC. and Alfonso Pena Chepe of the now demobilized anned indigenous movement, Manuel Quintfn Lame. ensured that the Magna Carta protect the rights and aspirations of the various ethnic groups in Columbia, including the natives of San Andr~s Archipelago. and African-Americancommunities. W: Although the Constitmion has established legal norms for establishing territories, pressure to speed up the secondary legislative procedures has led to continued exclusion of indigenous communities from the political process. Agreements reached at the Constitutional Assembly are thus being disregarded . Constitutional History The political constitution of 1991 defines Indigenous Lands under Art ide 286 as Territorial Entities with the s.1me political and administrative jurisdiction as depan ments and municipalitie-s. This pem1its indigenous communities autonomy to define their own development strategies and be governed by their own authorities who will have authority to administer public resources including local and national taxes. The Constitution left the actual d istribution ofterritorial entities as well as definition of their responsibilities to a piece of follow-up legislation called the O rganic Law for Territorial Demarcation. This law would also regulate the settlement of disputes beAna Cecflia Betancoun and Hernan tween the National Government and Rodrrguez are members of ONIC's press the Territorial Entities. det>atlmenl. lnd igenous organizations published 22 their proposals for the Organic Law two years after the Constitution was ratified. This proposal was developed through consensus and focused on three general considerations: a) As products of the national consti· nuion the i_ digc,nous territories n shall not be subject to decisions made at the congressional level. b) Indigenous Territories will be those areas currently held by indigenous communities with boundaries defined by traditionalsocial. economic, and cultural activities, regardless of whelher the communities have re· ccived prior legal title. c) The Organic Law should be designed with a certain margin for change as the territo1'ics' actual boundariesaredra,v11 by future legislation. Delimiting Territories As a result of 500 years of colonial domination and genocide, many communities have been fragmented, or severely reduced in size. To allow for the variation among communities. there should be no minimum size limitations either for populations or areas in establishing territories. Problems ma)'• however, arise if many smaJ 1territories Abya Yala News �SElf DETERMI NATION AND T ERRITORY whtch do nOittnifycommunities,v;thin brood adminiSir.tm-e rcgtons are ere· ated. In panacular, dil'isiOns between communtues could increase. lndigtnoliSorg:muationshavemade a series of propos.1ls addressing these issues. Fil">t,thc establishment oherri· toricsshould be bn.sed on m least one of two criterion: a) a geographic unit consisting or a continuous region in which communities conduct their social, economic, and cultuml activities: b) an ethnic unit belongtng to a cuitum! complex in which the majority or the population is indigenous, in a region that is not geographically conunuous. &ocondly.the indtgenousorg,anizations suggest that territories link their administrati\'C structures to those of the dcpanmcnts. Admmistrative decentmhzauon should be enhanced when combined wnh links to governmental bodies. such as departments, capable of providing institutionalsuppon, with· out threatening their autonom)'· We propose the following steps when es~1blishtng a territory: a) Interdepartmental Territorial Enti· ties should be forn>ed: b) Ncgotiattons to establish a direct relauonshtp wnh one of the depanments or the central government should begm after n period, not 10 exceed l'ive )'Cars, In which new adrmnistrntive structures are con· solidatcd. c) Indigenous communities should begin the process of establishing territorial boundaries and administrmil·c functions by submining an application and n preliminary proposal. d) The proposal should be evaluated through an in-depth study carried out byanimcrdisdplinnrytask force includingindigcnousorganiz.~tions. e) The Information collected will be used to submit a formal proposal to the Territorial Regulatory Agency, accordmg to Antde 329 of the New Constitullon. 0 The final dcciston will be made by the national government and repreVoi.8N0.1 &2 sentatil'tS of the tndtg\'ttOliS organizations. as outlined un· dcrtheConslt· lutlon. Indigenous 6r011ps of Colombia Government Response The Colombian administrn· tion prese nted congress with a proposal for the new Organic L.1w for territorial de· marcauon m 1992. The proposition however. violated guidelines established under the Nc'v Constillltion by failingtoconstdcr Indigenous - organization's proposals. Addi· tionally, it neglected man)• territorial entitles. Asaresult,thcad· ·~-·- --~-- . -· ministration was forced to retract tts proposal. "In September of 1993. the administration presented congress with a new proposal. but this one •lso f.1iled to ad· dress the Indigenous prot>oSal. The Future of the Territories In addition to the difficulties of reaching an agreement ,v;lh the government on the proposed Organic law. this law which should be organic (pro· viding original and basic structure to legislation). Is not. Instead. the government proposed instead a step by step process. A series of legislation which would shape the territories func· tions has already been approved or is lxing considered. A law defining distribution of responsibilities and resources in relation to the municipalitieswasappro'"cdtn 1993. Allhes:tme time, the National Fees Fund, National Environmental System nnd projeCts regulating the national plnnmng S)'S· lem and Departmental regulation are all awaiting approl'al. All of these will del'ine the role of the state's administ rari,·estructuresdiffercmly. In this way, the go,·ernment proposes that the territories Organic law should conform to preexisting laws, when 1he opposite should occur. We hope that the proposals made by the indigenous people will Slimn· late a more open debate nnd promote more democratic and representative forms of governmem. This new government should reflect the Interests of its diverse population and pem>it the introduction of alternative models of dcl'Clopmem. Nonetheless. we h:tve a long way to go before this becomes a reality. Indigenous org,anizations effons to construct soltd poliucal Strut· tures wlll dctermtne the future of our earlier achic,·ements..., 23 �SELF D ETERMINATION AND T ERRI TORY Interview with Teofilo Lacayo Garifuna leader of the Honduran Northcoast organization lseri Lidawamari (New Dawn). Garifuna in the North coast region have carried out a constant struggle to recover co nfiscated land s T he Garifuna live in 46 coastal communities in Northern Hon duras, an area shared b)• Pech and Misquito peoples as well as ladino colonists. They draw their history back to a mixing of Caribbean islanders and escaped West African slaves, both of whom were displaced through British colonization efforts. lseri Udawamari is afftliated with CAH DEA (the NGO working with all the different lndig· enous groups in Honduras). The Garifuna traditional!)' lived from fishing and ctiltivatingyucca from Sarah England conducted this intetview in April, 1994 as part of graduate research in artthropology at the University of C<tlifomia, Davis. 24 which they makeereba (cassava bread). Man)' Garifuna communities lost the majorit)' of their productive lands after the construction of roads through their regions--most households in these communities depend on reminances from relatives in the US for survival. Communities near the Mosquito coast are now also facing the loss of their lands. The Honduran government is currently pushing for massive tourist development on the entire Nonh Coast which would displace Garifuna cultivators and force them to take jobs as low-paid workers in the tourist industry. lseri Udawamari was founded in the community of limon both to recover communal land claimed by ladino landlordsand to increase Garifuna agricul- tural production and encourage economic autonomy. They are also struggling lO prevent the takeover or their beaches b)' a powerful Honduran investor who plans to build a tourist resort there. What problems have the Garifuna experienced following the land invasions? ·Traditionally, the Garifuna lived in their communities and respected the limits of each others' lands. If a neigh· bor said, •from here to that coconut palm is mine•, then no one else would enter where that man was working. They would say to the neighbor: 'from the.re to there you can take'. On the other hand, you can observe now 1hat concrete and wire fences are being N>ya Yala News �SELF DETERMINATION AND T ERRITORY 'The mother earth, withinthe philosophy of lseri Lidawamari. should not be sold. it should remain so that the generations that follow us have the space to be able to develop themselves." raised in this community. Those did not exist here before. Those belong to cultures copied from the city, copied from idiOS)mcrasies external to the Garifuna. Of course, now we are also affected b)' this problem because ev· erybody is puuing up concrete or wire fences. The same is happening in the countryside. Before, we didn't put up even one thread of wire. Now everyone has to put up wire because otherwise they will be encroached on. We were confident in those years in de -facto land ownership, and not in legal rights, so we never demanded titles. Now it is the same situation. Noweveryonewhogoesacquiringtheir piece of land also has the idea of putting up fencing because the)•know that without fencing it will be encroached on. Now also the people are procuring titles in ordeno prevent problems with the ladinos who are invading our communiLy. This invasion began in the 1970s. It was gradual. nevertheless, it has intensified because those who were already here announced in other regions that there were great expanses of land, and that they were empty. People have come exclusively to make ntoney off the land. I know families who have come, marked great extensions of land and are now enriching themselves selling it. The Gari fun a today, seeing this situation are also concerned with acquiring large areas of land to keep for their children. In general we don't have the inclination to sell land. What one has, Voi.8No. t &2 one thinks of for one'schildren. Which is very different from the people who come from far way to take great extensions of land, and then at some time return to live in the cities. We don't think like that. und is owned so that it can be worked and so that your children can work. What is the major land problem that Limon is confronting? -The problem that the community of Limon is confroming right now is that the fonner mayor shortsightedly sold 100 hectares of land, only a few kilometers from here in Farallones , for 4,000 lempiras to the largest capitalist in Honduras. This man (Miguel Facussi) is now building a tourist resort in Farallones. Not only is he building there, he's also enclosing the beach which has been free for passage. Near there we have the lagoon ofSalado. and Farallones serves as an area of absorption for Salado. Once the forest of Farallones has been cut down, we run the risk that Salado will dry up, and this would be a serious problen.> because Salado gives us food: in the sense that we fish there, we get sea food, we trap some animals, and we also farm at Salado. Are there laws in Honduras that pro· teet the lands of ethnic groups' -The past administration emiued an order in the national congress. This document covered the situation that was occurring in the municipalities of Limon, Tela, Trujillo, and in the com- munityoflriona, in which the congress asked that the region's mayors not sell the ethnic groups lands, and in the cases where there were alread)• colonists in these areas, that the state itself ought to clean up the situation--that is recover the lands for the ethnic groups. Bmthey have not done this yet. Possibly there has been a lack of pressure on them from the communities. What is lseri Lidawamari's philosophy is relation to the land? -I don't doubt that there are people who have taken up this idea of marketing the earth. But in the case of lseri Udawamari it would be out of the quest ion for our members to sell the lands. The mother earth, within the philosophyoflseri Lidawamari ,should not be sold, it should remain so that the generations that follow us' have the space to be able to develop themselves. The cooperative "~II be marketing products, but at the communal level. For us, the land's products should be marketed. not the land itself. These ideas that I'm telling you are the orientation of lseri Lidawamari because while I live, there will never be one inch ofland sold "~thin this territOI)'that weare recovering.I would be the first to condemn such an action because I am convinced that it would not benefit the people who are worki.ng for development. How 'viii people live from the air? We know well that in any pan of the world, if there is no land, there is no life. We need theeanh for its ecology ,for the 'vild animals, for everything. So, we should not sell the land.-,. 25 �Suicide Before Eviction Guarani·Kaiowa family in Mato Grosso do Sut wait along a road aossing the tand rhat was theirs An entire community of Guoroni-Koiowo people in Moto Grosso do Sui, Brazil, threaten co commit collective suicide if o Federal courc's order to expel them from their ancestral lands is carried out. This May, Marta Vitor Guarani, president of the Koguoteco Association for Displaced Indians travelled to che US to make the situation ofher people known co the international community. tt H owlongwillwehavetowait for the Brazilian justice system to give us rights to our land>' questioned Mana Vitor Guarani at a press conference in San Francisco. Over 11,000 lndigcnou,;; people including Guamni-Kaiowa. Nandeva and M'bya have lost their lands in the state to invasions by ranchers supported by sympathetic courts and police forces. Indigenous lands in the state have halved over the last decade, now total- 26 ling less than 25,000 hectares. ' It is always the ranchers who win in the courts, while Indians end up without any respect for our land rights. But Indians are like plants, how can we live without our soil, without our land.' asked Vitor Guarani. She notes that landless Indians are left nothing but misery. "Over seven thousand Indians are working in the charcoal factories and inthesugarcaneproccssingplants. They live in a state of slavery. This is the integration that white society offers us. But we Indians, the first owners of this land. c.1nnot accept this humiliating and inhuman integration ." Land Expulsions and M ass Suicide The Guarani. Vitor says, •are the poorest people, the most abandoned people in Brazil.' In their desperation, many, especially youths, have turned to suicide. Indian organizations claim Abya Yala News �SELF DETERMINATION A N D TERRITORY that approximately 300 people have committed suicide over the last ten years. The Brazilian government's own estimate puts the number at I l l between the years of 1986-1993. Mana's community, Poste lndigena Dorados. has seen the greatest concentration of lndigeno\tS suicides in the country. One-hundred and six GuaraniKaiowa families from the community of jaguapire in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sui are threatening collective suicide if a Federal court's order to expel them from their lands is carried out. Marta states, ' The area has already been demarcated and legalized. but with no guarantees, and this could be the fourth time, that the Indigenous people of jaguapire are expelled, which would be very serious. because the mothers have decided that they will give poison to the children and later kill themselves !rather than be moved I." At the end of last year the community ofjaguapire sent a leneno FUNAI (the Brazilian agency [or Indian affairs) affinning that the)' had chosen to die rat her than be evicted. A federal coun postponed the community's eviction out of consideration for these circumstances, but the coun's final decision is still pending. In 1992, the community's 2,089 hectare area was declared a permanent Guarani-Kaiowa possession by the Brazilian minister of justice. It's demarcation was confirmed by the 'President of the Republic. Nonetheless, under Brazil's peculiar system for titling land to Indian communities, anyone else wishing to present counter claims is given a lengthy period and multiple opportunities to do so. Legal challenges filed at any time in the process can be pursued for many years, even after lands are demarcated and ratified as Indigenous possessions. lnjaguapireand elsewhere, this has meant Indian loss ofpre,iouslydemarcated lands. Indigenous communities must prove \vith physical evidence that the)• have the longest record of inhabitation for contested lands. In the case of jaguapire, evidence shows that the Guarani-Kaiowa have been burying Vol.8No. l &2 their dead on these lands for at least 90 years, while the rancher claiming the lands arrived only ten years ago. In many cases however~ evidence is more difficultto find. joumalist Rippernotes. ' ranchers are accustomed to run their tractors over the cemeteries to obliterate any sign that there were Indian people there. • Despite being the most populous Indigenous people in Brazil. the Guarani now subsist on the smallest pieces of Indian land in the country, and are submitted to the most brutal social and economic conditions. Thegiam region of forest and savannah once used by the Guarani for hunting. fishing and agriculture has been subdivided and reduced to degraded pasmreby wealthy landowners. often with the help of State subsidies. Land ownership in Mato Grosso do Sui is arguably the most concentrated on earth, with 1% of the population owning 70% of all lands. The Guarani are divided into three groups: the Nandeva, Kaiow~ and M'bya, and live throughout Southern Brazil from the state of Espirito ~anto to Rio Grande do Sui. H& wever. the vast majority live in Mato Grosso do Sui. Pressures on the Guarani lands have imensified as their territories lie within the area of the govemmem's Parana-Paraguay project which has caused real estate speculation in the region. Although the case of jaguapire is one of the most serious, eleven other Guarani communities have also been evicted or are threatened with eviction, and await court decisions as to their fate. lnthecommunityofLimon Verde, Mana points out, 'people are living under tentS wit houtthe conditions necessary to live while theyawaitthejudge's decision. More than 200 families are there, and they are going through a lot of misery. We can see in their faces since we are Guarani people that they are very sad, extremely sad.' According to the Brazilian lndianist Missionary Council (CIMI) another Guarani·Kaiowa community living in Marta Vitor Guarani and a companion mourn at her community's cemetery for youths who have killed themselves pfloto: J.R. Rlptl(t/ lmagens da twa 27 �SELF D ETERMINAT ION ~~ D ..!-!:.~R I...!.O.!!.!..__ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ A N!.!::~T E R ~ T~ RY central wc>tern Mato Grosso do )ul has rcoccup1ed thetr lands In the pre· \'iously demarcated 2.745 acre Takuaryty/lvyku3rusu Indian i\rca They have bttn cvtcted St.~ umes from thiS temtory About 300 Guarani· Ka1owa burned a bndge pro-.d1ng road access to the contested .uea Ranch<!rs accuse them of bummg a house and school as well, OO..'C\'t'r CIMI notes these "ere burned b)· 1 non·lndt.tn settkr 1n an anempt to pr<)\·e>U m1h· 121")' acuon ag;>lnsl the lnd1.1n~ \hh· 121")' pobcc ha\'t' occupted the area. although cla1mmg ncutraht)· m the confllCI. they ha\·c nearl)• ah'a).. acted aga1ns1 lnd1gcnous peopk Resistance and Repression The Kaguateca Assocta110n lor DIS· placed lnd1ans unucs all Indigenous groups m the state to reclaim lands of the dispossessed and prc,·cnt lunhcr evicuons. EleventhouSI\nd Indigenous people tll'c displaced In Moto Grosso do Sui. 9,000 of these arc Gunmnl, while the rest belong to othc1· smnllrr peoples. A grc(lt problem lnclng those who would return to their lands, Is the gap between plantlng:md harvest times, since they nrc starting with no reserves. Kaguatcca issolicltlngfood &up port lor these communities to help them live until the first harvest . Currently three different communlucs with a total of 220 people are prcpanng to reoccup)' lands they were prevtously forced to abandon. Mar12 founded the Kaguatcca ·~ oat tOn lor diSplaced lnd1ans foll0\\1ng the assassmauon of her unck \brcal Tupa y de SoiWI In 1983. • h1ghl) respected lncltgcnous leader knuwn as 1M •poet ""h hps of honC')·' lor hiS (>0\\'tr \\1lh bnguag~ ThiS was one of themanyhundredsollndlgcCIOUSkad· ersassassuuted for leSI>ltng bnd 1n\'a• sions. Accordtng to Vnor. 'In 8r.u1l, the murder of lnd1.1ns doc<-n't shock anpnore. not the pohttCUns. nor the gO\-emment. not' tho! cmh•n poputa. tion. • Although several assass1n.1110ns ha\'t been '"''csug;ated, not one re· suited m the k1llcr's com•cuon until last }-ear when the aSSI\SSIII of Mnrcal 28 was finally sentenced. Shortly thereafttr, local >uthorlties allowed him to flee I he reg1on The Guar:m1 fiercely resisted inva· s1on of the1r L1nds unul being owr· whelmed m the early pan of thiS cen· lUI")' 11:0\\•, nC\' pressures make resis· tan« C\·en more d1fficult. 'For the Guaram. the core of rcsisunct is reb· g10n But toch). there ore many prot· C">l3nt churches "hich come to our commumues "''h the same discourse ~ the j~u1ts "ho came dunng the 'dtsccr.el")·' of Brazil. They are killing our rehgton. k1lhngourcuhure. With· out a cultural i<lcnllt)',OUr people wander the h1ghwa)'S and the streets of the cn1es, dnnkmg. begging. and being ridiculed b)• the whue society.• stated Vuor Twt:nl)'·One Gu3rani·Kaiowa contender. At the end of last Aprtl, Lula met " "h lnd1genous leaders representing 24 orgaruzauo1ts and 36 1n· dian peoples from all owr 8raz1l. At thismeet.mg. heconf1nncd h1soppo:.1 tion to anu-lndtan constttut10<131 'rc· forms• . and promtSCd that Cblms or lnd1genous orgamzauons "ould be meL International Support Needed Now \'itor Guarant suesscs that tntema· tional support for J;ag;aupt~ IS needed now. •1a.m here to m.tke thiS dcnunc:l2· tion in 1M name of our people I already made tlus denunctatiOn tn the US Congress. m th<' \..:-:. and tn the cxherspacesthatareoptn to us. 1hope that all of Amcncan SOCiety S"'h us support tn th1s b)' sendmg leucrs to judge Pedro Rotta in San Paolo, who IS the judge who will dec1dc ••md b)• pressuring the 8raz1han govcm1nent so that the)• don't ,;olntc our consmu· tiona! tights. Betwccnt he 5 of October and last month they were to hove de· marcated all Indian lands. bttt this h:ts not happened . .., commumttcs have fonned the asscm· bly called ANTlGUASU to discuss these problems, cspcctnlly thatofland. Vitor explains, • I I one community is already lcl\nllzcd, they help the other who are > in land conflicts.• This organiza· till tlon w1 partiCipate later this month in ll formation of n Statewide assembly to represent nil Indigenous peoples of MatoG1 ·ossodo Sui. with the hope that In <Ulclltion to Marta Vltor Cuarmti am! · the lttrgcrcoalitlon will be able to more jl)(lo Ripp~r. infunnatlort 11'11< proviclecl by effectively pressure for land rights. the Nucleus for lnd1gcrwus Uil(ltts. C!Ml, and Rtlinforesl Act1on NctwurII. Positive Signs In :1 landmark decision, the Su· Your ltlltrs arc <XIrtmtly Inti'<'' prcmc Federal Court in San Paulo re· tantjorrhe Guaran1·Ktl1trw11 Plta.\C ccmly dtSmtssed a local court decision wntt judgt Pedro Rclta askmg thiiC In favor of the ranchmgcompanySauin Gunram lmtd rights be rrsp«ttd SIA to relocate the Guaramcommunity ofScteCcrTos Addmonally. theCoun E.'QllO. Sr DR PEDRO ROTTA granted a petmon b)• the Nucleus for Tribunai~Fednaldl)~ lnd1gcnous Rlghts to prohtbitonejudge Rua l.ibero llacbro. n JO. Centro In \b.to Grosso do Sui from hearing 01009.()()() Sao P:tulo,SP 8r.m1 CI>O tn\'OI\1ng the Gu:rrani. stnce C\'· bx: (55tn 3).399-1 or0496 el")· one of hiS deciSIOns ha\'t' fa,-orcd ranchmgmtercstsand resuhed tnC\ic· Plmst smd COJ"' w 110ns of thoU53nds of lndtans. Vttoc- Guaram also ncxes 'It seems Exmo. s... be hope foe-the Guarani that there DR. jean ~larcos Fentira 1f 'lula' ts elected to the presidency. J=Fednalda I \'arano~tlloG~ that there ,.,II be JUSIICC and recogrti· do Sui tion of Indian lands.' Current opinion Rua Quatorzc dejulho, n 356 polls show Workers' Part)' candidate 79004-392 Campo Grande. MS. 1uts lgnacto 'Lula' da Silva with a Brazil strong national lead over his nearest ,.,n �ENVIRONMENT & D EVELOPMENT Closing the Darien Gap? The Pan-American Highway's last Link by Alicia Korten we cc do not want the Pan·Ameri cnn High'"">' built through our homelands'. states Leopoldo Baporiso, chief of the 13.400 Embern·Wounaan peoples of Pannma's easternmost province, the Darien. He states that the highways will cause, •massiVedeforesuuion, immigration by outstdcrs. an mcrease in drug traffick· crs. 'wlence and the loss of our cui· ture'. In Octoberofl993, the Panama· man and Colombl3n go\'ernments signed agreements to begin studies that they hope will le.~d to the connection of Non h nnd South America through the Darien Gap. If this 107 kilometer stretch is built, the high,vay will run wuhout a break between Alaska and Argentina's southern tip. The Ihnen Gap is one ofthe world's most boologocally rich rainforests and n cntacal corridor between Nonh and South Americ:m ecosystems for plant and woldllfe. The area is home to roughly 40,000 inhabitants. including five distinct Indigenous nations. Afri· can-Americans, and mestizo colonists. UNESCO declared the Darien National Park. the largest in Ccm ral America. a World Heritage Site anciiJiosphere Reserve in 1981 and 1983 respectively because of its cultural and biological dt\'CfSil)'· The Colomboan and Panam:mo:m gO\'ernments are explonng three different routes--one along the Padfic Coast. one along the Atlanuc Coast, nnd one through the isthmus's middle which would pass through the border community Palo de Lctras. The Palo de Lctras route is the shortest, least costly and most favored. All routes pass through Embera. Wounaan and Kuna temtones. The Palo de Letras route cuts through the lnd~gcnous commumtaes Pururo. Paya. Cupt. Aruza nnd others as well as through the Darien National Park and the Kauos l'ark in Colombia--both of which ha,·c regtolatlons penniuing the highway's con· struction. Alido Kor1en ls 1ht a<:socim< dfrwor of 1hr Pressure to build the road comes Ctntrr for Pop•lor !.<gal Asst$wne<'s lndtg· primarily from South Amencnn gov<nodS Pll>l(ram (CEALP) rn Panama. Sl~< works ernments and industries who want nith tht lndigenoos Pai!·Am<ncan Highwav greater access to :-lonh American mar· Cc>mmi$Si0rl Voi.8No.1&2 kets. Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela are promotmg the highwa)•'sconstruc· tion most nggressh• due to a recently cly signed free trndeagreemcm. "The highway ... will lncilltatc trade of petroleum, cotton. cloth, Iron, steel, and other goods between Mexico, Colom· bia and Venezuela.' states juan Castancga, Colombta's Director of the Mirustry ol Foreogn AITatr's Latin Ameli· can Desk Extcndmg the Pan-American high· way is part of the Colombian go\'ern· ments aggressiVe development package for the region. The Pacific Plan is a complementary mega-project aimed at opening the region to multiple forms of resource exploitation (seeAbya Yala. V. 7:3&:4). The plan has gone through many revtStonssmce us imual draft in 1983, whtch stated that 'thlsextensh'e region contains ommense forest. fishing, n\'er-and sea-based mineral resources which the country reqmres immediately.• The 1992 proposal however, begins wh h discussion of sustain· able development and poverty allevia· tion and then co•ulnues \vith the previ· ous goals of oil c~ploration, mining. large scale agriculture. commercial fiSh· •ng and tounsm. Together. these projects threaten the region with mas 29 �ENVI RO N MENT & DEVELOPM ENT -- sive change--change whtch local peoples feel wtll dtspiJCe their communmes and de\'astolc the reg.on's tn\"''tOnme:nt lndtgenous people> fear the htghforests on whtch thetr way of hfe depends by factlnaung the area's coloni%Jtlon and development In December of 1993. over 500 delegates from different EmberaWounXln commumties passed a resolution s~aung thetr 'reJecllon of the Pan-American l ll&hwny'sconstruction through Indigenous termorics in PaMma' because. '1 he construction of the Pon-Amcnc;~n htghway through our temtomsv.-ouldcouse tm:por2bltdam~ to our fonest~. O\'Crs. !lora and farms upon whtch depend our brothers and sisters the amm.als and our n\'er culture The wounds caused by the recent construcuon of the PanAmenc.,n h1ghway to Ya\153 an: sttll fn:sh Thts coru~rucuon caused the wo;~y \\Ould erode the COn\'ersion o( our tcrruones into cOW pastures and llulc by little the extinction of 1he biodivrrl51y of our lands.• Six indigenous orgonlzmions in the Darien Gap have forn1ed a coalition rolled the lndtgcnous Pan-American H1ghway Commtsston (IPAHC) to g;tin a \'Olce m upeommg ncgouanons. •we arr dem.andtng our leg;tl nghts tO con>uhauon regardmg any plans the government has for our ancestral lands'. states Clasmere C.npto, IPAHCs Coordm:uor Fundmg for the 107 kilometer hnk IS not yet securrd llowe,-er,the lnt<r· Amencan De\'clopmcntll:mk(LDB)wtll loan Panama money to elaborate imual technical studtt5 and environmental impact statements. The IDB will also pro'"deColombta S I 5 million to renovate the Pan·i\mencan Highway seg· ment Medelhn-Turbo, an existing road that requires f>.Wing to suppon intcrcontincntaltmffic. The United States government w1ll likely not provide rundmg but tmy suppon the project b)· prO\'idmg techmcal assislantt. acCOI'dmg to St2te Depanment offin31s. lndtgenous peoples are dtSCOurng•ng any outstdc fundcrs from supponmg the proJeCt . .., lO .... PNCA.MA'.S I.PI'OtM,tof ~ Resolution of the Indigenous Embers Wounaan BOd Kuna peoplu of Panama at a nations/ encounter to discuss extension of the PanAmerican highway on May 8 . 1994. in the community of Comun, Comatca Embent- WounNn, Area of Cemaco. &fore 1ht nnnur.nu thrc:al ~tns.t tnc.hgcnous cuhurc our a)ngrt$St$ em n<lt ~rrwn s\k-nl We thrrd<>n: "'>>lve the follo"1ng. llej«t thr Proj«:ts th.u the l'rui;II!131\un .md Colomb~;>n Governments art d~SCUSS~nll ,.,,h•n the Good ~••!lhb<>r Commis:slon 10Open the I>;&Mn G..lp by bu•khn& the Pan-Am<rl<:&n tllgi"'"Y - f•rst • Second O.:m.and '"" onunc:d•ll< <W.penston or sll..llh hrmg unden.~n •nd th.u ...u be undenukcn hy the Pan.unono.m >nd Colomb•an )\ovtmmenL•. to open the D•ncn C.ap. which t·cll'l"ilhUI<".S our TeTMtoncs. • Third: In tht• en'"' that they continue to meet to dis<:u!>Sthe opening of the O.uien Gap. "~ dem.1nd thr pM11C1palion of indigenous NatiOn$ und<r «!ual condition>, to re:til.tt S1Ud10und 0.:•-clopmmt Pbn>•• • !'-lanonaland lntcrn.uwn.al k\-.,l.th.lt m.l)' liTCCt our ttmtonc:s. • Founh· Expand urg<ntl)· the: lndtJO:tnous Pan-Am<ncon Htghw•yCommo• .on Cl>.l.nen G>p), 10 mdudethe lollo\\111l( • A ~mber •nd ltSSISUint of the Gtm,.l CongrC»CSol tilt Embrm-Wounaan and Kuna b A member and "-~'L<tan• or Pucun>-P3)'J and tilt Oucewd • Futh. O.:m.uld ti>M the \tuluwernl Ftnanang Agcnde> >Ueh .. the ln•er·Amc:oetn C.. dope• "'"' &nk UDBl, the World lllnkandothrr> :su>pencbllcrcdttlorStudiOS and PrOJCC" tn n:buon to the: Opem"l( ,-.( the Danrn C'hlp and the paniep•llon ol the lndlgenou. ~-"'""''n•ll Pl.ut>and 0.:.-dopment ProJ«!Sth.u ",u.rrcct oortcm1ones • Sooh· Rtqu<'>l the lntemnuonal Commun•t}' and Soltd.lnt)' Grout"' tO dcn1;md that Fmanclng A~cncles and the P.mamaman and Colombian C'.ovcmmcnt' jllv< real pamctpatlon to the lndlgent>u.< N,ulons re~ing plan< lor the rcgton Caclquc Lconod.l' Valda Ku"' Gcner.Jl Cong...., a.clquc Ltopoldo B.1ponso. fntber.·Wounaan Gmeml Congre» <:actquc ll<:njnmtn Ci.>n:ta Modugandt General Congres.< Cactqll<' {,llbtno Ayala. Cacique or P:lya. For more 1nfcrmJUon cont.att Cbsmerr Carp40 IPAHC Coord1n """·Hector Hue""'· Ltgal ad'1SOr Coau$1on lndtg,mo C.armcra Pan-t\m<rican/Centn>dt Ast<l<tiCU Ltpll'opubt (CEALP) Apon.ado ro.tal 6-58(,6. E1 Dorado, Panami. Td- (50n 23 53 Sl Fax (507) 64 M 29. or. .~1103 Konen, Adv~S<>r,IPAHC/b-.t 17th St.. Apt ~. ~"" York, NY l00031fcV Fax: (212) 242-IQOI �ENVIRONMENT & D EV ELOPMENT Increased Oil Development Rejected in the Amazon Indigenous people throughoucthe Amozon ore increasingly discovering oil extraction to be one of the greotesc threats to their fond, health and culrure In Bolivio, Brozil, E cuador, Colombia, and Peru. centro/ governments ore pushing increased oil ond gos development os o solution to cheir economic problems. M axus oil company constructs new pipeUne into the forests o l the Ecuodorian Oriente ECUADOR: Indigenous Federations Take Strong Stand Against Seventh Round of Oil leasing n january 2 4 , Ecuador's presi dent fom•nlly opened a new round of oil leases, which will open five million acres of the rainforest (an area the s1 of New jersey) to 2e International oa comp.,mcs. Included l in the lands affected are the territories ofthe Huaomnt, Quichua, Cof:ln.Shuar and Ashuar peoples, the planned Sumnco and Galeras Nntional Parks. 0 Voi.8No,l &2 and vast areas of flooded forests and rainforest. That same d:~y. Ecuadorian Indigenous peoples and environmentalists responded with a pe;aceful takeover of the Mimstry of Energy and Manes.. As a result, Minister FmnciS(:o Acosta agreed to a meetmg wnh the Confederation of lndagenou> Nationalities of Ecuador. CON AIE. opening the way for discussions on the formation of a commission to design and amplcment oil monitoring policies. In March, CONAIE and the Amazon reg10nallndagcnous organiuuon. CONFENAIE both assued strongstnt~­ ments nouf)ing the Ecuadorian government and transnational oal compamcs that the Indigenous peoples in Ecuadorwould not allow the new round 31 �ENVIRONMENT & D EVE LOPMEN T "...the 150.000 Indigenous people who make up the Confederationof Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecua. dorian Amazon cannot guarantee...that oil exploration or exploitation projects in our territories will be able to proceed." of licensing to proceed. In an open letter to the Ecuadorian president, Edmundo Vargas President of CONFENAIE dedared. ' The Ecuadorian government's lack of sensitivity round of licensing. "during which time the country can evaluate the environmental and social impacts of oil devclopment. and Ecuador can implant policies for oil development which include defenseoftheenvironmem,respect for the ways of life of Indigenous peoples. and an integrated orientation of the countrywhichwillbenefitall Ecuador- the I50.000 Indigenous people who make up the Confederation of lndigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon cannot guarantee, neitheno the Ecuadorian State. nor to national or foreign investors parlicipating in the Sev· enth Oil Licencing Round, thatOil exploration or exploitation projects in our territories will be able tO proceed.~ regarding the position of the lndigncous peoples and evh·o111ncntalists of the region; the lack of a serious natural resource managment policy which addresses the present and future needs of ians." our country and particularly those of Vargas stated. "TheOirectiveCoun- htjorm<uion SU/1/)lied by CONAIE, the Indigenous nationalities of the re- cil of CONFENAL together with its CONFENAIE ami the Rainforest Action E, gion: the absence of adequate laws to member federations. has resolved that Network • control national and foreign companies; the carr)1ng out of economic projects within Indigenous territories Case against Tex aco may be heard in New York Courts b}' the government and privale comapanies without prior consulta- tion; and the lack of indigenous participation in the decisons and benefits of these projects, clearly demonstrate thatt he conditions and guarantees necessary to extend the scope of fJCtroleum activities in lhe Ecuadorian Ama:zon do nol e.x.ist.11 CONAIE supJX>ned this position adding. that they hold . ' the Ecuadorian Sta.te and pelroleum companies participating in the Seventh Oil Li- censing Round responsible for the problems we have and for damages both to those people who have lived in the Amazon for thous.~nds of years and to their environment.• Indigenous groups point out that the drilling areas up for relicensing are located in the headwaters of the Amazonian river svstem on the Eastern slope of the Andes. Therefore"">' spills and toxic dumping--which have been ubiquitouscompanions of previous oil activities in Ecuador--could potentially affect theentireAmazon region through its waterways. !3oth organizations called for a fif. teen )'tar momtorh.nn for lhe sevemh 32 n April. Federal Judge Vincent L Broderick ruled that iflncligenous people and others suing Texaco for irresponsibly discarding hazardous waste in the Ecuadoriann~in(orest can prove that decisions regarding these operations were made at Texaco heaclquaners in New York, then it would be appropriate for the case to be heard by the US federal court in New York. The case was brought b)• Siona, Secoya. Cofan, and Quichua peoples and mestizo colonists who live in the zone affected by Texaco's operations. Texaco's lawyers have asked the judge to reconsider. If the case pro· ceedsin NewYorkcourt, it will set an imporram precedent regarding rights of foreigners to bring US based multinationals to trial within the US. zation of Indigenous People of Pastaza (OPIP) and support organizations. the transnational oil company ARCOagreed to negotiate their plans foroilcxploration in the provice ofPastaza in Ecuador's Oriente. OPIP met,vithAR COonjune9. Asecond meeting should be occurring in Ecuador as this magazine goes to press. ARCO officially Slates that it has not yet made the decision to pursue exploration in the Oriente's 'Block I0'. it has nevertheless, reached seven~! preliminary agreements \vith OPIP. OPIP and ARCO agreed to establish a techical commission which ,v;u include three representatives from ARCO and from Petroecuador and six from Indigenous organizations in the region. Thiscomol.iSsion ,v;u establish the guidelines for an Evaluation of Environmental Impact for Pastaza Organizations negothe Exploratory Period, as well as tiate with ARCO select which company will complete. Under pressure from the Organi· the sllldy. I Abya Yala News �ENVIRONM ENT PERU: Oil Development brings Death andDevastation to the Marafion n April 14. UPlln Uma, Peru reported that the country's trans-Amazon pipeline had ruptured two weeks earlier. spilling crude from Occidental and Petroperu oil v.>tlls directly into the Maranon R1ver 111 the Peruvian Amazon. Pctroperu technicians stated that '10,000 barrels a day are spilling be· cause of the rupture and that the figure could Increase to 30.000'. lnd1genouscommunitlcsdependon the Marni'lon and its tributaries for fiShing. drinking water. and transportauon. Miqueas M1shart president of the Interethnic Association for the Devel opment of the Peruvian Amazon (AIDEPSEP) stated, 'The government 1Sn't '''Or.. tied about the cf. feelS of the spill on the Indian communities," and called upo n President Fujintori to 'listen 10 us, to take into account that we exlSI. to talk to the 0 ·At this very moment the Rio M non and Rio N are totally ara apo covered with oil from shore to shore and in the next several days it will reach the Amazonas River. • causes or the spill.' AIDESEP also denounced that the local and national press hnd not covered the sp1ll out of pressure from interestS worktng to secure rorctgn investment. Government Proposes lncrea,ses in Exploration and Extraction On March 30, as oil gushed from decrepit pipes into the MamMn. Peruvian President Alberto Fujhnori was present m the signing of~ natural gas exploration contract betwttn Pctroperu and Maple G:IS Corpomuon of Peru a subs1d1ary of the Dallas based Maple Resources Corporntion. Th1s contract allows rordrillingto evaluate the feasibility of gas explouation along the Auaytia river near Ucayah In the central forest reg1on. The prcv1ous week, the Pcnwlan government signed an agreement with Royal Dutch Shell for oilexplornuon m the areas of Kashiyan. S.1n Marcommunities.• tin and Mipaya. If One week prior Spilled oil spreads quickly Md discoveries are to the UPI article dovestal es rivers and flooded AIDESEPstated, in made. the company forests in the Amezon a report sent to incould land a 30 year tcmnl1onal Indigenous and environ- leas1ng contract for exploitauon 111 the mental organizations. ' At this very rcgton In all. these new contmets moment. the Rio Marnl'lon and Rio could cover areas in the regions of: Napo arc total!)' covered "~th oil from Purus. Otmisea. Aguaytiaand Pucallpa. shore tO shore and 111 1he next several The Yme. Chipibo, Conibo. Amahuaca. days it will reach the Amazonas River'. Yaminahua. Sharanahua. Matsigucnga. They noted that eight people had died Catacaibos, and Ashaninka peoples all as n result of the spill and thnt 'It is or inhabit 1hese regions, with a combmed the utmost urgency to inwsllgate the popul:ulon of approximately 27.000. Voi.8No.l &2 & D EVELOPME NT 1..css thnn three weeks after the pipe· line rupture. Pctropcru chief Miguel Celi Rivern announc..>d. at the newly opened Pa)'aC!CUAmazondrillingsite,lhatPcru's crude produaion would be increased &om 132,000 bruTcls/day to approxi· mately 300.000 barrdslday ovenhe next two )'CatS as a result of increased foreign investment. Such an increase would place Pent's production on par with Ecuador (n former OPEC mem~r), which also produces dose to 300.000 barrel</day. Approximately 80% of new extraction is proposed for the Amazon region. Thealrendydcteriorating24yt.tr old Trans-Amnzon pipeline would cany this addiuonal burden as well. AIDESEP Begins Mobilization lithe govcmmem'soil development program Is nllowed to proceed. AIDESEP foresees massive destrucuon of the cnvtronmcm and lnd1gcnous people of the Peruvian Am:u:on. To this point. the Peruvian go\'emmcm has refused tOallow Indigenous orga· nizations a role in the decision-making process. AIDESEP is planning efforts to document the current situation and mobilize an tnd1genous from in opposition 10 new drilling. Support is desperately needed for these effons. Th1s mobilization holds hope that the ln· digcnous people of Peru will be able to avoid the environmental catastrophes that have followed oil development in countries such as Ecuador. '1l Nlr mort infonnallon. ((lfi/QCI: Eusebio Armando Castro. Coordinator. AIDESEP. Programa dt Emcrgcneia Ashaninha·i\ldl:stp , A'"'- San Eugmio 981 URBsrACaralintr.1.nViaoria,Uma(l3) P'ru lnfomwlion supplied by AIDESEP and Edward llammond, graduale srudenr. Unfvmiry of Texas. 33 �H EALTH Report from The International Symposium on Public Policy and Traditional Health Systems Ottawa, Canada ndigenous people, doctors, tracli tiona! and Western researchers from the diverse traditions ofAsia. Arrica and the Americas met in Ottawa, Canada to discuss policy models ~md experiences, the revival of traditional knowledge and practice, biodiversity and imellectual property rights. I The symposium, held on March 24 at the International Development and Research Center in Ottawa, Canada (IDRC) followed a series of related meetings such as the Pan-american Health Organization (PAHO) conferenceon ' Health and Indigenous People of the Americas' held with support from the IDRCin Winnipeg, Canada in April 1993. PAl-lO's Board of Directors. made up of the Public Health ministers from every Lmin American counuy. adopted a significant resoltt· tion based on the recommendations of this conference. This resolution serves as an impor- O fferings being made to Pachamama (Mother Earth) in Jujuy, Argentina tanttool for indigenous people in each coumty when demanding the right to practice traditional medicine as well as official support for improved healthcare in our communities. The resolution approved on September 28. 1993 credined indigenous communilies' as· pi rations for control over their institu· lions and way of life, and their need to strengthen their own identity. It also recognized that indigenous communities have contributed significantly to health & nutrition of society, and the maintenance of ethnic, cultural and biological diversity. The resolution also based itself in respect for the val· ues and social, cultural, religious, and spiritual practicesofindigenous people including those which are related to the maintenance and improvement of health and the treatment of illnesses. PAHO urged member governmentS tO 34 Abya Yala News �H EALT H promote lnd1genous people's panici· pauon on all health policy affecting them; promote of pre,<enuon programs especially m reg;ml 19 the health of the indigenous people: assist m the evaluauon of the iniuauve of the Health of the lnd1gcnous PeopleoftheAmericas: and to establish an expen commission which would include Indigenous representatives and be charged with developing strategies and projects to improve Indigenous people's health care. Divergent perspectives on research policy Indigenous representatives and western researchers voiced very dilrerent perspecu,·eson r<Starch Researchers from the National Cancer ln5titute m the United States descnbed the 'Biodl\'erslty Project' in which they are isolaung chemical compounds from medicinal JllantS in the search for a cure to cancer or AIDS . Their statements were criticized by the indigenous representatives for not taking into account the true value of traditional medicine which is based on an unders~andlng thm a cure is found in all aspects of the plant--not just in an isol3ted component This western model was also cntleazed for its lack of spirituruity. m the sense that a cure is not just a btologtcnlncnon but is also a strengthening of the spmt, something which 1S not found'" a chemical substMce. lnd1genous people also voiced conVol.8 No. I & 2 cern o,·er the cxploitauon of our medicmal plnms m order to serve the interests of developed countries'and their pharmaceutical companies. This exploitation can result in environmental de>oast.,tlon as well as destroy our communities' cultural and soc•al structure through the Introduction of a mercantile system. i\ call was made for the development or research methodologies that are a) participntoty. b) sensitive to the Indigenous cosmology and respectfuloftheirtmdltional health S}'Stems c) serve the needs of the local communities rather than foreign research institutions or companies d) evaluate the cost efficiency of traditional medtctrud systems based In soCial values and spiritual traditions not just on western '"'lues. and 0 to work within cthtcal bounds where research goals and uses are clearly stated. Official Health Policies In some Asian countries such as China ancl lndin, traditional medicinal practices have been preserved as a significant component of national health policy. Rcsenrchcrsexpressed concern with respect to the integration of traditional and Western medicine, citing the negative impact official regulations may ha.-c on trndltionru practices; as well as the posstbthty that the Western system could dominate the other. The Chmese and lndtan go,-ernments, for example. r<moved cosmology and spmtuality from tradiuonal medicinal practice. so as to regulate or u.se these praclices at lbear convenience. Various indtgcnous rcpresemmives expressed their preference for an official position of tolerance, which would allow continuation of traditional practices \vlthout direct governmental interference or regulations. There was a general consensus thm social control over traditional practices arise in each community, as it has been for thousands or years. Despite cultural differences. spirituality seemed to be the common t hrcad uniting the mnJorltyoftmdhions. Spiritual, memal and physical well-being are integral components fused together in traditional cunng pracnces. Traditional health systerns are scten= in their own right and. 1f they arc to be understood. thiS bas1c principle must be respected. It isimperati.-e that indlgenouscommunities and organizations continue to acth·ely panicipate in this process by analyzing and influencing the policies that affect all aspects of life in our communities. ..., This article was based on ''" PAHO's 'Hwlth of Indigenous Peoples' and a reporr by jerry Bodtcktr, to whom we wish 10 express our gralfludc. To rurivt the PAHO documtnr • Hwlth of lndtg(1UJUS Pcoplt$' HSS/SlLOS-34, write to: 525 23 Strett N. W.. IVashing•on D.C. 20037. U.s.A., or the PAHO offlc.c tn your COUilll)'. 35 �HUMAN RIGHTS Wave of Violence in Colombia takes Heavy Toll on Indian Leaders he Indigenous communities of Colombia have not escaped the alam>ing levels or violence registered in this country in the last few years. Man)' Indigenous communities have suffered the aftem>ath of a lingering and irrelevant war between the army and guerrilla groups: others. have been victims of the unrelenting Struggle for land rights. The security forces generally sec Indigenous people as potential guerrilla collaboratot·s, and have directed arbitral)' detentions, tortures. disappearances and murders against them. In addition to preexisting ~,nd struggles. Indigenous errons to exercise rights under the new conslitUlion, especially admin istnuion of government funds. have drawn violem opposilion from traditional power groups. This year se'•eral cases have been added tO the already long list or crimes against the Indigenous population of Colombia. T 4 Assassination in Southern Colombia Amnesty lmemational re· pons that, the body or wellknown Indigenous leader Laureano Jnampue was found in 1he San juan River on May 6. near his home in the G«achucallndigenous reserve in the depanment of Narino. According to witnesses. he was vio· lemly removed from his home b)' heavily armed men in military uniform. His captors claimed the)' were detaining him for interrogation by the local battalion's commander. Family members were unable to obtain any infonnation regarding his whereabouts from local authorities. He was found dead a day later. h1~mpue had been threatened previ· ously because or his work to recover Indigenous lands. Senu Activists Killed in Land Struggle ''Tireless" Activist Killed in Tolima Three Senu Indigenous activists, Clemente Mendoza, On May 15. ON!Cdenounced that Yesid Bocanegra Man inez Hernando Solano and Fernando Alvarez Conde. were mur- was shot to death by gunmen in the town of Colaima. departdered during the momhs of February and March in Northern ment of Totima. Omar Mendoza vice-president of Totima's Colornbia in the communily of Aserradero. Municipality of Indigenous council also received three gunshot wounds in the Purisima. Department of Cordoba. According to local reports. auack. and remains hospitalized. Bocanegra wasdeseribed by they were engaged in attempts to recover lands or the Gran ONIC as a ' tireless fighter for our cause'. Resguardo de San Andres de Sotavento through a land title Indigenous communities throughout the country are llO\V given by the Spanish crown three cemuries ago. on alen rearing that a second major wave of violence wHI follow attempts by Indigenous communities to exercise their new constitutional rights. (See •After the Constitution" in this ONIC Leaders Assassinated for Demanding issue) "!) Compliance with the Constitution On March 26, four Senu Indigenous leaders were murdered on the outskirts of the municipality of S~n Andres de l>iformation supplied by National Indigenous Organization of Sotavento. The four were intercepted at 12 o'clock in the Colombia (ON/C). night, by unknown ~ssailants while riding in a van belonging Please send leuers urging the Colombian government to to the community. The empty bumcd van was discovered with provide adequate proua-ct,on to Indigenous leaders exer<:ismg bloodstains inside. The next day, the lifeless bodiesofl'orfirio Ayala Mendoza. Alternate Secretary of the ONIC, nominated thctr ecnstltutionru rights, that these kiUings be immediately for 1993-1997 during last September's National Indigenous investigated and that those responsible be held aceoumable to: Congress: Hector Aquiles Malo, Chief of the Gran Resguardo $thor l'rtsident< Ctsm·Gaviria T>u}Jllo, Pl~sfdentc dela Republica. de San Andres de Sotavemo; Luis Arthur Lucas, Senu leader. Palaclo de Nari~o. Santaft <k Bogot<l, Colombia. and ex-General Secretary of the ON IC from 1968 to 1990; and Fax: 011 57 l 286 7·134/287 7939. Cesar Mendoza Cruz the vehicle's driver. Indian groups see these murders as manifestations of traditional power groups With copies 10: opposition to Indigenous communities' anc1npts to exercise Ambas<adorGabrld Silva, EmbassyofColombia,2118l;;roy Pl. /--.'IV, new constitutional rights to manage t.."=tx revenue and invest- \V<l$hingwn, DC. 20008. and: ONlC. M 32395. 8og()!d, Colombia. ment for their regions. 36 Abya Yala News �U RGENT A CTIONS Emergency Support Needed! Paez People left Homeless, Injured, Orphaned by Earthquake in Southwestern Colombia ighteen Indigenous communi ties disappeared beneath tOns of mud and rock after a massive earthquake registering 6.3on the Richter scale struck. nonhem Colombia's remote Cauca region which is inhabited primarily by Indigenous people. The quake struck on June 6, with its epicenter close tO the town ofTor1bio, releasing a series of debris slides and flooding of the Paez a11d Moras rivers. The list of dead, disappeared and injured grows daily. Indigenous organizations report that govemment aid to the sun~vors has been slow and totally insufficient, and that many injured have not received treatment and that people are dyiJ1g from infection. Official calculations. acknowledge857 deaths and close to 15,000 injured, but there is no precise infom1ation on the number of '~ctims or the conditions of the survivors. A leader of the Vitaco Indigenous rcsen •c site of a major avalanche. claimed that at least half of the 4,000 Indigenous inhabitants of this locality had been buried. The National System for Prevention and Attention to Disasters announced that "given the magnitude ofthe quake' aftershocks. new rock slides could fall from the Nevado del Huila (mountains! which could cause increases in the Paez river's levels." In tum this could result in the flooding of more communities. On the 9 of June. the affected communities were again pan- E Voi.8No. l &2 ickcd by tremors with imensitics vary- diction within the disaster area. ing from 4.0 to4.8on the Richter scale. Emergency aid provided byColom· ONIC's Executive Committee bians and imernational organizations and the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (CRLC) is urgently has been essential in sa'~ng hundreds international aid and solidarity. In of unprotected Indigenous people's lives. However, the National Indigorder to send information regard· enous Organization of Colombia ing the possibilities for support in this state of emergency communi(ON IC) calls for individuals and agencies to take into account, not only the cate with CRIC at Fax: 928· immediate situation, but also the com233893. munities future. Of particular concern has been a campaign, promoted Donations can be set\t dil"ectly by 1><>rtions of the national press. for t O the ON!C bank account ill the adoption of Indigenous children Colombia: by people outside the region. This is an attack. on the autonomy for which InBANCO DE BOGOTA, Cuenta No. digenous communities have struggled 051-06327-9, DAMNll'TCADOS for years. Additionally, ONIC is con· INDIGENAS DEL CAUCA-ONIC. cerned with the process of resettling those who have been displaced from Or in the US, to: their land, stating. ' land isn't just a material element, but the essence of ABYA YALA FUND, their cultures". c/o Tides Foundation, Its recovery has cost many lives, as well DAMNIFICADOS b.'II)IGENAS as much pain and suffering. Now, the DEL CAUCA-Colombia, 1388 displaced people find themselves set St.rter St. lO floor, San Francisco CA gqJO!J back to step one. De.limitation of new Indigcnous reserves is urgently needed. lts also critical to urge govemmems who are supplying aid that these funds be channeled through Indigenous or· ganizations in a way that establishes a true network of solidarity with the affected communities. The Colombian government has been slow to recognize Indigenous organizations juris- �URGENT ACT IONS State of Emergency Declared in Ecuador: Reports of I 5 Indigenous Activists Killed cuadorian President SLxto Duran-Ballen declared a State of Emergency on june 21 and the following day gave the militmy sweeping powers to •restore order• throughout the country. Indigenous organizations led by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) are blockading roads and demonstnning to demand the govemmem revoke the new agricultural development law. The military has surrounded CONAIE offices and are seeking arrest of the organization's leaders who are now in hiding. Increased repression is feared. The Ecuadorian government ignored repeated calls by CONAJE and popular organizations for national consultations on proposed agricultural bills. Instead it swiftly approved new legislation on j une 13. President DuranBallen claims the new law will modernize the country's agricultural sector. lndigenousorganizationscalled the law unconstitutional, stming that it will destroy their agricultural economy, threaten Indigenous systems of land tenure, and drive thousands to immigrate to city slums in search of work. Today. the country's constitutional court ruled the new law to be unconstitutional. but observers think the government may ignore this ruling. CONAIE organized a massive "Mobilization for Life' to demand the law be revoked. The mobil.ization has nearly paralyzed nine of 21 Ecuadorian provinces. This is the fourth nationwide mobilization led by CONAIE since the well-known Indian uprising in 1990. In a gesture that was both symbolic and concrete, CONAIE has stalled the now of agricultural goods to several cities. The government Stated that three year sentences would be given to those protesters who d isobe)'ed the state of emergency. CONAl E responded, "The decision of our grassroots is to remain where they are until the law is repealed. If all the dimensions of the conOict are taken into account, the imposition of a state of emergenC)' is a virtual declaration of war against the Indigenous people and the majority of the country. • E 38 Five Indigenous protesters have been killed in the highlands, and there are unconfim1cd reports that 10 people were killed by police while peacefully blocking a road to an oil well in Lago Agrio in the t\mazon. The number of those injured and detained is unknown. A radio station in Latacunga belonging to the Catholic Church was occupied and ransacked by security forces. and one of the staff detained. Protesters have been harassed and threatened for the last two weeks. and tensions are extremely high. On june 20. after two weeks of protest, the government invited Indigenous organizations to negotiations. but broke off talks the next day. Indigenous organizations demand that the agricultural law be revoked before negotiating the shape of new legislation . The government would agree only to modifying the new law. CONAIE and the environmental group Accion Ecologica point out that the new law promotes privatization of communal properties. fails to recog· nize Indigenous systems and concepts of land tenure as legitimate, and will promote agroindusuy and livestock grazingat the ex-pense of small farmers who now account for 75% of the country's agricultural production. '!J) Pleasc send lettet'S to President Duran BaUen urging the Ecuadorian governmem to negotiate a peaceful resolution to tbe conOict, tO immediately halt repression directed against CONAIE and other Indigenous groups and to respect Indigenous organizations' just demands. Sixto Duran Ballen. Prcsidente del Ecuador. Palacio Presic!encial. Carcia Moreno. 104;3, Quito-Ecuador Fax: (593-2) 580 73.5 with copies to: Luis Macas, Presidenrc CONAIE, Av. Granados 2553, Casilla 17-17-1235, Quiro-Ecua<li>r Fax: (593-2) 442271 /'Wya Yala News �BOOKS Wk4£H~MJ' Much Work Ahead for Indigenous Historians here are few texts in which indigenous voices speak for themselves. This historiography still needs to be written by both men and women of Abya Yala. Until today our histO\Y has been oral. Generally, our voices have been recorded in colonial languages, which in effect. are translations. Our own literature, should be caustic, in regard to those texts which have relegated us to being objects of study. Maybe those who objectify us forget that we can read their accounts. Here is a sample of three relevam texts: Tlte Elder Brothers: A lose South Anwican People and their· Wisdom (1990) by Alan Ereira; War of Slraclows( 1991) by Michael Brown and Eduardo Femandez; Indigenous Voices (1992) b)•Roger Mood)•. In contraposition, we can Gnd texts (e.g., Taraqu written by the A)•mara historian Carlos Mamani Condori in 1991) that have been written by indigenous people themselves. presenting a T Ntwsfrom NATIVE CALIFORNIA ''An inside view of the Califomia fndian world• A unique quarterly mapzine devoted to Indian people of California, Ntwf. /reM Natioc California contains aniclcs on social, environmental, and political issues written by Na· tivc Californians and those close to the California Indian community. As a special service, Nnosfrom Native Califomia would like w ofrcr a special rate on new subscriptions: one year (fou r issues) for $12.50 (or $22.00 outSide the U .S.). To take advantAge of this offer, send your name, mailing addre$S, phone number, and a check for$12.50 (or $22.00 in U.S. ctln'C()C)', check, or money order issued by a U.S. bank) to' News fro,. Naffvt Cnlifornia, P.O. Box 91 45, Berl<.eley, CA 94709. formoreinfom> 3tion,call(510)849-0177. Vo1.8No. l &2 different voice. Ereira's book is a good example of "colonial anguish". We do not believe that indigenous peoples' struggles can be understood until colonial attitudes are abandoned when facing indigenous cultures. In his account. Ereira •becomes' the spokesperson for the Kogi people of the Sierra of Santa Marta in Colombia. In very few pages can we hear tl1c Kogi's own voices. Instead, the author-historian basically presents his own saga which coincides with those of the Kogi. who are a living example of what Europe and the United States call 'ecological sustainability'. This book docs, however, illustrate the constant threats experienced by the Kogi. and their efforts to live ham1oniously with naLure. Michael Brown and Eduardo Fernandez's book documents the guerrilla phenomenon in f>ent, describing the Ashaninka Indigenous tribe's experiences as they struggle to win a fight that is not theirs. The heroes in this account are the guerrillas and the authors themselves. The Ashaninkas' voices arc barely heard throughout the book. The text should be considered as a history of the sixties and seventies of Pent, but not of the Ashaninkas, except as victims of the political left and right, the missionaries, the government and the armed forces. Moody's Indigenous Voices is a collection of indigenous texts. Moody takes advantage of the demands published by Indigenous leaders in the Working Group of the United Nations, and decided to compile them intO a book. Moody's project is highly questionable given that the texts printed were all produced by indigenous nations, yet there is not a single instance in the book in which the Indigenous contribmors were invited to participate in the editing process. In a world where publications are the equivalent of business cards. indigenous peoples are once again objects of the text, rather than subjects capable of articulating our own ideas. In contrast to the above texts is Mamani Condori's Taraqu, which is one of the first texts produced by an Aymara historian. He started by studying documents related to theAymara territories. In an eloquent job. Tar(J{p' presents the Aymaras' voices. who are thus the text's ultimate owners. This text shows more than ever, that it is imperative for the nation-states tO recognize the Aymara as the legimitate caretakers of their territory and halt the abuses directed against them. Mamani Condori is a member of the Andean Oral History Workshop in Chuquiyawu, Kollasuyo. in Bolivia. "~!) 39 �ORGANIZATION CONIC Preparatory Meeting in Bolivia The provisional council of the Co· ordinating Commiuee of Indigenous Nations and Organizations of the continent held its planning meeting for the upcoming continental encounter in Chuquiagu (La Paz), Bolivia from May 11-4. The Coordinating Comminee of Indigenous Women of Bolivia hosted this meeting. At CON lC's last continental encounter held at Temoaya , Mexico in 1993, participants decided to hold a consti· tutive congress in October 1994 in Guatemala, and to fonn a Provisional Council to plan this congress. Delegates from the Southem Cone,Andean region, Central and Nonh America elaborated proposed bylaws at this meeting. and have sent these along with a declaration of principles and objectives to all CONIC members. The coming congress in Guatemala was set for the I0 -14 of October and will be hosted b)' the Council of Maya organizations of Guatemala (see calender be· low). All member organizations will be anending, and may also invite up to three additional organizations from their region. Fourth Session of Mapuche Tribunai--Wallmapu Norngulamtuwum--Held in Temuco, Chile. From the 28·29 of March J994, the Mapuche organization Aukir) Wallmapu Ngulam (Consejode Todas las Tierras--All Lands Council) held their annual meeting, focusing on reforming the Chilean State and self· determination for the Mapuche. The Cotmcil issued several resolmions rejecting Chile's ' Indigenous Law• (Law # 19.2553) as serving the Chilean state, but not the Indigenous population. Many specific changes were recommended. For information : ilul>i>l \Vallmapu 40 & COMMUNICATION Ngulam--Consejo de Toe/as Las Tiemrs. based in reciprocity; solidarity and Marciflores 1326, Casilla 448, Temuco, equality; and plurinational democracy. Chile. Fori>ifonnation: CONAIE, Las Granados 2553 y 6 de Diciembre, Casi/111 17-/i1235, Quito, Ecuadol', Tel: (593-2) Indigenous News Agency 2'18930 Fax: (593-2) 44271 email begins Publishing The International Indian Press ccc@conaie.ec Agency (AlPIN) began wiring news relating to Indigenous nations and or· ganizations of the continent through the IPS network last january. Genaro Buatista , Mixtec journa li st and Natividad Gutierrez are the acting co· ordinators in Mexico City. All lndig· enous journalists are invited to submit reports to AlPIN, by fax (525) 761· 8573. The reports are published over the wire every week and arc accepted every Wednesday until 6:00pm. sub· missions should be a maximum of300 words, approximate!)• 60 lines of text. CONAIE National Congress Approves National Policy Statement From the 15·18 of December last Ashaninka Women Begin Organizing for Self-Sufficiency Many Ashaninka have been forced to Oee their homes by conOicts between the military and the Sendero Luminoso Guerilla movement. i\shaninka women are searching for solmions to the critical lack or food, clothing, and health care facing their families. Following the FirstAshaninka Summit in November-December of 1993, an ' Ashaninka Mothers' Club" was formed with the goal of carrying out projects to meet basic needs in the Cemral Forest region of Peru. According to club leader, Lucila Arce Salcedo, the traditional Ashaninka economy which WllS based on self-sufficient ag· ricuhure, hunting and fishing has been serious!)• impacted in recent years by the arrival of colonist, Sendero Luminoso activity. logging and most recently the activities of oil companies such as Shell and Mobil. The Mothers' organization is there· fore working to develop sewing and cooking industries to helpsuppon their families with cash incomes. If success· ful. this project will benefit 500 Ashaninka families. Next, they hope to begin a home for children who have been orpha11ed during the wave of violence. Arce Salcedo reports that approximate!)' 2.000 children in the communities of Provincia de Satipo. PunorOcopa, Rio Ene,and Rio Tambo are orphans in their communities liv· ing in various stages of malnutrition, sickness and poverty. year, CONAIE celebrated its fourth national congress in the town ofUni6n Base, Puyo in the Amazon Region. The Congress approved CONAIE's •Politi· cal Project' , a document which out· lines the organization's national politi· cal strategy. According to CONAIE president Luis Macas this project 'will be a guide for the construction of a more just, plurinational and pluricultual state and for the recogni· tion of the Indigenous people and the poorest secwrs of the country.' , and proposes solutions to the problems of land distribution, housing, industrial· ization, health. unemployment, segregation and discrimination. According toCONAIE, the project's proposals are based on the fundamental principalsof the Indigenous peoples, especially. an integral humanism which For infonnation or to send aid: Katia recognizes that the close relationship Torrelli. 4015 Rhoda Ave., Oalllanc/, CA between people and nature is what 94602, Tel: (510) 482·4682 Fax: (510) guarantees us life: communitaria.nism 421-4758 />bya Yala News �CALENDAR OF EvENTS tune 26-29 E Traditional Lakota Nation Summit Eagle Bute, Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, South Dakota ( 175 NE of Rapid City), USA. All nations in the Western Hemisphere are invited to auend. Rid.ard C•·ass (605) 343·3M6 O>' Raymond Uses Knife (605) 964-6685 July 4-6 Planning meeting for the Coordinating Committee of Indigenous Women of Meso and South America Indigenous women from the region are invited to attend this meeting in La Paz, Bolivia to plan for the upcoming women's continental encounter. Unfortunately, Lhere is currently no funding to help delegates allend. Comision Coordinadora de Mt<jercs lndigenas de Bolivia, Casilla 2315, La Pa;:, Bolivia .. October I0-14 CON IC General Assembly The Council of Maya Organizations of Guatemala (COMG) will host this meeting of the Coordinating Commision of Indigenous Organizations and Nations of the Continent (CON IC) in Solola. Guatemala. CONIC 'viii discuss and formally adopt the organization's principles and guidelines in t.his meeting. October 13-1 7 Seeds of Hope: Reclaiming the Forests Congress Arctic to Amazonia is coordinated a Congress to be held on community forestry in Vem10nt, USA. Organizations sev· era! dozen countries have expressed their iment tO panici· pate. This could be an opportunity to establish an intemational commnnity forestry network, within which Indigenous organizations shonld be at the forefront. Tellji>X: 591 ·2·369-963 ArclictoAmazonAlliance, PO Box 73,Stafford, VT, 05072, Tel: (802) 765-4337 luly 21-24 December 7-20 United N ations Meetings on the Decade for Indigenous people. There will be a series of meetings on the decade, lndig· enous intellectual property rights, and of the UN Work· ing Group in Geneva, Switzerland. Conwct:julian Burger, Cence>for Hum<m Rights, UN, CH 101 I First American Nations Film and Video Festival The First Continental Indigenous Film and Video Festival to be organized by Indigenous People will be held in Quito, Ecuador under the sponsorship of CONAlE. The festival will present a chance for Indigenous Olm and '~deo produc· ers 10 present their work, exchange experiences, and evalu· ate problems such as Indigenous participation in this communication form, the role of the media in the development of Indian peoples, and the establishment of national and international means of communication and coordination for film and video. Ceneve 10. Swi~erland Aueust. 8-13 Indigenous Forum 94 International conference coordinated b)•the Fourth World Association , AJnerica 501, and the Sita Saamiland Foun· dation lObe held in Ardvidsjaur, SApmi, Sweden. Confer· encewilllast five days, and be followed byaSaamicultural fair. Fourth World Association, Foreningen Fjarde Varlden, Homgatan 113, 11728Stochholm!SWED£Ntel:46-8-844915 FIIX: 46-8-845181 Voi.8No.1 &2 AlbmoMw111ela, Festival Coordinator, CONAI£,/..asGranados 2553 y 6 de Diciembre Casilla 17-1 i-1235, Quito, ewado>', Tel: (593-2) 248930 Fi>X: (593-2) 44271 e-mail: ccc@conaie.cc December 9-1 0 Summit of the Americas. Presidents from every country in the Americas will be meeting in Miami for two days. Although the agenda is still not set. sources at the White House in Washington state that Indigenous peoples' issues wi.ll definitely be discussed. especially in regard to land demarcation. This presents an opportunity for Indigenous o<ganizations to lobby each of their govemments, ro all of them arrive at the negotiating table with Indigenous dentands on their agendas. 41 �CHIAPAS CHRONOLOGY oF EvENTs <Continued from page 15) March 7. Over 70 Indigenous organizations single bullet wounds to 1he head was pub- Agua Campesino Org~mization was assas· sinated man ambush by a groupofheavil)' found in the Ocosingo market and. ac· armed men as he left his village of El cording to reports. were members of the Carmalito near Simojovel. His son was last group ofZapatistas to retreat from the also critically wounded in the auack. area. A delegation of fore nsic specialists Mariano Perez w$ a rcpresentati\'C of tht reponed 1hat this scene bore alii he signs of State Council of lndigenO\lS and an extra·judicial execution. Campesino Organizations of Chiapas. Many other represent3tives h3\'e received lanuao• 6, The Mexican anny detained 14 death thceats. including Margarito ~uiz of rnen from the lndigenouscommunhyofEI the Independent Indian People's Front. Chanal when the mayor accused them of being Zapatistas. They were beaten. tied In testill\OI'l}' before the US congress. Amby the hands and feet and t2ken first by nesty International documemcd •reports military vehicle and later by helicopter to of ttt least 9 extrajudicial exect.uions: 15 the military base of Teran in Tuxla arbitrary killings. indudingLhe killing of a Gutierrez. They were reported being tor· I 0 year old child: 3 coses o! ' dis.1ppeart\lfed by electric shock and beatings over ance• and serious concern about the pos~ the course of a week before being released. sible ""disappearance• of m least 6 others' and at least I 00 cases of torture and ill· lanuar;y 7. three Tzehal eldct'$ fron'l the treatment, including at least 2 cases of community of Morelia were tortured by possible raJ>e of women in detention. • All the am1y in the local church. while other 1hese violations were allegedly corried out men of the village were detained outside. by 1he Mexican army or police forces. In Thirty-one otherconnnunity members de- addition, 1hey conr.rmed the occurence of tained b)' the am'ly were rcponedly to r~ hundreds of arbitrary arrests. tured while in gov· cmment custody. met at a.n electoral convention in Mexico lished ~round the world . The bodies were City. :md passed n resolution criticizing the government's Chiapos peace proposal for failing to adequately address Indigenous rights under the constitution. March 21. PRl presidemial <:nndidate, Luis Donaldo Colosio. was assassinated at a campaign rally in 1'ijuani.1. The army repon· edly intensified a troop build-up in an attempt to surround EZtN positions p:trticularly in the areas of Las Margoritas. Ocosingo and Altamintno. The EZLN then suspended its consultation process, stating that it was forced to devote all resources to preparing for an auack. Throughout March. Indigenous and campesino organizations across the s~atc take over lands held by giant landowners. In comrast. the EZLN fo rbids takeovers in the region u nder their control. Ma):..i. C~n>acho Solis met with the EZLN Bishop Samuel Rub; lo discuss renew.. ing the dialogue. <tl'~d May 29- J I. The EZLN announced it had concluded consultations with base communities, and was beginning to count votes . .analyze opinions received and prepare a response. Looking for the Action? June 13. ZapatiSt3S' base communities re· jected the gove.mment's peace proposal . June 16. ManuelCamachoSolis resignedas goverment negotiator while criticizing PRJ presidential candidate Ernesto Zedillo. Bishop Samuel Ruiz also announced his resignation as mediator in the conflict. Human Rights Violations Following the l~Jnising, rhc Mexican anny. in collaboration with local caciques: and planl<l· lion owrwrs lmleashed a bntwl campaign of repression tend terror agairzst Indigenous and tampcsino orgar~izat ions a"d villages suspeaed of sympalhizing """' lht EZI..N. All hough 1he de1ails of many of1hese mrocilies may never be known. descripliOt!S of s-t:vcral CtlSes • such G-" those lisred btrow, were gather~d by Indigenous a11d lu(man r'ighrs organi_zations <1nd broadcast arountlrhc world. lanuary s 42 "Pcgf lot1'19'. 1Wr<l fo«tl"'iil< t.. iMtaJfii< ol lot~ it<-~ ol aD: c1.vt1 !Oill ooii:d trt~'--'"''ital,.,d!M' - bic Ab,l$oill ~ ""' CiJio9o Sdlcd olItt SUBSCRIBE TOORY! A photo of fh•e corpses with f>JJya Yala News �SAIIC News from SAIIC. he Indigenous movemem has grown immensely over the last decade. and the problems facing Indigenous people are as diverse and pressing as ever. In acknowledgment of lndigcnouspeoples'shiflingpolitical,economic and ecological realities, our informalion dissemination and networking activities have focused on supponing Indigenous organizing for territorial, environmental and human rights. We have also been busy improving our internal organizational srructurestOenable us to use limited resources most efficiently. Being located in the US puts us in the privileged position to effectively distribute information. offer technical s upport and act as a communication link for lndigenousorganiuuiOllS. We do not try in anyway todefineorshape the decisions of Indigcnous communities because that power legitimately corresponds to the people's grassl'OOts organizations. Our role is to give those organizations and conununitiesa voice here in the US and internationally. T Since January I this year. we have turned much a ttention to the situation in Chiapas. Mexico. The peoples of this region. which was bypassed b)' the first Zapatista revolution of 1917. may finally have the possibility tO shape their own destin)'. Outsiders have ahva}<S sought to impose their priorities on the Maya of Chiapas. Now Indigenous peopksare fighting to take their destiny into their own hands. SAilC offers s upport lO the many lnd,igenous organizations in the state engaged in this struggle, as well as to thestatewidccouncil they have formed with campes\no organizations. Through networ\<ing. publishing information, and makitlg our voices heard at events, confe<ences and meet- ings across the world . we are working to advocate for Indigenous peoples on other important issues as well. Board voi.8No.l &2 member Alejandro Argu.medo has ac- honored to have Mapuche elder Jose tively pursued refonns in the Interna- Luis Huilcaman here for a shon time in tional Biodiversity Convention. Wara November. The Ford Foundation recently reAlderete also on the SAIIC board . is active in work relating tO lndigenous poned that less than 1110 of 1 percent peoples' health care and respect for offoundat ion assets go to Native Ameritraditional S)'Stcms of healing. Board C.1nflndigenous programs. This report member Guillermo Delgado continues has helped shape efforts to increase our to participate in the development and base of support among individuals and organizing efforts of AlPIN. the first institutions as both donors and as subImemational Associ at ion of Indigenous scribers to this quarterly journal. SupPress. With theassistanceofthe lndiansk pOrt from the General Service FoundaMediasente•· in Oslo. SAIIC has been tion has allowed us to spend concerted providing fresh news on Indian issues ime and auention on our organiza· to support organizations in Europe. tiona! needs and plan for funtre work. SAIIC is pleased to have been able to In the process, we have spent a considhelp build the Abya Yala Fund. and tO erable amount of time ex'J)anding and have hosted its founding meeting (see streamlining our computerized data' Abya Yala Fund formed' in this issue). base. Two public awareness campaigns SAIIC's Visitors & Exchange pro- arc planned for this year. one targeting gram continues to coordinate or other- individuals and one targeting foundawise assist in visits and speaking tours tions. One of SAIIC's goals is "To by Indigenous representatives. Most communicate the Indigenous perspecrecent!}'· Araceli Burguete, research co- tive to policy and funding institutions ordinator for the Independent Indian whose work affects Indigenous people.• People's Front of Mexico, made a tre- We have therefore designed a mailing mendous impact during her California to foundations designed to raise their tour educating the public about the awareness of indigenous issues. conflict in Chiapas from the perspec- thel'eby. hopefully increasing the tiveof Indigenous organizations work· amount of support that goes to lndiging there. \Ne were also fortunate to enousorganizations. \Vewant to thank share in coordinating a joint solidarity all of you who have hung in there with tOur of Indigenous leaders Leonardo us throughout the years, despite the. at Viteri and Hector Villamil from Pastaza times, sporadic nature of our conur1u· Ecuador, as well as three representa- nications. It has been hard for us to tives of COLPUMALI··the regional focus in the midst of so many pressing Maya organization in Chiapas. jorge issues facing our brothers and s isters in Matamoros. Miskiro sociologist from the South. We, however have never Nicaragua presented information on forgotten OUI'SUpponers in the North. the situation on theAtlantic Coast here. We are very grateful to the individuals Last year, Rosa Jalja from the Coordi- and fonndations that have supported nating Commission of Ind igenous us, including: john D. and Catherine Women in Bolivia and Atencio Lopez. T. MacArthur Foundation, Foundation Secretat)' of the Kuna Nation, pro- for Deep Ecolog)'. Public Welfare Foun· vided inspiration.and advice at SAIIC's dation, The Tides Foundation, Public Board Retreat il.l Mountain Wolf. Cali- Media Center, Victoria Ward , JeffrC)' fomia and gave presentalions,tlnough- Bronfman, Maya Miller, Rosa Alegria out the country. Finally, we were and BillyTrice,jr. MuchlsimasGracias 4l �Items Available from SAIIC Daughtersof Abya Yala Testimonies of Indian women or· ganl.zing throughout the Conti· nem. Statements from.grassroots Indian women leaders from South and MesoAmerica. Includes reS()· lutionsfrom lndigenous,vomen's Video: Rebuilding Our Communities Indigenous leaders from Cemral and South America di«:uss the 500-yearscampaign, which began as an Indian response to the Quincentenary celebration and has developed as an ongoing dialogue among indigenous activists. Produced by SAtiC. $18 + $1.75 shipping. meetings. a directory of Indian women's orgttniza.tions and key contacts, information on Indian women's projects, and poems by Indian women . Forty-eight pages with beautiful black and white photographs. Printed on recycled paper. $6 + S t .50 shipping. An updated, bound edition is also available for SS + $1.50 shipping. Video: ASkirt Full of Butterflies 15 minutes. A love poem to the 1slhmus Zapou~c women of southern Oaxaca. Mexico. by ftlmmakers Ellen Osbome and Maureen Gosling. For every purchase made, a second copy will be sent to an Indigenous women's organization as a gift. $19.95 + $3 shipping. Video: Columbus Didn't Discover Us Amazonia: Voices from the Rainforest ·- A resource and acdon guide wilh a comprehensive listing of imemationa1 rainforest and Amazonian Indian organizatiions sponsored by SAIIC and the lmcmational Rivers Network. and published by Rainforest Action Network and Amazonia Film Project. 1990. Available in Spanish or English for $4.50 + Sl. 75 shipping. 1992 International Directory & Resource Guide An annotated dil:cctory of over 600 intemation. l organiza· a Native people's perspectives on the ColumbusQuincemennial based on the footage of the J 990 Quito Conference. 24 tions that participated in 500 Years of Resistance projects. Includes declarations from Indigenous conferences and orga- minutes. A co-production of SAIIC. CONAl E. ONIC and Turning Tide Productions. Available in Spanish or English for S19.95 + $1.75 for shipping & handling. nizations and information on curriculum resources, speakers burc.aus. computer networks. audio-visual resources and prim resources. $5 + $1.75 shipping. South and Mes o American Indian Information Center (SAIIC) PO Box 28703, Oakland, CA 94604 Non-profit Orga.nizalion US Postage PAID Oakland, CA Permit No. 79 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 8, nos. 1 &amp; 2 (Summer 1994) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 8, Nos 1&2 Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Summer 1994 Zotero Abstract Note Entire Issue Issue 1&2 Language English Pages 1-44 Publication Title Abya Yala News Volume 8 http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/26e09eae4431149ab015537cfb1d78da.pdf 32495214658a57229431c068645f3308 PDF Text Text SouTH AND MESO AMERICAN INDIAN INFORMATION (ENTER Newsletter Voi6Nos 1&2, Spring&Summerl991, $3 Mwal by Bolivi41t poiJIJer and musicimt, Carlos Arrien. "THE CLOTHES THAT WE WEAR" • A Silent Strategy ••• page 30 YANOMAMI VICTORYI •.• page 20 INDIAN WOMEN OF SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA GATHER ••• page 38 �S•A•I•I•C Moil: PO Sox 28703 Oakland, California 94604 Office: 1212 Broadway, #830 Oakland, Calilornio 94 612 Contents SO UTHERN CON E Pehuenche Organizing Pays Off (Chile) ....................... .......... 4 8i~ia Dams Threaten Pehuenche (Chile)................................ 4 Ca lchaqui Indians Unite (Argen~na)...... ...... ......... . ................. 6 La Pachamamo·Artful Resistance (Argentino).............................. 6 ANDES Paramilitary Attacks In Cotopa xi (Ecuador) ..............................8 Indians Elected to Constitutiona l Assembly (Colombia) .............. 9 Quintin lom o Spooks (Colombia) ......................................... 10 Culture, Identity ond Plurlnallonolity (Ecuador) ....................... 11 leader Tortured In lmboburra (Ecuador) ................................... 12 Organizing for Cultural Surviva l (Bolivia) .............................. 13 Native Radio Broadcasters Face O bstacles (Bolivia) ............... 13 AMAZON Oil Wars in the Amazon (Ecuador) ...................................... 14 VIctory for People of the Amazon (Peru) ................................ 16 Message from the Huooranl (Ecuador) .................................. 17 Flu Threatens tho Nukok (Colombia) ..................................... 18 1000 Indians March to Protest Atmy Killing (Colombia) .......... 19 Gran Chaco Peoples Call for land Commission (Bolivia) ......... 19 A Message lrom Davi Yanomami (Brazil) ..............................20 Ground Gained In Struggle for Yanomami Park (Brazil) .........20 Army R ecruits Ya nomaml (Brazil) ..........................................22 Ticuna Massacre Update (Brazil) ......................................... 2 2 UNI and CIMI Sign Agreement (Braz il) ................................. 23 Urgent Plea lrom the Surul (Brazil) ....................................... 24 Suicide Plagues Guaranl·Klowo (Brazil) ................................ 24 MESO AMERICA Message lrom the Kuna (Panama)........................................ 25 Kuna on 500 Years ol Resistance (Panama ).......................... 26 Sumo and Miskito Timber Sold (Nicaragua).......................... 28 Sumo leaders Denounce Timber Concessions (Nicaragua) ...... 28 Ngobo Call lor Democracy (Panama) ...................................29 "The Clothes that We Wear• (Guatemala) ............................ 30 Assassination ol Indigenous leaders (Honduras) .................... 32 Encounter ol Indians a nd Compesinos (EI Salvador) ............... 32 Indians Recognized os Citizens (Costa Rico) ......................... 33 500 Years Conference (Guatemala)...................................... 34 O 'Odha m Demond Recognition (Mexico) ............................. 34 Tarohumara s Demand Agraria n Reports (Mexico) .................. 35 NORTH AMERICA Apache Demond Ha lt to Telescope Project (USA) ............. 36 $$$ lor Genetic Survival~ (USA) .......................................... 37 INDIAN WOMEN South and Central American Women's G athering (Peru) ......... 38 Indigenous Women 10 Years later (Mexico) .........................40 Women Demond Respect lor Mother Earth (EI Salvador) .........4 1 CO NFERENCES ••• •••• •••••••••••••••••••••••·••••••••••••••••••••••••••42 SAIIC Ac·t ivities ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••4·6 Cla.s sified .......•.•. ••.......•..........• .... ..•.•.... ................•....•47 Available Items .......................................... Bock Page @ PtiAI~ on t«)'C'I«< t»PN Phone: (51 0) 834-4263 Fa x: (51 0) 834-4264 Peaeenet E-mail: •oiicOigc.org SAIIC Stoff: Coord inator: Nilo Cayuqueo Newslener Coordina tor: Peter Veilleux O ffice Mana ger: Evo Aguila r Veilleux Development Coordinator: Ka rl Guevara Erb Special Projects Coordinator: Karin Morris Accounting: Q uipus R dio Progra m Coordinator: Carlos Mo ibeth a SAIIC Boord of Directors Nilo Coyuqueo {Mopuch&-Argentino}, Gina Pacoldo {Son Ca rlos Apache/Chicono}, Carlos Maibeth {Miskik>-Nicarogvo}, Waro Aldere te {Cok:hoqvi-Argentino}, Xihuonel Huerta {Chiconlndio}, Guillermo Delgado {Quechvo-Bolivio), lucilene Whitesell {Amazonia Notiv.H3razil} The SAIIC Newslener (iSSN 1056.5876) is published 2-4 times per year and available lor a n a nnua l $1 5 personal membership, $25 for o n organiza~onal membe<Jhip or $3 a t certain newstonds. For the memberships, you will also recoivo Urgent Action Bulletins, notification of special even ts, and a nnouncements of special publications. W wool! Ike 1o thank lile following people cod crgcnizclicM lor their e generoos ossimnce cod dcnalicM wilich tile N ewlfett« c • mcu ACmlltl fica, hai IJII:o, AtMes1y lnltmctiMal, Dml &lscm, ad; Booad!, It Bias, lro~US~G Ccldcl, toy Ccle, lct111 (Map, .idlA C.rl.11m116a ~zwo, Bobsy O.Cpe~, Dlloe h~ltu, COld cod W . leny, Pclricilluile,lynndo Glay, Oclxo Hol!'f, fteg cod .H J ucfdll HcrMd. 0 Hecbcn, Mcricnne HegemcQ, Dovt Hemal, intemotioocl Rive~ He~ ~n K orobo, Ncnnc K Noelle lclvi. K~enl~. Ocvillcuer, Alen<io lopez, Ni'lo Mcrtossi, &vld lloeibnd, 0 Miler, M M lone Minn. Iemos M~~>eto, Ovenoos Development ayo iler, Nei'MXI:, Guilenno Podilo, Robert Po teo, Peoce Developm luod, ent Gobriel PIJm Rainforest k tion He~ lllln Rel>oct, M lee, eline Selver1SOII, Shaman'sD J SOO.elei, Andrew Shippee, Sierra rum, udy Cllb l.egol OEiense F Glen Switl.es, Eugene Threilt, F und, emondo lon6s, U Church d Clvisi,IJS Urbonond R is!ion, l -nb nited urciM V.teri, lone \\Wey,llopMe Wylhom. Thools 1o tbe fcbilg fourldotlcm 1o< their genercus ~ d SAIIC: Cdumbic loooclltion, Esdloloa IO<Jndotion, luadiog U<hcngt, Hoymal:et kul&Jtion,l.irllCr.lool lund, The .idlA D &Ccthorine I. . MacAttlor kul&ltion, ():leo MeodGws kul&Jtion. lrislfoundetion. frdes Foundction, unci lile Vo19J0rd loooclltloa. �Editorial SAIIC's commitment to the Indian peoples of the Americas, ond our non-indigenous supporters, reaches its eighth year with o renewed sense of offirmolion ond accomplishment. The original purpose of SAIIC hos been to serve os o liaison between Indian people of the South ond Indian people of the North, to oct in solidarity with our relations a nd to educate the people of the world about the current issues laced by Indians of the South. The pon-lndian unity forged today is but the confirmation of a 500 year-old Indian prediction: the meeting of the Condor and the Eagle. More ond mor~ lndi~n people ore sP..8(1ki~~ lor !hemselves~ting lor themselves, lighti~g lor ~eir 11ghts and the11 ter11I011es. Suclirstrugglei•co('llg.~ to h<We a hig~ p11oe os we ore sllll beo11ng witness to assassinations of liidia11;.~le: men, womelf ~ c~ildren . d strengllie~ed shci~ reRectio~4'e Indian unity has been b/ our quincentenary com me mora· lion: oelebratory a Hitudes are~finitely being ~uestioped. Resislonoe activities are more ond more in the forefront of the media. EV.e~day, we,rece~mony calls lrom..pepple wondering how-they can porticipole in the 500 Y~sg[Resisto~a 1f'.l'i!te here ore;~ny Clynamic groups springing ~ e} up across the conlinen,t, arg6~~_?9-maiches, ~ir e;'.;Q)er, .f~itions and discussion groups about the Indian perspective otr.t!'e SOOth onnivG'rsory of the ~inning of the invasion. We are encouraging people to tofus ol. ~cular slruqgl&;. It's loiri{ ep,sy to qppose the celebration of a genocidal invasion, but,it'~ljCh mare effective to support tlie l~(*ecognition of specific Indian rights ta pracllce an i~ enous religion, o judiciary s~ r and/or economics etc. lands and _ ~f9 re~ectirr,!l on what we, os human beings, The Indian movement hos a lso been succesSfUl in-a<:h are doing to our environme~ ond'6 'lj rriohgst ourselves, to huma n beings. We have fou nd allies amongst environmentalists, African ~cons, RQpulor movem~nts and even religious orgonizo· lions in our struggles agai'»'~alio~l governments, frii iT,IOiional.forporolions, financial inslilu· e _ lions, manipulated media, ori'dlthe Jllstorti~n history. Tl\e reporting of human rights abuses is having an impocl. Some ~gov,rn~e~ a r4 ~lling to ~i~k their devastating policies and international bonks are wil}inb lo cons.ider the ;fdtcll po\j9ies tbat epdanger Indian lives ond the environment. Even such in(erno'tionol bodies as the Unite<l i'{aliOI1S <lnd the Europeon Community are beginning to adopt soc!ic><k'&n~c·policjes vmich recg~jhize ihe rights of indigenous people. These actions cannot yet be !.le.{9f,lriumphs) and so 1he s~matic questioning of official 11 plundering must continue u~~l r e1 eonsible i:l~lopmenl ani:l envi·r onmental and human exploi· lotion is stopped. II is clear fOr us at SAliC, thar~ew proj'ects lor sustaining our environment, self· valorization of Indian men ond wom"!!, oF strplegic alliances with non-Indigenous peoples are important for assuring safety, unity a nd justic~ for Indian people in the coming 500 years. However, this alliance must be establ,ished.!:}.v\th conditions of equality among all the 1 sectors. Some groups within the populbr m veinenl of South & Meso America persist in 1 their attempts to reduce the Indian cause to just a class struggle by imposing their agendas and political framework, minimizing all political dimensions and aspirations of Indian peoples. The continental indigenous movement will not tolerate more political manipulation from any sector, as has happened historically. ·fundamental principles, such as the right to sell determination of peoples, Indian peoples in particular, are the foundations for understand ing and building a strong alliance, based on mutual respect. o\ The articles in this issue report on the importance of continuing to organize, to link struggles, to re-think strategies, and in this manner, engage others to listen to the essential wisdom of our elders and ancestors. The India n struggles of the American continent show thotthis is not an easy polh, but a renewed energy is clearly evident, one that is envisioning a new and beHer future. We at SAIIC renew our commitment to slrategize for change, and invite oil to join us in this endeavor. �SNOW PREVENTS EVICTION BY LUMBER COMPANY Pehuenche Organizing Pays Offill (Chile) The ISO Pehuenche or the Quinqucn Valley (see SAUC Newsletter, VoiS, Nos 3&4, p. 16) lost their 30 year battle for legal title to their lands on July 16th, and then the Chilean President changed the picture again by proposing to tum the valley into a national park. A Chilean court ruled against the Pehuenche and gave the Quinquen Valley, the home or the sac:rcd and endangered araucaria trees, to a lumber company. Nine feet or snow blocked the mountain pass leading to their vaUey, which prevented the police from evicting them. Julio Meli"ir stated, "The police forces can come at any moment and they can arm themselves for war with this community, because we don't want to leave this place, we're going to defend ourselves. U they arm themselves, not only Indians will die, police are going to die too.'"' That was before an unprecedented tum or events which took place in August. President Patricio Aylwin or Chile sent a biD to Congress proposing that the Quinqucn Valley be turned into a national park- overriding the court decision and the claims or the lumber company and allowing the Pehucnche to stay. It is widely believed that the measure will pass in the Chilean Congress. The Pehucnchc say that the bill is a landmark for Indian rights in Chile. For leaders like Jo~ Melit\ir, years or struggle have borne fruit. When the issue came to a head recently, Meli"ir made frequent trips to the Chilean Capital or Santiago to lobby politicians and get press coverage. He states, '1n times past, our ancestors fought with physical rorre, but now, you have to fight in another way. You have to fight with paper, because now we know the language or the white man, and we know how to write, and we can write le«ers, and whatever else we have to do.'' He goes on to say that the bill constitutes a precedent. As many as 60 other land claims may eventually be presented to the government by representatives or the 600 thousand Indians in Chile. "This is just the beginning. U we solve the problem or Quinqucn, I think we are going to begin to find a solution to 4 SAIIC Newsletter �other problems, in the same way. And that's what is important for our people." He remains cautious, waiting for the national park to be officially sanctioned by Congress. "Quinquen is a symbol of the struggle of the Indians, of our people. So that's what we're struggling for. I can only hope that Oillean society would realize once and for all, that the authorities, who have always discriminated against us, would realize that this must not happen again... Pleose write today to encourage President Aylwin k.. continue pushing for this important legis lotion President Patricio Aylwin President of Chile Polocio de lo Monedo Sontiogo, CHILE Phone: 56-2· 714· 103 or 56·2·717·054 810-810 DAMS THREATEN PEHUENCHE (Chile) 1he mountainous river basin of the Bio-Bio is the ancestral land of the Pehuenche Indians. Their right to cultural and economic survival is now being seriously threatened by the proposal of Oille'selectric company, ENDESA, to build a series of six dams on the Bio-Bio. Approval for the first of the dams has already been obtained, but full-scale construction has been delayed pending a decision by the International Finance Corporation (the private sector wing of the World Bank) on whether to provide 25% of the Pangue Dam's funding. Chilean and international environmental and indigenous organizations have sounded a warning that the social and ecological costs of the project far outweigh any potential benefits. Perhaps the greatest indictment of the project is the fact that the Pehuenche, whose subsistence is directly tied to the river and its banks, have been almost entirely left out of the planning, assessment and decision-making process. At the eleventh hour, they have been told that their future is in perilous danger. If approved, the IFC loan will be the beginning of the end for the 5,000 Pehuenche inhabiting the region. Part of the Mapuche indigenous society that once inhabited much of southern Chile and Argentina, the Pehuenche are still living traditionally. 1he subsistence activities of the Pehuenche are carried out along the banks of the river and its tributaries where they live, cultivate, raise livestock, and celebrate their religious ceremonies. 1he proposed Pangue darn would have multiple "The flood.i ng, which is projected to be 14 kilometers in length, would directly result in the relocation of 600 indig· enouspeoples and 300 non-native Oillean peasants. Roadbuilding and excavation for construction materials would displace another 400 Pehuenches. Three of the six proposed dams would irreversibly destroy over one-half of Pehuenche territory. It's estimated that the flooding of the scarce flat and arable fields on the banks of the river will do away with almost all of the subsistence agriculture practiced in the region. 1he construction of roads and other structures is already having major effects on the physical landscape, and is causing culture shock in this formerly isolated region. Major tourist development of the reservoirs created by the hydroscheme is likely. Around the world, this type of development has been accompanied by environmental contamination and degradation, the loss of land ownership by poor and indigenous people, and dramatic changes in local subsistence economies. Already there is evidence that local landowners are using bribery and corruption to take advantage of the need to prove legal title to the land and claim traditional indigenous lands as their own. Human and cultural rights are guaranteed by international laws by which the new government in Chile portends to abide. The social and economic co~dl of the United Nations has prepared a Universal Declaration on Indigenous Rights which affirms the collective right of indigenous peoples to exist without being forced to assimilate, the right to their traditional property and lands, the right to indemnization, and protection against discrimination. 1he International Labor Organization has issued a similar document, signed by many heads of state including Chile's President Aylwin, manifesting their intention to 1espect the rights of indigenous peoples. Moreover, Chile's proposed new indigenous legislation reaffirms the right of Native people to maintain their ethnic identity, cultural customs, and the right to live on their ancestral land. In compliance with the most fundamental human rights principles, the government of President Aylwin and the IFC must reject any project which could adversely affect the traditional way of life of the Pehuenche and Mapuche people. Because ENDESA is privatized and the Pangue Dam project has already been approved, there are limited avenues for Oillean organizations to apply domestic pressure. Still, they are hopeful that coordinated international pressure applied to the World Bank, ENDESA and President Aylwin, will give them leverage to convince the government to re-evaluate the project. Please toke action todaylll Write to the World Bank, encouraging them not to fund the Pangue Dam project: BarberConable, World Bank, 1818 H Street NW Washington, DC 20433, Fox: 202·477·6391 direct and indirect consequences for the Pehuenche people. Vol6 Nos 1&2 5 �A Great Leader Dies (Chile) On July 31, Melillan Painamal died in Temuco of a heart attack. He was a Mapuche Indian leader, and founder of several organizations. He had been organizing the Mapuche people for over 30 years and was the foremost organizer in the Southern Cone during the 1960s and 1970s. In 19?8, during the bloody Pinochet dictatorship, he founded the Centro Culturales Mapuches (CCM) with the goal of unifying the Mapuche people in their defense against the oppressive regime. This led to massive opposition of the Pinochet decree which divided Mapuche traditional lands. Until he died, he worked at the CCM. Melillan strived his entire life for continental Indian unity. As Melillan Painamal returns to the Mother Magnu in the spirit of N'gnechen (the creator), his presence lives on in the struggles of Indian people throug)lout the world. CALCHAQUf INDIANS UNITE AMIDST STRUGGLE AND CONFRONTATION (Argentina) In the Calchaqul valley of the Province of Tucwnan there are approximately 25 Indian communities, all of whom have a long history of struggle. The Diaguita-Calchaqul people waged an implacable war of resistance against the Spanish invaders. In 1716, in order to end the hostilities, the kings of the Spanish Crown signed a treaty with the Indian chiefs, who were led by the Cacique Chapurfe. By means of this Cedula Rtrll (a treaty signed by the King of Spain), titles were granted and Calchaqul sovereignty over their land was recognized. Today, however, the Argentine government does not recognize this treaty. Calchaqui lands are being usurped by landowners who obtain new deeds issued by accomplices in the government. The landowners charge rent from the villagers and if they cannot pay, their animals or harvests are taken away and they are thrown off their lands. The present environment is one of confrontation and struggle. In July of this year, representatives from the communities of Amaicha, Quilmes, El Paso, Los Chailares, El Carmen, El Bailado, Anchillo, Anjuana, Talapazo y Colalao met together to develop a joint work project. They issued the following declaration: Taldng into aa:ounl the proximity of the 500th anniversary of the Spmish cxmquest and the /Ustorical situation of the indigenous communiM; of the Ollchtu{ufwiley where we find ourselves amJinuing to resist the loss of our lands and our culture, we have dedded to fDOl'k together to r=ver and strengthen our organizations. We are cxmscious of the {tlcttha.t it is only through organizing all of our communiM; that we will achieve the strength needed to demand respect for our rights to the land, for our culhmll pautas (values), our trrulitions and our methcds of worlcand organization. The struggle to regain our lands began with theamquest,and wasachierJed in I7161ty ouranastors. From then until now, the struggle has not ceased. After the independence of Argentina from Spain, the land was Iosito usurpers who took adwntage of i1 for personal gain. Again we had to defend our rights, and this lime we achialed the recognition of national authariM; (the protorols ofi857 and 1896).11 is based on this latter recognition that we defend our ltrrilories today. In spite of all of this we main!Jlin our culture, our worlc on the land, our veneration for Pachamama (Mother EArth), our oum music, our own methods of artesanry, and a spirit ofcommunity which is reflected in our patterns of lilnd tenancy and organization. Faced with these needs, and given that the heirs of the conquistadores offive centuries ago are organizing afestive commemoration of what have been five hundred years of subjugation, exploitation, and even genocide, those of us who have endorsed this project have resolved to join our voice with that of all of the peqples of America who continue to resist and demand justiaand respect for our fundamental rights. 6 SAIIC Newsletter �La Pachamama - Artful Resistance {Argentina) One fonn of resistance and organization in the Calchaqul valley is based on the production of crafts. The Supply Cooperative for Regional Artesans, '1.a Pachamama;' has as its objective the !WOgnition of the technical and economic value of artesanry. Our craft cooperrztive u.zs fonned in 1986. At that time we didn't know anything about what it meant to fonn a cooperrztive, we simply felt it necessary to join together. In reality, we already were working together. Our sJwp had existed for more than 15 years, and people used to rome together here in order to display thdr products. When we began tlllking about fonning a cooperrzlive, the objective u.zs to turn artesanry into a means ofmaking a living. There are many artesans wha cannot work because the necessary materiJlls don't exist. We try to preserve what is autochthonous to our region. All of the artesans are local, from neighboring areas. Our artesanry consists primarily of weavings, but we also work with baskets made of "simbol" and "poleo" (local plants), and wood and leather, and there are also severrzl potters. We use traditional techruques and naturrzl dyes. All kinds ofweavings are made: tapestries, ponchos, blankets, "puyos" (ponchos woven with thick wool), carpets, pullauers, stoclOngs and shawls. W"'""" w«ving a Calchoqlli shawl. This legacy of our ancestors is something that we don't want to lose. They didn't know ofsyntlrdic dyes. They wove with the materials they had at hand, and this is what we want to preserve. Natural dyes are very consistent and chellper too. Locally, we are der>eloping a plan to supply the materials needed for the creation of our crafts. We have bought mw materials, wool, and looms. We have 42 members. We have grown considerrzbly. The main problem right now is commercialization, because we still don't have a market. At the present lime weare only selling locally. What we would like to be able to do is, for example, to go to expositions, to go to other areas in order to sell our things. (Josefa Balderrama, President; Rumaldo Olivar, Secretary) If you would like to support *La PochomomoM Cooperative by purchasing Orle$0nry, inviting its members to on exposition, offering training or consulting in marketing techniques you con contact: Cooperative Pochomomo Ruta 307 Km 118, Amaicho del Valle 4137 Tucum6n, Argentino Two children in El Paso, Argentina. SAJIC Ploolo EL PASO ISSUES PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE (Argentino) The surviyol of the Colchoqui community of El Po$0 is seriously threatened by a lock of water. Community members hove requested financial help in order to construct o well which would supply various communities of the oreo. The cost is $25,000. If you hove information about possible finonciol sources, please contact: Lucio Pachoo/Froncisco Choile Comunidad de El Paso, Fuerle Quemado 4141 Catamarca, Argentino Vol6 Nos 1&2 7 �Drawing courtesy ojCONAJE PARAMILITARY ATTACKS ·IN COTOCAXI (Ecuador) A series of attacks on indigenous communities in the state of Cotopaxi began on September 21 sl One indigenous leader was assassinated, and several others were kidnapped and injured. On the 23rd of September, CONAlE (the Confederation of Indigenous Nations of Ecuador) issued a press release denouncing these attacks by paramilitary groups. 11le latest series of events have their origins in a long~tanding conflict over land rights. A decree dating back to 1825 granted five indigenous communi· ties the rights to 15,000 hectares of land. Rights to 300 hectares of this land are being disputed by a group of local landowners, who also have legal property titles. In order to dislocate the indigenous communities from the land in question, the owners have organized armed paramilitary groups to terrorize Indian inhabitants. 11le army has also participated in the campaign of violence, as demonstrated by the recent detention and torture of Jose Maria Cabascango (unrelated to Julio), the human rights secretary of CONAlE. The escalating violence throughout the region, and the persecution and death threats made against Indian communities have made it impossible for the people of these communities to travel freely and safely. On September 21st, at about 2:30 in the afternoon, a teacher by the name of Feliciano Tercero was travelling to the community of Churo Lozan for a meeting on bilingual school programs. He was attacked by a group of approxi· mately 400 armed people, led by the powerful landowner Washington Alban. One Indian man, Virgilio Ganzino, was assassinated. Many others were wounded, and ten people were kidnapped, including Feliciano Tercero. Up until this moment, nothing is known of their fates. Following this confrontation, the paramilitary bands went to the viUages of Chine and Churo Lozan and launched a violent attack on those communities. Community members were beaten and mistreated, houses, possessions and property were destroyed, and animals were stolen. Wrilolo the President of Ecuador, and d.mand: 1. The completo di...olution of armed paraiTI1itary groups in the cauntrysicl.. 2. The d.tonlion and prOS<KU6on, lo the fullest •xtont passlbl., of the ~ responslblt for the allo<ks. Pntsid.nlo Radriga Borja, Palado Nacional, Quito, ECUADOR Teltx: 393·223·75 PREREP ED Please send copies of your lotion lo SAIIC and lo CONAIE at Los Granade» 2553 y Av. 6 d. Diciembre, O..ilo, ECUADOR. 8 SAIIC Newsletter �Three Indian People Elected to National Constitutional Assembly (Colombia) Thnae delegates were chosen to represent Colombia's 600,000 Indians in the National Constitutional Assembly (ANC), responsible for reforming the Colombian Constitution. Alfonso Pcllas Chcpe, Lorenzo Muelas Hurtado and Frandsoo Rojas Birry were elected to the newly formed ANC This is a major step for a nation which passed a law in 1890 which set a taJget date of 50 years to "dvilize the savages." The slruggJe for Indian rights has pined new impetus with the plans to celebrate the SOOth anniversary of Columbus' arrival in Santo Domingo. In his first speech before the assembly, Birry, an Embcrd Indian elected as a delegate on Dcccmbcr9, declared: "We, the Indians of Colombia, reject with all the anger we have built up over hundreds of years, the 'celebration' that the West wants to make in 1992 of the great cthnoddal saga." Representing 80 Indian groups, from the Amazon forest to the Andean highlands, the three Indian delegates proposed that Colombia's new Constitution accord Indians rights to bilingual education and to political and economic control over recognized homelands. They also demanded that Indians be judged by Indian courts and Indian judges and that seats be set aside for Indian representation in Colombia's Congress. The rewriting of the Constitution was begun in February and finished on July 5th. Among the propositions approved by the Assembly was the political and administrative decentralization of the a>untry. The indigenous representatives presented and passed a proposal for "relative autonomy: which guarantees their survival as peoples with characteristics which differ from the rest of sodety. The recognition of territories which traditionally have been inhabited by indigenous peoples and arc isolated from the political and administrative arena of the country was also obtained. A degree of autonomy in administrative justice was also adopted, whereby indigenous peoples will be implementing their own traditional fonns of justice. policies, plans and programs of eoonomi<: and social • deudopmenl within thdr lands, and in harmony with the National Plan~ Deudoptnent ... The exploitation of natuml resources located in indigenous territories will lake p/Da without dividing the cultuml, social and a:onomic identity ofindigeMUS eotnmunilils. In the dtrisilm to exploit such resoun:es, the goveou11ent will facilitate the participation of representatives~ the •tSptJCti« communilils. In addition to territorial rcfonns, education, health care, and all projects, investments, and services affecting indigenous peoples will be carried out with their partidpation, Input and subject to the approval of indigenous authorities. The 64 indigenous languages of Colombia were ofRdally recognized, requiring the state to train bilingual teachers for community schools. The multi-<!!hnic and cultural diversity of Colombia is also recognized and protected by the Constitution. As a permanent guarantee of the political·institutional recognition of the indigenous peoples of Colombia, a special electoral body was formed. Two posts of the 102 senatorial seats, along with one of five posts in the Chamber of Representatives will be permanently provided for indigenous delegates. · The changes taking place in Colombia today are not only of great significance to Colombians, but to Native peoples of the entire continent, especially when one considers that indigenous peoples were not even mentioned in the last Constitution, written in 1886. The new Constitution was In danger of not being approved because of the additions by the indigenous representatives. Due to increased ~ng and an outcry of support from indigenous communities, the proposals were approved. Selections from the new Colombian Constitution a.rc as follow: Indigenous lands are collectively owned ... Act:Qrding to the Constitution and law, indigenous territories wiU be governd by councils formed and rultd acamling to the use and customs~ their communifilS and will aercise the fol/Qwing functions... Design the Voi6Nos 1&2 9 �WHY WE ABANDONED OUR GUNS Quintin Lame Speaks (Colombia) Last April 9th, Alfonso Pci\a CMpe, Indian representative of the Armed Movement "Manuel Quintin Lame;' took an oath before the plenary session of the National Constitutional Asscmbly.ln this way, he became the 74th member of this governmental body. The Indian people of Quintin Lame in the Department of CaUOl are negotiating with the Colombian government in ordes- to come to a peacclul solution to the anned conflict there. Altes- seven years of armed struggle, they abandoned thcir arms on May JlsL The following ren reasons were given as to why they decided to change their strategy: I. The indigenous struggle of Colombia is a result of the Injustices within Colombian society. We have decided to compromise with the people of Colombia in ordes- to search for a political solution to the social, judicial, cultural and economic conflicts and in order to achieve social justice. 2. We want to contnbute to democracy in a civil society, by woridng towards the elimination of the roots of violence. 3. The historic opening of the National Constitutional Assembly serves as a starting point in the reconstruction of a new country which recognizes the existence of different cultures. 4. Altes- 500 years of cultural resistance, the pres- ence of Francisco Rojas Birry, Lorenzo Muclas and Alfonso Pci\as 01epe in the National Constitutional Assembly dernonstrares that Indian people have strong support from their communities as well as from other sectors of the population. S. The presence of indigenous representation in national politics is one more srep in the defense of our identity, due to the struggles of our ancestors such as Caciqua Caitana, Quintin Lame, and Alvaro Ulcu~. Design by l6inv: Tenjo 6. The Colombian guerrilla movement has decided to follow the path of dialogue and political negotiation rather than the anned struggle of the pa.st. 7. We want to encourage dialogue, political negotiation and a peaceful solution instead of the conflictive one which has kept us out of the political arena. 8.1n Colombia, we are building a democratic system where it is our duty to contribure our solidarity to an alternative to the system which consisted solely of liberals and conservatives for many years. 9. After 500 years of being massacred and plundered, we Indian peoples of the Americas will continue our struggle in a new way to prevent new forms of colonization. 10. Indigenous communities, peasants and other popular sectors will establish a civil society, with great socio-political strength, which will offer an alternative, and seriously deal with the roots of violence. Source Unidad lndfgCfllll99, Mtty, 1991 10 SAIIC Newsletter �Culture, Identity & Plurinationality "'... in my case I am first of all Schuar anti then I am Ecuadorian." (Ecuador) On June 29,1991, Ampan J<arakra of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAl E) made the following spc«h at a conference on Communication Among the Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador. We all talk about 'culture' and 'latin· American identity' and 'national identity' and all of our different identities. It is important for us to talk about this. I believe it is easier for indigenous people to talk about identity, because It Is of great concern to us. As workers and Indians, we are told that we are peasants and as such, to be incorporated into the greater society. We are from the country and the city and we are all told that we are Ecuadorian. What does this mean? Some times I have asked myself, and replied that in my case I am first of all Schuar and then I am Ecuadorian. When talking about identity, some say that it is our clothes, others say it is our language. Up to now, the question of how many Indians are in Ecuador is not known. ~state provides one figure; CONAIE provides a different figure. The state says that if one is dressed in Western clothes, then one is no longer an Indian. Just because I am wearing Western clothes, I lose my Identity. Another part of identity is values. We always talk about values, but which values arc 1he real ones? The only thing I can say is that I was taught that national values are the ones we have to follow. lt Is for th.is reason that we have to lcam Spanish and struggle to act as the national society docs, to eat as they cal It's as if our Indian culture has no value. Weare taught one history, the history of the arrival of the Spanish, their civilization. The Catholic religion is the only one to follow and we Indians exist only to be conquered.~ Catholics arrived first, and thought 'those pagans must be baptized. They must be made Christians...: Then the Protestants arrived, and they began to fight over our communities. We Schuar were called Quiwan or fibaro, the Huaorani: Auklls, the Chachis: Kayapas, the Yumas: Omelos, the Tsachilas: Cclorados. Just because the Tsachi.las paint thernsel ves red, they were called Colorados, but that color is not their Identity! Even so, we Indigenous people always lcncw who we were. In the case of the Schuar, one says 1 am Schuar.' Then what does the term Sch114r mean? It means human, an eqwzJ. ThaJ Is identity. Our compalleros of the left tell us that this issue of identity will disappear when the social classes disintegrate, when we all bcc:ome equal. ! have my doubts about this. I think that identity will disappear only when humans disappear. I've seen this issue of identity playing a big role in the Soviet Union. Seventy years of socialism and look at the confrontations taking place over the issue of identity. That is why I get nervous when we talk about a 'plurinational society.' Within the indigenous movement we must a.nalyzc identity and class. Obviously, we identify with the poor, exploited class. However, within this class, we Indians are the most marginalized and racially discriminated against.~ government claims that it is illegal to discriminate, but in reality, radsm is everywhere. In the market, you can hear talk of 'the ugly Indian.' We have to fight against this. We are told that the indigenous mov~ mcnt will displace White people. Many times we have said that we are going to talk about identity and class, but many of ourcompaileros do not want to, because they think that we arc going to hurt their feelings and this will create enmity. And so we do not talk. We've had so many years of ( contimu:d on page 44) We have become strangers on our own lands. In 1he Amazon. for example, in a province which was created in 1964, weare required to have land tiUes. While we have been the owners of these lands for thousands of years.. others come along and say they own them because they have lousy pieces of paper! It is for this reason that we say we must have more authority. In South and Central America, we are called 1iispanics' or 'latin Americans' even if we don't have a trace of European blood! Not so long ago we Indian people had no defined organizations. We called each other brothers.~ linguists, missionaries, historians, anthropologists, called us 'peasants; 'ethnic groups; 'aborigines; natives.' Then they gave us specific names, endless denominations. Vol6 Nos 1&2 11 �I~DIGE~OUS LEADER TORTUREDI~IMBABURA (&:uador) On june 11, 1991, J* Maria Cabascango, 28 year old human rigllts secrc!ary of CONArE (lhe Confederation of illdigenous Nationalities of Ecuador), was detained by the army while travelling by car during a tour of local indigenous communi· ties. He and others travelling with him were transferred to the Ecuadorian investigative police office in Ibarra. Cabascango was held until june 13 and was subjc<:tcd to torture, including bci11g hung from the thumbs, blows to the ears, mock executions and death threats. During the last few years, there have been numerous land con!licts in the prov· ince of lmbabura involving indigenous communities and large landownCf'S, some of which have resulted in the expulsion of these communities from land on which they were living. A large number of paramilita.ry groups have eme.ged in the area and appear to act against the Indian communities, either in combined operations with the army or police or with the acquicsccnre of the government. Tile killing, torture and harassment of many community mcmbCf'S and leaders have been committed by these groups. For example, on December 19, 1990, Indian leader Julio Cabascango (not related to J* Maria) was kilkd, apparently by a paramilitary group. Tile government initiated an inquiry and detained two people (one of whom escaped) believed to be responsible for the murder. illdian leaders are requesting not only that those responsible for the shooting be brougllt to trial but also those on whose behalf they acted. On june 11, the Indian communities of the province of lmbabura declared a 48 hour strike. Such strikes usually involve road blocks but are non-violent in tactics and are usually supported by the local church, student unions and other o.ganlzations, as in this case. During the two day strike, 17 indigenous people, including )OS(! Marla Cabascango were detained, and about 12 others injured, reportedly by members of security forces. Tile purpose of the strike was to request the intervention of the state into the land con!licts that affect Indian communities; to request the disbanding of paramilitary groups; to request the bringing to justice of those responsible for the 1990 killing of Indian leader julio Cabascango; to request govcmmcnt investment in the region's infrastructure; and to request assistance for the growing problem of cholera in the area. Soun:t: AmiUSty /ntmwlionlll Please write to the Ecuodoreon authorities: ·expressing concern ot the reported torture of Indian leader Jose Mario Coboscongo, ·noting thot torture is forbidden under Ecuodoreon legislotion and thot Ecuodor hos also ratified internotionol treaties that oppose its use, including the UN Convention Against Torture and o ther Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. ·asking foro full and importiol inquiry into the ollegotions of torture, that the nature of the findings be mode public and, should the allegations be sustained, thot those responsible be brought to justice. Write to: Dr. Rodrigo Borja Cevallos Presidente de lo Republica Palacio del Gobierno Garcia No reno 1043 Quito, ECUADOR 12 SAIIC Newsletter �Traditional Authorities Proclaim Independence (Bolivia) Oruro is a mining dty, known since colonial times for its large silver and tin deposits. Second in importance to the huge deposits of Omo Rico in PotOsi, Oruro has been forgotten since the collapse of tin prices on the international market. Uru-Chipayas: Organizing for Linguistic I Cultural Survival (BOUVIA) Although declared extinct by lingulscs, the ancient language of Puquina is spoken by at least 10,@ people in the Dcsaguadero River vaUey. Thirty-two families from Uru-Chipaya-Murato, one of the oldest and smaUest Andean communities, are organizing for linguistlc I cultural survival. In an interview with SAIIC, Lorenzo lnta, a representative of Uru-Chipaya·Murato, described several projxts being planned by the community. Among these are a gathering to reunite aU the speakers of Puquina, a Native school directed by community members and a linguistic documentation project. He went on to say that they are in need of technical, educational. and financial support and collaboration for these projects. If you con provide assistance or would like more informorion, write lo: Proyeclo Cultural Uru Toller de Hislorio Oral Andino Casillo 9628 Lo Po<, BOUVIA In April1991, the 5th Council of Traditional Authorities gathered five-hundred jilaqata and rm:Ujut (native authorities of Andean indigenous communities) m Oruro. These representatives met in order to proclaim their intent to fight for the reconstruction of the Qucchua· Ayrnara nation. Many of their communities have never been enslaved by colonists. They maintain that the Bolivian government answers to a centralized, oligarchic structure which is artificially imposed over indigenous structures. In this way, they proclaimed their indepcndcnoc ftom the Bolivian Government Native Radio Broadcasters Face Many Obstacles (Bolivia) The Independent Association of Ayrnara Indian Radio Operators (AREAL) began the process to broadcast in the Ayrnara and Quechua languages in the Oruro and Potosi regions one year ago. lsrnacl Marnani and Rogelio Pari, both active members of AREAL, informed SAliC of the barriers they face to broadcast in Native languages. The quest for a license to broadcast has been futile, governmental obstruction is rampant, and competi· lion with non-Indian NGOs for a frequency is very high. AREAL is searching for technical and fina.ncial support in order to continue broadcasting independently. Especially needed is the exchange of related experiences, cassdte ta. es and tape recorders. If you arc able to offer p resources, please contact AREAL at Associoci6n de Radios Aymoros Casillo 19628 Lo Po<, BOUVIA Vol6 Nos 1&2 13 �courtesy of CONAlE. bilingual education dq>fVtnu:nl. OIL WARS IN THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON! An Interview with Leonardo Viteri (Ecuador) Leonardo Viteri, of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAlE), the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE) and the Organization of Indigenous People of Pastaza (OPIP) visited the Bay Area last Spring, on a speaking tour of North America. He is a Quichua Indian from the community of Saragura in the Province of Pastaza in Ecuador's Amazon region. Approximately 200.000 Indian people live in this region, with the Quichuas numbering around 90,000. Other groups include the Shuar, Huaorani, Cofanes, Siones and the Secoya. The following is excerpted from an interview between SAUC and Leonardo. SAllC: I understAnd that you come from a large family. Are all the members of your family actively involved in thedt{enseof the rights of indian peoples? 14 SAIIC Newsletter �Yes, we worked first of all to achieve unity in our methods and politics at the level of the family. This alloWEd us to obtain the necessary baclcing and support for our work and also to inVolve the whole family in the cause of indigenous peoples. I do come from a large family ·I have nlne brothers and sisters, and we are all working with different organizations and focusing on distinct areas of work. SAJIC: Whm did you bt:gin to organize yourselves at the ~nal and nationalleoels? In the Amazon region, the Shuar Federation was the first to undertake a broad and significant process of organizing. Thereafter, indigenous peoples like the Quichua, Cofancs, Siones and Secoya, and most recently the Huaoranl, have organized themselves. The Quichua people of Pastaza have been organized since 1978, and we form part of the Organ!· zation of Indigenous Peoples of Pastaza (OP!P). toward work, nutrition and sodal behavior are adopted, all of which diverge totally from the culture oi our people. SAJIC: Whm did the incursion of tl!e pmoleum companies bt:gin in the &:uadorian Amazon? The petroleum problem bega.n for indigenous peoples as far back as 1926. Since that time we have been waging a petroleum war in the Amazon. Confi'onted by our permanent opposition and struggle, the companies have withdrawn on several oocasions, but in 1970 they returned with much greater force. This date marks the beginning of the oil boom in the Amazon, which has been one of the most complicated and conflictive periods of our time, and also one of the most destructive in terms of the region and the cultures of indigenous peoples. SAJIC: Wiry harJe indigenous tmiWries btrm militariud? 1llose who stand i.n opposition to the interests of indigenous peoples are very concenoed by the accelerated p<OCCSS of organizing being carried out by indigenous peoples of the Amazon and SAJJC: Can you describe in throughout Ecuador in general. greater detml what Through the creation of regional CONFENAJE is, and whom it confederations, such as repr~ts? CONFENAIE in the Amazon, CONFENAIE Is a EOJARUNARI in the Sierra, regional, non-governmental and COICE in the coastal region. organization of indigenous we have been able to unite and peoples. It i epieserlls six successfully organize ourselves I'M<~ b7 M. Htt.,... nationalities that live in the uoiiiJTt/q Viteri on his visit to North AI7U!rico. at the national level. CONAlE, Amazon region, specifically the Confederation of Indigenous the Quichua, the Shuar·Achua.r, the Huaorani, the Cofanes, Nationalities of Ecuador, represents the synthesis of all of the Siona, and the Secoya. CONFENAIE was established in the regional organizations. Through CONAlE, we are able the Amazon 11 years ago, and it is the representative to struggle and put forth, as a united front, our proposals to organization of the majority of indigenous peoples of the the Ecuadorian State in order to seriously discuss and find solutions to the problems that have built up as a result of Amazon. 500 years of oppression. The mlUWization of our territories SAJIC: What has btrm tl!e impact o{tl!epdroleum amrpanieson and the persecution of indigenous peoples Is also due to the indigenous peoples? struggle ignited by the indigenous uprising of June of 1990. The policy of repression which the Ecuadorian govemrnent The government's oil policy has provoked the has adopted has caused many problems for us. plunder of 5,200,000 hectares of indigenous territory in the last twenty years, because It has awakened the ambitions of SAJIC: What companies art optrating in tl!e Amazon? outsiders to come in and grab land. Immense areas of land have also been given as ~ns to timber companies, to There are more than 22 oil companies operating in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Fifteen of these are from the agribusiness companies cultivating African palm trees, to tourist companies, and to the armed forc:es. At present, the United States. Texaco, which has been there for almost oil companies are occupying some 3,080,000 hectares. Their twenty years, Is the company that has caused the greatest operations the exploit the entire Amazon region. The ecological and social damage in the region. ARCO, which Is also present and operating in the territory of Pastaza, has presence of the companies also implies cultural changes because at times our people go to work for the companies. militarized Its block in the face of opposition from the nus creates an economic dependency, and also transforms (setwnor@,p. 45) their way of thinking. Other life-styles, other attitudes Vol6 Nos 1&2 15 �A VICTORY FORTH E PEOPLE OF THE PERUVIAN AMAZON (Peru) On September 19th, the Peruvian Minister of Energy and Mines publicly announced that Texas Crude had decided not to sign a contract to explore for oil in Lot 61, home to some 180 Amaz.onian indigenous and nonindigenous river communities for whom the park and its resources constitute their sole means of survival. One year ago, newly~lected President Alberto Fujimori signed a landmark environmental code prohibiting the exploitation of non-renewable natural resources and banning oil drilling in the nation's parks and reserves. In April of 1991, under pressure from powerful economic interests, Fujirnori reversed his position and granted the Houston-based Texas Crude Incorporated a vast tract of rainforest, known as Lot 61. Opposition to the Corporation's plans to begin oil exploration developed immediately as national environmental and indigenous groups discovered that over three-quarters of Lot 61 lay within the Pacaya Sarniria reserve in Peru's northern Amazon jungle. It is the oldest and largest protected area in Peru's national park system. The ptospect that Pacaya Sarniria- already contaminated by the activities of petroleum companies allowed to operate in the reserve prior to the passing of the environmental code- could be further jeopardized galvanized local, national and international opposition. l.n june, a local priest, along with AIDESEP {Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Peruvian Amazon) organized a general strike in the jungle town of Jquitos, and succeeded in brieOy paralyzing the community. Two months later, AIOESEP issued a declaration denouncing the Peruvian government's manipulation of environmental codes and its willingness to grant transnational corporations a dcgrcc of security never 16 acoorded to Peru's own citizens. A document prepared at AIDESEI"s 15th General Assembly stated that "neither the people nor the environment bear the responsibility for the extreme poverty our country faces. White this poverty may indeed require urgent remedies, actions which threaten to irreversibly destroy food and natural resources cannot be justified, particularly since the presumed wealth which will be generated will never be seen by the people." Internationally, San Francisco's Rainforest Action Network launched a joint campaign with Global Response to bornbard Texas Crude headquarters with !etten protesting the proposed project. The President of Texas Crude cited numerous reasons for the corporation's decision, including: the threat of legal action by the Peruvian Environmental Law Society (SPOA); the "substantial number of letters endeavoring to discourage exploration for environmental reasons" (over 1000 !etten were sent!); and the recent letter sent to President Fujimori by 54 Peruvian house representatives and senators showing their disapproval of the contract. In early October the Peruvian Ministry of Enetgy and Mines began negotiations with the U$-based Santa Fe Energy Rcsourccs Company for two other oil exploration tots, both outside of Pacaya Samiria. Although the contract has yet to be signed, and must be approved by the full Peruvian cabinet, it is considered likely that the project will be given the go-ahead given the extreme economic situation Peru is confronting. It is important to note, however, that Santa Fe Energy and Resources specifically opposed any contract involving areas within national reserves or parks, stating that the environmental concerns were too great. SAIIC Newsletter �A MESSAGE FROM THE HUAORANI ¥ (Ecuador) Under increasing pressure from indigenous peoples uf the Ecuadorian Amazon and tnVironmenllll organizations within and outside Ecuador, C = Oil Comparty announad on October 11 that it tooS withdrawing from all oil develqpment in the regicn of the Amazon that comprises the traditional territory of the Huaorn11i lndums. Conoco's decision came thrre w«ks after the Inter·Amerialn Commission on Hurnan Rights hmrd arguments by SAIIC coordinAtor, Nilo Cayuquro and IAuri Adams of the Sieml Club Legal Defense Fund. They argued that actions by the government uf Ecuador apprwing Conoco's massive oil deve/qpmenl project in the hMrl uf the HIIQOnmi's traditionallllnds violates the Indians' a.sic human rights to life, hMith, hame, family, and cullurt. The following Idler wzs sent to Canoco by the Huaomni organiz.aticn in the Ecuadorian Amazon (ONHAE). See issues Vo/5 Nos 3&4 of the SAIIC NttDSldter far more information on theUmoc:o • Huaomni case. General Manager DuPont - Conoeo Company Un ited State8 of America Dear Sir: The Orqaniution o! the Huaorani Nation.>lity of the Ec\l.odorian 1\mozon Region (ONHAE) , in a.n extraordinary meeting held on the lOth and 11th of January, 1991, adopted the following re301utions: 1. 'n\at oil exploitation in the ftuaora.ni territory rrust be provontod, because the pollution hao killed """Y anift.lo, tiohos and plants, and haa produoed many diaeasea. 'n\at is what we have a.oen, and it is th.reat6t\i.ng the life of th4l Hua.oranie. 2 . 'll\o.t tho oil OOCTpa.nies enter ovr territory without t akinq ue into acoount. '11\at thoy como in a.nd do thoir work doepito tho fe.ct that thoy know wo have the proporty ri9hte over this land., disrupting our orga.niz.ational process; tho Co.nooo ~y wants to work by itself, uei.nc), in an iaolat«:l fashion, Hua.ora.nis from Cononaoo and Yasuni . 3. That the Ccnooo ~ is discussing the fate of the Huaora.nia in fn60ting-s in whidl tho Hua.ora.nis are not preet~nt and that we a.re t~t.cl as it we are gue.st~. We mJet not be treated as questa when the dia.cussion is about our lives . We rrust eorr.ct this situation, because our liv<ts au on the liM. 4 . 'Ibat we, tho ONHAE, ratify our opposition to the construction ot any roads in Hua.ora.ni tor-rito.ry. S. Thot th• drillin9 of oil wolls pollut•a tho rivers. 6. That the Huaorani culture sunrive and prosper. We do not want nie.s to oocro a.nd civiliu us. OOftt)O.- 7. 'Ihet vo do not want to be doc::eivod by the oil <XX'fl)41\iea. 8. !bot vo aro aware of the problems of the world. Despite thea.o, wo will oontinue to defend our land. Awaiting your respo.nse to caja Postal 17-21-166, Quito, Ecuador, we rotn11in sincerely, Ro.m' n Hua.noni COb&, Moi Enoman9a Na.ntohua, President, antA& Vioe Vol6 Nos 1&2 President,~ Eugenio Qu-ri C. Secretary, ONKAE 17 �Flu Threatens to Annihilate the Nukak (Colombia) One of Colombia's last nomadic peoples, the Nukak, are being decimated by outside diseases. 1lleir numbers have already been brought danger· ously low by continual attacks from colonists and coca grower$. Over 100 Nukak have died from flu over the last three years. Now their children are threatened by cerebral malaria • which is usually fatal. As one of Colombia's last nomadic tnbal peoples, the Nukalc's future depends on their land being legally recogJiizcd and colonization halted. But the Colombian Government has not recognized 90% of their land, and taltcn no steps to protect the Nukak from hostile invasions. 1lle Nukak have had little non-Indian contact. What contact they have had has proved devastating. With a population of around 1100, the tribe cannot afford more losses. In 1987 approximately20Nukak were attacked and killed by colonists in the north of their territory. 1lle survivors of the massacre fled to the south. deep into the heart of their rainforest lands. At the same time, another group had been attacked by coca growers. 1lle survivors of these two groups joined up and emerged out of the forest on the outskirts of the town of Calamar. However any Nukak who had lived in the area were killed off by colonists during the 1940's rubber boom. It seems that other Nukak had been shot at by the Colombian army from the air; they were mistaken for coca growers or left-wing guerillas. Meanwhile 20 Nukak children had been stolen by colorusts to work as unpa;d laborers. 1lle disoriented survivors of the 1987 massacre· mostly women and children • only spoke Nukak. so could not speak with the townspeople about the attacks. 1lley were unused to life outside the rainforest and became depressed and sick. A missionary from the extremist USbased organization, New Tribes Mission (NTM), arrived, claiming to speak Nukak.lt then emerged that N1M (whose activities amongst tribal people worldwide have done untold damage) had had a base in the north of the Nukak lands for at least 12 years. 18 1lle Colombian goverruncnt's response to the Nukak's plight has been totally unacceptable. Despite protests, the government new some of the Nukak back to the New Tribes Mission base.1lley were already infected with the flu virus after living in Calamar. 1lle Nukak have no resistance to this new disease and no way of treating it. At least 109Nukak have died as it has spread through their territory. 1lley were returned from the NTM base to their forest homes with no medical care and no protection from further attacks. As well as the fust cases of CErebral malaria in children living near the NTM base, cholera has also appeared in the region. 1lle Nukak traditionally live In the headwaters of the lnfrlda and Papunaua rivers and the southern basin of the River Cuaviare. 1lle Nukak will only survive If their rights to all their lands are fuUy recognized and properly enforced. 1lle Colombian government must also initiate a health project for the Nukak. Please write courteous letters urging the Colombian government to tiUe aU of the Nukak's lands to them. an area of approximately 1 million hectares in Cuaviare province. The government must ensure that there is no further colonization ofNukak lands. A properly funded health project must be initiated, to allow small medical teams to treat the Nukak before more of them die. Every effort must be made to recover those Nukak children who have been captured by colonists. Source: Survit>U lnJ.tmal'iDiriZI Pleose send your leHers lo: Seilor Dr Cesar Govirio, Presidenle de lo Republica Coso de Noriiio, Carrera 8 No 7·26, Bogot6, COLOMBIA and lo: Dr Femondo Cotroles Cruz Centro Administrotivo Nocional , EcSficio INCORA Gerencia General, Bogot6, COlOMBIA SAIIC Newsletter �1000 INDIANS MARCH TO PROTEST ARMY'S KILLING OF COMMUNITY LEADERS (Colombia) last November the principal Indian leader of the Arhuaoo lndlans, Luis Napolc6n Torres, his brother, Angel Maria Torres, and another Arhuaoo, Hugues Chaparro were travelling by bus from the local city ol Valleclupar, the Colombian capital of Bogotll. They were going to protest to government authorities about anny and police harassment of their communities. At a stop along the way, ncar the town of Curumani, soldiers forced the three off the bus and took them away. The bus driver reported this to the local police but they appear to have done little o r nothing. Two weeks later the Indians' bodies were discovered in three different places- all had been severely tortured. About a thousand Indians later marched to Valleclupar in protest and to take the bodies bad< to the mountains for traditional funeral rites. Two of the dead were traditionalmmno (shamans) and all were highly respected Indian leaders. On the same day as the three leaders disappeared, another Arhuaoo, Vicente Villafafle, and his brother had their house searched for anns- none were found. They were taken to the army base in Valledupar where they were beaten and tortured. Two days later, November 30th, one of Gran Chaco Indigenous Peoples Call for Land Commission (Bolivia) Indigenous peoples of the Gran Chaco region of the Bolivian Amazon have requested the Bolivian government to establish a commission to deman:ate their territory. In an open letter to President Jaime Paz Zamora, the Mataoo and Tapiet~ peoples, who live on the banks of the Plloornayu River, Informed the President that they conducted a general assembly last November (1990) in Villamontes. At the end of the gathering. they issued a resolution calling on the President to take immediate measures to halt the injustices and abuses they are suffering at the hands of colonists. The resolution denounces the " ... total paralysis of our attempts to acquine property rights and land tiUes, a process that has been dctained by the National Agrarian Reform. We demand to be treated the same way as our Sirion6 brothels and sisters at lbiato. The Sirion6 have been able to press for the approval ol Supreme Decree# 22609 which declares as 'indigenous territory' the lands they inhabit." Indigenous peoples of the Gran Chaco explain Vol6 Nos 1&2 them was taken by army helicopter to the Indian community of Vlndivameina (Santo Domingo) where soldjers searched houses, shot their rilles into the air, and stole food from the school and equipment from the health post. The Colombian army views all peasant and Indian communities as potential guerrilla collaborators. In other areas of Colo mbia, guerrillas themselves have killed Indian leaders who refuse to affiliate with their particular antigovernment group of which there are several. In many areas the Indians suffer at the hands of both the rebel and government forces. A Colombian court has begun an investigation into the killings but this is unlikely to bring any results without a show of support for the Indians and protests at the violations of their rights. Please write to the President of Colombia, protesting the army's killing and torture of lndlan people. Senor Presidente Dr Cesar Goviria, Presidente de lo Republica Coso de Noriiio, Carrero 8 No 7-26 Bogot6, COlOMBIA \,~·-:........ -' . that the agrarian reform paper work has been suspended. They arc accusing the government of stalling the approval of previous documents. The Mataco and Tapiet~ said that in July of 1980, agrarian reform officers instructed them to proceed with the land tiUe paper work and that native authorities visited the Indian commu.nities to explain the objectives. With economic aid from the Swedish Mission in Bolivia, along with the approval ol the agrarian reform officers, they Initiated the paper work along legal path$. They paid the required fees to the local judge Hilda Palavlsino, a SECretary, and a land surveyor. The local judge is now advising cattle ra.nchers and pits them against the Indians. She has been responsible for the legal curtailment of paper worlc that was to benefit the Mataco. In the meantime, the Mataco and Tapiet~ say that the governmental commission must be formed by the Ministry of Peasant Affairs, the Indigenist Institute, CIOOB (Indigenous Confederation of Eastern Bolivia) and representatives of the Mataco and Tapict~. They warn against colonizers encroaching on their lands. They also denounce Judge Hilda Palavlsino for bias towards catUe ranchers because of her friendship and familial ties. "'four petition falls through, and is not resolved favorably and immediately, the Indigenous Peoples of the Gran Chaco will adopt other de facto measures," they warn. 19 �·we Need to Survive!•• A Message from Davi Kopenawa Yanomami (Bnuil) Daui Kopenauxl Ymwmami visilal Ntw Yo'* in April and md with 11¥ Stadmy Gennrzl of the United Nations, the Organizaoon ofAmerican States, and tM World Bank to explain the effects geld-miners are lu:uing on his people, tM Yanomami of the state of Romima in the Brazilian Amazon. He also md with manygroups on the mst QlQSt to help raise funds for a Yanomami health project. The following aree=rpts frrmt a statement made by Daui Koptnawa Yanomami to the lnttr·Ameriam Commission on Human Rights last September in Demini, Brazil. My name is Davi Kopenawa Yanomami... I am a Yanomami Indian. I want to send my message to those who are friends and who are helping us to defend the forest. I want to talk to the people who do not know the problems of the Indians in Brazil. We Yanomami Indians have lived in this forest for a vel)' long time, for much longer than any White or non-Indian person. We used to be free and we did not have any lcind of illness. We were not sick a t all. rolled into the forest. Tiley are now all over the territory. We Yanomami Indians are vel)' worried because we do not have the authority of the President... we have to ask the government to change the situation and to take the gold miners. .. out of the area. !have asked FUNAI (the Brazilian Bureau of Indian Affairs) many times and all the authorities, including former President Samey, when he was President...to take out the gold miners. .. but the only thing they d id was to promise and to keep promising things and not do anything. Instead, they let many other gold· miners come in... and they did not take them out. Sickness also came with the gold miners. Because of the mosqui· toes that bite them and then bite us, we are now having all of this sickness. Tile sickness called malaria is very Slrong, and I think at least !<XX> Yanomami have died already. Even more than !<XX>. 111at is what I think. Now our rivers.. our streams. .. During that are dirty. The time there were no nonDavi YOII()mami on his visit to North America. Yanomamldo not know about mercury... Indians around here. Tiley were far away. We Indians did not know that the non-Indians would give us so many Mercury is used by gold miners to clean the gold ... It goes problems... I am talking about the gold miners who come back to the river and the fish that the Yanomami eat and the here and take out our fish, the animal$. .. and devastate the water that the Yanomami drink is mixed with mercury. forest. 111at is what I am tallcing about. .. They have invaded When they cat and drink that they get sick. our territory.Tiley first came in 1987.11lcy killed four Those gold miners arc also poor people. Like us, Yanomami at Paapiu. From there they spread out into the they are not rich. I feel pity for them because they come territory with small airplanes and helicopters... and they here, because their boSSC$ send them here, and they just 20 SAIIC Newsle tter �obey them. Around Sururucus, there arc a lot of goldminers. The federal polke have not taken them out. They tried, but what they did was to get the nice gold-miners out, not the bad and mean ones. I am a Yanomami Indian who understands the non-Indian world. I keep asking President Collor to expel the gold miners from our territory. President Collor has been to Surururus, but. .. on ly to a military base... That is the only thing he saw. President Collor knows that the situation is not good. So I am asking o ther people to con tin ue pressuring the Brazilian government to help expel the goldminers. I spoke to the United Nations, which gave me an award. I told them that the prize did not help my people. So I am asking the UN to help the Yanomami people to pressure the Brazilian government to remove the goldminers from our area. Also, we want the Organization of American States. .. to help us as friends. I don't think it is just the Brazilian government. You should pressure every government in the world b«ause they arc all alike, and they should help us. .. Protect the Indians, protect the rivers, the mountai.n s, the forest. We need to survive. It is very important for them too. It is not only the Yanomami but also the non-Indians. We all depend on the land. So if they do not protect the land, all of humanity will die. To you whom I am sending this message, what I am asking is to do something to help the Brazilian Ind ians, and also all the Ind ians of the world, because the Indians want to live in peace. Not only the Indians who live in the forest but also the Indians who live in the dty and the nonIndians who arc living in the dty arc suffering because the government should pay attention to all of us and do something to help us. I am going to say something else... about the 19 islands of Yanomami land that former President Samey demarcated. We Yanomami Indians do not want to live in islands. We want to be safe. The gold miners arc going to enter our islands... We need a con tin uous area and a big area in order to be able to fiSh and hunt and live well. We want all of our land united. In regards to the government operation that is supposed to take out the gold miners... they have not taken out all of the gold miners. The operation has stopped because the government says that they do not have money... ! know the government authorities, the Brazilian au thorities, and I know the politicians and I know the way they work. My feeling is that they do not want to take the gold miners out... What they really want is to be here and exploit our resources. That is why they do not want to solve our problems. (Su Davi.p . 45) Vol6 Nos 1&2 Some Ground is Made in the Struggle for the Construction of a Yanomami Park President Collor finally obeyed the Brazilian court dedsion and revok ed former President Samcy's illegal dccrccs dividing Yanomami territory into 19 'islands' and create three illegal mining reserves. But optimism about a decisio n on a Yanomami Pari< soon diminished when Collor announecd he was setting up a group to study Yanomami boundaries. On April19, National Day of the Indian, he signed a decree calling for a proposal for the demarcation of the Yanomami territory to be presented to him wlthi.n six months. During Presid ent Collor's visit to the Un ited States in June, environmental and Indian support grou ps informed him that the evacuation of the gold-miners in the Yanomami area had been paralyzed and the gold-miners had again invaded an extensive part of the Yanomami territory. Upon returning to Brazil, Collor fired FUNAI prosldent Cantidio Guerrciro Guimaracs. Meanwhile, the government pla.n ned to begin on July 19, the third operation to expel the gold-miners from the Yanomami territory using a sum of $1.8 million. The government's plans for the gold-mi ncrs Is being questioned. It was reported that the intcnton is to incorporate several thousand expelled gold-miners i.n to agricultural projects. If the projects are set up near the Yanomami area, it is certain that they will re-invade the territory. Sydney Possuelo, the new prosidcnt of FUNAI published a resolution on July 22, 1991, calling for the demarcation of the Yanomami territory as a contiguous area of9,419,108 hectares, located in thcstatesof Roraima and Am.uonas. This was signed by President Collor. The government is estimating that it will cost $6 millio n to demarcate the territory. Last Minute News Ill On November 14, President Collar de Mello granted "pennanent rights" over 36,358 squa re miles to the Yanomamilll �Brazilian Army Recruits Yanomami Indians Several Yanouwni Indians are "serving" in the Brazilian Army at the Maturaca poet. located in the Slate of Amazonas. The one-year enlistment oi the Yanomami is part oi a strategy by the Brazilian Armed ~ to "integrate" indigenous populations into the "national community." The military rommandf!IS' Sbategy is based on the idees oi •national sovereignty" and "national security.• They rear that Indian groupe will form their own nation inside the Brazilian territory. ln July, Roraima governor and former brigadier general Ottomar de Souza Pinto, rompared the Yanomami situation to the Kurds in inlq. The relationship between the Yanomami and the military in the Maturaca region is similar to that oi the Yanomami and the gold-miners. The anny wants to Increase its presence in Maturaca. That is why soldiers are building an UJegal road between the city oi Sio Gabriel da Cachoeira and the post in Maturaca. Five Jcilometers oi the road have already beEn completed. The road is UJegal because it cui$ through the Pico da Neblina National Park and the military has not even presented an Bnvironmental Impact Report to the government environmental nkuna Massacre Update (Brazil) March 28th marked three years since the Tlkuna massacre, when 14 Tikuna men, women and children were shot to death at the command of logger, Oscar Castello Branco, near the city of Benjamin Constant in the state of Amazonas, in the Brazilian Amazon. This was the most serious documented massacre of Brazilian Indians in the last twenty years. The 15.000 Tlkuna on the upper SolimOes River form the largest Indian nationality in Brazil. In recent years, they have suffered increasing incursions by loggers, commercial fisheries, and local elites on their lands. At the same time, their organizing in defense of their traditional lands has grown stronger. Since 1988, legal investigation of the crime has slowly proceeded in Benjamin Constant. At the end of last year, the judge responsible for the case indicted aU of the accused, who are now to stand trial before a local jury, chosen from the residents of the city. The general opinion in the city, however, leads us to believe that this will not be an impartial bia1 Most of the local people have shown support for the logger, who is well-known in the region. In general, there is hostility towards the Indians and their presence in the area. Consequently, the Tikuna and their support organizations are requesting that the judge and the pubtic prosecutor ask the Tribunal of Justice of the state of Amazonas for a change of venue. It is hoped that the trial will be held in the state capital of Manaus. The local judge and prosecutor- the only authorities who can legally make the request- are reluctant to do so. If this situation continues, the likely • outcome is impunity for the defendants, who would be tried in Bcn~1min Constant. and very tikely, be absolved. We request that concerned individuals and organizations send letters or telegrams to the authorities noted below, requesting that the Tribunal reexamine the Tlkuna massacre case, keeping in mind the hostile atti.tudes towards Indian people in the city of Benjamin Constant and th.1t a change of venue be granted. Please send these letters to: Exmo. Sr. Dr. luis Henrique Braz Juiz de Direito do Comorco de Benjamin Constont F orum de Benjamin Constont, 69630 Benjamin Constont, AM, BRAZIL Exmo. Sr. Dr. Sergio Medeiros Promotoo de Justico do Comorco de Benjamin Constont Forum de Benjamin Constant, 69630 Benjamin Constant, AM, BAAZIL agency. Exmo. Sr. Dr. Gaspar Cotundo de Sousa Desemborgador Presidente do Tribunal de Justico do Amozonas Ruo 10 de julho, no. 833 Centro, 69007 Monaus, AM, BRAZIL Send copies ol onconespondence to: mbassy Ambassador Morcilio Marques Moreiro, Brazilian E 3006 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA Fox: 202-745-2728 SAIIC Newsletter �UNI, CIMI AND OTHERS SIGN AGREEMENT TO COOPERATE (Brazil) July 21-24, the Federation of Indigenous Organizations of the Rio Negro held an Indigenous assembly in Silo Gabriel da Cachoeira, in Amazonas, Brazil. Ten indigenous organizations of the Rio Negro participated in the assembly, as well as Manoel Moura, director of Coordinating Group of Indigenous People of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB), and Ailton Krenak, of the national office of the Union of Indigenous Nations (UNI}. The local and national indigenous leaders at the meeting signed a letter of agreement, with significant implications for the future of the indigenous movement in Brazil. A translation of the document follows. • • •• •• 1. Considering that this meeting of indigenous organizations of the Rio Negro, called by FOIRNthe Federation of Indigenous~~tionsof the Rio Negro - has broad participation of local leaders, throughout the directorates of the associa- tions; 2. Considering the presence of representatives of the directorate of COIAB (Coordinatil1g Group oflndigenous People of the Brazilian Amazon); 3. Considering the presence of representatives of the National Coordination of UNI (Union of Indigenous Nations), and the themes and proposals discussed at this meeting; • • We resolve: a) to sign this protoeol defining an agenda for work on three levels of organization; b) to prepare a common agenda to formulate a program for structuring the local, regional and national indigenous movement; c) to declare together a public conunitment, with all of the legally constituted indigenous organizations, associations, councils, etc., to define the form and date to convene the voting members of each organization for the definition of the model of national organization that we want, and its structu.r e and mandate; the indigenous struggle of the positive result of the meeting and the urgent necessity of having a civil orgarrizatiOn; e) to communicate with the groups that support the indigenous struggle, in order that they cease the dissidence that hinders the indigenous movement when they undertake parallel programs of a paternalistic, academic nature; f) that the indigenous organizations and support groups are responsible for national mobilization so that the Congress does not alter indigenous rights assured by the Constitution; being in agreement, all the indigenous organizations represented sign this protoeol. (signed by 34 indigenous leaders, representing the organizations listed below) UNI - Union of Indigenous Notions (Notional) COlAS - Coordinating Group of the Indigenous Organizations of Amazonia FOIRN - Federation of the Indigenous Organizations of the Rio Negro ACIRI - Association of the Indigenous Communities of the Rio leona ACITRUT - Association of the Indigenous Communities of • Tarawa, Rios Voupes and Tiquie UNIDI - Union of Indigenous Nations • • of the louorete District UCIDI - Union of the Indigenous Communilies of the louorete District UNIRT - Union of Indigenous Notions of the Rio Tiquie ACIBRN - Association of the Indigenous Communities of the Lower Rio Negro AINBAL - Boloio Indigenous Auociotion ACIRNE- Association of the Indigenous Communities of the Rio Negro AMITRUT -Association of Indigenous Women of Torouoco, Rios Voupes and Tiquie ARCINE - Rural Association of Indigenous Communities of the Rio Negro In agreement with item d), the support groups listed below sign: CEDI - Ecumenical Center lor Documentation and Information NDI - Nucleus of Indigenous Rights CIMI - Indigenous Missionary Council d) to inform all our grassroots supporters through the channels of communication of the groups that support Vol 6 Nos 1&2 23 �AN URGENT PLEA FROM THE SURUi (Brazil) The Surul Indian people of Rond6nia, conflicts and marry aiSU41/Us among both colonists and Indians, we sucatded in expelling the colonists from our resm>es without represented by the Metareili Organization of the Surul lndigmous People, sent SAJJC the following comuniqu~ to publicize their current situation. govmrmental support. Weare... located at ki/Qmeter 50 in the municipality of Cacoal and live on our traditional lands in six villages. Our population is esli11U1ted to be 511 and we/rave been in coniACI with the national sodety for over 20 ytt~rsand have adApted marryofthecustoms of thissodety. The majority of us wtar western clothes, know the value of mmuy, and 1!111 foods that are different from our traditional did. In 1978, the Suruf lands were invaded by colonists. After marry CurrenJiy, weare collt%med about S«Urity. The Surufs of Rond6nia are suffering marry thrl!llts and tvtn murders. Rtctnlly a Suruf Indian was killed by gunmen hired by ranchers who had invaded the indigenous rescve of the Zor6Indians (The Surufs allied themselves with the Zor61ndians in order to expel the colonizing ranchers). The Surufs of Rondonia have suffered much persecution at the hands of the ranchers, politicians and policeoftheMunici· polity of Caecal. The government has not taken a single measure regarding these persecutions. Ml!llnwhile, the Surufs live with dangerandanxidy,ftrJring moremasstU:Ttsas long as there is no justice. Jm 'rrrrW....-~~. Suicides Plague the Guarani-Kaiowa (Brazil) Suidde, almost unheard of among Indians in the past, Is a disturbing new phenomenon among the Guarani-Kaiowa people in Brazil's western state of Mato Grosso do Sui. Early this year Maura Ramirez, a 15 yearold, hung herself from a tree on the reservation. Her sister, Helena, one year older, had done the same a few months earlier. Since last year, 25 Guarani-Kaiowa have committed suidde and 37 others have attempted it according to statistics from FUNAI (the government's National indian Institute). Anthropologists blame this on the loss of land and OJitural identity in the face of an invasion by ranche!s and farmetS. More than half of the traditional lands claimed by the Guarani-Kaiowas have been settled by outsiders. "What we are seeing is a 01lture in agony, pleading for help/ said anthropologist Maria Aparecida de Costa Pereira, who recently completed a study of the tribe. Violence and disease have dedmated Indian people since Pedro Alvares Cabral and the Portuguese arrived In Brazil in the 16th century. A native population estimated at 5 million in 1500 has been reduced to 220,000 today. The 7200 Guarani-Kaiowa who live on an 8,000 acre reservation have been experiencing increasing pressures In the past few years. Currently the land they have is not enough to sustain their subsistenoe farming. Judges are hostile to indigmousclaims, and readily accept white landowners' property deeds, which are often obtained fraudulcnUy. Ambrosio, a Guarani-Kaiowa leader asks: "What documents do they want from us beyond our nesh and blood? We were born here, as were our mothers, 24 fathers and grandparents, who are buried on this land." The current situation makes the young men leave In search of work as migrant farmers, to cut sugar cane for one of the alcohol distilleries that dot the region, or to migrate to the cities. Sin<:e eligible mates are scarce many Guarani-Kaiowa young women seek work in Dourados, a city of 80,000 near the reservation. Many of them work as maids or prostitutes, only to be rejected after returning to their people. Many of those who have committed suidde did so shortly aftes- returning to the reservation from outside work- or while drunk. Some Guarani-Kaiowa are abandoning traditional faiths and joining Pentecostal sects in the area. Eduardo Leao, an offidai with the Roman Catholic-linl<ed Indig· enous Missionary Council (CJMI), claims that the GuaraniKaiowa believe that they will go to their father's house after they die, where they will be able to live in the traditional manner. "So suicide is not a negation of life but a way of prolonging it." FUNAI officials say they cannot legally set aside more land for the Guarani-Kaiowa, but leao criticizes the government for ignoring the constitutional guarantees of protection for indigmous lands and cultures. "Defending the tribe doesn't require anything extraordinary, but simply obeying the law.lf the federal government doesn't do something soon, theGuarani-Kaiowa are going to disappear." Soomot: S.• Frvr<isa> ~.by KDt Silomi<Vc SAIIC Newsletter �Ph«o by Dap!w Wysham The KUNJ have a Ullique 1~1 of OUUJnomy due w a long hiJtory ofrtsisuw:t. A Message from the Kunas United for Mother Earth (Panama) My name is Atendo Lopez Martinez, and I belong to the I<una nation of the I<una Yala region of Panama. I am here in North America to find out more about the work of our northern brothers and sisters and to investigate ways we might be able to coordinate our actions.! would like to share with you an account of what is happening to our people in Panama, in particular the I<una people. 1hereareapproximately40,000 I<Wla living on the islands in the I<una Yala Region, in the northeast of Panama on the Colombian border. The region of !<una Yala comprises more than 3W islands, of which 52 are inhabited. 1here is a very small percentage of Kuna who reside in the jungle outside of the jurisdiction of Kuna Yala, in the province of Panama. They also are struggling to have their territory (known as the KIUla Region of Madungandi) demarcated. Those of us who live on the islands or in the coastal areas of the Caribbean have a certain autonomy with respect to other indigenous groups and state policy. We obtained a level of autonomy, which is unique among indigenous peoples, by fighting against the police and the colonial army of Panama in 1925. Many of our grandfathers lost their lives to the white invaders, who wanted to keep the I<una people as their slaves. Among others, Nele I<antule and Coman led this uprising. They proclaimed the establishment of the Republic of Tule, which was never actually formed, but we obtained the autonomy we rontinue to exercise today, albeit with many problems. We do not assess national taxes amongst our own peoples, and what we assess from non-I<una people goes toward the development of our communities. With tespcct to our internal governance, we strongly enforce tcspect for traditions and customs within our rommunities. In the political realm, we have the General I<una Congress, which Vol6 Nos 1&2 25 �unites all Kuna people and organizations. EveJy six months the problems of our people arc reviewed in this rongress. Du.ring the rest of the year our rornrnunities and organizations work independently. Distinct political and even ideological positions are respected. What unites us is the defense of our region. our Mother Earth, and our culture. 'The Kuna Region of Madungandi is being threatened by the invasion of non·indigenous colonists. TI>ose who liw in the jungle region are on mountainous lands which are less productive, the result of a forced relocation in 1974 and 1975 by the fonncr government of General Omar Torrijos. The government decided to build a hydroelectric dam in the region in order to supply electridty to the republic. Ironically, today, our brothers still do not have electricity. They do not enjoy any of the benefits of this socalled "technological development." They live in the province of Panama, under the direct administration of the authorities of that province. Their situation worsened in 1974 and 1975 when the government of Omar Torrijos nooded their territories and turned them into an artificial lake. Now the lake generates approximately 45% of the country's elcctridty. The cultivated lands of the Kuna were nooded, the people were displaaxl to inhospitable a.nd less productive areas, and they received little rompensation for their losses. In contrast, the colonists or invaders were relocated to better parts and given rompcnsation for the loss of land and cultivated areas. Since the origins of this problem nearly 20 years ago, the stealing of lands from the Kuna has rontinued. Today, it is lead by wealthy landowners and cattle ranchers who manipulate disputes between poor people and our brothers in order to eventually take over the land themselves. These invasions have increased since the US invasion of Panama, as a result of the ronfusion and lad< of applied justice. On the 10th of july, 1991, the Kuna of Madungandi began a series of peaceful protests, an uprising. The Panamanian authorities immediately stated that the "'Kuna indigenous people, using heavy weapons, have risen up_. to destabilize the present government." This became the pretext for the governor of the province to request the police intervention in order to repress the Kuna. Fortunately, their false daims were disregarded and ronfronted with rourage by our brot.hers, with the support of the Kuna Yala. 'The Kuna who liw on the isla.n dsengage in subsistence production. The men generally work in fishing the seas and agricultural production, in particular the production of eoronut. which is our main source of cash income. We sell eoronuts to Colombian ships, and many of us exchange it for food products. The Panamanian government has done little or nothing to purchase eoronut from us and to look for a solution to the deep cronornic crisis affecting our regions. Amongst our people, we continue to barter for food products, which contributes slightly toward alleviating the crisis. The women, in tum., dedicate themselves primarily to the home and to the care of children. (Su At~ncio, p. 45) 26 The Kuna Speak about 500 Years of Resistance (Panama) Our organization, along with other Indigenous organizations in Panama have coordinated the 500yearscampaign ina united way. We see 1992asa time to commemorate not only 500 years of resistance, but also to reinforce ties of unity amongst ourselves. This will enable us to better ronfront our enemies who tty to divide us and deny our existence. It is for this reason that we recognize the struggle of other poor and marginalized sec:~ors of our countty. Ukc us, they fight for their survival and for rcspe<t of their rights. However, we do not tolerate those nonindigenous organizations that want to capitalize on the 500 years campaign for political purposes. They want to use indigenous peoples without understanding and recogniz.. ing the nature of our struggles. We do not deny the struggle of other sec:~ors of Abya Yala (rontinent, In the Kuna la.nguage). On the contrary, our rontinent will be free only when all sec:~ors. .. arc free. However, there are attempts to undermine the u.nity among indigenous peoples by using us when we arc in the limelight. and simultaneously giving priority to other struggles. I believe that 1992 should not be seen as the end of the indigenous struggle.lnstead, we must realize that our struggle will continue beyond 1992, until there is recognition of all of our rights of self-dctcnnination for our territ<>ries. This must be understood by those popular groups who support us. They should not see in the struggle of indigenous people, the opportunity to achieve their own aspirations. We are in solidarity with them, and we thank them for their solidarity. And we recognize that there are divisionsamongst indigenous peoples, but in spite of all of these, 1992 should be a year for monumental unity, in order to challenge our enemies. Our Mother Earth is being beaten. and her children should be united to defend her. In Panama we have a 500 Years National Commit• tee composed of indigenous and non·indigenous groups. The indigenous peoples include the Kuna, Guayrnie, and Embera. We want the Committee to be romposcd not solely of people from the capital and big dties, but rather people from the communities of our regions. We are proposing a National Gathering to deal with many issues, including that of greater unity in order to defend our rights and demands to the national government. I would like to call on all of our brothers and sisters of the rontincnt to keep our fists high- together we will advance along a path of unity and liberation of our peoples. SAIIC Newsletter �SUMO & MISKITO TIMBER GIVEN TO TAIWAN COMPANY <Nicaragua) An agreement of economic cooperation was made between the Chamono government and the Taiwanese government where Taiwan has pledged $100 million to rover part of the arrears payments on Nicaragua's foreign debt- plus an unknown amount of aid to theOrtegaanny. Shortly after, Pedro Joaquin Chamono, son of President Chamono, and present Ambassador to Taiwan, brought Fernando Chan, the front man for the Taiwanese fi.n n Fquipe Enterprise, Ltd., to General Humberto Ortcg~> to seek a logging ronccssion. Ironically, Chan, a Nicaraguan, was reportedly the business advisor for the late Hope Somoza, wife of the former d ictator Anastasio Somoza, and for their son Tachito. Equipe Enterprise solid ted a renewable :ZO.year forestry ronc:ession for the exploitation of 470,000 hectares of tropical forest in northeastern Nicaragua. It is 1,814 square miles, an area about the size of the state of Delaware. They will be cutting approximately five trees per hectare peryea.r. Under this agreement, 200.000 hectares of forest will feed a pulp paper mill and 270,000 hectares of forest will feed a plywood and lumber mill, both to be installed by Equlpe Enterprise. The Taiwanese also requested exoneration from taxes and rights to the acquisition of infrastructure at discounted prices. nities' socia.l problems and destroys the ecological s~ the rivers, the soil, the wild animals and their hJstoriCally natural habitat. Both the Sumo and Miskito communities have strongly opposed thisroncesslon and have stated that this p roject will further endanger their ho meland, making their survival even more difficult. Sumo leaders have written a letter asking the international community to help them protect the forest. The authorities of the Autonomous Region of the North A tlantic have filed a protest claiming the concession violates their rig)'ots as established in the Law of Auto nomy and the Constitution. They demanded the "immediate suspension of all action in this case, full disc~ of the details of the contract, and the establishment of a national law regulating the usc of natural resources before any concession is p ut into effect." They have further stated," A failure to comply with these demands will foroe us to exert our rig)'ots to defend our patrimony." Please write letters ol concem 10 President VioleiO Chomorro, Antonio Locoyo and G-rol Humbetto Ortego c/o the Nicoroguan Embossy, 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Woshington DC 20009 ond send o fox to Joime lncet, Minister ol Natural R esources in Nicaroguo, (IRENA) ot 5052·31274. On the evening of August 5, 1991, before departing for Taiwan, and after being authorized by Antonio Lacayo, Minister of the Presidency, Mr. Patricio Jerez, Vice-Minister of IRENA (the natural resourccsdepartrnenO, signed an exploitation ron tract with Equipe Nicaragua, S.A. President Chamono's government ron tinucs to deny that such a ron tract was signed. Local rommunities and those in charge of regional plaMing were not ronsulted. Althoug)'o most of the 470,000 hectares belo ng to the state, they include some of the traditional tcnitories o f the Sumo and Miskito lndians. A roncession of this type ignores the rig)'ots of the indigenous communities to usc a.n d enjoy their natural resources and to participate in the decisionmaking, increases the commu- Vol6 Nos 1&2 27 �SUMO LEADERS DENOUNCE TIMBER CONCESSIONS (Niazragua) The following letter, denouncing the cotreeSSibns urzs written by Sumo ~and sent to Mark Plotkin of Conservatibn lntenullicmal. Managua , September 4 , 1991 Dear Friend : We form part of a Sumo commission that is making inquiries to learn the terms of the contract signed by the government of Nicaragua and the Taiwanese company Equipe Enterprise , Ltd . We understand that the concession is of 375, 000 hectares . Our forest is being sold off and we have not been consulted on the utilization and destruction of the forest . Throughout history, Sumo people have struggled to preserve their traditions and their dignity . OUr traditions - cultural , ecological and religious - have not been respected . All the past governments utilized our natural resources without regard for the well - being of our communities . It would be important to reflect upon the true situation of the indigenous people , about the role of human rights defenders , and especially about the national laws and the role of the indigenous legislators . With regard to the rights and the struggles of the indigenous people, what is the relationship bet ween democracy and human rights? How do human rights .... . :. • • • • - • .... • fit i n? Do we or don ' t we have any rights? We urge the international communit y to lend its support . This is not just an issue of conservation, but an issue of human rights . In the name of the Sumo People, we hope that you will continue to help us . Ernesto Almendares 28 Ronas Dolores SAIIC Newsletter �; THE NGO BE (GUAYMI) CALL FOR A N EGALITARIAN AND PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY IN PANAMA (Panama) The Native lands of the Ngobe (Guayml) people are located in the mountain range of Veraguas, Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro as well as on the island of Escudo Veraguas. This critically poor region is being invaded; the Ngobe a.r e being subjected to an unjust and foreign judicial system and are struggling to survive in an inhospitable ahnOsphere with inadequate health care and education. The Ngobe consist of some 110,000 people, the largest Native population in Panama. 1beir history of resistance and contributions remain unrecorded in the official history of Panama. Their demands for justice are not acknowledged by those in power, and they are economically discriminated against by a system which covets the natural resources found on Ngobe land. The Ngobe have struggled for two decades to legally obtain tiUement to their land. Known as the Guaymi region, the approximately 13,000 square kilometers is where they have subsisted for thousands of years and historically developed their culture. They have lost vast areas of fertile lowlands to wealthy landowners. This has resulted in an unjust, discriminatory and prejudicial relationship with local and national govenunents. Even in the high mountain ranges, their lands are not secure. Transnational corporations have opposed the legal entitlement of the Guaymi region because of the mineral, energy and forestry resources found there. At a seminar on Human Rights, organizro by the Guaymi Liberation Front on june 1, 1991, the Guaymi Native people and peasants presented a declaration demanding the legal recognition of the Guaymi region, a denouncement of the inefficiency of the judicial administration and human rights violations. A few days later, the Panamanian Cabinet Council announced Resolution 043-91, authorizing the Executive Body to sell Escudo Veraguas Island. This sacred island is located in the Caribbean, inhabited by Ngobe, is a rich biological ecosystem, similar to the Galapagos Islands. Government officials ignored the presence of indigenous people, and proceeded with negotiations without their consultation. They described the Island as an "uninhabited, swampy marshland;' and Vol6 Nos 1&2 "property of the State;' and as such, "negotiable for sale. " They have yet to recognize its historical, sacred and ecological value. In disregarding Indigenous land rights, the present governrnent has demonstrated an incoherent and deficient policy. This tendency is indicated by a recent debate of the Legislative Assembly regarding Escudo de Veraguas Island: where they advocated the supremacy of commercialization over the rights of Indian people. The Ngobe Staled that the upcoming quincentenary is a "celebration of the Conquest of America and without the legal recognition of the Guaymi Region, the Ngobe are considered intruders on their own lands..." The Ngobe firmly maintain their struggle to disseminate information on the reality of indigenous people. They denounce the institutionalized genocide and discrimination of these five centuries of colonialism. In a letter calling for solidarity from the international community, the Ngobe state '11 is our responsibility as lndians to create a national consciousness, to collaborate in a peaceful and compatible manner, to respect human rights and to form an egalitarian and participatory democ- racy." Pleose 5end letters calling for the legal recognirion ol the Guayrni Region lo the President of Panama and copies ol tne5e along with letters of solidarity. Comorca Guaymi Asesorio Legal Guaymi Uc. Jose Mendoza Acoslo Aportodo 153 Zona 1 Panama, R epublica de Panomo Telephone: 0 11· 507-24-9502 29 �A Silent Strategy "The Clothes that We Wear" The following is~ and tnmsWtd from IM book. La Ropl Que l.lsamos, by Daniel EdUArdoMI>tul Momles,and published by Uga Maylllnlmladonal, Apdo. Postal 584 Oldigo 1100, San ]UAn de Tibas, CAsta Rica. "Our Maya humanity has a beginning, a start, an origin. We havea history.n Aj Pop For us, the Maya people of Guatemala, the c.lothcs we weave and wear are an eloquent representation of our historic continuity. Within them. we record abstract and cosmic principles in mathematical and geometric figures, some simple, others so complex as to be unidentifiable, all presented in extraordinary colors. The ideas represented in our clothes, beyond their aesthetic sense, carry a central theme which corresponds to the <:osmos, which brings us to the basic source of Maya thought. It gives us a formula to Interpret humankind, our relationship with nature, a.n d with God. We usc this formula for connecting the present and the past, and to remind us of our uncompromising decision to be free and original, like our ancestors. Our dothcs are genuine, well-defined, and revealing of our philosophy, customs, value system and collective consciousness. The fact that we wear them daily makes them an instrument for historic projection; it is a powerful social discipline. The main idea behind the clothes we wear has its roots in the original reflections of our civilization which can be traced back five to six-thousand years ago. The idea is that when a human is born, s/he is completely integrated into the Cosmos. Humankind and nature only make up tiny 30 parts of the total Cosmos. While conserving this cosmovision in our clothes, we are complying with our people's mandate. So the beauty and colorfulness of our weavings arc not merely aesthetically pleasing. but a brilliant way of keeping our writings and fundamental symbols alive. However, there is also a desire to protect these symbols from the greed of outsiders. Thus, in our wcavings we often present these symbols for the world to sec, but they go undccipheml and overlooked. They remain mute for those who don't Wlderstand their meaning. but they arc evocative elements when you know how to interpret them. Often, their main message remains hidden to those whose narrow vision impedes them from tuning into t.h e ancient expression of our collective art. It must also be mentioned that our art is not "art for art's sake," which would be absurd. Our woven messages are a silent strategy, within which is found a deep and fruitful knowledge which promotes respect Ph«o by Jmoe MinJr. and searches for equilibrium among people and nature. This equilibrium guarantees human survival. Thus, with our colors and designs, we have been struggling for five centuries against the destruction of our historical, social, psychological and mythological concepts. With plants, flowers and vegetables, we attempt to fonn consciousness of, and appreciation for the natural environment, in which everything has great value. It was nature's interaction with humankind which gave birth to our civilization. Our weaving is our way of admiring the world, but at the same time, we are transformed each day, SAIIC Newsletter �as the entire world is, even though it appears the same each dawn. Ourdothescanysymbolsthat teach one to 1espect one's place or origin, social status, and mythology. Some symbols, like those or Coban, tell or the romance between the Sun and the Moon in the framework or a magic scene or leaves, birds and day pots. In this legend, the Moon wove for the Sun, a gift which told or the day's events. In this way, we learn that life Is nothing more than the weaving or time. We have suffered since 1524, when the Invaders arrived. Our clothes have served as an expression or our solidarity and identification wherever we go. This is why we have kept our Native dress. For a very long time, the colors and figures we use have been chosen careruny without arbitrariness. They arc the result or systematic observa· tions. The four cardinal points illustrate this well. North is represented by white, because the clouds arc believed to come from there. The moon is also symbolized by white and the North. The South is symbolized by yellow, in tribute to the fertility or com and the legend or the Cosmic Tree which bore fruit in the union between the Sky and the Earth. The cross, in our ancient tradition, represents the four winds, the direction or the heavens, the four sides of our com fields, and the four cardinal points. When the cross has leaves on i~ this symbollz.es a very tall tree which, according to the Pop Wuj (Popol Yuh· the sacred book of the Quiche Maya), bore the fruits of life. "This cross is dearly visible in the sky on starry nights in the South. The East is ,ymbolized by red, the color or hope. It represents sunrise and eternity. West is symbolized by black, the death or light and the restive period begun at day's end. So we sec it is no coincidence that in our lives today, the link between people and their clothes remains ever strong, prevailing in Maya though~ because they bring us physlcal comfort and spiritual satisfaction. Archeology confinns the development of our garments. The murals or ancient Maya cemnonies in Bonampak provide testimony or how leaders, priests, chiefs and others of historical standing wore many kinds or precious jewelry, deerskin sandals, and woven clothes. The lower body was covered by an apron-like garment embel· llshed with brocade, embroidery, feathers and jewels. The upper body was covered with a huipll, shells, necklaces, beads, jade, metal and gems. Today, the huipils or Olimaltenango, San Pedro Sacatep6tuez, and San Pedro Ayampuc display a design Vol6 Nos 1&2 called "rush mat," which is the same as the one which appears In the sculpted figures of Stele 'H' or Quirigu<i.ln most huipils, the square is brocaded in a diamond position. "This can be seen in Untel24 at Yaxchil<in. Similarly, the jacket which appears in the woman's outfit at Yaxchil<1n is found stylized on many of the weavingsof the Western and Central Highlands. figure 54 or Codex Trocortesla.no clearly shows lxchel, the goddess of the Moon, weaving at her loom. The loom Is tied around her waist and to a tree, exactly like Mayan women today. Weaving has always been a sacred task. Usually, when a new piece is begun, a prayer is offered to the heart of the sky. And still, as before, our people value the role or the Maya woman as a historical thread that carries our deepest cultural roots. Our mythology states that Itz.amna, founder of Uxmal and Chichtm Itz<l, had lxchel as a consort. lxchcl was the one who taught us to weave, and also taught embroidery to her daughter, lxchebcl Yax. Spanish colonists gave vague, foggy descriptions or our dothes. Of course, this had to be the case; how could they understand a culture they ridiculed and discriminated against? We are sure that U we had abandoned wearing our clothes, they'd have been instantly hoarded away in museums. Today, wearing our cher· ishcd clothes makes us the focus or discrimination, humiliation, scorn and persecution in our country. The children of the invaders want to destroy the Maya culture. Ourdu1dren arc prohibited from wearing their own dress to school, yet the invade< portrays as quaint our abstract vision or the world and or life. The selling or our clothes is a very big international business today. The majority or the merchants arc ruthless non-Indian people who do not understand, nor care to understand the ancient symbolism. However, after 500 years of oppn$Sion, our custom or weaving our dothcs is s1ill going strong. As time goes on, we find our designs and colors more beautiful, and they introduce us to a vast universe or composition which reveals the dvoniclcs or Maya ure, from the earliest times to the brilliant future. They arc the testimony or our legiti· mate right to exist as a civilization, as a culture, and as a people. 31 �ASSASSINATION OF INDIAN LEADERS IN HONDURAS (Honduras) Vicente Motute and his colleague Francisco Guevara were killed September 30. They were both leaders of the Xicoque people and Vicente Motute was president of the Federation of the Xicoque Tribe (FETRIXI), the president of the Honduran Advisory Council for the Development of Autochthonous Ethnic People (CAHDEA), and the general coordinator of the Commission for the Confederation of Ethnic People of Honduras. The tribe has been developing legal claims to the government and landowners who hove been increasingly encroaching on Indian lands to cut timber. lawsuits were sucoessful in providing legal rulings and precedents for retention of indigenous control over their lands. The news was reoeived by the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH) and the Committee of Relatives of the Disappeared People of Honduras (COFADEH). On September 30, 1991, of about 5:00 AM in Plan Grande Village, in the Deportment of Yoro, the two leaders of the indigenous peoples of Tolupon (Xicoque) were executed while travelling in o truck. They were both • riddled with bullets when they deoeloroted in order to cross o narrow pass. The perpetrators were stoked out nearby, in the shrubs of the pass." The assassinations ore evidently the result of declarations mode by the two leaders at o press conference lost September 18th, in which they drew attention to death threats by landowners Eugenio Chavez, Nondo Murillo and the mayor of Duloe Nombre de Culmi, Silvio Morin Juarez, against 130 families of the Pech Tribe, located in the Municipality of Duloe Nombre of Culmi, Olancha Province. At this conferenoe, Motute declared that the Xicoque Tribe of the Yoro deportment fooe similar problems, adding that one of FETRIXI's members, Marcelino Polonce, was wounded by Source: AFSC two men dressed in civilian clothing. Please urge the Honduran Government: 1) To defend and guarantee the right to life of the inhobitonb of Honduras, as provided few in the Inter American Convention on Humon Rights, 2) To investigate and clarify these extrajudicial execvtions and to punish the parties found responsible. Send your pleas to: Rafael Callejas, Presidente de Ia Republica Palacio Nocionol, T egucigalpa, Honduras Phone: 011·504·22·82087, Fox: 011-504-37·96-56. 32 First National Encounter of Indigenous People and Campesinos Held in EJ Salvador (EI Salvador) The First National Encounter of Indigenous People and Campesinos was held in Sonsonate on September 6-8, and organized by the National Association of Indigenous Peoples (ANIS), the Anthropological Center of El Salvador (ClADES), and the Ecumenical Ministry for Development and Peace (MEDEPAZ). The main themes were: appropriate technology, indigenous legislation, ecology and culture. Among the participants were international organizations, government representatives and the national press. The goal of the meeting was to recuperate indigenous cultural values such as language, history and overall culture, in order to promote development on education, ecology and appropriate technologies which can apply to indigenous cultures as welt as to the rest of the nation. This was an effort initiated by the indigenous peoples and the campesinos of El Salvador. Among the activities were the inauguration of an indigenous school, workshops on human rights, indigenous rights, and indigenous legislation, and appropriate technologies and natural resources. SAIIC Newsletter �MORECERJ EXECUTIONS IN GUATEMALA (Guatemala) Amilcar Mendez Urizar, the leader of the Council of Ethnic Communities Runujel Junam 'We are all Equal" (CERJ), was the victim of an attempted abduction and CERJ member, Camilo Ajqui Jimon was the victim of an extrajudicial execution on April 14th, 1991. Amilcar Mendez was about to get into his car on the Calzada (Avenue) Roosevelt in Zone 11 of Guatemala City, at 7:30 am on 15 April, when he was approached by four men in civilian clothing, wearing dark glasses. Two of the men attempted to seize him, but he managed to escape when people in the vicinity intervened. One of the men reportedly told Amilcar Mendez that he was going to die. Amnesty International is concerned for his safety, as well as for the safety of other CERJ members. CERJ was formed in July 1988 to protect indigenous people's lights. It has been particularly active in protesting at peasants being forced to join in the ostensibly voluntary Civil Defense Patrols (PAC). Article 34 of the Guatemalan Constitution, which recognizes the light to freedom of association, states that no-one may be forced to serve in self-defense groups. The authorities maintain the patrols are voluntary, but there are scores of cases where peasants who have not wished to participate or have tried to withdraw from them, have been labeled "subversives'' by the army and subjected to harassment, death threats and extrajudicial execution. The abuses have been carried out by uniformed soldiers as well as by men in plain clothes, believed to be members of theseculityforcesor acting under t~ orders. COSTA RICA FINALLY RECOGNIZES INDIANS' CITIZENSH I P (Costa Rica) President Rafael Angel Calderon last week formally signed into law a bill facilitating citizenship cards for thousands of undocumented Costa Rican Indians who for years had been denied citizenship. Many Indians were born in remote areas far from Civil Registry centers, so they never obtained the necessary papers to be granted citizenship. Once they have their citizenship cards, they will be eligible for Social Security health care and bank loans, benefits previously denied them. "After 500 years, we are being recognized as Costa Ricans," said Pablo Sibar at a stirling ceremony attended by hundreds of Indians in San Jose's Parque de Ia Paz. According to Enrique Rivera, president of the Telibe Indian Association of Terraba, the multinational fruit company Pindeco is growing papayas on land leased to it by a non-Indian inside the Indian reserve south of the Talarnanca mountains in eastern Costa Rica. Much of the land reserved for Costa Rica's 30,<XX> Indian communities is being worked by non-Indians or has been sold off. CERJ has, since its foundation, been the target of a wide range of human lights violations. Since March 1990, at least 8 members are known to have been killed in circumstances suggesting official involvement. This figure includes the recent killing of Camilo Ajqui Jimon and two further members of CERJ who have been killed since President Jorge Serrano Elias took office in January, 1991. Source: t\mlwty lnteriiQ/ioMI Vol6 Nos 1&2 33 �500 Years of Indian Resistance and the Popular Movement (Guatemala) The "Continental Campaign: 500 Years of Indian Resistance and the Popular Movement" took place in Quetzaltcnango, Guatemala from October 7-12, 1991. More than 200 delegates partidpated of whom about 130 were non-Indian representatives from popular movements and about 70 were Indian delegates from South, Central and North America. Some of the main topics of the agenda were: dcrnocracy, human rights, Indian rights, land and life, nroc:olonialism and self.<fetcnnination, and women and youth. For more infonnotion, contod: Secretoria Opetativa, Apdo Postol·7·8 Sucursol el Trebol, 01903 Guatemala, GUATEMAlA C.A. Phone:28932 TRADITIONAL O'ODHAM OF MEXICO DEMAND RECOGNITION (Mexico) The O'Odham of Sonora, Mexico and the Tohono O'Odham Nation of southern Arizona are all one people, however they have yet to be fully terogllized and respected as one sovereign nation by both the United Statesa.n d Mexico. The Traditional O'Odham Leaders of Mexico are petitioning to the O'Odham Nation of Arizona, to terogllizc the O'Odham of Mexico as part of their nation, and the lands in Mexico as part of the ancestral lands of the Tohono O'Odham Nation. The Traditional O'Odham Leaders of Mexico are prc$CI'Itly eXA!rting a major effort to recover or reclaim ancestral lands for the O'Odham during this six-year term of President Salinas de Gortari in Mexico. They arc petitioning the Federal and State government agencies of Sonora and the Tohono O'Odham Council in Sells, Arizona that any dealings with the O'Odham of Mexico be presented to the Traditional O'Odham of Mexico first for their review and action on it. In this way, the traditions, culture, language and sacred sites can be protected. For the past 100 years, the O'Odham of Mexico have protested the conditions in which they live under the Mexican government, the violation of their human rights and the invasion of their ancestral land rights. The National tndigenist Institute ONO has collaborated more likely than not with the ranchers and drug traffickers who continue to usurp even more lands from the O'Odham of Mexico. The Traditional O'Odham Leaders of Mexico were organized to face the problem of INI appointing hand-picked O'Odham and non-O'Odham to serve in official positions. There are inherent problems with this select few who have maintained an absolute control over the internal govema.n ce and over funds designated to benefit the O'Odham of Mexico's small economic development projects. These people have been dedicated to their own interests and those of the lNl offidals and not to the needs of the Traditional O'Odham. The Traditional O'Odham of Mexico are now developing the "O'Odham in Mexico Program" which focuses on different areas such as community development assessment, land development assessment and legal intervention. They have entered the international arena with two petitions to the United Nation's Working Group for Indigenous Populations in Geneva. For more infonnotion and how you can be supportive ol the O'Odham in Mexico Progrom, you may conlad: George Ignacio or Fronk Mariana in Arizona at (602) 383-2249. 34 SAIIC Newsletter �Playing /wml!rnatk violins. Tarahumara ml!n celebrau a bountiful harvest of corn. Photo by Kit Hedman TARAHUMARA DEMAND RESPECT FOR THEIR AGRARIAN RIGHTS (Mexico) A group of about 200 Tarahumara, from the community of San Ignacio de Ararcco, municipality of Bocoyna, marched through the stTeets of downtown Chihuahua to protest the violation of their agrarian rights. Their walk led to the government office, where they met with some officials, who arranged a meeting with the representative of the Agrarian Reform Department. Meanwhile, another group of Tarahurnara walked into the Congress demanding that action is taken on this matter. Apparently the document was signed by four of the ejido leaders, who claimed Manuel Muelas Mendoza explained to them that the document would protect them from any possible violation of their rights to the lands. With this in mind, they s;gned the document which resulted in an Acto( Dislocation. The document actually indicated that 144 Tarahumara had abandoned these lands two years ago. It turns out that the official stamp of the ejido was stolen by a delegate from the MinistTy of Agrarian Reform. The Tarahumara live in communal societies (ejidos a legal entity which is communally owned and operated, and recognized by the state). On October 3rd, 1991, Manuel Muela Mendoza, an official from the Agrarian Commission, was given a document dated August 19th, 1991, and signed by Hector Jaime Terrazas S., designated representative of the Agrarian Commission. The document cited the names of several ejido leaders, requiring them to appear at a court hearing on October 15, thus initiating a trial to separate the Tarahurnara from their ancestTal, communal lands. The document alleged that the Tarahumara had abandoned these lands. At the Congress the Indians sat with the representatives and conversed in Raramuri and in Spanish. They claimed that the actions of the MinistTy of Agrarian Reform had the sole purpose of stea.ling the land from the Ta.rahu.m ara in order to use them for tourism. In one of their speeches to the Congress, they stated, "The Agrarian Reform is taking advantage of the fact that we arc unfamiliar with the laws, procedures and bureaucratic language, and seeks to dispossess us of our lands. As we know, these lands are coveted for tourism." Members of Congress declared that this House did not have the power to solve the problem however, they promised their support in all the procedures and referred the Tarahumara delegates to the appropriate office. Vol6 Nos 1&2 Source: Hera/do de Chihuahua, Oct. I6, I99I 35 �APACHE DEMAND HALT TO TELESCOPE PROJECT Claim Violation of Cultural and Religious Rights (USA) All nine members of the San Carlos Tribal Council signed a letter addressed to the US Forest Service demanding an immediate halt to the Columbus Project, the construction of telescopes on Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona. "The Apache cited violations of four federal laws protecting human, cultural and religious rights and freedoms. The list of law violators receiving the letter included the US Forest Service, the Arizona Board of Regents, the University of Arizona, the Vatican, the German and Italian governments, and Ohio State University. The Vatican and German astronomers have already constructed a road, leveled trees and earth on the sacred Apache mountain and more desecration is planned. Dzil IIChaa sian is the birthplace of San Carlos Apache culture. Mount Graham is identified by Apache traditionals as the home of the Mountain Spirit Dancers who taught early Apaches their sacred songs and dances and where healing herbs and water are to be gathered. "There are numerous religious shrines on the peaks of Mount Graham that date back over a thousand yca.rs. The Columbus Project threatens to destroy the home of the Crown Dancers and the sacred power of the mountain. Apaches and members of Zuni religious societies continue to voice their concern that sacred sites will be desecrated, interfering with the conduct of their religious ceremonies. An earlier Tribal Council resolution stated that the project was: • •. A display of profound disrespect for a cherished ft11ture of the Apache's original homtland as well as a serious violatWn of Apache tmditional religious bdief....for gtntn~tWns our elders have instructed us on the sacredness of Dzil nchoa sian (Big St1lted Mountain, akA Mount Gmham) and its vital importancefor maintaining the integrity ofour Apache cultun: and traditWn. .. Graham is essential to the continued prrlCiia ofphysicAl and spiritual halling by Apache Medici~~~:-men/women, and to their apprentiaship as compdenl lrrlditianal religious sp«ialists...• The Tribal Council now states: • ... massive amounts of ethnographic and scholarly material denronstmte the ApacMs tmditional and contempomry use of Dzil nchaa sian. Much of thot material has bten rt11dily tWailable to the Forest Service or has l>een in the possession of the University of Arizona. The fact that this important information was disregarded during the public review of tire proposed project is disturbing. 1M University of Arizona and the Department of Agriculture have proceeded illegally and in bad faith in their construction of the telescope facility on Dzil nchaa sian (Mount Gmham)." Ola Cassadorc Davis, Apache Survival Coalition chairperson, asks "Why do the University of Arizona, German and Vatican astronomers violate the rights of Indian people?... When Pope John Paul came to Arizona (in 1987) he told us to preserve our culture•. They would crush what is most sacred to us and our traditional ways.. Why do they now destroy the foundation of our spiritual heritage?" 36 SAIIC Newsletter �Franklin Stanly, Apache Medidne man, Wl'Ote "if the Vatican telescope is built, the Vatican will celebrate its telescope's completion next year and mark the shameful continuation of 500 years of cultural genocide against Native Americans. Tile Columbus project is a collaboration between Tile University of Arizona, the Ohio State UnivCTSity and the Arcetri Astrophysical Olservatory in Aorcncc, Italy. At present, the participating institutions arc completing plans and technological development for the telescope. Construction is expected to be well ~ay by 1992, and to be complcted by 1996. Tile site, which was approved by Congress in 1988, provides first-rate observing conditions and is relatively close to the astronomical research center located in Thcson, Arit.ona. Tile Columbus Project telescope and instrumentation budget is$60million. Tile costs and the observing time will be shared equally among the partners. Tile construction funds will be provided by the Italian government and from private fund-raising efforts being coordinated by the two univCTSities. Native Pacific Islander Women Writing ari Anthology Tile following message was sent to SAne just in time to make it into the Newsletter! Native movements for sovereignty and dccolonization are current issues throughout the Padflc from Hawai~ to Guam, Belau (New Caledonia), I<anaky, Tahiti, Fiji and Aetearoa (New Zealand). Tilere are more Native Hawai~, Samoans, and Chamorros in the United States than in Hawai'i, Samoa and Guam. This movement away from our Native islands does not mean we no longer identify as Padflc Islanders. We are women voyagers who have traveled across the ocean to Turtle Island, bringing our culture and tradition with us like our ancestors who sailed the oceans centuries ago. We are now writing an anthology of PaciAc Island Native women. Join us! . For more information contact Hinono K. Campton (408) 338·4678, or Teresia Teaiwo (408) 457·2581. Doughten of the First Peaple PO Box 138, Boulder C.r eek, CA 95006 Tile San Carlos Apache Tribe states its Arm and total opposition to the construction of a telescope on the top of Mount Graham and the Tribe stands ready to defe.n d its constitutional rights if this project Is allowed to continue. To support or request more informotion contact: Apoche Survival Coalition P.O. Box 1181 4 Tucson, Arizono 85734 MILLIONS OF $$$ FOR GENETIC SURVIVAL??? A group of prominent North American scientists, part of the Human Genome Organization (HUGO), has set up a committee to study a plan to collect genetic material from 100 endangered peoples, induding the Yanomami of Brazil. They estimate it will cost $10 million to $2() million over the next Ave to ten years. They say that the effort should start immediately, because Hin another 10 years, it may be too late for tribes like the Yanomami, who are dying in large numbers from disease and environmental damage caused by gold mining In the Amazon forests. H We at SATIC feel that there is much more to be learned from Jiving indigenous peoples than can ever be learned from genetic samples. These enormous Anandal and academic resources should be used to assist the survival of indigenous peoples and their environments. Vol6 Nos 1&2 37 �z Ill ~ 0 ~ z ~ 0 z - Photo: KIJthe Meetcen First South and Central American Indian Women's Gathering Held in Lima (Peni) The rii'St South and Central American Indian Women's Meeting was held March 2S-27 and hosted by the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Amazon WDESEP> with support from the Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (CO!CA). The organizing commission included active participation of indigenous women from Ecuador and SAUC. The participants, women from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Argentina, Bolivia, O.ile and Peru, stressed the importance of this event for Indian women throughout the Americas. "We, indigenous women, arc progressing along with Indian men and our children in our struggle for rights to: land and the control over natural resources, traditional forms of law, autonomy and sclf-govcmment, as well as against forced sterilization and all forms of exploitation, oppression and discrimi· nation." The conference presented an opportunity for Indian women to foster solidarity with Siriono, Mozatene, O.iman, Guarani, and Mgcno people of Bolivia, who shared information with the other participants about their 36 day march from the Bolivian Amazon to the capital of La Paz, to demand legal titles to their lands. Ashaninka women from Peru told of their continued enslavement today. The Yalalteca people of Mexico, the Mayas of Guatemala a.n d the Nahuatl of El Salvador spoke about their struggles against wealthy landowners. 38 SAIIC Newsletter �In this first meeting. organizational experiences were exchanged, solidarity and sisterhood was stJ es ogthened, and the organizational process for the coordination of work among Indian women was begun. Indian women from the Peruvian Amazon and deserve a great deal of credit as effective administrators and organizer.;. Quechua and Aymara women from the Peruvian highlands c:ontributed work, experience and support. 1be following was written by SAne Board Member, Wara Alderete, on her return from the conference in Uma. Many obstacles lie In our path and we are well aware of them. We are also aware that we have respoi)Slbilitics for our children and elders; that we are strong and have demonstrated our abilities, although often this has not been acknowledged or rec:ognize<l. We realize that we need to improve our capabilities a.n d that many other sisters must have the opportunity to acquire ~ence and training. so we can better work for the wcll·bcing of our pc:ople. I have just returned from Uma, Peru where I attended the F"II'St South and Central American Indigenous Women's Conference. I would like to share with you my enthusiasm about the historical significance of the meeting. As women occupying positions of responsibility within our organizations, or as community leaders, we had an opportunity to share a wealth of experiences such as the role that women play within our c:ommunities, the limitations that exist for the effective participation of Indian women In the decision-making process at the local, national and international level. Of utmost importance, we had the opportunity of developing together, c:oncrete strategies for promoting the organization of Indian women. It was agreed upon to build an international organization of indigenous women. We emphasize that our cun-ent priority is to work at the grassroots level, building step by step, to ensure that this process be truly representative and participatory. Five task fortes were formed and a coordinator for each task force was designated. We tried to avoid creating centralized structures that have yielded such harmful consequences in the past. At the same time, working in a decentralized way is a real challenge since a great input of resources will be needed for maintaining eft'ective communication. 111is is a new experience and we expect that many adjustments will be needed along the way. Nevertheless, we feel satisfied that we are developing our own ways of organ.izing. with a spirit of solidarity, participation and honesty like our grandparents taught us. Not all the sisters we expected to participate were able to. Some sisters were prevented from participating because of restrictions and/or fear of the cholera epidemic. We received word from some organizations that they do not have women who are ready or experienced in attending international meetings. We will make special efforts to have direct c:ontact with the women in these organizations since we believe there must be ha.r d-working women supporting these brothers, but perhaps their work and capacity is not being rec:ognize<l. It is our goal in the near future to support and promote meetings, seminars, and training courses for (and by) indigenous women at the local and national level. 1be next South and Central American Indigenous Women's meeting will be held in Guate~ but the date is contingent on the organizational progress at local and national levels. As we have said, we want to put our efforts and resources l.n organizing at the grassroots level. In the spirit of our Mother Earth! It is worth noting that this was the fi.r st time that Indian women from South and Central America fully assumed the responsibility for organizing an international conference. Our brothers in Peru were amazed at the resources and support that the sisters from the organizing committee were able to gather. Among the accomplishments at the conference, for the first ti.m e in Peruvian history, Indian people were allowed into the House of Representatives <Senators), where we held the opening CCICihOI\y. 1be sisters who managed the financial and organizational aspects of the ex>nfcrcnce are Shiplbo and Aguaruna ', • ~ \_ \\ '\ \ Photo: Klthe. Meercerl Vol6 Nos 1&2 39 �INDIGENOUS WOMEN OF MEXICO 10 YEARS LATER (Mexico) 1k follt1Wing uns wrillm by the Unum of Yalalttat Women in Oaxaca and sent to SAITC by Juana Vasquez. Indigenous peoples of Oaxaca and of Mexico have struggled to maintain a certain degree of community sclf· dctcnnination.1hisgivesusdignityas men and women and protect us from the usurpation of our territories, and gives us the possibility to control our own destinies. None can deny that, in almost 500 years of exploitation and constant oppression, that which is unique to indigenous communities has been almost erased and buried forever. 1his has happened not only in Oaxaca, but in all the Americas. Nevertheless, our enemies have failed. As we near the end of the 20th century, we Indian people arc regaining the strength and courage to defend and reclaim our dignity and identity. programs and regulations on indigenous communities. Zapoteca women ofYalalag arc not indifferent to all these problems. We arc Involved in the enduring task of searching for solutions. We have woven our own history and oontinue weaving it, impregnated by great ideals which arc nurtured by life's daily events and with strong effort and sac:rifice. The Incorporation of Yalalteca women Into the political struggle was significant. We have been participat· ing quietly and humbly. On December 24,1980, for the first time in the history of our oommunity, more than 400 women bega. to consciously and vociferously participate in n the struggle for community self-determination. We formed our own system of defense: The Union of Yalalteca Women. On De<:ember31, 1981, the union participated in occupying the Municipal Palace, in order to pressure the government into fulfilling certain promises to our oommunities. In Mexico, we indigenous women arc still suffer. ing the consequences of 500 years of oolonialism, of economic exploitation, cultural domination, marginalization a.n d social discrimination. We arc ronfronting a strong power structure, maintained by men who hunger for gold, and who transform their will into laws, which makes justice into a business. As a consequence of this, many of our women and children arc the victims when we arc deprived of our rights to own land, the usc of our forests and mines, our indigenous systems of justice, education, health and communication. In 1981, the union participated actively in political negotiations. In our first mass mobilization, most of our people journeyed first to the city of Oaxaca and then on to Mexico Oty. 1his helped us to overcome our fear of the authorities. It was at this time that we realiud that we were facing not only local leaders, but also the official party, corrupt politicians and others in government. We recognized that we have to fight against many enemies. We indigenous women have survived due to the strong, sacred tradition which is our heritage passed on from our ancestors. The Zapoteca women of Yalalag have a system lcnown as El Tcquio, the center of all oommunity traditions, in which women, men, children and the elderly p.1rticipate... Unfortunately, politicians have institutionalIzed the Tequio as a strategy to impose government In order to consolidate the process of democratic struggle, one of our first actions was to take control of our schools. Education in indigenous towns is linked to productive work. We introduced programs to study our language, culture and traditional production in order to become more self-sufficient. We became more conscious of our own history. For these purposes we created a Community 40 SAIIC Newsletter �Development Project . After ten years, we have democratically elected municipal authorities, the community of Yalalag is achiev· ing its goals, and we are all participating. After examining these long and hard struggles the Yalalteca women have endured, we know that indigenous women can contribute greatly to transfonn the economic, political, religious and cultural conditions of our society. 'This is our contribution to our future generations. We have reflected upon our situation and have concluded that as women we are living in a very important period in history because we have begun to re-<?valuate our indigenous cultures and reclaim our rights to preserve and develop them. In Oaxaca., with the spiritual strength of Centeol (the Com Goddess), and of our ancestors we are reevaluating indigenous philosophy. We undersland and share feeling$ with other communities of the world which are struggling for popular freedom and women's liberation. Sadly, life for women in Oaxaca and Mexico is hard, bitter and tragic, but this does not mean that we indigenous peoples have lost the struggle. In fact, in the last 500 years, we have lost many battles, however we are privileged in that the roots of our community traditions go very deep and are sprouting. It is this spiritual strength which helps men and women to search for our true Iibera· lion. We are concerned that certain Indian leaders, involved with organizations at the international level are not adequately representing our communities. We indig· enous women must avoid supporting representatives which are based on personal interest We propose overhaul· ing these international organizations so that they be of use to our indigenous communities. To conclude, we indigenous women have a long and difficult road to follow, it is a rough path because we are immersed in alien economic and political structures. For the respect to self-determination of indigenous peoples, For the dignity of indigenous women, For the SQ/idarity of indigenous women all over the world. Juana Vasquez Vasquez of the Union of Yololteco Women,Ooxoco, Mexico . Indigenous Women of El Salvador Demand Respect for Human Rights and the Mother Earth (EI Salvador) The following u.zs presented by Rosa Leticia Caceres, the representative fr()tll the National Association of Indigenous People of El Salvador (ANIS) to the First South and Central American Indian Women's Gathering in Peru. We, the indigenous peoples, are suffering most from the lack of justice in our land. Not only is there a failure in the administration of justice, but we are a.lso threatened with guns and with beatings. We believe human rights abuses signify the gnawing away of our rights as established in the Constitution, since these rights are violated day after day, not only by the anny and the government but also by others who limit our ability to defend our most sacred individual rights. We continue to demand that the govemrnent and the FMlN observe the rights of each and every one of us and respect the rights of indigenous peoples as human beings. We, the Nahuat, Lenca and Mayan indigenous peoples, demand respect from the anny, the goverrunent and all other sectors of our society since we are the ones who nurture and cultivate the earth; we work the land with our own hands, and as women, we are the ones who carry our products to the markets to be sold. The social problems we confront today began for Indian people in 1492, with the Spanish invasion. They came to divide us, to rob us of our culture and our beliefs; they created borders when they had no right to do so because the land belongs to us, the Indians, now and forever. They divided us and imposed their own habits and life-styles. ' It is the indigendus people who carry the burden of the economic crisis that our counll)' is experiencing. We know that all aid has been spent on bullets and ammunition and that a large part of the national budget is invested in the anned forces instead of being directed towards helping the poorest of the poor· namely, the indigenous people of the country. We are also concerned by the increase in the price of basic grains and other general goods as a result of the devaluation of our currency. We are struggling for the respect, conservation and protection of natural resources. 'This arises from an attitude of respect for nature such as that which we, the indigenous peoples, hold. Instead of destroying nature, we respect it. The year 1492 for us marks the beginning of our persecution as Indians, the beginning of the invasion of our culture and of our Mother Earth. In response, we say: an end to the repression against the indigenous people of I;l Salvador! 500 years of death represent 500 years of resistance, and today we, the indigenous peoples, are here with greater presence and strength. Vol6 Nos 1&2 41 �V\ Ul \J z Ul ~ Ul w. z 0 \J SOO YEARS OF INDIAN RESISTANCE EVENTS .....o,.. In July 1990, 300 lndion delegates and 100 non-lndion people participated in the First Continental Conference on 500 Years of Indian Resistonoe, orgonized by CONAIE (Ecuador), ONIC (Colombia) and SAIIC in Quito, Ecuador. As o follow-up to the Quito Conference, o plot). ning meeting for 1992 activities will toke place in Ponoma from December 19·21 , 1991 . The meeting will be hosted by the Kuno United for Mother Earth and other locollndion organizations in Panama, and will be co-sponsored by Mopuche Council of All Lands (Chile), Confederation of Indian Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), Independent Federation of Indian Peoples (FIPI Mexico), Council of Mayo Organizations and Mayo Cultural Stud. ies Center (Guatemala), SEJEKTO- Voz del Indio (Costa Rico), Tonontzin Land Institute (New Mexico, USA), North American Indian Network ond SAIIC. A few of the other 1992 activities ore: • Continental Indian Workshop, Guatemala, April, 1992 to on<> lyze ond pion activities for 1992 and beyond. • Spiritual Gathering at Big Mountain, Arizona, USA, June, 1992. • In October of 1992, there will be the Second Continental Conference: 500 Years of Indian Resistance in Panama For more informotion contact SAIIC or the following: Kunos United for Mother Earth Aportodo Postal 536, Panoma 1, PANAMA Phone: 507 638 879, Fax: 507 273 525 Frente lndependiente de Pueblos Indios (FIPI) Apdo 28145, Mexico OF, MEXICO Tonontzin Land Institute PO Box 40182, Albuquerque, NM 87916 Phone: (505) 256-0097 42 SAIIC Newsletter �International Conference of Indigenous Peoples on the Environment and Development A worldwide conference of indigenous peoples will take place May 18-30, 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The conference is scheduled imffiediately before the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development, which will be he.Id June 1-12, in order to devise and adopt a global environmental policy of sustainable and equitable development. The indigenous peoples conference will use the spiritual strength, understanding and expertise of Native people to assist in restoring and protecting the balance of nature. The conference will be an opportunity to share knowledge of the Earth which is based on an understanding developed over thousands of years. A new global consciousness that brings forth healing and harmony will have to be rooted in a deep understanding of all life. There is a need to shift the vision of humankind towards living systems. We need to maintain all races and nations to insure life. For more information, contact: International Indigenous Commission Center of Our Common Future Palais Wilson, 52, Rue de Paquis CH- 120 I, Geneva, Switzerland Tel: 41-22-732-77-50, Fax: 41-22-738-50-46 The First International Gathering of Indian Journalists ETNIAS- For the Umty and Development qJIndian Omrmumlies will be hosting the First International Gathering of Indian Journalists in January, 1992, in the City of Oaxaca, Mexico. Some of the objectives of the conference are to evaluate the role of the press in respect to indigenous struggles, to analyze, discuss and propose better communication and unity in the Native American press, and to criticaJly analyze the significance of the SOOth anniversary of the European invasion of the Americas. Indian brothers and sisters from throughout the Americas who have experience with the press and are involved with the publication of Indian magazines, newsletters, newspapers, etc. are invited to attend the conference. 1bose people who are non-indigenous, but have been actively involved in the promotion and diffusion of the indigenous voice are also invited to attend. For more infonnotion, contact: El Comite Orgonizodor Primer Encuentro lnternocionol de Prensa India, ETNIAS Madera 67-611. Col. Centra, Mexico 06000 OF, MEXICO Tel: 5-654-66-41, Fox: 5-208-69-33 (de revista Mira, Attn: Genora Bautista, revista E!Nas) Vol6 Nos 1&2 Indigenous California Women: Visioning the Next 500 Years A gathering planned by and for land-based and urban Indian women whose tribes and bands are indigenous to the region of California. The purpose of the conference is to celebrate 500 years of survivai,Csiscuss common concerns, and to envision the next 500 years. Several of the sessions wiU be open to the public. and anyone may attend these. You need not be Native American or a woman. You must come willing to put California Indian women at the center for the duration of the sessions, and to put other perspectives aside. In this way, California Indian women will be able to bring greater self-expression, insight, self-awareness and creativity to their own conference. For more information, contact: The Women's Center University of California Santa Cruz, CA 95064 Phone: (408) 459-2072 World Women's Congress for a Healthy Planet From the community to the international level, women are coming together to ensure that we have an equal say when the fate ofthe Earth is decided at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Brazil, and on into the 21st century. The conference will take place on November 8-12,1991 in Miami, Florida. For more information, contact: WEDO, 845 Third Avenue, 15th Roar New Yorlc, New York 10022, USA Tel: 212-759-7982, Fax: 212-759-8647 Non-Aligned Symposium on 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance On August 23-24, 1991, the Chicano Moratorium Coalition hosted the Annual National Conference of the National Chicano Human Rights Council (NCHRQ. One of the resolutions of the conference was a call for a NonAiligned Summit Meeting in February 1992. Regardless of our differences, the quincentenary Celebration is an opportunity to communicate with each other, and the rest of the world, our 500 year struggle. To plan this summit, a symposium will allow each of us to communicate on how our organizations' activities can be integrated into the Campaila de Resistencia - 1992. For more information, contact: Chicano Moratorium Coalition PO Box 2031, Berkeley, CA 94702-0031 Tel: 51 o-893-3 18 1 Fox: 51 0·893-5362 43 �Atendo (continued from p. 26) n.cy a.r e a strong force in the economic survival of our communities. This is because of their involvement in the production of "molas," which is the art of the Kuna. Because the "molas" are being sold at natio nal levels and exported to the US and Europe, they are achieving economic success at international levels. In many tespects, the women have a greater capacity to organize them.sclves in cooperatives and to conbibute to the economic survival of the Kuna family than the men do. This is why, when we speak of the Kuna economy, we spea.k of men and women as equals. Davi (continued from p. 21) 1hcre are many people who are powerful. There are powerful gold miners... and authorities too, like Romero Juca, former president of FUNAI. He is responsible for letting the gold miners invade our territory and ... for lots of killings of Yanomami ... Something must be done to solve our problem because Romero Juca will not solve it. He docs not like us. .. Do the international authorities and people from the United States think it is true what they always say that the demarcation of Yanomami land is a matter of money, that they do not have money to do it?... I am very worried about people abroad who.. : are giving money to Brazil. .. but ll21 to help the Indians. This money that comes from abroad is helping the Brazilian government to oppress Indians. I am very worried about that. Non-Indians are like ants. I know that non-Indians like our reso= n.cy say that we have gold, we have lumber, and they say that they need that to help the people who live in the city. Well, we do not want them, and we do not want them here. What we wa. t is tespect for our rights. We want n them to leave us alone. We need help with regard to the health situation. In the beginning we did not need any help. We did not need any doctors, any medical doctors, any nurses or any medicine. But now we need doctors and nurses to help the Yanomami who are sick. We also need medicines because we used to cure ourselves only with 'shabori' [shamanism) ... But that is not enough anymore, And we need medical doctors and medicines and help from non-Indian people. We are worried because the non-Indians are not very much worried about us. They think that we are a different race. 1hcrefore, they want to isolate us. They think we are bothering their work. We are preventing them from working here, so they would rather have us isolated. They do not wony very much about what is going on with us. 44 We have strongly safeguarded our spirituality and traditions. For example, we hold the Gc1U!ml Congress of Kuna Culture, which unites the spiritual guides of all of our communities. They are highly respected by all Kuna people. n.cy promote teaching and learning amongst the youth so that our rich traditions are not lost. We, of Kuna Yala, are confronting serious problems along the Colombian border, where gold prospectors are invading our lands. We are also indirect victims of the confrontations which take place in Colombia between the guerrillas and the army. Violating all laws, both sides invade our region while the Panamanian authorities do nothing to stop them. The same thing occurs with the Yanqui {United States) army which often crosses our territory to go to the Panamanian border with the excuse of filling the vacuum created by the dissolution of the Pana· man ian army in 1989, following the invasion. Ampan (continued from p. 11) domination. everybody is af'Taid that we will take a racist stand and that this will lead to a racial confrontation. For this reason. there has not been enough dialogue amongst the poor dass. In meetings with laborer$, peasants and intellectuals, it is important for us to talk so that we feel equal. We must, if we are from the same cla.ss, talk so that we can find a solution... Plurinationality will only be possible with the total transformation of society. This is possible if, as in Switzer· land, there are well-defined and recognized sectors. We understand that the problem is not exclusively Indigenous. It is a problem which concerns aU of us. In order to form such a state we must think carefully what it would be like. How would it be governed at the political, economic, social and cultural levels? U we find that the workers are on one side, the indigenous on another and other sectors on other sides, then it will not be possible... We must continually reconsider our struggle and include long-term goals in our strategy. We must work together and make compromises. We must coordinate our endeavors in this way or we will not succeed, even if we are united. SAIIC Newsletter �just possible way, the interests of indigenous peoples and of Leonardo (continued from p. 15> the society in general. militarized its block in the face of opposition from the indigenous peoples of the zone. SAIIC: 1992 is appi'OtJChing... What dotS the future hold fin' Indian p<Oples and their relationships with the inlemational community? SAIIC: Is the mililtlry guarding the petroleum wells? Yes. At this very moment there are military troops guarding the oil wells, particularly those in ARCO's Block 10 and Occidental Petroleum's Block 15. The Conoco (a division of Dupont) company is also involved with petroleum exploitation in the Yasunl Park, territory which belongs to the Hauorani. SAIIC: Whal is Conoco planning to do in lhe Amazon? Conoco wants to exploit the reserves it has found within the Yasunl Park, which are yielding some 40 thou· sand barrels of oil a day. In order to exploit these reserves the company wants to construct a highway through the park. There is strong opposition to this plan from indigenous peoples, ecological organizations in Ecuador, and the public in general, because it represents a serious threat to the ecological integrity of the Yasunl Park. For this reason conoco has begun a series of maneuvers i.n the area • dividing communities, trying to cause confrontations between indigenous peoples allied with religious organiza· tionsand the military, the colonists, and companies with interests in the region -basically to confuse national and international opinion. At the same time, COnoco has begun to use environmental groups in the US, Ukc the NRDC (Natural Resource Defense Council), or perhaps this group has offered itself to support the interests of Conoco in order to convince indigenous peoples to negotiate the extraction of petroleum in these territories. Arguments being used are: a) it would be impossible to get Conoco out of the fe810n, b) Conoco's proposal for environmental regulation is better than anyone else's, and c) if Conoco leaves, other much . more destructive companies like Braspctro from Braz~l, Will move in. With these kinds of arguments they have tried to pressure Indigenous peoples and elicit their approval for the negotiations. We the indigenous peoples of Ecuador, are concerned by the fact that today, as we approach the SOOth anniversary since the European invasion of America ·the scxalled "discovery of America" ·the governments of the world still have not committed themselves to seriously think through the policies needed in order to oonstruct a harmonious relationship with indigenous peoples. Oppression and exploitation still exist, and governments continue to permit genocide in indigenous territories. Now the process is not so blatant, irs not with rifles and bullets, but with other strategies which kill us culturally and physically • contamination of the rivers, destruction of nature, the looting of territories and natural resources, the imposition of religious and educational systems that are alien to us. Faced with this, we the indigenous peoples of the continent, have a moral a. d historical responsibility to take this date, n the SOOth anniversary, very seriously and to begin discussing future continental alliances. The continental conference held in Quito in)ulyof 1990wasa very important precedent. If we want to keep moving toward the future with common proposals and objectives, it is necessary to con· tinue our work at the continental level. Only in this way, can we create the groundwork and the oonditions necessary for an alliance of indigenous peoples. SAJIC: We understand that CONFENAJE has filed an interna· tiona/ lawsuit against Conoco... Knowing the impact that the construction of highways and the activities of oil companies have indu~, we have found it ncccssary to take action at an International level because our demands and our proposals are not heeded by the national government. We have considered it critical to take this issue to international forums. With the cooperation of the Sierra Oub Legal ~fense Fund, a~ organization of lawyers in San Franosco, we have peti· tioned the OAS (Organization of American States) to intervene and mediate these conflicts. Tile problems between indigenous peoples and the Ecuadorian govern· mcnt are truly very big, and for this reason we believe that the mediation of an international organization like the OAS Is important. In this way we can conduct serious discussions, that will result in solutions that address in the most Vol6 Nos 1&2 45 �SAIIC ACTIVITIES 1991 Since the 1990 Conference on 500 Yecn of Indian Resislonce in Quilo Ecuador, much of SAJIC's WO<it has in $OITl8 way irwof...ed the quincenlenory. SAIIC remains octive in the ongoing worl< of supporting the self.delef'minotion of Indian people, worl<ing b- jus~ce and prolection of their rights. • Information Center • Gatherings Besides producing the Newsle~er, SAIIC luues human rights bulletins, eoloborates wilh and contributes to publicafions of olherorganizafions. Attheoffice lndowntownOokland, SAIIC maintains a libroryofinlemofional books, articles, monographs and p«lodicals, os well os infonnofion about upcoming conferences, golherings and events. The library r~ives Indian newspapers, new.letters and magazines from almoot <N&ry country of the American Continent. Currendy SAIIC is wor'king ta catalogue and index lhe collection. SAJIC's library is oval~ able far use to lhe public by appolnlrnent, or the sta ff can reply to Information requests on various lnues, time and resources allowing. SAIIC focllitotes the porficlpoH of South a nd Meso Amerion can Indian people in conferences, meefings and events in North America, as well as the porticlpofian of North American Indian people in South and Meso Amerioan galherings. In 1991, SAIIC hooted several meefings open to octiviots and the s-al public. Indian acfivists from South and Meso America frequendy conlocl SAIIC an their vi>its to North America. With them, we arrange meefings, interviews, public events and provide general support such as accomodoHons. To confinue to strenglhen lhe networ'k of internofionollndian alliances, SAIIC iscurrendywor'king on a directory of hundreds of Indian orgonizofions in the Americas. Porfions of lhe directory will be published in the Resources far Action Guide. Use of !he directory, or its availability on disk or labels may be arranged wilh lhe SAIIC office. SAIIC Is wor'king on strengthening o networ'kofcommunicafian and infarmofian sharing among Indian people. To serve this end SAIIC is cofocilitafing o conference an Peocenel entided nofivtt. 1492. AI this Hme we are seelcing to build on Indian editorial focilik!tian committee far this conference and other networ'klng projects. SAIIC Is seeking odvisors from Indian organizations to help develop this computer conference. • Women's Project The women's project brings Indian women togelher to lurlher empower lhelr community activism. The project also seeks to provide training and technical support to Indian women's groups. SAIIC has pomcipoled in - a l internofionol Indian Women's galherings, a nd helped organize the First South ond Central Indian Women's Conference in limo, Peru. Resolutions from !hot conference ore now available, and a lull conference report will be published soon. SAJIC sent two women from the Boord of Directors to address the •Healing the Ea rlh Conference• sponsored by the Uniled Nations Association in Va ncouver, Canada. In November 1991, SAIIC a~ended the World Women's Conference far a Healthy Planet in Miami Florida. The Women's project plans to bring Indian women from South and Central America in the spring of 1992 to pomcipole in ollndian women's gatherings. SAIIC will also arrange training sessions far lhe women on funding, international networ'klng and other iuues. • Radio Program As port of our lnfonnaH services, SAIIC Is producing radio on programs In Spanish for radio stoHons In Meso and South America. Beginning October 1991, SAIIC will produce quarte<iy tapes of interviews, news items and music to be distribuled primarily to Indian broadcasters In lhe Americas. • Computer Networking • 500 Years of Indian Resistance SAIIC confinues to send aut Information pockets including newspaper clippings, statements from Indian groups, and lnfonnafian on key 1992 events. SAIIC has prepored an infonnationol package an the altemofive quincentenory far community organizers and interested people. SAIIC has provided speakers far many local and nofionol golherings on the qulncentenory, among them o conference at the Columbia School ofJournalism for the Media covering theQuincenlennlal. In March of 1991, SAJIC helped organize several conferences In the Boy Area. The Arst was sponsored by the Boy Area '92 Indian Alliance and was held at [).Q University. The conference brought Indian people from all over the US as well as Canada and Mexico together to canfinue the networking begun at the Quito conference. The second Conference was the 1992 All Peoples Network Conference, held at laney College, to broaden lhe alliance to people of all colors. Pamclponts included activiots, educators, media, a <fists and local public officials. The conference estab. lished local R esistance 5001 Task Forces in various cities that continue working with municipal governments, education affl· clals and political bodies on I.sues of racism, ecology, colonia~ Ism andjusliceforpeapleofcolor. �CLASSIFIED Subscribe to: INDIGENOUS WOMAN Indigenous Woman is on official publication of the Indigenous Women's Netwotk (IWN), o continental and Pocificnetworkofwomen whooreoetivelyinvolved inWO<k in their communities. IWN emerged from o gathering of a round 200 Indigenous women in Yelm, Washington, in 1985. Women come from the Americas, and the Pacific, to tell their stories, present testimony as to conditions, and look to strategies and olternotiws to make o better fuh.lre for our fomili<ls and communities. We discussed the issues of political p<isoners, land rights, environmental degradation, domestic violence, health p<oblems, and other concerns, which ore p<essing In our community. We learned from eoeh other and - found courage in the experience. We wonted to continue this work. Four years later, the Indigenous Women's Network was formally organized by o group of women who were committed to keeping up the links between women working in their communities, and finding o way to strengthen that work. Our philosophy is to "WO<k within the framework of the vision of our elders, • ondthroughthisproeess, torebuildourfomilies, communities, and notions. This publieotion is one port of that process. The Indigenous Women's Network is o membership organization comprised of Indigenous women (voting members), ond others who ore interesled (supporting members) . Membership dues ore $1 5 annually, for voting members and $25 for supporting members which con be on organization or on individual. 8oth receive periodic updates, and our publication, which is intended to appear ot leost two times o year. Membership ordering I infotmolion con be obtained by writing to: IWN, PO Sox 174, lake Elmo, MN 55042, USA COLUMBUS "This book can help us understand our post, so we can rebuild our communllles ond project our future, respecllng the dlverslly of people living on this plonet.• • N Cayuqueo, SAil( ilo "Pick af the month.' ·Small Press Review $22/yr. (5 issues) Bulk order discounts available. NACLA 475 Riverside Dr., #454 New York, NY 10115 (212) 87(}.3146 CoLUMBus: HIS ENTERPRISE Exploding _the Myth H ans K oni ng Afterword for Teachers by Bill Bigelow •rthinkyourbookon ChristophtrColu'"bus is important. J•m mort gr•ttfulfor that book tlu'" any othu book I lui~ rttul in G CQuplt of yt4rs... Most of us have been taught to think of Christopher Columbus as a single-minded courageous visionary whose nlvigational skills led him to "discover.. the Americas. In this beautifully written revisionist biography, accessible to people of all ages, Hans Koning gives us the true history of Columbus' life and voyages. In an afterword for teachers, Bill Bigelow - a high school skeptically. $4.95 $8.9$ . PBUSI p•por Homewa rd Press Berkeley, For 25 years NACLA has been your resource on the Americas. Subscribe now to Report on the Americas. Mention this ad and receive as a bonus the first of our Quincentenary series, "Inventing America 1492 - 1992." social studies teacher and the author of several curriculashows how Columbus: His Ent~rprise can be imaginatively used in the classroom to teach students to read history 80 pages, 36 illustrolions 2307, Eduardo Galeano, Author of Memory of Fire ..As a corrective to the bland assumptions of biographers like the ltde S.E. Moresion this m.akts fascinating reading ... should bt compulsory ... - Christopher Hill, New York Review of Books by John Curl Box " "NACLA's Task is to Shed Light on Reality" - Kurt Vonnegut In the Bay o f Pigs PO Repolli tJ.H the .,tlmeJUcad, CA 94702 Monthly Review Press 122 West 27th Street • New York. NY 10001 • (212) 691-2SSS �SAIIC WELCOMES YOUR CONTRIBUTIONSI Pleose pou on to us any infonmo~on you come acrou on indigenous people's shvggles for ulf.deterrruna~on and quincentenoryl oc~vi~es. We are always in need of photos, publico~ons, n8W$popers, and artides pertoining to these issues. All of our project> and programs are financed by donations. We ore in need of financial contribu~ons, ond volunteer workers. Please contact SAIIC to find out how you con best help. Your generosity is greolly appreciated. All contrib~ons ore lox cleduc~ble to the extent allowed by low. BECOME A SAIIC MEMBER! ASAIIC membership enti~es you to receive the SAIIC NewsleHer, Urgent Action Bulletin>, notification ol>peciol evenb and 500 Years octlvifies. Your membership ol>a helps us to provide free newsleHers ond other services lor Indian organizations in South & Meso America. A personal SAIIC membership lor one year T-shirb with the SAIIC logo In three colors, available in block ond turquoise. • 500 Years of Indian Resistance" printed is $15; in>tituHonol memberships are $25. above the logo. Please specify size {S,M,l,Xl). $12.00 (bulk discounts). AMAZONIA: Voices lrom the SAIIC T-SHIRTS ENCOUNTER OF THEEAGLE&THECONDOR Quito Gathering on 500 Years of Resistance A video made ot the conference In Quito, Ecuador, July, 1990. Includes interviews of indians from Alaska ta Tierra del Fuego, and footage of conference in session. Come• with Quito Re>alution>. Produced with Turning llde• Produc~on>. Call SAIIC lor mare information. 500 YEARS OF RESISTANCE: RESOURCES FOR ACTION A pocket of information lor community organizers, teachers and ather intere>ted people with a directory of international organizations working on quincentenniol activities, testimoni- al• from Indian people in South & Meso America, educational resources and other tools lor action. Call SAIIC lor more information. Rainforest A resource and action guide with a comprehen>ive li>ting of international rainlore>t orga nizations and Amazonian Indian organization>. The guide is supplemented by an overview de>igned to give added force to grassroots groups in the Amazon ~ghting in defense of the rainforest and basic human rights of the indigenous people there. Co-authored by SAIIC with Amazonia Film Project, International Rivers Network and published by the Rainforest Action Network. $8.50 plu> $1.50 shipping ($4.50 airmail) . Also available in Spanish RETHINKING COLUMBUS A special edition of Rethinking Schools, o magazine for educators. Publi>hed in collaboration with the Network of Educators on Central America, Rethinking Columbus offers 96 poge>olresourcesand teaching Ideasforkinderga_rten through college. Contributions by N. SeoH Momadoy, Joe Bruchac, Su>an Shown Harjo, laDonno Horri>, Paulo Gunn Allen,le.lie Marmon Silko, Bill Toyoc, Rigoberto Menchu, Hans Koning ond more. $4 plus $2 for >hipping. South a nd Meso American Indian Information Center (SAIIC) PO Box 28703, Oakland, CA 94604 ll ~~~ . ~~ Hoo-,rolil Orgonhotlon us POitogt PAID Oollon4, Cl Permll N 79 o. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol 6, nos 1&2 Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring/Summer 1991 Zotero Abstract Note Entire issue Issue 1&2 Language English Pages 1-48 Publication Title SAIIC Newsletter Volume 6 http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/031ef3fbb8d8308d81f0fadf44d6b31f.pdf 4c89684a6201614831c19497af997693 PDF Text Text Joumal of the S ouTH AND MEso AMERICAN INDIAN INFORMATION (ENTER Volume 7, Numbers 1 & 2, Winter/Spring 1993 Price $3 1993 YEAR OF THE WORLD'S INDIGEN OUS PEOPLES ~ ,._. ">. ,'_}''T<~o 0 : ~~'•. f : ' • ~ ,. ' '•; ',· , 0 ' •' ::A::,·.-~---~~-·-:::~~~-:-.-----.' ; , > I ' 0 0 ·:,' :-' ••: _:·_ .• _-- ' . ~~ #,_,., •• •.·• '-~---.,.,~ -. • .- • . ·.·-~- - '. - ~ �5 ~A~ I~ I~ Contents 1993 YEAR OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Opening of tho UN'• Yoor of lndigonou• People• ...... 4 UN Declaration of lndlgenou• Rlghts ........................ 5 Stotement of lndigenou• Nation• at the UN .............. 6 Second Continental Encounter .................................8 Indigenous Peoples' fund ....................................... 9 Stealing lndigenou• Genes ..................................... 10 PAHO Conference on Indigenous Health .................. 11 AMAZON IHTfllVIEW: Valerio Grefa, COICA ...................... 12 COICA Elects New Officer• .................................... 15 Am ozon I T1veC ferenc,e ... ... ... ... ... .................. 15 n1 10 r on CONFENAIE opooh to Shareholder> (Ecuador) ........ 16 Indians of Beni March Again (Bolivia) ...................... 17 Maseten Indian• Cocnpete with logger• (Bolivio) ....... 17 Halt to Timber Extraction (Brazil) ............................. 18 Violence Against Brazilian Indians ........................... 18 Constitutional Revision Throotens Indians (Brazil) ....... 19 Suicides Among the Guarani Kaleva (Brazil) ............ 19 SOUTHERN CONE Pachamama Day (Argentina) .................................. 20 Congres• on lndlgenou• language• (Argentina) ........ 2 1 Mapuches Convicted ............................................. 22 Second Mapuche Tribunal ...................................... 23 ANDES IHTfllVIEW: Genaro Oliver, CSUTCB (Bolivia) ....... 24 Traditional forms of Organizing (Bolivia) ................. 25 Indian Women'• Conference (Bolivia) ...................... 27 Troditional leader• Return (Bolivia) .......................... 26 Development Throotens El Choco (Colombia) ............ 27 MESO AMERICA Refugee• Return (Guatemala) .................................. 28 lxll Woman Tells Her Stocy (Guatemala) ................... 29 Statement By o Returnee (Guatemala) ...................... 30 Kunas Protest land Invasions (Panom6) .................... 31 lximche language Center (Guatemalo) ..................... 31 Mayan leode" Throotened (Guatemala) .................. 32 Anastocio Esquino Died (EI Salvador) ...................... 33 Second Encounter of Indian Press (Mexico) ............... 33 IHTfllVIEW: Arturo Pimentel, 8MZf (Mexico) ......... 34 NORTH AMERICA US Invade• Shoshone lond (Nevada) ...................... 36 Centenary of US Invasion (Hawai'i) ......................... 37 C SAIIC StoH Director: Nilo Coyuquoo Office Manager: Doniela Spiwak Development Coordinator: Kimberly Ro50 Volunteer Coordinator: Ro•o Alegria Accounting: Quipus Editor: Jim Freemon layout Jim freeman Printing: Alonzo Printing SAIIC Boord of Directors Gina Pacoldo (San Carlo• Apache/Chicano) Nilo Cayuqueo (Mapuch.Argentino) Carlo• Maibeth (Miskifo.Ni<:oroguo) Waro Alderete (Colchaqui-Atgentino) Xihuanel Huerta (Chiconlndia Guillermo Delgado (Quechuo-Solivia) Ahycr Ycrlcr News (ISSN 1056S876) is published four timM per year and available for on annual $15 per5anal membership, $25 for on orga nizational membership, oc $3 at certain new.,tonds. Foe Canada oc Mexico, add $5, for international memberohip•, odd $10. We would like to thank the following individuals for their generous assis· tonce to SAIIC: Alejandro Amaru, Jack Brown, Amy Coroun, George Frankl in, Gia Grant, Deb Gray, Don Greenwood, Samuel Guio, Norma Klahn, Pot Moony, T Reeves, Julie Rogers, om Glen Switkes, Billy R Trice Jr. . Thanks to the following foundations for the ir generous support: The John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, General Service foundation, funding Exchange, Seventh Generation fund, Vanguard foundation. c-er Photograph Corrie Donn, Wes/em Sholhone (USA) and luis Mocos, Quichuo (Ecuador) at the United Nofion• for the opening ceremony of the 1993 Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples. P08ox28703 Oakland, California 94604 Phone: (510) 834-4263 Fax: (5101-834-4264 Peacenet E-mail: saiidtigc.org (!) ~" SAIIC AcfiviHe• .............................................................. 3 8 Item• Available ..................................................... 39 Printed on 100'% recycled paper with soybean Inks �EDITORIAL The commemoration of the 500 years of European Invasion Is now behind us. The wide-spread resistance to the officially planned events and the ·official" version of history was very successful, Increasing publlc awareness of the exlstence of the 45 million Indigenous people that llve on the continent of Abya Yala. But even more Importantly. native communlties.mobU!zed tiU'Oughout the continent. not only to demonstrate their presence. but also to make concrete proposals presenting alternative solutions to the problems faced bY Indigenous communities everywhere. Demarcation of Indigenous temtortes, Indigenous control over educational systems. sustainable economic development, and the right to self-<letennlnaUon are au demands titat wUI not go away untU they are fulfllled. Indigenous communities are Increasingly taking their destiny In their own hands, beginning bydecolonJztng themselves on an tdoologtcalleveL The exploitative rtght-wtng parUes. patemausuc Uberal parties. and dogmauc and manipulative sectors of the lefi wtng- au artstng from a Europeanl7.ed, Western perspecUve- have sought to preve.n t the autonomous development of the Indigenous Movement tn South and Meso America. In spite of their diversionary tacucs and atte.m pts at control which conunue to this day. Indigenous oommunlties havestrengthenc!!d themselvesbY alllnnlng theirdlSUnct Identity. and shaping their own poliUcal phllosophies which reOect their traditional spiritual and cultural. heritages. The search for unity amongst IndJgenc)us peoples - a unity which respects our diversity- ts manifested In the many represenlatlveorganl2ations which have been created onregtona]and national levels. organl2ations that seek to affirm our mutual solidarity and strengthen our common posltlOl)S. Many of us' sna;e the vtslon o_f a strong movement of Indigenous Unity on a Continental leveL The formation of the Continental, Commission of\ndlgenous Nations and Organl2aUons (CONIC) can be an ·~ /~ / .. / .._ ' Instrument for developing and strengtherung.-that unity. The' stcond Contirlental Encounter of Indigenous Nations and Organl?.ations. to be held In Mexico from the 8th to the 13th ofOctOQer. wi!J be a significant step towards this vtslon. It being 1993. It IS Important to examine the role of the·Uhtted Nations as It all'ects the Indigenous strugg)e. Many years ago. Indigenous delegates to the UNs Working Pro-!!p on Indigenous l'llpulauons proposed that 1992 be declared the Year of Indigenous Peoples as a gesture of reparation for 500 years of <>;1lonlzatlon. Coverrunental representatives at the UN refused. supporting Instead Spain's proposal to commemorate 1992 as the~ncounter ofTwo Worlds", whlle agreeing to declare 1993 as the Year of Indigenous Peoples. 'f. , The Inauguration of the Year oflndlg~nous peo~les took place on December 10. 1992 (see artJcle page 4). It was the first time that Indigenous representatives were tnvtted to speak to the ON's Ge(leral Assembly. Indigenous delegations from au over the world made great efforts to travel to New York for th.l s event at their OWn expense. since no UN funds were provided for this purpose. After the UN officials and government representatives addressed the Cene?J Assembly In the morning. the meeting was to continue In the afiemoon with the speeches of the Indigenous ';'P~nta~es. ~et when the Ceneral Assembly reconvened. the Indigenous representatives wilnessed, with great surprise and,~dJslllustonil'lent, that almost au of the government representatives and many of the UN officials had left. Many took this as a bad augury for the "lntemauonal Year of Indigenous Peoples", as well as a sign of great disrespect. These Inauspicious beginnings have yer to be overcome. FIVe months afier the tnaugurauon tn New York, the many promises of "Working tn partnership" with Indigenous peoples have stW not been fu!JlUed. For example, the Center for Human Rights In Geneva has announced that they have obtained several hundreds of thousands of dollars for Indigenous Peoples' Projects. but they have not yet consulted with any Indigenous organizations In order to decide what projects wUI be funded. Indigenous peoples have not been granted official partlciPQUO~ at tl!• upeomtng World Conference of Human Rights In VIenna. The ILO's Convention 169 has not yet been ratified by the majority of the world's nation-states. WhUe the Oral\ DeclaraUon of Principles and Rights of Indigenous Peoples may be approved afier 10 years of development (see page 5). It wUI then sUII need to be approved bY the Human Rights Commission and ratified by the many governments represented tn the UN before betng adopted bY the Ceneral Assembly. Whlle It Is certaJnly both worthwhile and necessary to strugg)e for the establishment of these tnternaUonal accords and then to ensure that governments act In compliance with them - It ts Important that this not replace the energy and attention that we need to giVe to strengthening our communiUes and organl2atlons. Our vtslon Is that, through organiZing for selfdetenntnatlon, buUdtng alliances with each other. and consolidating our Indigenous unity on a continental level. we can ensure the weU-betng of au Indigenous peoples and of our Mother Earth. SAIIC Board of Directors �Opening of the United Nations International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples On De<:ember 10. 1992 leaders and enous speakers scheduled for the afternoon delegates of Indlgenous communities from addressed a relatively empty assembly hall. around the world convened at the United Despite the absence of many U.N. officials. Nations headquarters In New York City for the mceUng had hiStoric Importance. as It the official opening of the United Nations was the first time lndtgenous peoples were International Year of the world's Indlgenous auowed to address the U.N. Speakers represenUng 20 Indlgenous Peoples. Indigenous leaders h eld strategy nations caUed on world leaders to halt the meeUngs In New York two days prtor to the genocide of thelr peoples and the destruction Inaugural events to share critical problems of their lands. The speeches raiSed common and formulate a unified. pro-active platform concerns, Including Invasion and exploitato take to the U.N. (see de<:laratlon. page 6) tion of Indlgenous lands; pollution of alr. The meeUngs were organl:!'.ed by the Conti- water and land; violation ofrelJgious freedom nental CoordlnaUng CommiSSion of Indlg- and human rtghts; protection of Indlgenous enous Nations and hosted by the Nattve cultures and languages; and Indlgenous selfdetermination of economic development. American Council of New York City. '"Themost sertous problems confrontDurtng the morning General Assembly Plenary MeeUng on De<:ember 10. the lng Indigenous Peoples are the progressive President General as weD as representatives expropriation ofour lands and terrttortes, the of Member States made official U.N. de<:lara- Irrational exploitation ofsoil and subsoU, and ttons regarding the role ofthe United Nations the destruction and contamination ofecosysIn "promoting and protecting the human tems which maintain the equlllbrlum of life,· rights of Indlgenous peoples", and how the said Noell Pocaterra UUana, of the Wayuu aJm of the International Year IS to focus nauonofVenezuela. Many of the otherindJgattention on the special situations and needs enous speakers also emphasized the relaof Indlgenous peoples. · tionship between ecological concerns and The Plenary meeUng was then ad- Indigenous concerns. In the words of Davl journed. to be continued by statements of Yanomarni. a representative oftheYanomaml Indlgenous speakers. Unfortunately. few people of the Amazon: Our word IS to protect nature, the members of the General Assembly returned Wind. the mountain. the forest, and the anito attend the continuation of the opening ceremonies, and the diverse Ust of Indlg- mals. This IS what we want to teach you. The 4 Abya Yala News �1993 YEAR OF INDIGEN OUS PEOPLES Indigenous delegates meet to formulate a unified plalformprior to United Nations ceremony. From left: Margarito Ruiz, Maya(Mexico); Marcial Arias. Kuna (Pa.namll); Domingo Raien, Mapuche (C/Uie), unidentified Mapuche (Chile) leaders in thench,lndustrtallzedworld think that they are the owners of the world. But the shabons (shamans) are the ones who have true knowledge. They are the real first world. And If their knowledge IS destroyed. then the white people too will die. It will be the end of the world. ThiS IS what we want to avoid. SAIIC attended thiS hiStoric event as a supporter of the Inherent right of lndlg- enous peoples to participate IndeciSion-makIng processes that alfect their lives. Yet the fact that thiS significant prescence of lndlgenouschlefs. political and splr1tual leaders at the United Nations received little local. national or lntemational press coverage bears witness to the fact that once again, the lncllgenous peoples of the world were not treated with due respect. UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples lnJ uly'of 1993, tile UN's Working Croup on Indigenous Populations IS expected to approve ~e final draft of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. which they have been working on for 10 years with the partlclpatlon of Indigenous peoples from all over the world. The draft will then be submitted for approval to all of the member nations of the UN. lfenough support IS bullt. the Declaration will then be adopted bY the Ceilera! Assembly, and become an Important InStrument for protecting Indigenous rights. We encourage IndiVIduals and oxganlzatlons to help build support for the Declaration. You can educate yourself and others about the Declaration, CirCulate Information among other~ce and social justice oxganJZatlons. and wnte to members of Congress and to the President. Copies of the current draft of the Declaration can be ordered from SAI!'C for a small fee to cover copying, postage. and handling costs. To Ond out more background lnfonnauon, contact: Center for Human Rights, United No~ons R oom S-2914, New York, NY 10017, Tel. (212) 963·2283 Vol7 Num 1 & 2 5 �1993 YEAR OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Statement of Indigenous Nations, Peoples and Organizations ThiS statement was p repared and approved by representatives Q/ the Indigenous peoples Q/the world present at theplanning meetings held In New YOf'kjor two days prior 11> the UN's InauguratiOn Q{the Year of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples (See article page 4). Gucumatz. Condor. Father Sun. Eagle. Anahuac. Mother Earth INVOKING the spirits of our ancestors and acting in our tradition of resiStance in the defense of Mother Earth. ASSERilNG our fundamental and htstortcal nghts. ASSERilNG au the mUllons of brothers and siSters who have sacrificed their Uves in defense of our mJllennlal culture: in the name of the more than 300 mUllon IndlgenouspeoplewholnhablttheEarth, and the efforts over years of work by Indlgenous peoples and NGOs, we. the members of the Indigenous nauons and organtzauons, gathered in New York Clly, from the 8th to the lOth of Decem· ber 1992, Consider: I. That au Indigenous peoples have the rtghttoself-determ!natlonasexpounded in the prtnclples of the Universal DeclarauonoftheRlghtsoflndlgenousPeoples. Accordingly, Indigenous peoples have the nght to determine aU matters relattng to our polltlcal, economic. social, spiritual and cultural affairS. We call for the tmmedlate adoption of the above declaration. n . The struggle for our terrltor1al nghts lS common to aU Indigenous nations and peoples. and thiS rtght ls persistently denied by governments and dominant societies. ffi. EconomiC development practices ofNa· tlon States are destroying the natural resources which have been protected within Indigenous terrltortes. As a con· sequence. the survival of au spectes lS threatened. 6 The Indigenous peoples' contribution to the SOCial. intellectual and cultural dlverslly of the world. particularly to the ecology and harmony of Mother Earth must be valued and supported bYnatlonstatesandintematlonalagen· cles. V. Thehumannghtsoflndlgenouspeoples to our culture. Identity, rellglons and languagesareinallenable. Thesenghts continue to be sacrificed in the programs, pollcles and budgets of the nauon states and international agencles. VI. Whlle democracy IS heralded by doml· nant societies. what thiS means to Indigenous peopleslsrepresslon,genoclde. andm!seryinthe.Amertcasand in the rest of the world. As an example, the process by whk:h the dialogue for peace ls taking place in Central and South Amerk:a. there IS no direct parUclpatlon by Indigenous organizations and nations in spite of the fact that Indigenous peoples are directly affected bY the conditions of the wars. VU. Govenunentsconttnuetodesecrateand approprtaterellglousandsacredplaces and objects, depriving Indigenous na· tlons around the world of their basic spiritual ways of llfe. THEREFORE: The International Year of the World'slndlgenousPeoples. 1993,must not be merely celebrations or paternal· lstlC declarations, but rather, the resoIutton of the above requires that the United Nations and Its member states take the foDowtng actions: 1. RecognJ7.e Indigenous nghts to lndlg· enous terrltortes, inCluding the recovN. A by a Yala News �1993 YEAR OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Qucchua girl wearing a ceremol\ial condor mask and cape 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. ezy and demarcation of such territories. 7. Promote and strengthen lnc:l.lgenous eduRecogntu. honor, and document under caUon. culture. art. religion. phllosoInternational law all treaties. compacts. phles. literature and SCiences of Inc:l.lgaccords and other formal agreements enous nauons. concluded with Inc:l.lgenous peoples of 9. Return htstortc places and sacred sites the world. Additionally the Study on and objects to the Indigenous nations to Indigenous Treaties delegated to the whom they belong. Human Rights Commission must be 10. Demonstrate sincere commitment to the giVen priority attention by the United new partnership with Indigenous peoples Nations and Its member s tates. bymakingadequateflnanclalresources Recogntu and honor lnc:l.lgenous forms avaJlabletoimplementactfonspresented of government when such governments herein. Furthermore. make stgnillcant are practiced according to traditional donations to the Voluntazy Fund so that laws and customs. future projects be realized. and assure Promote and strengthen Inc:l.lgenous Inthat the Indigenous peoples have direct Input Into the management ofsald fund. teUectual and cultural property rtghts under International law and principles. 11. That the United Nations Secretazy Cen· eral and Its speciall7.ed agencies. comAdditionally. the study on Intellectual andculturalpropertyrtghtsundertaken mtsslons and programs to convene speby the United Nations commission on cia! consultations with Indigenous Human Rights should be given top prtpeoples of the world at the most local ortty. level practical. Consult with Inc:l.lgenous organiZations 12. That the Secretazy general of the United and nations regarding the ratlficatlon of Nations lnlmediately create a speclflc Covenant 169 of the International Labor lnc:l.lgenous program to be administered OrganiZation. and executed with direct partfclpauon of Indigenous organ!Zauons. Provide legal assiStance and technical tralnlngto the Inc:l.lgenous organiZations Written In the City of New York. December 9. and nations. 1992. Vol7 Hum 1 & 2 ,,.~ ·'J.'i.il 7 �1993 YEAR OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 'The: f~o....,.... liOns malcc: up the o~commlttcefor the Contsn<nto!Enooun· t.e!': Coord tnat111g Body of lncllgcnout Women of llohvtA Council of AU Lnnda. Chlk: Counc.IJ of Mnynn orgnnt:r.nuona or Ouatcmalt\ (COMO) Kunns Unftod for Nobguana. l'nnAmn M<>dcan Org.'Ulklng of and Com.mLNton Nallonal ~""Uon of lndlg<nouo P<ople of Ecuador (CONAIEI Soulhand- Organizations Am<rlcan lndlAn lnfOrm8UOn Center ISAIIC) Tona.Uerra. USA For lnfonnauon on the encoun· ter. please contact SAIIC or: Comisi6n Orgonizodoro M6xicono Apot1odo Poslol Num 28·145 Colonio Centro 06080 Mexico D.F. Tel: 52·5· 783·8002 Fax: 52·5· The fifth meeung of the Continental Commtsslon of Indigenous Nations (CONlC) took place from April 2-4. 1993. In the Ceremonlal Center Ixacacal Cuardta,ln Qultana Roo, MexiCO. The purpose of the meeung was to conunue preparauons for the Second Continental Encounter, a follow-up to the Ftrst Conunenta!EncounteroflndlgenousNatlons and OJ:gan!Zatlons which took place In Quito, EcuadortoJuly 1990.At theApr!lmeeung.ll was decided that the S«ond ConU:nental Encounter will take place from October 8-13 1993 to the Otoml- Nanhu Ceremonlal Center to the State of Mexico. The alms of the S«ond Continental Encounter are: .. To promote Indian unity on a Conunental level. upon the basiS of our own spiritualIty, WISdom. tradiUonal orgaw.auon and pollUcal philosophy: .. To create sYStems of communication and coordination on a continental level; .. To propose vtable alternatives and soluUons. based upon self-determination, whlchaddresstheiSSuesfael:ngourpeople. The matn themes for the S«ond En· counter are: 1. Spirituality and Tradition 2. Self-determtnauon. Legislation. and Indlg· enous Rights 3. l.a:nd Rights. Development, and the Envt· ronment 4 . Women. Family. and Community 5. Education. Culture and Youth 6. Organl7.atlon and Coordination An tntemaUonal orgnniZI:ng commit· tee with representatives from siX regions was fonned to plan the Enoounter. More than 300 hundred delegates and guests are expected to partiCipate. The participation ofspiritual lead· ers. women. and young people IS strongly encouraged. Gillen the hiStortcal pattern of doml· nauon of the South by the governments ofthe North. 1t seems very Otting that thiS effort to create Conunental Indigenous Unity IS betng Initiated by the Indigenous people of South and Meso Amenca. Yet our unity will not be complete without U1e participation of our Indigenous brothers and siSters of the North . Any North Amencan lndlgenous communi· ues and organl7.aUons that would Uke to send a representative to thiS meeting. please contact SAllC or: TONATIERRA P.O. &OX 24009 Phoenix, AZ 85074 (602) 254-5230 A detaUed outltne for the Encounter can be obtained from SAtiC. 208·3044 8 Abya Yala News �1993 YEAR OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Latin American Governments Establish Indigenous Peoples' Fund Inspired by an Initiative of the government of Bo!Ma. who met wtth other Latin Amertcan governments and With the government of Spain at the first lbero-Amertcan SummltlnGuadal~axa.MexlColnJuly,l991. an Indlgenous Peoples' Fund h as been established that expects to provide mlllions of doUars to lndlgenous communities. The process of developing this fund has taken place over the last two years. and has Involved representatives from governments of the region. extra-regional governments,Indlgenous peoples' organiZations (lnter-Amertcan lndtan Instttute. the presidents of the World Councn of Indigenous Peoples, and COICA-the Coordinating Body oflndlgenous Peoples' OrganJ.zatlons of the Amazon Basin). non-governmental organJ.zatlons. and International agenctes. The decision-making structure of the Fund IS designed to ensure direct partictpatlon of Indlgenous peoples. On the General Assembly and the Board ofDirectors. regional governments. Indigenous peoples of each regional member state. and extra-regional governments wiD all be equally represented. The four areas ofprtorttythe Fund wiD constder are: 0 Resources for Sustainable Autonomous Development: Securing legal recognltionofland and terrttortes, promoting natural resource management. restoring degraded Vol 7 Hum 1 & 2 areas and ecosystems. and fostering sustainable productive actMtJes. 0 Indlgenous Peoples' Rights: Promoting and protecting the rights of lndlgenous people. reforming legiSlation and other regulatory codes. OTra.!nlng for Management and Participation: Strengthening representative orgaruzatlons. establlshlngco-operative mechaniSms for plann.lng. consultation and action. 0 Identity and Culture: Protecting the cultural knowledge and technology of Indigenous peoples. promoting recognition of their Identity and awareness oflndlgenous contrtbutions. AtaFundmeetingonAprtll3. 1993 In MexiCO, an lntertm commlttee was formed to preside over the development process. RodolfoStavenhagen, a weU-knownMexican anthropologist. was chosen as the lntertm president of the commlttee which. once the Fund IS formaUy estabUshed. wiD serve as the Board of Directors. Not all Latin Amertcan governments have yet ratlfled thiS proposal. To aJd In thiS effort. please send your letters ofsupport for the Indlgenous Peoples' Fund to: Rodolfo Stovenhogen lnlerim Pre•ident, lndigenou• People'• Fund Stonford lno~tule for lnlemorionol Studie• Stanford, CA 94305 For more infonna· ~on pleo•e con- loci: Diego lturralde Ad-hoc Secretoriat Ca•illa 6326 La Paz, Bolivia FAX: (5912)39-lo-89 Phone: (5912) 36-13-37 Environment Protection Divi•ion lnler·American Development Bonk Ann Deuryffere 1300 New York Avenue, N.W. Wo•hington, D.C. 2o5n FAX: (202)623-1315 Pho~e: (202)623-1254 9 �1993 YEAR OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Stealing Indigenous Genes Genome Project Places Indigenous Peoples at Risk A band of molecular anthropologiSts are planning to collect samples from the hair roots. cheeks and blood of 722 "endangered" Indigenous peoples scattered throughout the globe to tmmortallze their genetic make-up and possibly tum a profit. AdraftreportfromthesecondHuman Genome diversity Workshop held at Penn State University on October 29-31, 1992 refers to Indigenous people as "Isolates of Htstol1c Interest (!Hrs), because they represent groups that should be sampled before they disappear as Integral units so that their role 111 human htstory can be preserved.· By recording gene codes the plan's partiCipants hope to find unique genes which can be used to cure diseases. which they wl1l patent and make millions. The plan ts being advanced by the Human Genome Diversity Project. an Informal consortium of universities 111 North Amertca and Europe backed by the u.s. National Insutute of Health (NIH) as part of the Human Genome Organization (HUGO). HUGO ts the multinational. multi-bJIIlon dollar lnltlative to map the human genetic structure. Part of the plants to leave a duplicate sample of the DNA of each Indigenous community with their national governments or regtonaJIJlStltutlons. Access to an IHrs complete genetic make-up makes It theoretically possible to devtse cheap and targeted biological weapons trained solely on that community. Human rtghts violations agaiJlSt Indig· enous peoples, by their own governments and/or other governments within their region, ts a major cause of their "physical exUnction·. Permanentsamplesofhumangenetlc material are invaluable to the Human Genome Project and to medical research. Under 10 U.S. law, any products or processes dertved from the unique collection wl1l be patentable. The commercial profit In Indigenous germplasm was brought home to pharmaceutical companies earlier thts year when th.l rty cttl7-ens of Llmone, an ISolated Italtan community. were discovered to have a unique gene that codes agaiJlSt many forms ofcardlo· vascular disease. Swedish and Swiss phar· maceutical companies, as well as the Univers ity of Milan. have since swarmed over the townspeople, taking blood and other samples and applying for patents. If the gene ean be turned Into a marketable drug the profits wl1l be tremendous. Will Indigenous peoples have a share In such profits? The members of the Human Genome Diversity Project estimate that an lnltlal five year sweep of relatively accessible populations wl1l cost between $23 million and $35 million and wl1l allow sampl!ng from 10 ,000 to 15,000 human specimens. White blood cells from each person wl1l be "tmmorta117.ed" at the Amertcan Type Culture Collection 111 Rockv111e. Maryland. Human blood can only survive 48 hours outside ofstorage so samples collected wl1l have to be alr-llfled lmmedl· ately. "One person can bleed 50 people and get to the airport In one day," the report estimates. The Indigenous Peoples and Health Workshop held 111 Wlnnlpeg. Canada April 13·18, 1993, wh!ch wasorganl?.edbythe Pan American Health OrganJz.ation (see article page Ill, passed a resolution crtticl7.1ng the Genome project. The resolution states: This Is yet another example of research being done on Indigenous people with· out their consent and without all relevant Information being provided to them. The consequences of this research have not been fully explored nationally, interAbya Yala News �1993 Y EAR OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Pan American Health O rganization Conference on Indigenous Health The first conference ever sponsored by the Pan American Health Organl7.atlon that focused exclusively on Indigenous peoples health ISSues was held from April 13 - 18 In Villa Marta. Wlnnlpeg Canada. Forty Indigenous delegates from South, Meso and North America as well as Canadian government and non-governmental representatives attended the Indigenous Peoples & Health Workshop '93 "In hopes of launching a dialogue on the health status of Indigenous peoples.· Presentations. seminars and dlseusslons addressed the gravity ofthe health crtsts In Native conununltles. covertng topics rangIng from the dearth of health services and faclllttes In Native communities. to the slgnJficant role of traditional Indigenous medicine. to the ominous Human Genome Development Project. Poverty, oppression and lack of self-determination were seen to be the prtGenome conlinued nationally. or In consultation with Indigenous people. Thts type of research wlll have a negative tmpact on future health programs and projects In Indigenous communities. by un dermining Indigenous peoples' trust In the medical and health professions. Source: Rural Advancement Founcia· ttcn Intematlonal For more infonno~on contact SAIIC or: Rural Advancement Founda~on lnterna~onal 71 Bonk Street, Suite 504 Ottawa, Ontario K1 P 5N2 Canada Tel: 613-567-6880 Fax: 613-567-6884 Vol7 Num 1 & 2 mary culprits of the alarming health situation confronting Indigenous peoples. In light of the crtsts. a recommendation to declare a state of emergency In s peclflc communities and populations was put forth. Systematic community participation In definIng and Implementing health poUcles was regarded as crucial for achlevtng positive results. The necessity of pursuing ongoing efforts to defend Indigenous lands. Improve nutrition and housing. prevent environmen tal pollution. and legallze Indigenous m edicine and practices was diScussed at length. As a result of this conference. a com mtsslon of Indigenous delegates. working In conjunction with PAHO to promote Indigenous health Issues on local. national and International levels ts being established. In addition. an Int ernational task force dedicated to ensuring that Indigenous health tssues find a place on the agendas of any meetingS pertaining to Native peoplests planned . as well as an Information network to educate and update Natlve com- Deleg(JleS to the PAHO confertncefrom left to right: Rosa munities on rel- Baldiz6n, Maya (Gu(Jlemola): Rosa .Garcfa. Purepecha evant ISSues and (Mbcico): Carmen Pereira. Mojeiia (Bolivia); Yolanda n ew developments Nahuelcheo, Mapuche (Chile): and Gilberta 8(Jlz, Maya ' concemtnghealth. (Guatemala) 11 �Organizing to Save the Amazon An Interview with Valerio Grefa, new Coordinator of COICA Valerio Grefa was elected General Ccordlnalor Q[ the Coordlnattng Body Q[ Indigenous Peoples' OrganiZatiOns Q[theAma· zon Basin (COICA) in Manaus, BrazU. in November 1992. He is a member of the Qulchua nation, from the commWllly of San Pablo, Napo Province, Ecuador. The commu· nlty is part of FECUNAE, the Federation of NatiJJe CommunUies Q{the EcuadorlanAma· zon. which is part of CONFENlAE, the Con· federatfJ)nofindlgenousNatiDnsoftheEcua· dor!an Amazon. which in tum is aj]lltated wah COICA. In the Amazon basin there ate more than one and a half mill ton Iru:Ugenous inhabuant.s.jrom more than 400 natJDns. SAIIC: How long have you been active In the Indlgenous movement? VG: I have been acUve In the Indigenous movement since 1976. I am one ofthe first leaders that had the honor of estabUshtng the UnJon of NaUves of the Ecuador1an Amazon IUNAEI. SAIIC: What are the chief problems you had at that Ume In the Napo area? VG: The first problems were to end the slavery that the ertolloland owners maintained along the shore of the Napo River. especially between Coca and Nuevo Rocafuerte. They owned large haciendas. and made people work for meager wages. They used debts that were passed from generation to generation. which were unpayable debts. as an excuse to make the people work. The organiZation ended this abuse by the crtolloland owners once and for all. The lands for the most part passed Into the communJty's hands. SAIIC: Your communJty. San Pedro. IS part of FECUNAE. Who does FECUNAE represent? VG: FECUNAE represents In particular the Quichua peoples of the lower Napo In Ecuador. There are 53 organiZations now that make up FECUNAE. 12 SAIIC: You have represented both FECUNAE and CONFENlAE? VG: Yes. twice I was president of FECUNAE, and then I was honored With representing CONFENIAE In 1989. 1990. and 1991.AndnowlamrepresentingCOICA as General Coordinator. SAIIC: So you resigned from your position as president of CONFENIAE to as· sume the post In COICA VG: Yes. when I was elected Coordlnator of COlCA. I Immediately called a meettng. - anampiJOedassembly.aswecallltof CONFENIAE to formally resign the presidency. On the 17th of December this cer· emony tookplace, In which Angel Samarenda became the new president of CONFENIAE. SAIIC: Who carried out the meeting In BrazU? Which local organJ7Altlon hosted It? VG: The organiZer was COICA The host organiZationwas the Coordlnatingl3ody oflndlgenous OrganiZations ofthe BrazUlan Amazon(COIAB).COIABISanewmemberof CO! CA. SAIIC: And I understand that In this meeting of COICA there was Increased participation. What other countries participated. and what other lndlgenous organiZations? VG: In this case Venezuela. Guyana, Surtnam, and French Guyana became new members. So COICA now has nJne members. SAIIC: Can you tell us what the structure of CO!CA IS llke. the governJng board, the coordinating board, or the coordinators? VG: There have been two levels of organization In COICA since our last assembly. First there Is the coordinating councU, which IS made up of all the presidents ofthe member organiZations of COICA that IS. nJne members now. Then on a more operaAbya Yala News �AMAZON Uve level we have estab!Jshed the govemJng coordinating board. as we call It, which IS made up of five coordinators. InCluding four area coordinators and the General Coord!nator. SAHC: Whatcontactsdoyouhaveon a regional and International level. llke !n Europe and the United States? VG: Well, COICA has put a lot of effort Into establlsh!ng International contacts. But It IS our objecUve to respond !n a coordinated way to the proposals ofour base communities. That IS h ow It was possible to sign an environmental agreement between the NGOs of the north and COICA. !n the same way It was possible to sign the cllmate agreement. as It's called. between European clUes and COICA. We began wtth seventeen clUes. and now there are more than 200 cttles. In the same way. there are other proposals !n the World Bank. proposals !n the United Nations, !n the OrganiZation of AmertcanStates(OAS). and to organiZations thathavetodowlth thertghtsoflndlgenous peoples. We have as our work agenda the International Labor OrganiZation's (IW) Agreement 169. and we are !n dialogue with governments to get them to pass thls agree· ment. We support It because It IS an !nternatlonal or legal tool that takes Indigenous demands Into account !n a more concrete way. SAHC: What IS COICA's proposal to the environmental groups ofEurope and the United States? Is It only economic support or IS It something more profound? VG: We have estab!Jshed as one of our basic objecUves that the Ama7..on basin be considered a uniVersal unit, a global unit. which calls on Its protagoniSts - the Indlgenous people - to ra1se our voice of attention. our voice of protest to the world, because the Ama7..on basin Is the last frontier Vol 7 Hum 1 & 2 oftropical forest and of biodiversity !n which the basic rtghts of the first nations are Involved . That IS the baste objective. The second objecttve Is. proposing to International development organl7-attons development alternatives proposed by the Indigenous peoples. what we call a utonomous development. which permits the peoples' self-determination. Because we cannot ISOlate the development of the Indlgenous peoples from the preservation of nature and the envtron· ment, we seek sustaJnable development. a harmonic development between man and nature. SAHC: When do you plan to begin COICA's actual work? VG: Among the fundamental resolutions that were made !n BrazU IS the approval of the statute. and !n Its approval COICA's dellnlttve seat was estab!Jshed !n Quito. Ec· uador. So our llrst activities correspond to that . to the transference of belongtngs that we have !n Lima and to establlsh a perma· nent office !n Quito. Our aspiration IS to estab!Jsh a basic Infrastructure which w1ll allow us to work with satiSfaction and attend to the demands of our Indlgenous organiZations. SAHC: InaddJUon toCOICA's work!n the Amazon. do you plan to make contact with other Indlgenous peoples !n the highlands. the p lains. and throughout the continent? 13 �AMAZON "I believe that we have to redaim the power of our Pacha Mama, the wisdom of our Pachacama, and all the spirituality of our earth, of our territory, of our power. Only when we respond to this material struggle spiritually, will we have a complete struggle.• Valeri() Grefa continued "If we are protecting the Amazon basin, its floral life, It is obvious that we need to sign agreements with other forests that stlli exist on the planet.• 14 VG: If we are protecting the Amazon basin. Its floral life. It IS obvious that we need to sign agreements with other forests that still exist on the planet. That IS the reason that In 1992 In the month of Februaty we held a world conference of the Indigenous and lrtbal peoples of tropical forests In Malaysia. The second meeting ts expected to take place In May. possibly In Peru. SAIIC: We also understand that on a continental level there ts coordination. a network among Indigenous peoples from all geographical areas. and there IS an otgantzation called CONIC. Do you have contact with these brothers and siSters? VG: Our Intention IS to coordinate all the actiOns that other groups. other Indigenous otgantzations are taking on a continental or world level. to demand the rights that belong to us. So the doors are open. we are very willtng to coordinate and have solidarity with all those organiZations that are fighting In a sincere way for the rights of Indigenous peoples. We cannot remain ISolated. we cannot keep our diStance from the leaders of otganl7.ations that have slm.llar goals. SAIIC: The U.N. declared 1993 the Year of Indigenous Peoples. What do you think about that? VG: Actually, I have my doubts about thiS declaration. I th.lnk that maybe the United Nationswantstouse 1993tocoverupthe500 Years of genOCide. of barbartsm. since the amval of Columbus to America. Indigenous peoples have to unJte to ra.tse that voiCe of protest as soon as someone tries to make It a folkloric year. I understand that tf there are good Intentions on the United Nations· part. It should be a year of reflection. a year of decision-making. a year of recognition of the fundamental rights of Indigenous peoples. recognition of the otgantzatlons that are representative of the Indigenous peoples of America and the world. It should be a year of passing laws, International norms that benefit Indigenous peoples. Otherwise It will be a world maneuver to control. to separate us. lin not very optimiStic, but rather hopeful. SAIIC: Is there a movement among the Indigenous peoples In Ecuador to reclaim Indigenous sp!rttuallty? VG: I think that when we talk of splrttuallty.In an tnc11rect way we are talklng of the phUosophy of the Indigenous peoples. I understand that we. theIndigenous peoples. must recover the splrtt- the splrtt that has led our peoples for mUlennJums. and which has been seiZed by the sp!rtts brought by Columbus. so many saints. so many VIrgins. that we are practically ldolatrlzlng 1n churches. monuments. and that In thiS way we have abandoned our own splrtts which have guided us - the splrtt of the lakes. the splrtt of the waterfalls. the splrtt of the mountains. the splrtt of the whole world viSion of the peoples. I believe that we have to reclaim the power ofourPacha Mama. the wisdom ofour Pachacama. and all the sp!rttuallty of our earth, of our territory. of our power. Only when we respond to thts material struggle splrttually will we have a complete struggle. I think that not only In Ecuador but also In Central America. In South America, In all of the places where Indigenous peoples are. we are reclaiming our true splrttuaUty. SAIIC: Some last message for the peoples of North America? VG: Truly. a call to solidarity. to the unity of Indigenous peoples within the diverSity of cultures that we have. so that In the lmmediate future we have a unified voiCe. a monolithic voice. and that we can be heard by the governments In the International arena. I understand that now we have to make an effort to Ond ourselves and that. setting aside any resentment. any lndMdual Interest. we search for a consensual Interest. we seek a way sought by all the Indigenous tnltlatives. Only In that way will we be able to obtain In an organlzed manner the rights whiCh we proclaim. Abya Yala News �AMAZON Amazon Indigenous Coordinating Body Elects New Officers The Coordinating Body for the Indigenous Peoples" Organl?.atlons of the Amazon Basin (COICA) held Its annual meeting 1n November. 1992 In Manaus. and elected Valeno Grefa ofCONFENIAEin Ecuador as Its new General Coordinator. The delegates also approved a new. more hor!.zontal structure. abollshtng the posltlonofPresldent. !nits place. they created a Board of DireCtors to preside over the General ASsembly. a Coordinating Committee compriSed of the leaders of each of the nine national afllllates or their delegates. and an Executive Committee compriSed of four thematic coordinators. Antonio JacanamJjoy (ONlC. Colombia) w1ll be the coordinator for Territorial Defense. Jose Luis GonzAles (CONlVE. Venezuela) w1ll be the coordinator for Environment and Natural Resources. Evartsto Nugkuag (AIDESEP. Peru) w1ll be the coordinator for Economy and Development. Orlando Melguetro da SUva (COIAB. Brazil) w1ll be the coordinator for Human. Political and Social Rights. COICA also expanded Its membership to Include the national Amazonian federations from Venezuela (CONlVE). Surinam (OIS). Guyana (OIG). and French Guyana (FOAG). COlAB was selected the representative from Brazil. COICA"s headquarters w111 move from Lima to QuJto. A working meeting between COICA"s Coordinators and U.S. environmental and h uman r1ghts organiZations w1ll be held In Washington DC on May 11-12. COICA has also moved Its offices from uma. Peru to Quito. Ecuador and can be now contacted at: Colle Alemonio No. 832 y Av. Mariano de Jesus Casillo Postal 17·21·7531 Quito, Ecuador Telephone and Fox: 553·297 Vol7 Num 1 & 2 Si6 Kaxinawd and Paulo Cipass~ Xauante from Brazil visit New York Amazon Initiative: A working conference to protect Indigenous rights The Amazon lnltlattve conferencew111 be held on May 11 and 12. 19931n washington. DCwtth the purpose offormtng a permanent coalltion of NGOs wtth Interests In the Ama7..on Basin. The conference w1ll brtng together northern NGOs and Indigenous representatives from the Amazon to develop concrete strategies for protecting the rtghts of Indigenous peoples and safeguarding their environment. The conference w1ll also focus on the logiStics of creattng a permanent coalition based In Washington. DC. Co-<:oerdinators and participants In· elude: Cultural Survival. Environmental Defense Fund. Friends of the Earth. Global Exchange. OxfamAmertca. Rainforest Action Network. Rainforest Foundation International. Sierra Club. SAIIC. World Resources Institute and World Wlldllfe Fund. For more Information contact SAn C. 15 �ECUADOR President of CONFENAIE Speaks to Maxus Shareholders OnAprll27. AngelZWnarenda (Shuar}. President q[ the Cc<)federatton q[ Ind(genous Nationalities of the E<:uadortan Amazon (CONFENIAE} addressed the annual shareholders' meeting q[ Maxus Energy Corp. tn Amartllo. Texns. HI$ speech was part of a protest againSt Maxus' Block 16 oa JXQ}ect. orga.ntzed by &tnforest AciiDn Networlc and theCampanaAmazon/aporta VIda. aooaluton q[EcuadorlanenwonmentalandhwnanrtJhl$ groups. Maxus Is buadtng a road tniD the Hw;wranl.lndian Reserve and YasunlNatfOrlal Pwktoextractheavyaudeoa. Thefollcwtngls an excerpt.from hi$ stalement. Greeungs to the press and the American pubUc.I represent Six lndlgenous peoples of the Ecuadorian Amw.on - the Shuar. Aohuar. QuJchua. HuaoranJ. Cofan and SlonaSecoya nations- conslsUng of300.000 lndlan people. organiZed as CONFENIAE. whiCh tn turn Is part of the Confederation of Indlg· enous Nationalltles of Ecuador. CONAJE. With thispoUtJcalforce. we have come to tell the on comparues. lumber companJes. agrtbustness companles. and mintng companies of the U.S. that their actMUes tn our terrttoryrepresent a massacre. Th.lsmisuseof technology threatens the Ufe of more than 300.000 Incllgenous people, as well as farmers and city dwellers of the Arn.a7.on region. These companles are responsible for the destructJon of the wUdUfe in our territory. the destruction of our sacred sites. lakes and rtvers. our fish and game. and the water and air. vital elements for all living things. CONFENIAE h as presented a negotiation plan to the Ecuadorian gove.r nment. Petroecuador and Maxus. and CONAJE h as made repeated efforts to negotiate, but all thiS has b een rejected. The Indigenous people of the Ecuadortan amru>.on are not saying "No" to oUextractlon. but rather are seeking an alternative. Th.ls ahernatJve Is not d.llllcult to understand nor to apply with current technology. But, Maxus IS blind to thiS rea!Jty. Maxus cleverly gave money to government oJilc1als. and ISolated the Huaorants from CONFENIAE and CONAIE. For the second tlme Maxus signed a document that has no legal value; It trtcked a few natve HuaoranJ representatives by offering them things whtch mean n othing to Maxus and convinCed them to sign the agreement. Now MaxusiS moving forward with Its destructlon. Maxus Is responsible forspUUng 15 tons of toxic chemicals tnto the nputlnl River this month. for spUUng crude oU along the road. for pressurtng the Cofan people in Dureno to leave their vtllage to work transporting road construction materials, for the tndl.sc:rlmlnate felling oftrees. for the tncreaslng dlslntegratJon of the HuaoranJ people and for the proUferation ol contagious diseases. such as cholera, dengue. yellow fever and parasites. I have come to say. 'Enough of this running over of our people, enough of this genocide'. We demand U1at the representatives ofMaxus dlscuss wllh CONFENIAE and CONAJE the proposals that we have already presented. Ifthey do not. we will do everythtng that remainS possible to defend our exiStence. WedemandamoratorlumtooUdevelopment and road construction in HuaoranJ terrttory untU a complete investigation oftheir environmental and human rtghts tmpact can be completed. An environmental management plan must be presented which meets the requirements of the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon. Only in this way can oU actMty continue! 16 Abya Yala News �BOLIVIA The Indian March Continues More than 200 representatives and magistrates of the Islboro-Secure National Indian Park Territory OlPNIS) met In their Second Speclal Session In the town of San Bernardo. They resolved to march onTrinidad to demand compllance with Supreme Decree 22610 and to assert the rights ofthe Mojenos. Chlmanes and Yuracares who Uve In that regton. The Bollvlan government ISSued Supreme Decree 22610 folloWing the hlstorlc march "For Territory and DJgnlty" In 1990. but Its provisions have not been Implemented or enforced. In a communique, the Indians of the TIPNIS asserted that thls time. "despite the good Intentions of some members of the government, we have encountered many problemslncludlngopposltionfromseveralgroups and lndlvlduals who do not wiSh to grant us the same rights enjoyed by every other BolivIan citizen. Thts behavior Indicates that there are people who continue to think Uke the Spaniards of 500 years ago.· The representatives assert that Article 2 of Supreme Decree 22610 expands the area of TIPNIS to the lslboro and Secu.r e rivers. InCorporating the communities situated on the banks of the rivers and forming a buffer zone. On October 19. 1992.TIPNIS brought a case before the prefect of the Ben! regarding a wealthy land owner. Sergto Zelada. who was attempting to deny the rights of the community of Lorna Alta. located on the right bank of the Islboro River within TIPNIS. On October 27 the legal counselor of the prefecture of the Ben! viSited Lorna Alta and decided that there was no Infraction. The Prefect then denied the TIPNIS claim. The Indian representatives who attended the second special session In San Bernardo resolved to reject the opinion of the public attorney and the prefectural resolution. because the title that Mr. Zelada has In hiS possession belongs to another person and was obtained after Supreme Decree 22610. The delegates denounced these antiIndian acts and bureaucratic dectslons. They stated that In thts democratic day and age. there are bad Bollv!ans In government who neither execute nor respect the laws which the government Itself has made. For these reasons. the authorities of TIPNIS marched to Trlnldad to demand a public hearing to force the execution of the decree.lfthts IS not done, the delegateswill be obllged to Oght until their territorial rights are respected. Source: AquL Bolwfa Moseten Indians Compete with Loggers for Land Title Approximately stx years ago. the Moseten Indians of Santa Ana de Huachi, Ben! Provence. began proceedIngs to obtain the deeds to the lands that they have Uved on for generations. With the support of the Lay Movement for Latin America (MlAL). they succeeded In attaining 8,000 hectares of land. But the land that was granted turned out to be 111-sulted for hunting. Oshlng. and agriculture, the mainstays of the Mosetenes. In addition, the lands have already been exploited by coloniZers. who have cut down the most Important and valuable trees. In November 1992. the community decided to ask the Minister of Campeslnos. Agriculture, and Fishing. the Indigenous Institute ofBoUvla (liB). and the government for land In the Muchane plains as compensation. An 1880 document gtves the Mosetenes sole ownership of the territory. which IS four hours away from Santa Ana. The Vol7 Hu m 1 & 2 director of the DB assures the community that their demand will be considered, but there are other people Interested In the land. Juan Torres, National Deputy and former member of the Conscience of the Country (CONDEPA. a ncopopulist organization) claims to have deeds to the terntory. According to the Mosetenes he has been extracting resources from the land. A company named San Loretl7.o also Intends to take advantage of the lumber resources. Timber exploitation ts Intense In that region of La Paz. According to a report by the Coordinator of Solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples. approximately 60 trucks. each with Ove logs. leaves the forest along one road each day. ThiS meansthatatleast 108.000treesarecutannually. Much of the wood goes to waste because It IS cut poorly. 17 �BRAZIL Stopping The Clearing Of nmberFrom Indigenous Lands For more i nforma· tion contact: Rainforest Action Network 450 Sonsorne St. Suite 700 Son Francisco, CA 94111 , USA Rainforest Foundation 270 Lafayette St. Suite 1205 New York NY 10012, USA. For decades. Joggers have invaded Indigenous lands in Bra?.U with Impunity, creating violent confrontations with lndtan people. and devastating the environment. Now. a BrazOJanjudge has ordered a halt to timber extraction from Jndtan lands in the eastern Amazon state of Pan1. According to estimates. between 1985 and 1990. over 640.000 cubic meters ofvalu· able mahogany were extracted from Indian lands in Pan1, which required the construe· tlon of over 3000 km of Illegal logging roads. To halt the logging. a suit was illed by the Nucleus for Indigenous Rlghts. based in Brasilia. The deciSion, on January 15, 1993 by Federal Judge Selene Marta de Almeida. calls for an tmmedlate closing of the logging roads and removal ofaU equipment and work· ers from the Indigenous reserves of Arawete. Apyterewa, and Tl'lnchetra Bacaj~ . n also · requireS the Bra?.illan government to set up permanent checkpoints to ensure that the loggers do not reenter the 7..0ne. One recent conflJct b etween Joggers and an Indian community resulted in the shooting deathofDomtngos Paullno. a GaVI<'io Pukobye who had tried to stop a truckcany· ing an Illegal shipment of wood from passing through hts people's land in Maranho. The woodhadbeencutfromthenearbyGuajajara reserve. where Indians had agreed to sell timber for very low prices. Most of thiS wood IS used to produce charcoal. which fuels the pig Iron processing plants which are Part of the Greater CarajM mtneral zone. Sources: Rainforest Action NeiWQrk and Rainforest Fowulation Violence Against Indian Peoples in Brazil in 1992 These are the 1992 results of an annual survey carried out by the lndlan!st Mls· slonary Council (CIMO of violence agatnst Indian peoples in BrazU. lnmostcategorteslndlanssufferedas much or more aggression as in previous years. In the case of the murders none of the aggressors was puniShed. CIMI notes: "DISeases have been kill· ingmoreindlansinBrazUthananyothertype of aggression. It seems that they are the subtlest and most disguised way to exterml· nate Indians.· 18 Murders 24 Victims of attempts on the lives 20 Deoth threats 21 Illegal detentions 5 Victims of physico! aggression 10 Rapes 7 Suicides 24 Deaths due to molaria 87 Deaths due to meosles 64 Deaths due to Cholera 14 Deoths in cor accidents 6 Areos invaded by woodcutters 37 Invasions by miners 16 Abya Yala News �BRAZIL Constitutional Revision Threatens Indigenous Rights Orlando Melguelro da SUva Bare. General Coordinator of the Council ofArticulation of Indlgenous Peoples and OrganiZations of Brazil. offers these obseiVations on how Indlgenou s rlgllts may be challenged under the 1993 Constitutional revision 1n Brazil: "Brazil 1s prepal1ng to revise Its constitution. Within this, questions affecting Indian people are Involved. principally when one speaks of mtneral wealth and natural resources found 1n Indian areas. All this 1s being looked at with btg eyes by large economic groups, which worries us. 'The new Indian statute will consider the proposals presented by IndJgenous people 1n Braslla at the end of Aprll of this year. Among the questions we are considering are the demarcation and self- demarcation ofour land, and the exploitation of mtneral and hydroelectric resources. "llle military1s pressing conseiVatlve leglslators. and even some on the left. so that they favor the revision of already demarcated Indian lands. ThiS despite the fact that demarcating lands 1n the border regions 1s no risk to national security. and not even the Indianswant to construct Independent states. On the contraxy. Indigenous peoples also obey the constitution, and above all we want the Brazilian government to obey the constitution. -we are looking for alternatives among them. to form a stronger alllance between Inc1Jgenousorganl7-ations themselves, with popular movements. and with the legislators who are for the Indigenous cau se. We look to merge our forces so that IndJgenous proposals be considered. and so that the rlgllts which were guaranteed In the 1988 constitution not be overturned." Source: Iriforme Jurdtoo - Address: ComlSsaoPr6Indlo de saoPaulo. RuaM!nlStro Godoy 1484, Salas 56 e 57, CEP 05015 Perdlzes, Sdo Paulo SP, BrazU. Suicides Increase Among Guarani Kaiova An alarmtng rate ofsuicides has been registered among the Guarant-KaJova of BrazU's Mato Grosso do Sui, caused by deSpair at their estrangement from traditional lands and way of life. According to the Indlgenlst MISsionary Council (CIMI) and the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI). 20 Guaranl-Katova hanged themselves 1n 1992. br!nglng the sulcldestoaseven-yeartotaloflOO. Ofthe20 Vol7 Num 1 & 2 who died last year. 12 were under 20 years of age (See CIMI statiStics page 18). With most of their traditional territories stlll not demarcated, and their lands Invaded by ranchers. the Guarani are forced to seek work on sugarcane plantations and at alcohol plants. There. they are pald very little. and are not accorded benefits proscribed for workers under law. Source: lndigenist MissiorwyCouncil (CIMI) Contact CIMl for more info rmation: 505 - Edificio Venancio Ill, Sola 3 09/1 4 , C.P~ 0 367 9 CEP 7 0.084-9 70 Brasilia, O.F. Br a z il 19 �ARGENTINA Pachamama Day and the Kolla People of Argentina Cultural Center •1st of August'' In 1991 the Catholic Church Invaded this cosmic spiritual center by pladng a Christian cross next to the apacheta 20 The Cultural Center"1stofAugust"wasbom on August 1. 1988 tn the city ofLa Qutaca. provtnceofJujuy. Argentina to honor the Pachamama (Mother Earth), who IS celebrated every year tn August. The Pachamama constitutes the back bone of the spiritual and material life of the KoDa people of AigentJna. The group IS made up of people from different branches of life: teachers. housekeepers. students. prtests. athletes and housewives. Most of the members are from rural areas. They share a common and global destiny and VISion: to contribute to the vitalization and fulllllment of the Kolla people and of Indtan people tngeneral and to the humaniZe the hostlle and mechanJzlng system of life which surrounds us. The germtnatJng and multlply!ng Impulse of the Center IS represented tn one central objective: "Attatn the htstortcal restoration of the Andean people. restructure. revalue. vtta!Jze and project our way of life. which contatns essentlal and sufficlentlyvalld gulde-ltnes to proVIde new alternatives for thiS permanently decadent society.· The friends of the Center have commonfearsandconcemsabout problems whiCh not only threaten the Kolla people b ut all the tnhabltants of the earth: pollution. hunger, dtscrlmtnatlon, extinction of Nations. alienation. arms buUd-ups. etc. TheCenter actsasarecuperatlonand transformation agent. It works to permanently rediScover and share essentlal aspects of Identity tn terms of rellglon, social organization. literature. agrtcultural practices, food production and preservation methods, etc. The Center also works to promote enVIronmental attitudes and to offer alternative ways for soclety to solve multiple problems. ThiS commitment ts dlrected toward educating and raising consciences about our rlght to Improve our quality of life. To these ends the Cultural Center "1st of August• organizes camping trtps. bicycle races and foot races with the motto "Youth. Let's Know our Land". Young people from both rural and urban areas participate. Theycover200mUesat altitudes of 10,000 to 13,000 feet tn order to get to know the country-side and to gtve the credit due to the human. cultural and natural landscape. The participants and the communities they VISit learn from each other wtth the purpose of renewing their faJth and hope of revttallz1ng the KoDa culture. To these same ends. every year tn the month of August the Cultural Center, together with neighbors and friends. celebrate the rellglous homage to the Pachamama at the apacheto. (alter to the Pachamama) of the community. The Center supports and promotes cultural actlvttles such as music. theater and poetry. gtvtng prtortty to those which repreAbya Yala News �ARGENTINA International Congress on Indigenous Languages The Instituto Qheshwa •Jujuymanta• !AigenUna) IS organiZing the V International AcademlcCongressonlndlgenousLanguages to take place tnJujuy·Argent!na tn Septemberofl993. The Institute works to make lndlg· enous people aware of the value of their languages. Durtng the last years the Insti· tute has devoted Itself to promoting Indigenous languages such as QhiShwa (or Quechua) and Aymara, which are widely used tn the Andean region ofSouth America, and Guarani of the Gran Chaco of South America. The puiJ)ose of thiS effort IS to organiZe native peoples and make them aware of their cultural roots and of how Important It IS that their languages survtve. So far there have been four congresses organiZed by In· dlgenous groups which have documented the wide use of Indigenous languages. Pachamama Day conlinued sent recovery or creations within the framework of Indian American Identity. The Center gtves presentations to schools at dl.fferent levels tn order to provide traditional role-models, and expose the students to diverse experiences. They produce educatiOnal radio programs and also participate tnprograms to Improve methods ofsheep farming tn order to Improve the economic situation for Puna famtlles. Vol 7 Num 1 & 2 The last congress took place In Cochabamba (BoIMa), with the assistance of the Un!versldad Mayor de San Slm6n. and locallndfg· enous organiZations. Rene Satnz vega, the President of the N Congress (October 1992), reportedthefollowtng concluSions. The congress requested: 1. That the governments of Colombia. Ecuador. Peru. BoiMa. Argentina and Chile work on In· forming about and teaching Indigenous languages In their countries: 2. That educational agencies and mtn· lstrlessupportlndlgenousorganJzationsworklng on revaloriZation of their own Indigenous languages: 3. That Latin American governments formally teach Indigenous languages at schools and universities. 4. That Latin American governments recogniZe demands and territorial rights of Indigenous peoples. The N Congress worked under SIX commiSSions: Writing. Grammar and Struc· ture, Culture, History. Education and Law. Instltuo Qheshwa ·Jujuymanta• IS open to your Input. contributions, and assiS· tance. If you ore inter· ested in attending the V Congress in O<tober please contact: lnstituto Qheshwo • Jujuymonto• Alvear 966, Local 6 C6digo Postal 4600 Son Salvador de J~tjuy, Argentino 21 �CHILE Hoisting the Mapuche Flag TheMapuche Coordinating Body of Argentina Tom Kine Nguetuam (£o Be One Again) rasing the Mapuche National Flag in the cityofNuequin. 1'/oeflag was created last year during the historical reunion of the Mapuche Nation from the Argentine and Chilean sides ofthe lxmkr. Mapuches Convicted for Occupying Land "Their efforts to establish a separate Mapuche nation, including their own flag, is an act that is in direct contradiction to Chilean national unity." -Enrique Krauss, Chilean Minister of the Interior 22 TheChlleangovemment has convicted one hundred and forty-four Mapuche people for the "illegal usurpation of land" and sentenced them to pay a fine equal to about one year's wages. The alleged ursurpation ofland took place In June 1991 when the Mapuche organiZation Aukln Wallmapu Ngullam (Councll of All Land) began to occupy landS In an attempt to "exerclse our nghts as Mapuches to thts land which Is In the hands of private companies and the State of Chlle." As a result of these actions the Interior Minister Enrique Krauss and the regional Governor Fernando Chuecas detained hundreds of Mapuche people and filed charges against them. ThegovemmentofficlalsclaJmed that the "Assoclatlon was Involved In the illegal take-over of the land." Krauss Insisted that "the Counsel of All Land's actions do not Ot Into the legal framework ofChllean society. Moreover. their efforts to establish a separate Mapuche nation. Including their own Oag.ts an act that Is In direct contradiction to Chllean national unl(y." The Counsel of All Land responded to the accusations on January 25, 1993 and made the following statement through their lawyer: 'The Mapuche people have a distinCt htstorlcal background In terms of social, poUtlcal, and religious structure that dJII'ers from the rest of Chllean soele(y. Not only has Chlle refused to recogn17-e these unique attributes of our culture but has systematically tried to destroy us." On March 10. 1993. the Attorney Generallnfonned the one hundred and forty four accused Mapuches that they are each required to pay 11 months ofthetrwages. the equivalent of $60 a month , for their illegal occupation of the land. The other detainees were convicted of "illegal activities and alllances" and condemned to eighteen months of pollee surveillance and are not allowed to organi7-e pollttcally. Those accused of illegal land acquisition are appealing their sentences clatmlng that they have not committed any crtme. They are currently trying to educate the publlc about the Injustices Imposed upon them by thegovemment.lnMaytheAppellate Court of Temuco will decide whether uphold or overtum the convictions. Abya Yala News �CHILE URGENT ACTION: CHILEAN GOVERNMENT MUST OVERTURN THE CONVICTIONS We at SAIIC are organizing a campaign to put pressure on the Chilean government. Please write letters to the offldals listed below demanding and end to the persecution of the Mapuche people. Patricia Aylwin Axacar Presidente de Ia Republica de Chile Palacio de La Maneda Santiago, Chile Fax: (56) (2} 697 3262 Fernando Chuecas lntendente de Temuco Manuel Bulnes 590 p. 2 Temuco, Chile Fax: (56} (45} 21 30 64 Please oend copies of your letter• to SAIIC and: Aukin Wallmapu Ngulam Caoilla 448 Temuco, Chile Fax : (56) (45} 21 30 64 Enrique Krauss Miniotro de Interior Caoa de lo Moneclo Santiago, Chile Fox: (56) (2} 696 87 40 Second Tribunal of the Mapuche Nation Aukln Wallmapu Ngulam CThe Council of All Land) has announced that the Second Tribunal of the Mapuche Nation will b e held from March 29 to APrtl 1, 1993 In Temuco. Mapuch eTerrltory. "In the context of Ideological decolonJzation, we call for th.IS Second Tribunal In order to ldenUfyvtolations againSt our hiStorical rights to land and human dignity." The tribunal will analy'.te dlfl'erent cases of violations committed agatnst the Mapuche nation such as the Invasion of territories, ecological destruction and denial of Mapuche religion, and will end wtth a traditional NguUlatum ceremony. Vol 7 Num 1 & 2 T~ Mapuches are demall(}jng tluu t~ir culture be recognized and respected. . 'We lnvltetradltionallcadersandcommunJtles of the Mapuch e Nation. Indigenous peoples of the Americas and those Involved In national and International political m ovements to join us." For m ore Information contact Au kin Wallmapu Ngulam. ' 23 �B OLIVIA Indians Seek representation • Peasant 1n Confederation Interview with Genaro Oliver, CSUTCB The following is an trttervtew with Genaro Oliver. an active member qf the Con· federatton of Compestrto UniOns of Bo!!v!a (CSUTCB). We spok e w ith him trt Genoa. Italy trt A ugust 1992. at the Soconas/lncomlndlos meeting ofEuropean organiZaltons trt solldar· ily wllh the Indian NatiOns of the Amerioon ConttrtenL We offer Mr. Oliver's perspective as a new current wlthtrt the CSUTCB. His matrt tenant Is that the Campesino Con federatiOn must consider the reality qfe thniC identtty. SAIIC: Who do you represent Genaro Oliver? "The name 'Confederation of·Campeslno Unions' shows the lack of genuine representation of the Indigenous peo ple of Bolivia" 24 Genaro Ollver: I am a member of the Confederation of Campes!no UnJons of Bo· Uvta (CSlJI'CB). The CSlJI'CB IS organ.lzlng the First Meeting of Natlonalltles In October 1992. This First Meeting seeks to bring together alll.ndlgenous Peoples of Bo!Ma. and Us main objectiveIs to regain the participation of the IndJgenous Peoples that have not been taken Into account by the Campeslno Confed· eratlon. Thename"ConfederatlonofCampeslno Untons · s hows the lack of genuine representation of the lndJgenous people of Bo!Ma. The name Indicates that the organiZation represents "untons·. and unions were tmported from Europe. The term "campeslno" (peas· ant) Is antmposed nameasweU.In the "lndJgenous Peoples Meeting" we would like to reestabllsh our ancient ways of organiZing ourselves. SAIIC: What Is the Labor Confederation of Bollv!a's (COB) position? GO: The COB Is rethlnk!ng some Is· sues. IftheCampeslno Confederation tries to reestabllsh contactwtth Its lndJgenousbase. theCOBwlllalsohavetoaddressthetssueof representation. At the moment It only represents waged workers but not lndJgenous Peoples. SAIIC: Do you belleve that out of the meeting a larger entity wlll artse. maybe an entity that wlll be larger than the cu rrent COB or even the CSlJI'CB? GO: This Is what we are thinking. The lndJgenous people are a majortty. There aremoreofusthantherearewagedworkers. and waged workers are not the only people to be represented. We think there wlll be Interesting discussions wtth other workers' organiZations. SAIIC: What Is your oplnton about women's participation In the lndJgenous Peoples' Meeting? GO: This Is a topic that wlll have to be discussed by women. There Is a large women 's organJ? .atlon which Is a part of the Campeslno Confederation. But as Is the casewtth Indigenous people. the Campes!no Confederatlondoesnot adequatelydealwtth the problems ofwomen . Their partiCipation as women and as Indian women In thelndJgenous Peoples' Meeting wlll be extremely tmportant. Abya Yala News �BOLIVIA Aymaras Replace Peasant Union with Traditional Ayllu Federation IntheruralconununltyofSanAndres de Machaca, ln the Ingavt Province of the Department of La Paz. traditional forms of SOCial and politiCal organiZation have prevalled over the nation-state proposals to assimilate Indigenous cultures. FollOWing the reconunendatlonsofthe October 1992 National Congress of the Confederation of Campeslno Unions of Bollvta, csurcs. areglonalcongressgatheredonAprU 10-11. 1993,ln the proVince ofingavt. Four hundred and fifty Indigenous campes!no delegates, angry at established political parties of the left and the rlght who had manipulated their leaders In the past centwy. unanlmouslyvoted to dissolve theformercampes!no union and replace It with a Federation of Ayllus and Indigenous Nations. GtMro Oliver continued SAIJC: Would you like to add anything to thls InterView? GO: lwouldllketolet people know that thls kind of direct InterView with a true representative of an Indigenous community allows others to learn about what 1s really happening In thoseconununltles. 'n"avellngln Europe. we have found that lnvtted political representatives are often people diSengaged from the Indigenous Peoples. Many no longer live nor know what 1s happening In the communities themselves. Vol 7 Hum 1 & 2 Paulino Guarachi. executive secretary of the CSUTCB . and Florenclo Mendoza of theTupaqKatariFederatlon attended the congress but only as guests.Thelndfgenous The province oflngavi is rei!ISfoting its 1ndigenous campeslnos of San autlwritit s Andres de Machaca discussed how traditional Aransaya and Ur!nsaya sections of the conununlty have reinstltutedaconununalreglmewheremallku and momata'qua. thelndlgenousauthoritles. follow the ancient dictates of thelr ancestors. Political power has also been restored to the elders of the conununlty. The native authorities believe that the Anuqara. UWlk'u. and sallka, corrupt local politicians of the past. had betrayed the community by selllng the political positions of the traditional authorities to national political parties. 'The result was the transformation of thelndlgenousconununlty!ntoanurbandomlnatedappendlxofthe nation-state. which has only sporadiCally answered the needs of the community Itself." Conununlty representatives at the congress agreed to end all alllll.ation with political parties, speak and Write AymaraSpanlsh and respect cultural traditions. Source: Aqul La Paz, Bol!vta 25 �BOLIVIA Curacas and Jilakatas Recover their Authority 'Women from differenl regions will be mee1ing and working together to solve ow common problems.. Indigenous Women Organizing National Encounter For more informa· lion pleose contact: Coordinodora de Mujeres lndigenas de Bolivia Casillo 23 15 La Paz, Bolivia Tel: (592)(2) 36 99 63 Fax: (592)(2) 39 13 65 26 TheFirstNatlonaiEncounteroOndlgenous women of Bolivia w1ll be held from J une21-23. 19931nthehiStorlcaiTiwanaku. ThiS en counter IS the culmination of two years ofgrass roots community organlzlng by Bolivian women. The encounter IS being organlzed by the Coordinating Commtsslon of lndlgenous Women of Bolivia whiCh IS made up of the following organl7.atlons: Centro de Dtscusl6n Ideol6gica de Ia Muj er Aymara (CDIMA), Organl7 -aci6n de Mujeres Aymaras del KoUasuyu (OMAKl. Coordlnadora de Muj eres Indigenas del Benl (CMIB). Federacl6n Nactonal Campeslna Bartollna Slsa (FNMCBS). MujeresPastorasdelaAsoclacl6n de Crtadores de Camellda and Asoclacl6n Nactonal de Mujeres Radlallstas (ANRCINB). The Coordinating CommiSSion of Indlgenous women ofBollv!a IS a member of the CoordinatlngCommtsslonofWomenofSouth and Meso America and of CONIC. More than 600 delegates are expected to partlclpate. Two representatives from SAIIC w1ll be attending the encounter as observers. 'The strength ofthts encounter IS that women from different regions w1ll be meeting and working together to solve our common problems." said Alicia Canavlrt(Aymara).President of the Coordinating Commission of lndlgenous Women of Bolivia. Financial support IS needed. On December 7. 1992. the first AssemblyoOndlgenousAuthorltlesoftheSouthern Altiplano was held to define the function of Indlgenous communal author!Ues. ThiS assembly, organb:ed by the RegJonaiFederatlonofSouthernAltlplanoFarmers (FRUTCAS). took place In Tomave. In the Potosi region of Bolivia. The attendees emphasl?.ed the necessity for Curacas (prtmary traditional leaders) and Jllalcatas (those In secondary positions) to regain the authority they had years ago. "With the traditional leaders In place we did n ot have as many problems. But since the government Imposed political authorities (Corregidores) and agents In charge of the Cantons. problems multiplied. resulting In confllctamongbrothers.·theattendeesstated. The regional delegates noted that tradltlonaUytheindlgenousauthorltleshadmalntalned a harmonious relationship between nature and the local populations. They concerned themselves with such tssues as assurIng that evecyone within their jurtsdlctlon maintain orderly and dlgnlfl.ed life. However, In recent times the role of these leaders has been reduced to organlzlng community festivals and carnivals. The local attendees explained that traditional authorities diStinguiShed themselves In their own communities by their attire. CuracasandJllalcataswore a poncho, a Uuch'u (hat) and a ceremonlal cane. These leaders were the only ones who could dress In thiS manner, thuscommandlngrespect. Source: Aqu~ BoiMa Dec. 18, 1992 Abya Yala News �COLOMBIA Plan Pacifico Threatens to Untouched Rainforest Embera, Waunana and Awa Peoples Defend El Choco Along Colombia's Pacific coast Ues one of the most biologically diverse tropical rainforest regions left on Earth. Known as El Choco. th.IS verdant terratn has, untll recently. managed to escape thenefartousclaws of development with 83% of the forest stlll Intact. But now the Embera. Waunana and Awa peoples who have llved In harmony with the envtronment for mJllennta are facing a massive government development program for El Choco known as the Plan Pacifico. Mangrove forests Une the coast while tropical rainforests pervade inland. Above the treeline. the diStinct alpine shrub land known as the Paramo adds to the array of complex ecosystems. A massive river network connects the rainforests to the Pacific ocean. El Choco contains more inSect species and two and a half Ume more bird species than all of North America. One hectare contains more tree s pecies than the whole of the BritiSh Isles .. In the last ten years this haven of biodiversity and Ufe. has been "discovered·. El Choco IS now regarded by multinational corporations and governments as a •gold mine" for Its abundance of tropical hardwoods. potential for oU, gold. and other minerals, and hydroelectric dam potential. Plan Pacifico would Include a network of roads. hydroelectric facUlties, new ports and a land-bridge linkingPacific and Caribbean coastwith hopes of competing with the Panama Canal. A naval port has already been completed and h as mllitar!Zed the zone and diSplaced traditional llshing communltles In Malaga Bay. Approximately 110.000 Indigenous people Uve In El Choco from eleven different tribal groups. The dominant nations are the Embera. Waunana and Awa. They have been driven from their traditional lands and Uve In Vol7 Hum 1 & 2 ISolated groups throughout the reg.lon. As a result ofa long struggle, the lndJgenous people have won legal title to 64 ·resguardos· which cover approximately five percent of El Choco. In an attempt to salvage their "home· and wayofllfe the lndJgcnous people. through the Ebera-Wauana Regional OrganiZation (OREWA), have united on vartous occasions with Afro-Colombtans, who make up the majority 1n the reg.Ion. to block illegal activities such as logging by multinationals. In 1992 they successfully blockaded construe· tlon of the Pan American Highway and forced the government tonegouate with OREWAand pay for an OREWA designed environmental Impact assessment of the road. The Canadian International Devel· opment Agency (CIDA) which has assiSted people In the Choco reg.lon since 1975 has now withdrawn funding for the Cultural Survival Canada (CUSOl-OREWA partnership program. a vtable and successful series of projects that have significantly empowered the people In of the Choco. 27 �GUATEMALA Guatemalan Refugees Return On January 20. after more than ten years of suffertng In exile. h aving lost their land and their loved ones, 507 Guatemalan families returned to their natlve land from Mexico. AmJdst laughter and tears. 21.480 refugees. young and old, crossed the border1n 67 buses to start anew and recapture what was lost at the beglnnlng of the last decade. Afteranelgllt-hourtrlpfromComltrul, Chtapas. Mexico. the refugees arrived at Huehuetenangoat3p.m .. carrylngtheirmost precious belongings on their backs. They were recetved by governmental and non-governmental agenctes at a recepUon center prepared by the Spec1al Commlsslon on Refugee AffairS [CEAR). The toll of living In exile could be seen In the children, who are the same heJght as other Guatemalan children of the same age, but are much thinner. The refugees stayed In Huehuetenango untU Saturday, Jan. 23. and from there conUnued theirjourney toward the capital. In the capital, the ex-refugees staged a rally In the city's central park and then went 28 on to Coban In Alta Verapaz. They stayed for a few days 1n Coban before boarding covered trucks that took them to Poligono 14, the ctte In the Ixcan regJon designated for their resettlement. About 400 of them left Coban In the first caravan of trucks and, after travellng two days With an ovem.Jgllt stop In the town of Chlsec, theyarrtved lnCantabal,just a couple of hours away from Poligono 14. They stayed ovemightlnCantabaland. thefollowmgmornlng. the truckscarrted them to With In walking distance of their n ew home. Walklngthelastlegofthej ourney. the refugees carried. In addition to their children. cooking utensils and tools they would need to seed and prepare the new land for resettlement. For those who couldn't make the journey by truck, such as the til, the elderly, small children and pregnant women, the governments of France and England provided small planes to transport them. Thousands ofmostly Indigenous refu • gees fled In the early 1980s to escape the army's scorched earth tacUcs and massacres. Abya Yala News �GUATEMALA lxiiWoman Returns Home The Januruy 20th return was the first organiZed and negotiated by the Permanent CommiSSion (CCPP) which represents the refugees. The CCPP finally reached an agreement with the Guatemalan government on October 8. 1992 which determined the terms of the return. Including credits for the purchaseofland. exemptionfrommllltruyservlce for three years and the establlshment of a Vei1flcationCounctl. OnMarch29thePermanent CommiSSion ISsued an Operative Plan for five more returns between May and August of this year of a total of 1,619 famllles or 8 .147 tndMduals who wiJl go to the Ixcan. Varillas and Nent6n. The prtmary obstacle to the refugees· safe and dtgnlfied resettlement IS the htgh level of mllltanzation In the countryside. The army maintains bases In the resettlement areas and has carrted out several attacks against the neighboring Communities oCPopulations 1n ResiStance (CPR). The CPR are nomad communities In remote jungle areas who have chosen not to seek refuge In Mexico despite a decade of repression. The army considers the CPR to be supporters of the Guen111as and wants to prevent any contact between the CPR and the returnees. who It considers subversive. Since the first return, the army has destroyed CPR vtJJages and forced the communities across the border lnlo Mexico. The people are then prevented from returning by mines planted along the border. In general the army has been mining the whole regton to Inhibit free movement of the CPR and of the returnees. Source: Peace Brigades lnternllliono.l. Processo Jnterno.tionol. NoticiM de Guatetno.la, East Bay Sonctuary Coveno.nt Vol 7 Num 1 8c 2 We are coming from Mexico. We are from the Jxcan. from Salc6n. When I left the Ixcan there were some problems with the army. They burned my house. my whole house. my clothes. I was left naked. After much sacz1flce I now have a Uttle bit ofclothing. My husband died and I became a widow. My son stayed behind with the soldiers. After my husband died I was able with much sacz1flce to raise my youngest son. All my anJmals stayed behind. My house was burned. I CIY from such pain. I wiJl die of sorrow with such suffering. I am not content. I am Cl)'tng. But now there IS a uttle bit of hope. Things are a little better. I thank Mexico for giVIng us refuge. But now I am going back to my village. where my land Is, where I have my land. I amgolngbacktollvetnmyv!llage. with my people, afterUvtngtnthecampstnMexico. The Mexicans charged us rent. But nowiamgolngbacktomyland.lnGuatemala I have my land. my v!llage. my country. I am going to my country. We will all have to Oght to rebuUd ourv!llage. We have always had to flght and It wiJl be no different now. We left because we wanted to, and we are going back because we want to. the whole v!llage. the whole community. The people are golngbacknow because we didn't want to stay In Mexico. The whole communltytsgolngbecause we want to and we are organ.t7.ed. Right now my heart ts happy because I am returning to my v!llage. Source: PBJ "Right rx:;w my heart is happy because I am returning to my village" differenl now" 29 �GUATEMALA The Land is Our Life Statement by a Returnee My name 1S Pedro Coq Chen. I was In the Mayatecimcamp In the state ofCampeehe. I Uved there for nine years. Wellved In Chlapas near the Echeverria border for a year and a half before that. From there we went to Campeche In 1984. Now we are conung back from Campeehe. Wehopethatourretumgoesweu. We have dectded to get to know our land again, because the land 1S our Ufe, the llfe of all campeslnos. Acampeslno cannot live Without land . That 1S why we refugees and our leaders have been making plans since 1985 to return to p lots of land which we left behind. Now we want to go back there and get to know our country again. We separated ourselves from our country, but not because we wanted to. The government has said we went to Mexico because we are arrogant or beca use we do n ot want to work. ThiS 1S not true. We suffered . We suffered exploitation, VIolence. massac.r es. Those who were suffering left. We "The left to seek refuge. Many of those who could government has not leave dJed -men. women. chlldren and old said we went to people. They were far away In other departments such as Coban and Alta Verapaz. Mexico because People do not know what the army we are arrogant has been doing. ChUdren were murdered. We or because we suffered a lot. 1n Mexico we met up With brothers and siSters who had also suffered; do not want to who had been treated badly by the army. We work. This is had to leave to escape the massacres. 1n Mexico we rea117-ed that we are the not true. We same people even If we are from dJfferent suffered.n ethnic groups. I hope that which happened to 30 us does not happen again. For us It started In 1980. That 1S when we started leaVIng. Those who were able to leave are going backnow.WhenwccametoMex!cowebrought young chlldren. When I came I brought two chUdren. one girl and one boy. Now they are big. I hope It does not h appen to us again. We suffered a lot. There was much sorrow. Despite the fact that the government 1S alloWing us to return, I have very strong feelings. It 1S not our fault that we work 1n the country side. We live In the Reina area so they thought we were Involved In certain problems. certain organJ?.a.Uons. But we were working peacefu lly In our cooperaUves. I would go to the capital, Guatemala City. to settle accounts With the Colonel. the coordinator of INACOP (National Agricultural InStitute for CooperaUves). I would go see hJm once a month. But I always had dJIDculty to get back to my land. The problems began In 1981. 8y 1982 It had become very bad and we had to leave. The government pursued us night and day 1n thejungle. They pressured us a lot. They let us suffer hunger and fatigue. Those of us who were able to leave were only able to save our bodJes. Our boclles and our chlldren were the only things we saved. The belongings we had were lost. We lost them because we were no longer able to carrythemdayand nlght. Wesull'ereda loton the days when It rained. ThiS 1S what I experienced and there 1S nothing else I can say. Source: Peace Brigades International Abya Yala Hews �CENTRAL AMERICA Learn a Mayan Language in Guatemala lximche Language Center The IJdmche Language Center (CLO IS a p~ectofCojb'lyln Rlq'utn Catlnamlt. which tn Caqch!quel means "we walk with our people". We are an association of Maya CaqchJquel Indian professionals. workers. farmers and craftspeople who are taking up the chaDenge of conserving and promoting our culture and our Identity. We have created the language school as part of an Integrated program of sustain· able development. At CU. we offer proven language Instruction techniques. as well as the opportunity to share our Mayan splrttual traditions and our way of Uvtng. The school IS located In the town of Chtmaltenango. tnthecentral-westemreg!on oftheh!ghlands. UnUketheJargercttieswhere touriSts congregate. Chlmaltenango presents the opportunity to witness the true life of an Indian town. The program offers the student a cho!ceof!nstructlontntheSpantshlanguage. ortnoneoftwoMayanlanguages: Caqch!quel and Quiche. It features tndlv!dual. one-on· one classes with teachers who are carefully trained and dedicated to shartng the cultural values of our community. WhUe studying at CU. students are encouraged to stay with a Maya-CaqchJquel family to practice their language sldlls. A portion of the proceeds of the Linguistic Centerl.ldmche!sdedlcatedtothedevelopmentof an educational and cultural center for Caqch!quel Maya children. For more lnfonnatlon please contact: GrupoMaya Quj Semej Junan P.O. Box 40892 San Francisco, CA 94140 Tel: (415)824·2534 Centro Linguistico lximche 4a. Avenida 4·53 Zona 3 Chimoltenanga Guatemala Tel: (502) (9)39·2331 Kunas Protest Land Invasions OnApr!IIS. I993co1ow.ersdestroyed a house within Kuna territory which had just been constructed by members of the !bed! Kuna community tn collaboration with the Association of Kunas United for Nabguana. Thehouse.tntheKunadiStrtctofMadungandl (Alto Bayano). was to be used by Kuna vlllag· ers who were planning to begin work on demarcating thiS part of Kuna terrttory. Because the law whJch establishes the Kuna DIStrict ofMadungandliS languiSh· tng tn the National Assembly and the government clatms It does not have the money to demarcate the land, the community members decided to do the job themselves. There has been poachtng of endan· gered animals, tnd!scrtmtnate loggtng and the Vol 1 Num 1 & 2 pollution of the rtvers tn the Alto Bayano region. The Kunas feel that demarcation of the land IS the first step toward gatntng re· spect for the boundrtes of their terrttory. The followtng IS an excerpt from a statement made by the Association ofKunas United for Nabguana responding to the destruction of the house: 'We condemn thiS hostile act by the coloniZers who want to sabotage any actiVity whJch mJght brtngabout a real solution to the problems the Kuna people face tnAito Bayano due to Ulegal Invasions of our territories by people who care little about conserving na· ture and who are trytng to provoke our people so they can later accuse us of betng the tnsugators." For more informo· lion conloct: Asociaci6n Nabguana, Apdo. Postol 536, Panol1)6 1, Panam6 31 �GUATEMALA s URGENT ACTION Mayan Leaders Receive Death Threats Council of Mayan Organizations calls for a Halt to the Violence OnMAY7.1993SAIICrecelvedafax from the CouncU of Mayan Organf7-atlons (COM-C). a coalition of 13 Mayan organf7-a· Uons. regarding death threats sent to leaders oftheCooperact6nlndigenaparaeiDesarrollo Integral (COINDI) In SoloJA. SinCe AprU 28th 1993. many leaders have been the target of anonymous and unrelenting death threats. Among them VIctor Sal6, Carlo Zunatx and catmtum Ctcajan have been singled out and targeted. Their llves are under direct threat and quJckacuoniSneeded to abate the tmmecllate danger. COM-C and COINDI officials are appealing to the International community and human rtghts organtzatlons to take a stand against death threats and the cllmate of lnse· curtty that prevaUs In Guatemala. COM-CIS looking to bu!ld alltances to halt the violence, terror and the tdeologtcal polariZation that retgns througllout the counhy. COINDI officials are requesting that concerned CJttzens and human rtgllts activISts and organiZations make the followtng demands of the Guatemalan government: • thatrespectforbastchurnanrtgliiS. physical Integrity and Itfe be upheld. • that the Guatemalan government Investigate the origin of the threats against the members of COINDI and report the find. 32 tngs to the Guatemalan people. • that the Guatemalan government act to assure baste human rtgllts to all cttl· ?.ens by fighting against ur~ust tmpuntty and senseless violence. Please send letters to: lngeniero Jorge Serrano Elias President de Ia Republica Palacio Nacional Guatemala, Guatemala Telex: 305·5331 CAPRES GU Fax: (502) (2) 537472 or (502) (2) 519702 Phone: (502) (2) 21212 or (502) (2) 22266 Grol. Jose Garcia Samayoa Ministro de Defensa Palacio Nacional Guatemala, Guatemala Telex: 305·5361 COMGUA GU Fax: (502) (2) 5367 472 Phone: (502) (2) 21212, ext.743 Please send copies of letters to SAIIC and: COM-G 2a Colle 3·40 Zona 3 Chimaltenango, Guatemala C.A. Phone & Fax: (502) (9) 39·2709 Abya Yala News �MESO AMERICA 117 Year Old Nahuat Dies in El Salvador Anastacio Esquino, Center, surrounded by his family in a piciU!c taken last year. He died in April at age 117 in his home village of San Ram6n, Department of Son.sonau:. AnaslaCio Esquino was a Nahuat who survived lhe 1935 massacre in which lhe Salvadornn army killed 30,000 lndjans following a rebellion againstlhe large land owners. At 117 he was one of lhe oldest men in lhe world. His wife died in 1991 atlhe age ofl09. His son Adrjan Esquino, left foreground, is head of lhe National Indigenous Association of El Salvador (ANIS). Condolences and messages of solidarity can be sent to: AN IS Antigua Aduana Ferria 5·1 Sonsonate, El Salvador Second Encounter of Indigenous Press ThesecondEncounterofthelnterna- AlPIN IS thetl.rst continental attempt to present tJonal Committee of the Indigenous Press an accurate Image of Indigenous people and took place 1n Mexico City from Aprtl 25-27. to professionally report on Indigenous ISsues The purpose of the meeting was to continue from an Indigenous perspective. AlPIN IS now the process of decolon.lzatlon ofthe media and Inviting open participation of Indigenous to launch the First Continental OJDce of the people who have been practicing journalism Indigenous Press. In various media: radlo, video, newspaper. The International Committee IS made electronic man. up of the following publications: Nabguana. For further Information please conthe Kuna Un.ldos por Nabguana newsletter tact: (Panama);Abya YalaNews, theSAIICjoumal AlPIN (USA): Etnlas (Mexico): Communlcattons Calle Madero 67·611 Autoc/Uones (Canada). and as an observer Colonia Centra Mexico Unldad Indigena. the ONlC newspaper (CoMexico, OF 06000 Mexico lombia). The International Indian PressAgency Tel: 576-50-99 (AlPIN) also participated In the encounter. Fax: 761-85-73 Vol 7 Num 1 & 2 33 �MEXICO Mixtecs and Zapotecs Organizing in Oaxaca and California Interview with Arturo Pimentel: In September of I 992 Arturo Pimentel became General Ccordinator ofthe Btnattonal Mlxtec andZapotec Front. which IS based in California and Mexfro. This organization IS made up ofagriCultural workers ofMlxtec and Zapotec ortgin who work in the Untied States. The Front IS made up of the Civic and PopularMixtecCommittee. ComtM'Ilacolulense ofLos Angeles. the BenUo Jumez Civic AssodaUon. the Regional Organization of Oaxaca. YqJsachl El BqJo AssodaUon. Yajsachl El Alto AssodaUon. 71acochauaya AsSOdaltoo. San Miguel Cuevas Oppressed Peoples. andOPAN. Arturo Pimentel represented the Civic and Popular Mlxtec Front of California at the Frrsl International Meeting on Migration and Human RlghiS that took place in Hueyapan. oaxaca in July 1992. "I think that we have to reject the rhetoric of Mexico's lndlgenlst J)ollcy which prescribes for us, In a paternalistic manner, everything that we as Indigenous peoples have to do.• 34 SAllC: Please tell us about the First International Meeting on Migration and HumanRlghts. AP: Themeetlngwasorgarw.ed by two malO orgarw.ations: the Civic and Popular Mlxtec Front. which IS part of the Binational Mlxtec and Zapotec Front and the Technological University of La Mlxteca. The objective was to appraise human rights and migration ISSues related to the Mtxtec people. SAllC: How was thiS meeting received by the participants? AP: There was a lot of Interest. There were Indlgenous orgarw.ations. academics. governmental organl2atlons and Indlgenous peoples. SAllC: What have been the results? AP: The Meeting estabUshed a communication system so that we would be considered part of a larger organl2ation which IS the Indigenous peoples of South and Meso America. Another result was to channel our Mlxtec andZapotecdemands: these demands have been deslgned to press the Mexican government to respond to our needs: drlnk1ng water. water for Irrigation. electricity, schools and roads. We also ask that the government respect our poUtical wtlJ, whiCh has been subject to official governmental interference. So. we agreed on a set of demands brought by the c:l.lfferent Zapotee and Mtxtec communities. But we also agreed to press for them, so that au these demands be met. We also agreed to organiZe an Inter-ethnic conference. Inviting all indigenous organl2ations of our Oaxaca State. SAllC: I understand that officials of the local government tried to take over this Zapotec/M!xtee meeting. Is thiS true? AP: Yes. Our Indlgenous organiZation and the UnlversJty's Chancellor. who answers to the Interests of the state. agreed on a poUcy ofnon-lntervention. Therewerenolnvttations madetoanypubUc official because we wanted a meeting free of state control. We wanted to have an Independent meeting. But without previous announcement. the governor of Oaxaca Mr. Eladlo Rarolrez LOpez showed up at the opening ceremony. This moment was Important for the official party. Oaxaca was about to elect poUtJcal authorities. We did not want our conference to be used poUtlcally. The poUtJcal sltuauon at the tJme made Eladlo's presence at the conference even less appropriate. The majority of the organl7.ations rejected the presence of the governor. There was an exchange of words with the Chancellor. but we Insisted on our autonomy. All organl2ations remained fum. rejecting manipulations. and we were able to defend our posltlon of autonomy. SAllC:Are other Indigenous organl2ations In Oaxaca . besides those representing ZapotecandMtxtecUvtnglnCaUfornla. thinkIng about autonomy? Abya Yala News �MEXICO "Traditionally historians thought that Zapotecand Mlxtecs could not get along. But here we are working . together." For more infonnation contact: The Binational Mixtec and Zapatec Front 104 Koshland Way Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA Tel: (408) 459·8827 AP: When we talk about autonomy were are talking about a movement that has to be bullt and that has to move beyond political parties or the control of state. Autonomy IS a fundamental ISSue. As an Indlgenous movement we have our own demands whJchariSefromourclrcumstancesand needs. I think that we have to reject the rhetoric of Mexico's IndlgenlSt policy which prescribes for us. In a patemallstic manner. everything that we as lndlgenous peoples have to do. We believe that autonomy should exist and that It must be respected bY the state. SAIJC: Your statement about autonomy IS clear. Do the grassroots understand thiS position. Do you think that Indlgenous communities are ready to work on autonomy? AP: Unfortunately there are different levels of understanding. The state's control has been so pervasive through programs such as COPIAMAR. PRONASOL, and even the Indfgen!St Institute. The government's polldes have made people so dependent and manipulated that there are sectors that are not clear about themselves. or about the ISSue of autonomy. However. there are other sectors ln Oaxaca - the Tr1que. Zapotec and Mtxtec o,;ganlzatlons - that are thlnklng about autonomy. There lS a clear viSion and we are movtng toward lt. We are trytng to define our viSion of autonomy. bu t also we are reacting to the state. So, we are ln that struggle. Autonomy wtJl also consider Ideological and polltical ISSues. We know that government progJams have addressed some needs. but those are patches. We need to address the ISSue from the base. We think that If we retrieve our own cultu ral roots and fight to retrieve our culture. thiS lS autonomy too. Vol7 Num 1 & 2 We want Mexico to recogn.tze our autonomy. but lt lS not only a polltlcal autonomy. It IS also a struggle that searches for political alternatives. such as promoting lndlgenouscultures. Autonomy wt1l not be total If It remains only polltlcal. Autonomy IS also recogn.ttion. real recognition. of our existence as Indigenous peoples. As you know Oaxaca has two main Indigenous peoples. There are also sixteen Indigenous languages and Ofty-stx dlalectlcs. '!Tadltionally hlstortans thought that Zapotec and Mtxtecs could not get along. But here we are working together. That IS Important. We can do lt. We have to continue buUdtng our strength. SAIIC: How are women participating ln the o,;garuzation? AP: Their participation IS Important. They have always beentmportant. We have to recogn.tze. as a movement, that changes have not been made. We still notice their oppression. We are conscious of the need to brealc away from past behaviors that dlscr!mlnated against women. Oppression and subordln.ation ISserious. We really have to work on thiS. They definltely participate. but not with the force that they should have ln the movement. SAIIC: Would you Uke to add something to thiS Interview? AP: I would Uke to can. not only the Indlgenous peoples ofOaxaca, but also others who are migrant workers In the U.S. I would Uke to propose to these Indigenous brothers and siSters the creation of a Ja,;ger entity, an Independent Indlgenous organization. Becausewe are Inconstant cornrnuntcatton with our own communities. we can be part of their solutions. not only ln a mater!al way but also politically and economically. ThiS lS a call to oiganl?.eand tocontlnueworklngthrough the Blnattonal Mtxtec and Zapotec Front. 35 �NEVADA United States Invasion of Shoshone Land "By taking away our livestock and our lands you are taking away our Jives." -Clifford Dann For more informo6on ond updates, please contact: Western Shoshone Defense Project General Delivery Crescent Valley, Nevada 89821 Tel: {702) 386·9834 Fax: (702) 386·9335 36 Forllvedays, November 19-24,1992. the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLMJ Invaded Western Shoshone territory In Ne· vada. stating Its Inten tion to round up ·unau• thortzed horses· found grazing on ·public lands". Two hundred and forty-six horses were rounded up. of which 40 were tended by Mary and Carrie Dann and 229 were wUd . On the first day of the round up Shoshone elder Cllfford Dann. father of the two sisters. was Injured while trying to block the confiscation of the horses. 1n desperation. he dowsed himself with gasoline declaring. "by taking away our livestock and our lands you are taking away our lives.- He was s ubse· quenUycharged with assault on federal officers. Through this action the BLM not only stole the h orses from land which belongs to the Western Shoshone. as recognl?.ed by the Treaty of Ruby Valley, but the government also VIolated Its own Federal WUd Horse and Burro Act which regulates removal of wUd horses. Durtng his trial. Cllfford's only wtt· ness was an expert In ethnological Jurisprudence who testlfled that existing law pre· cluded the U.S. Court's jurisdiction In West· em Shoshone territory. This was the defense strategy. because Cllfford preferred to be conVIcted rather than ·get off' on a technicality. On March 3. 1993 Cllfford Dann was conVIcted and Imprisoned. The Western Shoshone Defense Project Is organiZing a demonstration to coincide with Cllfford's sentencing hearing In Reno on May 17, 1993. Thecrttlcaljurlsdlctlonal Issues w111 serve as the basts for an appeal. Since 1773, theTreatyofRubyValley confirms the Shoshone Indians' "jurisdiction.· whUe arguably surrendering legal "title" to the land over which that Jurtsdlctlon still extsts. ln 1863 the Western Shoshone Nation signed a treaty of Peace and Friendship with the United States that granted rtghts of passage to U.S. ctt.lzens without giving up the land. Since Its ratlfleatlon In 1869, this docu · ment delineates the boundaries of Western Shoshone territory. However. the presiding judge In the Dann case has decided not to acknowledge that "title" and " Jurisdiction· are dliTerent legal concepts. Even though so far the U.S. govemmenthasfalled to produce any eVIdence of documents gtvtng the U.S. title to the land. The Jurtsdlctlonal and "title" IsSues are convoluted with a clatrn of U.S. purchase ofland from the Shoshone In 1872. This claim was made by a Bureau oflndlan AffairS (BIA) puppet ·representing the Interests" of the Shoshone and who also benefited financially from the agreement. Even If the Shoshone wanted to give up their land. the only date It could be said they gave up title to their land was In 1979, when the Indian Claims Com· misSion granted the award to the BIA hired attorney "representing" the Shoshone. Even according to this agreement. the Shoshone should be paid approximately $40 bUllon and n ot the $2 1 mUllon. the 1872 prtce ofthe land. which Is what the U.S. wants to pay. However. the land has not been sold and Is not now for sale. When the Shoshone found that they had been deceived. they refused to accept the money. Abya Yala News �HAWA I' I Natives Hawaiians Mark Centenary of US Takeover OnJanuaxy 17.199312.000NaUveHawauansandsupporters marched from the Aloha Tower to 'lolanl Palace In Honolulu to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the overthrow or Queen L!U'uokalanJ. It was the largest publlc polllleal demonstration seen on the ISlands 1n recent hiStory. and tt marks a quaUtaUve shift In the consciousness of the NaUve ISlanders. Queen uu·uokalanJ. the last queen of the Kanaka Maoll nauon. was overthrown by the United States Martnes onJanu~ 17. 1893. She had attempted to protect the sovereignty of Hawaii by changing the consUtuUon and cabinet. But that didn't sll well with a group of mosUy wealthyAmeriCan merchants and sugar planters who belonged to the Annexation Club. These haoles. or whites - men with names like CasUe. as In CasUe and Cooke. and Dole. as 1n Dole Pineapple -wanted to be part ofthe United States to avoid hJgh Import tartll's. So with the help of 162 u.s. Marines. the haoles overthrew the queen. tried her for treason and stripped her of her royal lands (see Queen's statement. bale thiS page). Queen's Protest I. Llll'uokalanl. Queen by the grace of Cod and under the constitution of the Hawallan kingdom. do hereby solemnly protest against any and all acts done against myself and the consUtuUonal government or the Hawaiian ktngdom by certain persons claJmlng to h ave established a ProviSional Government of and for thiS kingdom. That I yield to the superior force of the United States of America. whose MiniSter PlenJpoten ttary. HIS Excellency John L. Stevens. has caused UnJted States troops to be landed at Honolulu. and declared that he would support the said ProviSional government. Now. to avoid any colliSion of armed forces. and perhaps the lossofllfe. I do. under thts protest and Impelled by saJd forces. yield my authority untU such time as the Government of the UnJted States shall. upon the facts being presented to 11. undo the acuon of Its representative. and reinState me In the authority which I claim as the consUtutlonal sovereJgn ofthe Hawaiian Islands. Done at Honolulu thiS seventeenth day of January. 1893. Fonner U.S. President Grover Cleveland wrote In 1893. upon hearing ofHawarrs annexation to the UnJted States: "HawaJ'IIS ours. As !look back upon the Orst steps In thiS miSerable business and as 1contemplate the means used to complete the outrage. I am ashamed of the whole atraJ.r. • Natlve HawaiianS make up only about 20 percent of the populationoltheiSlandstoday. Thetrlandtscoveredwtthgo!Ccourses and sugar plantations. overrun by tourtsts and bombarded by the u.s. mll!taxy. Recently the movement for Hawaiian sovereignty has been growing and most naUve HawaiianS now support some kind of sovereJgnty. One organl?.aUon. the Pro-Hawaiian Sovereignty WorkFor more information contact: Ing Croup. IS putting the U.S. government on trtal. Pro-Howoiion Sovereignly Wotlcing Group They wrtte: "Our prtmary charge againSt the United States 3333 Ko'ohinani Drive, Honolulu, HI 96817 government IS us Illegal Invasion of our country In 1893. and the 1898 Phone: (808) 595-6691 Illegal annexation and conunued occupation and plunder of our Fax: (808) 595-Q303 homeland. These acts flowed from a long-standtng U.S. policy· Since 1789 - or exploiting the Kanaka Maoll nation and Its resources to serve Source: SF Weeldy. Third Force u.s. Interests." 37 Vol 7 Hum 1 & 2 �SAIIC ACTIVITIES A Word From SAnc•s Board, Staff and Volunteers BegtnnJng wWt thJs cssue. we are tnau· gura.ttng two new sectttms ofour newsletter. In thJs column. we would like to offer you news aboutSAHC. and someoftheman.y actiJJ/tfes In which our board members are engaged. SADC has been In exiStence now for ten years. The decade ends thls year. which the United Nations has declared the "Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples". Along with many other Indlgenous peoples. o.garuzations. and their allJes throughout the contl· nent. SADC's goal In 1992 was to ratse publlc awareness of what Colwnbus· "discovery" meant. and continues to mean. to the 45 mlliJon Indlgenous people throughout the continent. Yet our work has always had a longterm focus. as the struggle for Indigenous self-determinaUoniSongorng. In 1993. weare looking forward to the Second Continental Encounteroflndlgenous Nations and Organizations (see article page 8). as well as taking the Ume. after a decade of o.gantztng. to engage In a process of self-assessment. o.ganl7.atlonal development. and strategiC planrung In relation to the current situation of Indigenous people today. Changes are taking place lntemally as we look ahead toward the next ten years and· SAIIC's role In the work ahead . Isidro Garcia. Quechua from Ecuador and SADC's accountant. IS working closely with Kimberly Rosa. the new development coordlnator and Daniela Spiwak. the new office manager. to Improve our Internal structures In order to address the Increase In demand for lnforma- 38 tion and enlarged scope of our networking activities. Jim Freeman IS coordlnaung the production of the SADC newsletter. renamed Abya YaJaNewsasofthlsiSSuelnhonorofthe name given by the Kuna people of Panama to thls continent. And Rosa Alegria ts coordlnat• Ing SADC's growing volunteer base and ed.lt· Ing Notldas de Abya Yala. the Spanish version of Abya Yala News. The SADC Women's PrOject ts happy to announce the publlcatlon of Daughters of Abya Yala. thenewestSADCpubUcatlon. Any assiStance In marketing the book ts welcome. so Ifyou know of any bookstores In your area that may be Interested Incarrying lt. please let us (and them) know. SADC's board members continue to partiCipate 1n many events and activities of note. Xlhuanel Huerta has been working with the Publlc Media Center In order to develop a campaign for Increasing SADC's v!Sibillty. Wara Alderete and Gina Pacaldo wiU be attendlng the National Conference of Indigenous Women In Bollv!a. June 21-23. GuUiermo Delgado wiU be representIng SADC at the European Conference on lndlan Questions. taking place In Norway July 14-17. He will be offering a workshop there on the networking actlv!ty oflndlgenous peoples of the American continent. He wiU subsequently be attendlng the U.N.'s WorkIng Group on Indlgenous Populations In Geneva. July 19-30. at whiCh meeung we hope the final Declaration of Principles and Rights of Indigenous Peoples wiU be approved (see article page 5). Abya Yala News �SAIIC ACTIVITIES Letters From Our Readers NUo Cayuqueo represented SAIIC at the meeting of the Continental Coordlnaung Commission tn Mexlco.tn preparation for the Second Continental Encounter. NUowas also present at the United Nations Development Project meeting tn New York on AprU 23rd. to dlscusstntellectual property nghts In relation to Indigenous peoples. NUo and Wara were both present at the Indigenous health Confer· ence In Canada (see article page 11). Carlos Malbeth IS working with NUo on the Spanish Janguageradlo program which SADC broadcasts through community radio stationstnSouth and MesoAmerica. LucUene ura Whitesell and her husband Ted have moved to WISCOnsin. where Ted wtll be teach· 1ngGeogra.phy at the University ofWISCOnstn. Good luck to both of them. Averyspeclalthankststnordertoone of our most tireless volunteers. BUJy R Trice. Jr.. who has been faithfully providing us with much·needed office assiStance on a regular basiS. J ust as many other people and non· proOt organll' A~tions. we are currently facing dllllcult economic circumstances. Whlle we are looking forward to the prospects forchange and Improvement tn the situation of lndlg· enous people world-wide. there IS much work that needs to be don e. (And all of our office s ta.fl' mentioned earlier only adds up to the equivalent of 3 paid fuli-Ume positions.) As always. any contributions of ume, expertise. materials. and/or money are gratefully ap· predated. as are yourfeedbaekand responses to our work. Vol 7 Hum 1 & 2 In future i55ues we would like to devote port of J!Us se<tion to printing some feedbock from you, our reoders. We are eopecially interested in any news of your own work on behalf of Indigenous peoples, ond if you have found the information here useful for that end. · We are also open to any ather feedbock or information you would like to send us, and look forward to printing as much of the material that we receive as possible. So, thanks again for your support, and looking forward to hearing from you! SAIIC's Statement of Purpose SAIIC's aim Is to pro mote peace, social justice and the full partlclpatlon of Indian people In decision making processes affecting their lives. To this end SAIIC p ursues the following goals: 0 To provide Information to the people In the u.s. and the tntemauonal conununl\y about the struggles of South and Meso Amertcan Indian people for self-determtnatlon. human rtghts. and protection of the envtronment. 0 To facllltate direct communJcaUon. cultural and spiritual exchange between NatNeAmertcan people of the contl· nent: 0 To facUitate access to tnternaUonal resources by providing Information and technical assiStance to South and Meso American Indian organJzaUons and communJUes: 0 To promote and develop the organization of Indian women at the local. national and tntemaUonalleveiS and to support thetr full parUcipaUon In deciSJon malcll'lg processes that a.fl'ecl their llires and the well-being of their chUdren: 0 To communiCate the Indigenous perspective to pollcy and funding InStitutions whose work a!Tects Indigenous people. 39 �A M AZON I A: VOICES FROM T HE RAIN FO REST A resource and action guide with a comprehensive listing o f international rainforest and Amazonian Indian organizations sponsored by SAIIC and the International Rivers Network, and published by Rainforest Action Network and Amazonia Film Project, 1990. Available in Spanish or English for $8.50 plus $1.75 Shipping. COLUM BUS: H IS EN TE RP RISE By Hans Koning, 1990. A beautifully written, and historically accurate portrayal of Columbu•' life and voyages. $8.95 + $1.75 shipping. VIDEO: COLUMBUS Dl DN'T DISCOVER US Native people's perspectives on the Columbus Quincentenniol based o n foota ge o f the 1990 Quito Conference. 24 minutes. A coproduction o f SAIIC, CONAIE, ONIC and Turn ing Tide Productions. Available in Spanish or English for $39.95 plus $1.75 shipping. RETHINKING COLUMBUS A special issue of Rethinking Schools o n teaching about the SOOth anniversary of Columbus's a rrival in America. $4.00 plus $1.00 shipping. SAIIC LOGO T · SHIRTS Three color T-shirt> with the SAIIC logo on the front and the logo o f the Condor and the Eagle from the Quito Conference o n the bock. $12 + $2 shipping, specify M, L, XL, XXL: White, Turquoise or Red. 1991 INTERNATIONAL DIRECT ORY A ND RESOURC E GUIDE An annotated directoryofover 600 international organizations w ho participated in 500 Years of Resistance projects. Includes declarations from Indigenous conferences and organizatio ns and information on curriculum resources, speakers bureaus, computer networks, oudio; visuol resources and print resources. $10 + · $1.75 shipping. DAUGHT ERS OF A BVAVALA Testimonies of Indian women organizing throughout the Continent. Statements from gross-roots Indian women leaders from South and Meso America. Includes resolutions from VIDEO: REBUILDING OUR COMMUNITIES Indigenous women's meetings, o Indigenous leaders from Central a nd So uth America discuss the 500 years campaign, which began as on Indian response to the Quincentenory celebrations a nd has developed as on ongoing dialogue among Indigenous activists. Produced by SAIIC. $19 +$1.75 shipping. information on lndionwomen's projects directory of Indian women's o rg a nizations and key co ntacts, and poems by Indian women. Fortyeight pages with beautiful block and white photographs. Printed on recycled paper. $8.00 + $1 .50 shipping. South and M eso American I ndian Inf ormation Center (SAIIC) P.0 . Box 28703, Oakland, CA 94604, USA Non-profit Orgonizo1ion US Postage PAID Ooklond, U Ptrmit No. 79 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 7, nos. 1 &amp; 2, (Winter/Spring 1993) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 7, nos 1&2 Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Winter/Spring 1993 Zotero Abstract Note Entire Issue Issue 1&2 Language English Pages 1-40 Publication Title Abya Yala News Volume 7 http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/7272697a3206d0c68b0d81d6b29ea9eb.pdf 136c118f7c9b4e2e57207fad2ed81967 PDF Text Text �Colli<' IllS S . \IIC Sldlf Oirooor: M IO CO)'UQUOO Olflce Manager: Daniela Spiwak o evelopmcm COOrdinator: Kimberty Rosa.., Volunteer COOrdinator: Rosa Alegria I'\.CC()Ul1lirlg: C.A.A,B.S. Board ol Edl1 SAtiC OO<Ird ol OlrCCiors ors: Edi!OCS:COnstanza C3:StrO. oaniCJa Spiwa.\ OCSign & U).\'OUt: Alfonso Jamtnmo SAitC 603rd of Directors Edituri~•l Editorial .............................................................. ............................................3 If Encounter of ............ ..4 Gina Pacaldo ~San carl05 ~leMa) Nllo cayvQtteO(Mapuci»Argentt!\(1) Ct "\1'10$ Malbelh (MI$.\;JI()-!\ Camgua) 1 w aro Akk::rete ((;a.lchaqui-Ngenlina) Xihuanel Huetta (ChiCantndia) ~:~f:~r:::~:~ Waste Buried in Brazilian Amazon ........................................... 7 Wichi Hunger Strike for Human Rights......... ................. ............................... S Wave of Guarani Suicides Continues.............................................................8 Chilean Governmc:nl Obstructs Mapuche Participation in Dec. Elections ..... 9 Aymara Elected as Vice-President of Bolivia ............... ................................. 9 Venezuelan Government Blames TNCs of Yanomami Massacre......... ........ 9 I nll'I'U:IIinn:tl WorldConferenceon Human R ights: Few Real Actions to Redress Injuries ... lO U.N. Declares Decade of Indigenous Peoples ................................ .............. II Gene Genic and Science's Thirst for Information with Indigenous Olood ... 12 Free Trade's Assault on Indigenous Rights.................................................. IS · and the 16 O il Companies ....... 19 Alliances Formed Against Colombia's Plan Pacifico................... ................'2l Logging Threatens First Nations in British Columbia................... ..............22 I Determination and Territory I Constitutional revision in Brazil: A Threat to Indigenous Rights ............... .23 The New Peruvian Constitution and lndi enous Communities................... 24 Women's Ri hiS Indigenous Women in Bolivia Set Example for Aby-a Yala......................... 25 Interview with Mauricia Otstro........ ........................ .......... ..........................26 Health I Epidemic Hits Communities of San Lorenzo, Peru .............. ................ ........ 29 PAHO Adopts Initiative on lndi cnous Heahh .... ......... ........ .......................29 Human Rights Violence Against Indigenous Peoples in Peru: The Ashaninka Massacrc...30 ONIC Denounces Wave of Murders ....................... ......................................32 Indigenous Activist Held in G uatcmala ... ............... .......... ....... .....................33 On-Going Violence Against Macuxi .............. ..............................................33 Dinch Against Peabody Coal Continues........... ............................. 34 I C uillelmo Delgado (Quect-...,·BoiMa) AJejandfO Nnaru Argt lmedo (Quechua·Peru) Abya Yala 1'\ews (ISSN 1071·3 182) lS availabJe roc oo ao- nuaJ s 1s personal memberSh!p. S2S organizational me,rn. l:>elshif). or S3 at CC~taln OC\\'SStan<IS. FOI canada or MexJco add ss. for au orher tnlemaliO<lOI membership s. add s 1o. We wek:ome Sc.tbmlssions of ank:les. le ners. photographs ard rele\"Mt lnf()f'f'r\&tlon. Lcners and ank:k:s may be edited for length bt1t not ror contezlt If you 1\a\'C occcss to a computtt. please send ) 'Otlf anic~ on ~rand on an Apple ~tlble 3 tl21nch diSK. Send au cocrespondcnce to: SAUC P.O. Box 28703 Qakland, CA 04604, USA Phone: (51 0)834-+263 Fax: (5 10)834-+26+ peacener ~II: saiie@igc.apc.org w e would like to thank the fouowu-.g tnc~IS and ocgani?.ations for their genetOUS assistanCe 10 SAIIC: Alberto AretWlS. RodrigO OeH lncourt. Aroocli Butgueue. MaMna Bustanlante . BeiCO Cordovez. Ellsa oennls. Giorgio del Bcnl. Fidel OOIOriel. Marcela 00}1et ReediC Durst. KriSt lna Egan. Pllil~ ()Obrlet. Felix Cillo. Delh HudSOn. SCiene .raram\110. Jerry Manocr. M.. JOSe Mt•noz. DavkJ Rk:k. JOhn 'VIa Spalding. C!en SWitkeS. Kalla Torelli. Bill'}' R. T'rk:eJr.. Angela w arshz. Ofganl7lUiO!lS: Rainforest Action r.;erwork (USJ\). AJnerindia (Spain). 00 Cip (S\\1zer1and.). Nork lndiansk r"()(en!ng (Nor· 'va>?. SOl >' U.•na o~~o(wa}'). PubliCatiOnS: Oj.."l.r..\Sea (MexiCO). Mujeles (l.JS,o\), Unitas (80IMa). Shaman's Dn•m (USA) lnter·Amcrican Encounter on Indigenous Rig hts and Common Law .... ...... 3S Indigenous Biodiversity Nctwork ................. ....... ......................................... 36 Peoples of the Rainforest Hold Global Confcrenoe..... ......... ....................... 36 AIPIN..................................... ........... .................................... ....... ................ 37 Radio Waves for Women .............................................................................37 In Defense. of Indigenous Migrant Wo rkers ............... ................. ................ 37 Wings for the Young.. ........................ ................ ......... ......... ........ ................ 37 Calendar of Events........... ............... ........................ ................. ......... .........38 Le!ters............ ................................. ...... .................... .............. .....................39 l!ems Available from SAIIC ................................ .......... ......................... ...40 TI\Cinks 1 1 followi ng !<>ttndatlons !or their generous 0 he St•Pf)Of1:n)l} John o. and C:'ltherlne T. Mac Anhur Foofl(la. tiOn. General SCrVICe r'OUndatiOn. F'Undi"S E.xd\ange, sev. cnth Gencmtion f\II')(IT'kJCS r'OU1 XIati0n. FOt•fldat100 for oeep EcolOgy. SAJJ Repcesentallon atxoact: Juan SCbas!lan t.ara(Spa.ln}. C Rafael ArgunlCdo (GermanY). Amerlndial (Spain). AlejandrO Argumcdo and Su san o ·oone ll (Can ada). Marcos YOC(Ciuatemala COITCSf)Or'W.Senl}. �D I TORI AL. The year 1993 (Gregorian year) is behind us. ln different ways and for different neasons, great expoetations were created because it was said that this yw would be beneficial for Indigenous people. ln the fmt place, the United Nations declared 1993 the "Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples". The yw was conceived to provide a platform so that consciousness, sensibility, and human rights to favor Indigenous Peoples would be created throughout tbe world. Nation-stales reacted positively to tbis call, but ~e.-repairs to oppression and discrimination have seldom benefited o~r peoples. In truth, we can affirm that no signifiCallt fact o~c rep3!l! i5>n is concrete. If this would be true, there would have been some advances in J Indigenous legislation, commitrnents o CSJabl· h di~ alit fuJ1.he~ (o~ogicil conservation and economic implementationon z Indigenous Territories. ;AI \~ ? ' ~ The World Bank and the Intern Development Bank, after sgonsoring <tceadc{bf ~ironmental destruction, accompanied by genocide and ethnoeide, have only receatly decided to invite lndif~ representativefui \~ dial~es. These banks have offered some " economic support and technical ~bu ~ ere is noguarantte lhat'illey;vill stop fundingde&liuctivc ~je<:ts on Indian areas. The United t' =~~eloproentProg13111prOmised~j;,rtproje<:~~~i?,nofbiodive:~teiJCC)tualrightsoflndigenouspeoples' Indeed, aU of these can be ~"'{ ~e. How er, thM·~~teeJ!!!!.!W ,s: ag;kmeo~ proposals, and proje<:ts wiU be implemented under conditions of "!luality ~d !1'.\'tualrcspoe~ i.e.witb-i~_:9.'Uprticipati01f~f J.!)digenous peoples in the decision making or implementation process. There is alSo no gueie<: Indigenous TerritOries and natural r~ees within bose territories will be respected. that The Indigenous fund, created by the ~e ents of Bolivia and MexiOO has only~n.,rntified byfi~e or six governments even though it has beenwidely publicized. What isev~worsc, is h~paii";CI~tionby-au~~~njZaltons in thedecision-maki.ngprocess and not one Indigenous women's orga$ization h~ invited even thoug,. there man~~')/ Re<:ently, the United Nati<>ns has~ t~of Indigenous P!'OPICS, from 1994-2004 to beip, among other things, to disseminate information (education) regarding Indi~ us P~~ resolutio~ bowev~, does not rellect" the full participation of the Indigenous Peoples in the activities of the Decade. It ~~Ued · ew P~ec;M>"-tbat bad ibeOretically begun in 1992 has already ended, ~ for it has not been mentioned anywhere. ~ '~ ~ !} Despite cunrent processes of dernocra tion in Jftin Ameri~ assacres, ~ression, assassinations of Indigenous representatives, and endless waiting for territorial demarcation ~laws, ~ntinued to the end of tbe Year t e w id~ndigenous Peoples. We must print for the record, tbe massacre of the Yanomami in ~· theK ~aninka ~e in t~o'!>eruvian~n, tlie assassination ofa Macuxi leader in Brazil and several Indigenous peoples of theF i'Itures fOUifd in Gua~m~a. ~inations ~ve also ~en place in Colombia and repression in Ecuador and Panama does not escapeoy eo.lbm: In~qilc, 11w{Mapuche ~pie were tmp~ 1,and continue to be prOS<X:uted. Similarly, ' when it comes to Territorial Demarcatk>n, t'U'USI pqjnt out the Macu~ ~I) o~tbe ~ea Ra~.Serra do Sol and the military strategies used to intimidate them, as well asJhe ~~~~ilizatiqn of 125 Mocovi lndi~'\Qusl,o~nities against the "Law of Indigenous c Communities" approved by the gove.OOr ~santa" 1;''9, 1\r~ntina.pe liSt <jf eount~es that.have -qolated, intimidated and refuted the rights of Indigenous peoples continues to grow1All ~hJ dei1)o~trilles tha~ in ~raetiec, !be& oontiDues to'be violations and denial of ancestral Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The publicized WOdj q>n!ere.l& Human Rights of t.berUoited Nations in Vienna (1993), bad no significant ' anainments. "'-. I II! 4 It is important to emphasize, as a positiveoutcomeof]hisco~tintiOOS continentafand world struggle oflndigenous Peoples, that we have advanced nationally, regionally, continentally, and globally. The Second Continental Encounter of Indigenous Peoples organized by CONIC, ' ~! , tbe "Coordinadora de Naciones, Pueblos y Organizaciones lndfge®S ije\ Continente", last October, marked a historical milestone in the consolidation of continental unity, organization, self~riticis"j:. and P/?~itional political position. The hopes and yearning for a 1rue year of justice, peace, and hannony l' r our people is the wish of the entire Continental Indigenous o Community. With thesegoals in mind, we are building community, IoJkiDg to ibe future, and taking ftnn steps to voice our continental demands. are 1 1 'f tn • Peace, JUStice, and Harmony with Mother Earth SAIIC Board ofDireclors VO L 7 NO.3 3 �II Co~T I ~E~TAL ENcot:~TEH oF I ~D I GENO L ; s PEOP L ES, NATIONS A~n 0H.GA~ I ZATIONS CON I C lh the participation of more lban 300 Indigenous delegates, sup porters, and observers, the II Continenl.11 Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, Nations, and Organizations took place at the OtomiCoremoniaiConteroftheNathoNahnu people, in Ternoaya, Mexico, from the 8th through lhe 13th of October. The Encounter was organized by lhe Coordinating Comnnissionof Indigenous Nations and Organizations of the Continent (CONiq. Th.s Encounter i was a follow up to the First Continenl.11 Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, which took place in Quito, Ecuador in July of 1990. Its goal was 10 consolidate an autonomous and unified Indigenous movement throughout the Abya Yala continent A Provisional Council, responsible for pu«ing together the Third Encounter that will take place in Guatemala between the months of September and November of 1994, was fonned. During the Third Continental Encounter, CONIC will he fonnaUy oonslitutedand regional workshops will he organized around the various issues that Indigenous Peoples are faced with. The first meeting of lhe Provisional Council will lake place in Bolivia in February 1994, organized by the Coordinadora de Mujeres lndigenas de Bolivia. The following are members of the Provisional Council: Conscjo de Todas las Tierras (Mapuche, Chile); Coordinadora de Mujeres lndigenas de Bolivia; Confederaeion de Nacionalidades lndigenas del Ecuador- W 4 I. Spirihmlit~ and Tntditiun CONAlE; Consejo deOrganizaciones Mayas de Guatemala; Kunas Unidos por Napguana Panama); Frenle lndependienle de Pueblos The spirituality of our cultures and the many Indios, Mexico and Consejo lndigena de traditional forms in wllich lhal spirituality is Guerrero,Mexico,TONATIERRAandSAIIC expressod, are the deep essence of our identity. The Great Spirit that shellers aU of Abya of USA Yala unites us, protects us, and offers us the co:-;1c llrdaralion ofTemoa)a. 199.1 means to bridge our differences with mutual respoet. We conclude that a basic condition 501 years after the European invasion, the for maintaining the spirituality and traditions Peoples and Original Nations of Abya Yala of our Peoples is the recovery ofou.r territories gather together. Their song has causod the and lhe healing and renewal of ou.r Sacred heart of the Earth 10 vibrnte, given Strength to Morhe.r Earth, returning her green cover and our voices and illuminated our thoughts, nourishing her with organic life rather than strengthening the wannth of the sacred fire. with the chemicals that poison and profane her. We agree that it is vil.1lto foster, develop, and strengthen the roorsofour identity; therefore it is offundamenl.11 importance to work for the recovery of ou.r own fonns of living with and relating to ou.r Father Sun, our MOibe.r Earth, ou.r G.raodfalbcr Fire, and our Grandmother Moon We demand of lhe NationStates the recognition of ou.r religious practices and ouruse of traditional andceremonial medicines, as well as the decriminalization of Thus, every morning, we greeted our Fa- coca, peyole, mushrooms and other plants of lher Sun and welcomed the new day. His sacred and healing value... energy has united us and given us strength to II. :\loth('r E:.ulh. Tt·rl'ilor.\ , ;md progress in ou.r work. We conclude five days llarmon inus De\ l'lopmcnl of work towards agreements and consensusof dialogues and debate. With pain and with hope, wilhjoyandwithangcr, we havereached One of theprinciple agreements reached althe the following agreements and conclusions fo.r Earth Summit that took place in Brazil in the future: 1992, was the warning call that united all of Abya Yala News �lbecounuies and social sectors oflbe wo~d in face of lbe gteal dangers that confront our Planet. In add.ition, fuU recognition was given to lbe sustainable and SUstaining technologies lbat have been practiced by the Original Nations for thousands of ycaiS. For our Peoples, ecology is not a fashion statement nor a recent development. This islbewayourelderstaught us: "If you are going to cut down some trees in order to plant the seeds of your nourishment, you need to ask permissionoflbespiritsofthe forest and study lbecyclesofrencwal in order to help regenerate what you bave altered. You must ask permission and give offerings to the Earth Mother before opening any wounds in her body witb the sharpened steel of your tools. You must study the agricultural calendar for the weD-being of the other living beings who acoompany you in this life. In order to eliminate the root of the plunder and genocide suffered by our Peoj>les, it is necessary to undertake a profou'l.d territorial reorgani2ation at a continent4levellhat bas as its objective lbe redefinition and the recognition of autonomous territories. As Original Peoples, we denounce the neoliberal econontic model which continues to generate more povt(ly, buoger, and environmental degradation. We are convinced of the need to establish alliances with lbe different sectors of society in order to join our efforts and work together towards the creation of alternative ecooontic models which will 001 be based upon consumption and coltinuing ecological degradation. R<':\olutions Peoples of Honduras addressing the plenary 4) Their adverse impact on Sclf-Oetennina- 1HE F1JU. EXERCISE OF OUR SELFtion and Indigenous rights. DETERMINATION." This self-detennina5} Their elimination of smaiJ-scale agricul- tion must • ...be expressed as fuU recognition. ture in favor of multi-national agribusiness. 6) Their po!ential for aUowing the exploita· tion of child labor. 7) The lack of access our chil~n have to the basic education that wouJd allow lbem to compete intcmationaUy. We protest and express our consternation and dismay at the proposal to collect human genes on lbc pan of'ProjectHurnan Genome Diversity Project (seearticle,(l'!ge 12) We demand that tbe HGD Project cease and desist in its attempt to coUect human genes from Indigenous peoples, and that the United States government withdraw its application to patent the genes of a Guaymi woman, and any other similar applications. We also demand that GA1T not approve any Agreement about the Patenting of Human Genes or other forms of life. A) Witb the purpose of promoting a harmonious, sustainable, and community-based deIll. Sclf·l><'lrrmination. l.l•J.:.i'lation. velopment, we strongly denounce and oppose :.1nd lndi~<'llOUs Ri;:,ht-; GA1T and NAFTA for tbe following rcasons: The First Contioeotal Encounter in Quito in 1990constitutes a significant reference point I) Their adverse impact on Nature. in the actual struggles waged by the Original 2) Their exploitation of the Indigenous work Peoples of Abya Yala. In lbat occasion, we force. produccdtheQuito Declarationwhich in 1993 3) Their violation of lnd.igenous inteUectual is still very relevant We said: "We are now property rights with respoct to Indigenous fully aware that our definitive liberation CAN Oora and fauna. ONLY BE EXPRESSED BY MEANS OF VOl. 7 NO. 3 &4 TElOUROWNINDlGENOUSSELF-GOVERNMENT AND CONTROL OF OUR OWNlERRITORIES."!nordertomakereal this objective, we maintained: •rr IS NECESSARY TO HAVB A COMPLETE AND THOROUGH TRANSFORMATION OF lHESTAlEANDNATIONALSOCIETY. We ratify the understanding of ourselves as Peoples, as the Original Peoples and F'U$1 lnbabitantsof this continent Were vindicate our right to be recognized as such by the international community, and the United Nations. The opposition,of the national States to the acknowledgment of our rights has its principal origin in the very configuration of the Nation-States, wbieb by their very nature exclude our Pooples. 11 is not enough for them to declare themselves "multi-cultural" or "multi-ethnic", as these declarations do 001 modify them in the least. 11 is necessary 10 BUILD MULTINATIONAL STATES tbat will recognize the coexistence of multiple Peoples within one State. CONIC needs to work towards gnarantceing the panicipatioo of Indigenous Peoples in tbe different meetings that the UN carries out in regard to our rights and request that it consider a proposal to re-structure itself in order to include Indigenous Nations as full members. 5 �detcnnination. However, there have also been aggressions against our people as the vora· cious neolibcral appetite for our territories From remote times, our Peoples established We consider it necessary to promote the es- and resources continues. thefamilyastbcbasicunitofsocialorganiza- tablishment of an educational system in acWe must make an effort to de-colonize lion. The roles of men and women, of youth cordance with the philosophy and world view ourrelves, to recover our capacity to be indigand elders, were different in their functions, of our Peoples. The formation of one's iden- nant over any attack and any injustice combutequalintbeirim- . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . , mined against a fellow portance. The hisPeople. We need to estabtoric situation of our lish more effective lines of peoples bas laid a communication between great burden of reTo the UN Secretary General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali the continental Indigenous sponsibilities on movement and the womcn,buttbanksto We, the members of CONIC are writing to express the following: grassroots communities ourstrengtbandconandorganizations. We also viet ion much of our At the opening ceremony of lbe International Year of Indigenous Peoples, need to be more effective traditions and cusat the UN in New York, CONIC made an effort to invite 231ndigenous in the handling of national tomswerekeptalive. delegates from aU over the world, in order to support the UN initiative in and international laws. Women play an imdeclaring 1993 the Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples. During the Anocberoftbeadvanccs portant roleasaprinffitcials expressed their which webaveacbicved in inauguration, government representatives and UNo the last three years as ciple leaders and desire for a new partnership with Indigenous Peoples. counsclorswithspiriCONIC is the relationship tuality being the thatbasgrownbetweentbe Today, ten months later, this new relationship has not yet materialized, organizations of the North source of our strength. The world regarding participation and dialogue. For this reao;on, we are requesting to and the South of the contiview of Indigenous have a meeting between CONIC members and other Indigenous Peoples nent. This brings us much women is not one of the world with the UN... joy because it also signifies which divides and the fulfillment of a propbseparatcs, but is inWritten attbe Otomi Ceremonial Center, Temoaya, October 12 1993. ecyofourancestors, lhcrcstcad a holistic one. encounter of the Eagle and the Condor. We are thus The importance of the role of women in the continuity of our tity is a fundamental part of children's and creating the basis for a true continental indigculture was higltligbted. The need to educate young people's educational process. That enous unity. our children within the family, in our own identity begins at home, but it must be reinTo this end, we must higltligbtthat this U Encounter has bad as a distinctive sign the culture and mocbcr tongue was insisted upon. forced and strengthened at school. permanent spiritual presence that accompaIt is recommended that we build even closer relationships with our children, in order to \"1. Organi1.ation - CO:>;JC nied us during all oftbedaysof the Encounter. The presence of many gf.mdpareniS, elders, transmit our spiritual strength to tbem and prevent alienation and distancing form their One of the most important achievementS of and spiritual guides made it possible for us to original cultures. To this end, it c~ considered these three years that have transpired since the have great energies to dedicate to our work, important that in tbe forthcoming year of first Continental Encounter in Quito in 1990, and contributed to the successful completion 1994, which has been declared by tbe United is the consolidation oft be Indigenous struggles of our task... A complete Report of the Second EncounNations as the "Year of the Family", funds be in each of our countries. channeled specifically for the purpose of Currently, the international community bas terwill be published in tbe next Couple months. strengthening Indigenous families. We need begun to recognize the just nature of our If you wish to receive a copy oft be Report you to promote women'sorganizations incoordi· claims, and we can affirm that we have gained can write to SAIIC, also to: TONATIERRA. nation with family and community. importantallies in support ofour right to self- P 0 Box 24009. PbeeniJ<, AZ 85074. USA. IV. \\"omen. Famil) and Communi!) 6 V. Education. Culture and Youth Aby a Yala News �BRIEF . INO I G EN ..___,,'LJ TRIUMPH I BRAZILIAN COURTS E historic decision of the Bmzilian mber exploitation in the yterewa and Trinchera Bacaja, in state of Pari, bas been strictly proltibited. The Court upheld the appeal made by the lndigcroou!;l_!tighiS Core(NDI),aBmzilianNGO,again.stthetimbercompaniesParaehi, Maginco and lmpar. These companies were illegally extracting mabogany (rom those regions. Tbe three indigenous areas are contiguous and are found in one of the richest areas in mahogany wood of the states of Pam and of Amazonas. 6J%of the mahogany exported by Bmzil comes from 80% of the Indigenous areas. Despite thiS, the Court has pemtined Parachi to temporarily maintain a contingent of employees in a smal.l pan of the Apytarewa Reserve, where Parachi claims to have property titles. The NDI is currently preparing for the next baltle against the lumber companies in the Supreme Court of Brazil, whieh is likely to be less sensitive toward Indigenous and environmental topics. In other news, an NDIIawsuit aga.inSl a Mato Grosso logger recently came before the couns yielding positive rtS\!.'IS for' tbe Hahaintesu ponples of Guapore Valley in the western pan of the state. On September 6, 1993, Judge Maria Divina Viloria found Anilton Antonio Pompermayer guilty of illegal extraction of mahogany in the Habaintcsu Reserve. The logger will pay over US$ 200,000 for the extraction of 1,800 cubic meters of wood from the reserve. This is the second guilty verdiet for illegal logging in the state of Malo Grosso. International public opinion will play an important role in Brazilian State 10 uphold the righiS of Indigenous ~d the environment. We urge you ro send leners in of these decisions to: llxlma.Sro.Julza MariaDiY!na VIloria Di&nkbna ]u&.a Subotituta da ..xta Vara Fecl<nl DO Distrito Fedual Juslk:a F..S.ro! <k l'rirnmo ~ Secor <k Autarqulas Sul Quadra 4, Bloeo D, Lole 7 8rasilio D.F. 7007.000, Brasil Fax: (55) 61225-7116 E:dma. Sra. Ju&a Ellana Coimon Dl&n&.lma Presiclftlle da Quana Twma doTriboma!Reglooa!Fecleralda l 'Rec!io 585 Quadno :Z, EdilJdo AW114' Ancbr Brasilia D.F. 70070.100, Brazil RADIOACTIVE WASTE BURIED I N BRAZILIAN AMAZON ooordingtoreponsfromMovimentodeApoioaRe:sisteoeia aimiri!Attoari (MAREWA), the Paranapanema Co. is responsible for the burial of fivelhousaod tons of n.dioaetivc waste in tbc Pitinga River area of Amazonas, directly affecting the rcsideoiS of Presidente Figueredo and the Waimiri Attoati Reserve. State and local authorities have lakcn no aclioo oo this matter and tbc local population bas ye1tobe infofTOcd about the content and danger of the loads. . Since tbcmid..:ighties, rumors about the presence of radioactive waste have circulated in Pitinga, recounting sympiOtns sueb as tbe loss of teeth, general weak:ness, unexplained respiratory diseases, lossofbair,andleukemia. Even tough Tahoca MiningCo., anolbcr firm working in the region, bas verified tbeprcscoceof radioactive materials since the early eighties, tbc company bas always been VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 shielded by federal, state, and local govemmeots. Tbe resideniS of Presidente Figueredo request intematiooal support in tbeir demands that tbc Amazonas stale governtnent and FUNAI hold Paranapaoema and the otber mining companies in the' region, accountable for seriously tbreatcoing tbc hcaltb of tbc people and the enviroru:nent. For more infomlation, please contaCt: Movimiento de Apoio ~ Resistencia dos WoimirVAtroari (MAREWA) Prcsidcnte Figueredo, Brazil Source: Cullurnl SurviVlll, Summer 1993 7 �STRUGGLE I N ARGENTI NA: After a week of protesiS, President Carlos Menem stated be would meet with tbe Wichi representatives in one month. However, due to lhe public pressure tbat ensued, tbe President agreed to a sooner date. He also assured the prolesters tbat be would speed up the legal process for the proposal of land adjudication which has been approved by Congress but bas remained shelved for a year. The Wiclti also requested that the Governor "mediate a dialogue between the criollos (non-Indigenous) and Indigenous communities so that tbe appropriation ofland could bedonewithout conflict." The Wicbi, Iyojwaja, Nivacleand K Lee Nations have been om • fighting for rightful ownership since 1946; the first year they came n September 16, 1993 a delegation beaded by Octorina to the nation's Capil<ll to reclaim land titles. ·:zamora, president of the Wiclti Ka Puce Hi Cooperative launched a week long hunger strike to protest their lack of source: Agencia el Tribuno, Buenos Aires panicipation in a government Land Commission relegated to partition lands in Argentina. TJtis is the second hunger strike initiated by the Wichi community of lot 55 since last year. The territory in question spans 15,000 hectares and is located witbin the vast terrain of the San Manin de Tabacal sugar plantation. 'WI CHI HUNGER STRIKE FOR LAND RIGHTS O ccording to the Iodianist Missionary Council (CJMI), six teen Guarani Indians have committed suicide tltis year, continuing the cycle of deaths in the State of Malo Grosso do Sui, in the Center-West region of Brazil (22 suicides were reponed in 1992 and 17 in 1991). Out of tbe 16, six were under twenty years of age. Deprived of their land and unable to Jive according to their traditional culture, despair and alienation run rampant within the Guarani P,Opulation. Many communities bave been expelled from tbeir territories leading 10 mass migrations and overpopulation. In tbe Dourados Indian Area, where most of the suicides have OO· curred, close to 9,000 people have been forced onto 3,530 hectares. Until land issues are resolved, the sense of helplessness that pervades throughout Indigenous communities will simply worsen. A 8 Abya Y a la N e ws �BRIEF. CHILEAN GOVERNMENT OBSTRUCTS MAPUCHE PARTICIPATION IN DECEMBER ELECTIONS apo.ocbe leader Auean Huileaman's bid to run for Con oppressiveactiontakenbythe0lileangovernroen~l44Mapuehes gress on behalf of Aukin Wallmapu Ngullam ( All find ourselves condemned for reclaiming our legal rights. This is Lands Council), was denied by the Qualifying Electom! one of many ways that the fundamental rights of the Mapo.ocbe arc Tribunal. His alleged ineligibility is due to a . - - - - - - - - . . violated, especially where their participation in pending ease in which be is accused of unlawful malcing deCisions that concern the country's fu. association and "illegal"land take-over. ture is concerned," Slated Huileaman after learn· The ease in question was initiated in 1991, ing of the Tribunal's nullifiCation of his earn· after 144 Mapo.oches occupied lands that areeur· paign. rentlyclainnedby privateowneJSaod the Chilean If the Mapo.oches are found guilty, the dcfcn· state. The group, under the auspices of Aukin dants plan to appeal to the Supreme Court, the Wallmapo.o Ngullam, bad legal documents that highest coun in Chile's judicial system. If not proved their rights to the lands. acquincd, they will take the case to the Inter· The Mapo.oches have initiated a strong move· American Justice Court in San Jo.se, Costa Rica. menttbrougbout the country to protest the decision, which they It is vitaltbattbe ease be resolved before the presidential elections consider a clear indication of tbe government's attempts to impede in December because the new administration could prove to be even their participation in the next elections. "Because of the clearly less favomble to the Mapuche's struggle. M AYMARA ELECTED AS VICE-PRESIDENT OF BOLIVIA nJune7,1993, Victor HugoCardeoas,Aymarallnguislof lbe Tupac c.tari Revolutionary Movcmen~ was elected 10 lbe vice-presidency of Bolivia. Hundreds of people from di1fem~tlodigeGOUSeommunitiesgathered in La Paz to support biro on lbe day of his inauguration. Cardenas's speecb, prot10UIICed in Spanisb, Aymara, Guarani, and Quccbua ISSCrted thallbe current govemmcnt woold be guided by lbe four fuodamclltal principles of O VENEZl ' ELAN I ~rH,..,.Ns~i\.T t <>~ALs Vol. 7 No. 3&4 His election bas geoetatcd great expectations for Indigenous peoples of tbe Americas who hope Cardenas will further lbe cause of Bolivia's Indigenous populalion. Ci<>VEHN!\IE~T oF urioglbelastdaysofAugust,lbemassacreof16Yanomami at lbe hands of &azilian mine<S, Wa$ eoufirmcd to have taken place on Ven~lan tenritory. Tbe internatiollal community IICCUScd tbe Veoezuclan government of violating lbe Rio declaration under wbich policies of eoonomic development lliUSI bescnsibleaod respec::tfu1 of lbe ecosySicms and oo!Oll)unities they affect. However, in recent ycus, violenoe against lbeeovi!l)nment and Indigenous peoples has intensified. A montbafterthemassaae, Fernando Ochoa Aoticb, Veue211ela's MinisterofForcignAffairs,affirmcdduringasessionofthcGenenl Assembly of lbe United Nations, that the protection ofIndigenous peoples was out oflbegovernment'soootrol. He went on to dir<clly D lbeQriginaiAIIdeanpeoples:"Amasua,amallulla,amaklldla,and ama llunk'u" (do not steaL do oot be lazy, do not lie, and do not give &be praise). YAN<>:\tA!\11 BLAMES MAssAcHE iiOCOISO lbe gold and diamond multinational cotporatioos thai work in lbe area of promoting deforestation and the acu of violeooe againSl ~OOCIS CO!Oll)unitiCS. Aooording to Ochoa Aoticl!, lbeseoorporationsbuijdlaodingSltips and supply the minels with machinery and weapous. Tbe Minister Slated tbat only an open dialogue among lbe countries of tbe Amazon region eao po.ot an end to this aitical situation. He appealed 10 the mining tnnsnatiortals 10 undersUnd thai development did not mean destruction and pointed out that a$ long as poverty and igno181l<lC persisted among large segments of lbe population in Latin America, violence and environmental desuuaioo woold continue. . 9 �ven though Indigenous rights were a key topic on the agenda of the UN World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna this past June, the results were disappointing as the symbo~c anention of the International YearoflndigcnousPeoples failed to yield concrete actions. Hundreds of Indigenous representatives came to the conference with their concerns and demands which they presented to the 179 government delegates and thousands of nongovernmental observers. Aucan Huilcaman, a Mapuche activist representing the Continental Commission of Indigenous Nations (CONiq was cbosen to address the World Conference. Topping the list of recommendations were demands for recognition ofterritorial rights and therightto self-detennination. Huilcaman's speech emphasized Indigenous peoples' right to administer their legally recognized territory and to choose and implement a development policy according to their own cultural beliefs and values. In addition, the sutement called for states to ratify the International Labour Organization (ll.O) Covenant 169. Also called for by the Indigenous representatives was the recognition of Indigenous groups as distinct "peoples" rather than "people"whoareconsideredminoritieswitbin a national population. The cultural continuity E - 10 Au.con Huilcoman addresses representatb;es and thousands of observers in Vienno and historic claim to the land distinguishes Indigenous peoples from other minorities. The addition of the "s" which aims to emphasize Indigenous collective rights proved to be a point of controversy at the conference as many member governments fear that Indigenous gnoups will interpret and use these rights to CS!ablish independent states. Indigenous activists submined a rocommeoded text for the fmal declaration urging that "Indigenous peoples he recognized with inherent, distinctive, collective rights, including the right to self-detennination, self government and autonomy., However, tbe Vienna Declaration on human rights contains only one half page devoted to "indigenous poople" in which the issues mentioned above are not considered. Among the few points made by the World Conference is the recommendation that "ad· visory services and technical assistance programs within the UN system respond positively 10 requests by states for assistance which wouldbe ofdirect benefit to indigenous people." The conference also "urges Slates to ensure the full participation of indigenous people in all aspoctsof society..." Another key recommendation calls for the establishment of an International Decade of the World's lndig· enous People, to begin from January 1994, and the creationof a Voluntary Trust Fund for this purpose. F'mally, the establishment of a pennanent forum for Indigenous peoples at the UN is to be considered. Altbough Indigenous issues have gained international prominence in the course of 1993, the International Year of Indigenous Peoples, there bas been much frustration about the lack of real changes in the interactions between nation-Slates and Indigenous nations. The recommendations adopted in the Vienna Declaration represent, at bes1, a weak version of the UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that does not address the fundamental rights to autonomy and self-dctennination. Aby a Y a l a N e ws �INTEH NATIONAL Hundreds of Indigtii()US people and supporters gaJher at the UN for the opening Year Indigenous Peoples, Dec. 1992 UNITED NATIONS A DECADE OF INDIGENOUS D DECLARES PEOPLES uring the United Nations World Con ferencc of Human Rights tbat took place in Vienna last June, many In· digen.ous Organizations including CONIC, proposed to tbe Conference to declare a UN Decade of Indigenous Peoples. Nobel laureate, Rigobena Mencbu bad also proposed the Decade in her speech. Several Indigenous representatives lobbied tbe government delegates trying to get suppun for the Decade. Rigohcrta Mencbu addressed tbe General Assembly of tbe UN. Atencio Lopez of tbe United Kunas for Napguana was representing CONIC, also Alejandro Argumedo, Quecbua from Peru and Board member of SAIIC was present. The General Assembly oftbe United Nations on its fony eighthsession approved the "International Decade of the World's Indigenous People". The Decade was proposed by the Austmliao Government and seconded by the governments of Canada, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, El Salvador, Grenada, Grcccc, Guatemala, Guyana, Marshall Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Peru, Dontinican Republic, Surinam and Trinidad and Tobago. One of the Considemtions of the Resolutions read: "Recalling its resolution proclaiming 1993 as tbe Year of tbe World's Indigenous People, with a view to strcngthc.ning international coopcmtion for the solution of problems faced by Indigenous People in the areas of, human rights, the environment, development, education and health..." Proclaims: The International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, starting on December I0 of I994, and reserving the period between January 1st and December 9tb for Planning tbe Decade.. ." VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 The United Nations also suggested that before and during the sessions of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations that will take place in Geneva from July 25th to the 29th, 1994, Indigenous representativeswould b<lconsulted in order to plan the activities of the Decade. The United Nations bas established a Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations to provide financial assistance to representatives of Indigenous communities and organizations in order to enable them to paiticipate in the meeting of the Working Group. In 1993 over 30 panicipants were supponed by tbe Fund. .----------------. Furlber infon:nalloa and opplkatioa forms can be oblaiood by writing to: Volwrtary Fund for Indlgoooos Populolloas Unlt.d Nllion$, Polals des Nalloas CR-12JI GtotYa 20 Swltwlar>d I I �'7o rake human DNA and parent its p roducts, that t~iolares the integrity oflife itself. and our deepest sense of nwrality." Isidro Acosta, President of the Guaymi General Conguss. ''When a foreign govemment comes into a coumry, takes blood witlww explaining the real impUcarions to local peoples, and rhen tries to patent and p rofit from the cell line. that's wrong." P01 Mooney, RAFI Executive Dirtcror. you haven't heard about scientifiC en the method of execution to the exclusion of ally. From financial compensation to the deavors relating to the Human Genome, Native representatives in project discussions, potential for biologjcal warfare, it is essential yousoonwiU. Aswe plunge <leeper that all foreseeable consequences and into the decade, the bcxlfellows, bioimplicationsassociatedwitbtheHGD llnm.l!l Cit'nontt· = Hlo . c~oc~ gt'lk"'· tolll.lillin~...: .111 tcx:hnology and science, are having a Projcx:t he taken into account before indi\ idtldl.... t wn-dil. u\· inhu cn.llion. lnuod in.tll !llt· dircx:t impact upon Indigenous comfurther damage occurs. < dl' l 1! .1 llunt.Ul I )( 'ill}.!. munitieswitbovenidingrepercussioos I h u ll-111 <it ·notm · 1 llg.tniz.tlit ,,.., Ill " ;c 1 tl >. ~~ ·d in I .on< for humanity at large. In the previous 11.\CKGROt:\ll doll! r ill. lilt i.t\ ,IIIII ol (it"ltti!IK' (("'-('.lit ll- \\.lllt"l Abya Yala News joumal, we provided Bothun. I'H" ... idt 'l\1 ci .. UII'' C.Hl!OI. \"1' a sketch of the HumanGenome DiverGuided by tbe premise tbat the ge· sity Project. Since then, much more netic composition of different ethniC Jhul\.111 (it'llOillt' IJi\t'l'il\" Pwjn 1 d !Cil> t•rojn IIl 'lopo~ll lot ollt"( I ,l!ld '!lid\· gt'I"K'Iit 'Ill It 1111<' ol information has been made available groups may vary slightly , the project \ ·, niott... 1·f llllit group... . \ lot ....t • it Hl'n.,llit 111.11 t on.._. u · and patents applications on Native organizer.; aspire to gain a better litull ol ttJ11\t'1'11i<· ... ,tnd ...t it'llli' l' 1h.11 .tilltlo }.!.llhn peoples' eelllines bave been revealed. under.;tanding of why diseases vary blood. ).,tit .ttMIIlltlttih ..... uupk" ol l,ugt·lnl pop11l.1· The following article hopes to eluciso much in their geographic distribu· lion... t on... itk-t nllo he Oil lht· ""'-<"1}-!t"' o l c\littt lion date the various components and imlndi}-..'t.'lltttt-. gtottp... w lnu·d to . 1 · t...tl!.ttc... ••I Ill'· ... tioo and from there, try to find out if In t i(" hllt' lt"'l.- l"tilll.tl\" l'to jn I h llti.llot: l.tti;.:,i I.Utd plications assoc.iated with the Human such variation is caused by human ('d\" lh·...,!OI/•1. l'lnft·..,..,ot Lnlt"liltt... ol c;ctM'III' ,11 , Genome Diver.;ity Project, highlight· adaptation to local environments or Sl.lllhtttl ing its impacts on Indigenous Peoples changes in genetic make-up (5). around tbe world and course of action Through these findings, it is boped taken thus far. that new methods of dealing with While the potential benefits sbould not he are being seriously questioned by Indigenous fatal diseases, i.e. cancer, AIDS, etc. wiU he underestimated, all oftbe related issues, from organizationsandsupportg,oupsintemation· developed. I 12 . Abya Yala News �NATIONAL. INTEH \IETIIOII Through RAFI's research, it is known that 712 groups have b«n !Mgeted for sample collection. The following ootline provides a brief overview of the sampling and lab research process: ceU line has b«napproved how will compensation be determined? Wbat systems arc in place for assuring that Indigenous peoples will be appropriately compensated on all commercial gains? To date, these questions have not b«n answered. ing the instiMions that have waged an unbridledwarofopprcssionandgenocidcagainst Native peoples for the past 500 years. Ill. IIIOI.I)(;J('\1. II \lll-'.\llE l hll ii.UI (it 'll(IIIJ<' Prnwt I· I ·.s !.Collect blood, hair and mouth scrapings from selected population 2 Once gathered, samples rushed to lab(witbin48bourstiJm)wberewhite blood cells are to be "immortalized" a)wbite blood c:dls are cultured in the lab tben (men in liquid niuogco. Each cell contains a complete set of genetic DNA. This process allows the information in the genes to be preserved indefinitely for ful1Jrcsrudy. 3. Once in thi~ form, cells are l1Jmed intocelllincs( continuoosly dividing cells that can provide a theoretically infinite supply of genetic material). '4. DNA to be dcpooited and stored in scvenal "banks" around the world. Tbedcpooited material will be available for funhcr research. Results from resco.rch an then be patented tTIIt'W i' .t!'o \ lt•dit oll l k'-t.'oU< II ( 'tiUIIt ti1 \ IIH ~ l l un ~. 11 1 ( it'· nomt· .\l.lppul).! Prow< 1 11 1 Lnndot1• \ .... ~ l 1dltnn c llnrl \\I \I( II bq..~olll i ll I' lXX \\Jill lilt' )..:.11,11 ol IJI, IJI\IIIlg l"ottll til lh' l l • l.t il • l }.!!'Ill'' !CIIIJ)(j \\ tl illll t ltr~• lli'II....CII l iC '' .u~d "--'t[tln)lul;...:. 1lw nl- liw "'lft'ltll ol hn)(k·tl h\ •'1111 htull,\11 D' \ h\ !It~:• l , u ld li'lt ' l S ![)( ' \t'.l! .,!t l l'"; ,,111111\.1) ht...,!l:tUt ' ~•llh·.!~:1l S. llt'j).HitUt'lll o! l_u·rg\ 1DOI.• PI, 1\ ·c·r..., : I , , \lllt'fll olll 1\'J M.' ( :11Jit 1 ' ( CIJIC~ II~ Ill , l{t It )... \ 1llc' ft ~11). lhllthllg_ j)IIJI JI lei! olii i\'Jlt'' ul (~ l]]c •t IICll l: hO.OOI 1 r, m • llldlt 'I i,ll' II 0111 \ r, I ' I In I nn tl.IJ 1 t and pt.uu \ 'iHI"-''"" L\1. l.t•g,ll dt'J)(I...,i l t'IJ, lor li\·illg ™"' llldlt'lidl h\' l'.S. P.llt ' lll ollld TJcld t 'l llclfh..., I I[ !it l', :!. l'ti\,llt' hintt·t llnu!og~ · < tllll)lolllit'' :t \',Hioll' UIU\t'r...,i ltt '"' illt ht<IHlg: l 'CI .. \ . l'C Bcrhdt'\". Slctlllord. Yollt • In tcnnsoftbe ~nenal Agreement oo Tariffs and Trade (GATI), the United Sates is doing everything it an to make p<~tentingofall formsoflife a legal pall of tbc trade agreement Ifpassed as an intem>tional mandate, how will The fact that Indigenous representatives and organizations have not b«n consulted lndigenoos pcgple be able to hold governments, or included in the planningproecss thus(ar, instil1Jtions,corporationsaocountablewhensueh illustrntcs the patemalio;tic way in which tbc accountability will be regarded as a "barrier to projcct is being condUCled. Issues relating free trade?" to patentS, diversion of funds, access to II. STOR.\GE F.\('ll.ITIL~ gathered informalionandthe potentialtbreat ,\ \1 OIU.IIII \\1\ OF '11\.\' of biological warfare have yet to be addressed satisfactorily by project organizers. The idea is to create various "world banks" of DNA around the globe that woold include I. 0\1 WIN Ill' \\II P.\ TE\TS borh regional and natiortal storage facilities and It is a fact thai some products and pro- be accessible to government agencies, corporacesses f<'lated to extracted material will lions, foondatiom, and interested rescortbers. havesuhswllialcommercialvalue. Oncea In otbet words, tbc information will be made patent on material extr1aed from a buman available to an)'one who shows interest, ineludVOl. 7 NO. 3&4 In the context of genocide, marginalization, denial of traditional c:ulture practices, who is to say a govemmen~ with a history of awession toward Native populations and, in most ofthe eases, responsible for the it physical demise, will not take the readily accessible information and use it to eOOicate an "inuansigent" group or people? are sympathetic geneticists who fed that tbc feasibility of producing wgeted ethnic biological warfare makes the poosibility a long shot, but not oot of the question. Wbere are the controls? II. Ill\ l·. llSIO' 01- H \liS ' The exorbitant amoont of money necessary to imple~nt the project eoold be used to improve the present squalor that many of the targeted groups live in. In otbet "ords, tbe money eoold be spent oo helping the groups that are foc:ing "extinetioo"tooveteornC the various fortes that have placed them in this critical predicament so that tbcy an lead bcalthy, productive and self-directed lives now, rather than being recreated and "immonaliltd" in laboratories for future science projects. TilE Gl'.\ \'\Ill' \ '11-'\ 1'•.\ (;(.1\II'SE OF TilE Fl Tl llE (;0\E .\lillY \\OHSIII \RS( '0\11 I HL 'I· Despite tbe efforts of HGD Project organizers to make it appear be nip, equitable and absolutely necessary, the recent patent claim application on the cell line of a 26 year old Guayami woman from Panama, by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Roo 13 �Brown, illustrates tiM> underlying dangers and At the recent Second Continental Encoun- fused and anonymous makes monitoring even potential for the projec:tto get out of eonlrol. ter of Indigenous Nations, Organizations and more difficult. Thccballengc, then, is to make Collec~ed under dubious eircumslanees, the Peoples (CONIC), representing over 2,500 sure that research of!his nature stays transparwoman'secllline isbeingstoredattbeAmcri· communities and organizations throughout ent and accountable. canTypeOiiturcCollection(ATCC). Inquir- the Abya Yala eon tinen~ issued a resolution However grave the situation may seem, ies made by Isidro Acosta, President of the denouncing gcnomerescarcbandtheGuaynni positive and effective action can be taken by GuayamiGeneraiCongrcss, and Pat Mooney, patent claim. As infonnation aboullbe projec~ individuals. International pressure demand· Executive Director of RAA, about the cell reaches Native communities, opposition until ing !hat all types of related genetic research be line being repatriated to !he Guaymi conducted wilh clear, structured and people, have been met with ambigudirect involvement oflndigcnous or( :o"f .n1d i'"ullding: I !( il l I 'r 1;n ; I: 11 i 1, 1: I1\ t '·\ t 'd!' t 'lit )J\ 1"' t '\.j )( 't ted ous responses and lillie action. Thus, ganizations so lhatlhey arc an integral to< o:-;1 l>cl\\ I.'Cll ..._:..? ~ .~:1d ·;_-, Jlli!lio!l dfl~:.~: ..... !hecell line remains in the bands of the part of tiN> decision-making process, is L\;x·< tn! 11 1 ..;.. l :il!J~t- lruln Hl_IU) · 1.-,_U){ I !l~i ­ United States government and the vital. As tbe possibility for "a small lll.lll ...!l<'t illlt'll'"' \\t'J,I~~t·tcl],l! ( tl..._l Jlt 'f ~Hiljl]t· ATCC against tiN> wishes of tbe origi· number of corporations, universities, t.l:t.'...:.t'"' !1<1:11 ~~.1•1 l~l ,1"' Ju~~i1 .1~ ~::~xJ c~ · nat "owner." and govcmmcnrs owning life's genetic Curren:!\ ~cdi.lll.'~ !ll:Hiu~;..:. ~olH<('~ tro:n :- ~~~\· On a broader level, if the U.S. code,"(1) turns into reality, tiN> time to t'rtl!lH'll! ,l:~t'l\1 H ' "' ,lJJt! Jl!l\-, l:t· l4lli:Jti,tl:ll!l~. government manages to make tbe mobilize is now! tu nt1~:1:~ \\illrn•J..,l ~i!--;.d\ t~Jrll<' tf1J:!l tlw :\,li:<J:t. tl patenting of human material legal Sc:t'!Ht·h~o~tr:cl,ltl<l:J II<JjX'j...,\<ICJ)J:.IJ:J ...rJ:IH'<Jt underGAlT,disputingapatentclaim \\II\ T YOl" C.\\ JlO: \ lit ' IIIIJ!lt'\ gt.Jtl\t 'ti ]IJ l)j{' l!lll t l, lll (;t•:I<Jl!H" and repatriation would become !bat J•H iit't\ much more difticull To make mat· fi nd out who is doing research in II. I hull; Ill (it ·nonw Projt "< I L '\J)( ·ned 11 1ldl t c1.._: ters worse. tbere are reports of otbcr your area and bow it is being moni· ~:~ IJ:)!tfll\Hl IUIW.._lllt' grd!ll!llo:Jt"\" u ... t!~l:J\ .1!· possible patent claims on Navajo cell tored. Urge that indigenous orga.nizalul!t"d tor ..,t Lt'lllil:l l"t ''""t'dH 11 Fund1:l~ t ro:ll :lw lines as well as prodigious cell line tions be consulted, informed, and in· :\!II dtlt I I)( II: collection going on in Colombia. (6) volved during every phase of tbe Along with !he Guaymi eommu· projec~. for more information contact nity,lndigenous peoples and organizations as Indigenous organizations are properly con- Professor Henry Greely, Head of tbe North well as a growing number of concerned scien- sulted, informed, and directly involved, bas American Ethles Comminee at the following tisrs areverbalizingtheiroutrage. There have been !he resounding response. address: beenvariousresolutionsdenouncingtheHGD Project by first Nations. The Mataatua CO\CI.l SIO\ \\ll C \I. I. TO \CTIO\ DeclarationonCullural and lntellec:tual Property Rigbrs of Indigenous Peoples in June, At this poin~ the HGO Projec~ bas not Professor Henry T. Greely 1993, stated the following: received the substantial funding it requires to Professor of Law Call for an irnmed.iate halt to the ongoing be carried out and therefore bas the potential Stanford Law School 'Human Genome Diversity Projec:t' until irs of being stopped. However, before breathing Crown Quadrangle Stanford University moral, ethical, socio-econonnic, physical and easier, it is important to take a look beyond tiM> Stanford, CA 94305-8610 political implications have been thoroughly immediate situation. lftheHGD Projec~ does fax: 415.725.0235 discussed, understood and approved by In· not materialize in irs grandiose form, tbe e-mail: digenous peoples. possibility of genome researeh bceonning dif· Henry.Greely@I'Qrsythc.Standford.EDU j I. RAF1 Prm 8.deas<, "lndig<nou< P"'91e Pro<"' U.S. Sccttlal)' or Coolmer« Pa1cn1 Oaim on Guaymi Indian Cell Unc," IM5fl3 l Sud>cl, Gabrielle "Wo.kl W">dc Gene Study May Re,·<al Human H~IOI)'· s..nroro Obo<Mr, Juty-AugUSI 1993 .J:.-d., 3. RAF11bePanTh>l Feeds Us" ~ ~~ 4. RAF1 Coolmuniqut, "PaleniS, lndig<oous Peoples, and Human Groclie Oi,.rsily" M 1993 ay S. New Scicnlist, M 1993 ay l 6. RAFt COn<$(>ClCid<nc< wilh tsi<fto ACXIOU, S.pu:rnber 21, 1993 1. Wuelhrich. Btmi<» .,AJI Rjght:s Reserved, H lhe Gene·Patcnling Race is A.ffeding Sciertee,.. Scicnoe News, Vol 144- Septe--mber 4, 1993 ow 14 """)• Abya Yala News �I~TEH N A TIONAL . AJ,rerican Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), "Indigenous people are displaced and become environmtnlal and economic refugees in their own land... Tom Coldtooth, lndigtnOUS Environmental Network cspcctcrofNAFTAnolongerbovcrs The resource-rich Native homelands will for ln<ligenous lands in Mexico. Even lbe overAmerica,it hasmaterializcd.Thc be targeted by corporntions as bot spots for free-flow spirit of the trnde agreement does high-OyingrhctoricoflbeCiintonAd- development Without doub~ all Mexican not extend to communities split by national minislrntion will now translate into very real trnditional lands will be up for grabs. Spccu- borders. The border communities of tbc an frightening environmen"\! destruction lators in Cbiapas already forced some Mayas Mohawk, Salish-Kootenai, Colvilleand labor injustice. Despite tb~aution off lands in anticipation of NAFTA's ap- Okas_agan, Abcnaki, Cocopa, Kamia, these issues received in thc<poJel!u tumult proval! o·odlia1> ~Kickapoo will not be reunited NAFTA inspired, one important story went The future of Canadian and U.S. lndig- dcspite}cmassivemeldingofthethrcecoununrcported in the mainstream media: cnousgroups is also uncertain. With NAFTA tries' economic agendas. NAFTA's ambush on Indigeno~ rights. approved by <j~~ws that protect !he vMious Indigenous organizations have NAFTA 's central premise tbat govern- rights of Native 1\nieticans to live on and deoo.b;ccd thetrnde agreement The Contiment regulations interfere witl(frc;c trade utilize their lands may~longer protcctany:.___S" CommL&sion of Indigenous Nations, allows dcmocrntically created laws to be one'f[Omcorj)Ornte"aVidltT COmJl'\nies wili--c> iganizations and Peoples (CONIC), reprcoonsidcrcd trnde barriers, and thus made inop- a~ the best~~~ sources, and natu- scoring 26 various organizations that reprccrntivc. NAFfA sets up an independent rnlrcsourccs. lftbe ~ t.A tribu naldeemsa scotover2,500oommunitics,and1bcAmeritribunal dosed to public participation. The legal protoction ofancicntland righrfa barrier can Indian Movcmen~ havebothdccriedsueb tribunal decides if a native, state, or federal to trndc, the law may be struck dowo: Tribal an auack on Native land claims. lawoffendsfrcetrndewitbout any criteria for governments rna/no longer be able to reguThe ripples of NAFfA will exten<l far evaluating whether lbe trnde would offend late the sale o lands and, as a result, beyond North and MesoAmerica. The treaty ; the public. Such unaccountability in a tribu- privatization of land will likely proceed on a has established the largest free-trade.zone in nal has broad implications for the Native ma:t-•scale. thewo~d,scllingancxamplewbicbthrcatens Peoples of North and Meso America. Privat.ization ~ill hasten theoonversion of to presage a global elimination of democratic In the United States and Canada, Native oommons into oom~iti.cs. For example, laws that protcctthe land and its ponplcs. The Americans live on traditional lands endowed water will be bought aoosold, trnnsfenedand Genernl Agreement on Tariffs and Trndc withfortypercentofaUknownenergysourccs trnded, without rc~~ativc claims to (GAT!), the international trnde decision for each oountry, acoording to the Indian sucb an essential resource. NAFfA enootU- making body, is scheduled to soon resume its Treaty RightsCommiuccof Chicago. These ages projects similar to the James Bay Hydro; eighth roun<loftradetalks. Manyoftbeissues trnditionallaods fall into two categories, res- electric Project wbieh will send Canadian on the table, like investment and service barervation lands and private property. In both wate.rs down the MissL&sippi to consumers in Viers and Intellectual Property Rights, were cases, government laws have served tosome- he U.S. and Mcxioo. The dam has flooded the i'csolved under NAFfA. If NAFfA becomes what protect Native American decisions r~ Cree nation's traditional hunting grounds, GAIT's model, we face ble.11< profaning of garding the usc or sale of t.raditional lao<ls. decimating caribou populations and forciyg the Earth's environmental and culturnltreaHowever, in Mexico, lod.igenousponplesalso relocations and cultural upheavaL sures. Our aching and wearied land can not living on coonomically valuable land enjoy NAFfA, crnfted by Bush and 2000 of ihe support such assaults on its Native American signifocandy less legal protection. President largest American oorporntions, incorporn\ed caretakers. Salinas recently abolished even the meager no Indigenous pooples in the drafting of ihe Mexicanlawssafeguaroingancientlandrights. agreement. NAFfA includes no provision Sources: The Circle; Honors Digest T: .It a r VOl. 7 NO. 3 &4 I S �TN owhor. o Miltito from 1h~ North~m Aut(.WI.OmOUS R~gion ofNiaJrogua. is r C()()rdinor()r()/rh!C~nlrol ill oMSouth Amtrioo Projtdoftht lndiM Law RtS~X~ru Ctfllu. "washlngtM. D.C.; o non·pro/it. n.on·gowm· Nnzol <Jrgoniy;tionlhal hos (()'nSu!Joti~·~ SJOIUS with rAt U.N. &ont>mic and S«ial COWtcil. This ort!'cl~ op~ors in its full ltngrh a/(lflg with footnous ond OM«altdhibliogrophyin rM YoI~ JoumtJI ofIns~rna· ti<Jrlol Low, W'mttr 1993. Volum~ 18. Numbtr I. R(· prinud l'>ith ptrmission. s millions of dollan; poured into envi ronmental organizations during the past decade, hundreds of activists headed for Central and South America tosave threatened animals and to preserve the rain forests. Some activists arrived with naive and romantic notions about vugin forests. They had failed to accept the fact that the forests were already occupied, used, and "'developcd"by Indians. Theenvironmentalistssoon met and were sometilnes confronted by In· dian tribes and nations asscning their ownership of tbe same forests, lands, and resources that tbe environmentalists sought to protect. Envilonmcntal protection plans drawn up in Washington or in Latin American capitals are great!y complicated by the questions and demands of Indian communities. Wbat role should Indians play in decisions to establish a national park or protected area on lands tradi· tionally Indian? Wbo owns and who is entitled to make decisions about the valuable land involved, in proposed debt-for-nature swaps?- How should environmentalists respond to Indian proposals for development initiatives or alternative conservation practices that conflict with their own proposals? Responsible environmentalists must con· 16 S~antly wrestle with these and related questions in their daily work. There is an urgent need for analysis and reform of the relation· ship between Indian rights and environmental protection. They have ilnportant roles to play in the development of principled laws and democratic policies that will both protect tbe fragile environment and guarantee the sur· viva! and development of Indian ponples in the 1990's and the twenty-first century.. Rethinkin~ an Old ~l~lh Aboul the Future of lndhm Proples The first step toward reconciling environmental policies and Indian rights involves facing some long-standing myths about In· dian ponples that have shaped current laws and policies. One such myth-sustained by non-Indians for 500 years-is that Indians arc disappearing ponples. In an 1898 lecture delivered to law students in Washington, D.C., U.S: Supreme Court Justice John Man;baU Harlan said of Native Americans: "(fhe Indian race) is disappearing and probably within the life time of some that arc now hearing me there will be very few in this country. Ina bundred years,youwiU probably not find one anywhere... It is certain as fate that in the cou.rsc of time, there will be nobody on this North American continent but Anglo· Saxons. All Other races are steadily going to the wall. They are diminishing every year.' This myth bas infomted tbe two most infamous Supreme Court decisions in Indian law. One decision upheld the legal authority of Congress unilaterally to abrogate Indian treaties. The other decision declared the plenary power of Congress to impose its lawson Indian tribes and nations. Notwithstanding theswcepingchanges that have taken place in civil rights and human rigbtslawoverthe past decades, neither of these cases has been over· ruled. Although not always stated so candidly, the myth that Indians are disappearingponples underlies policies toward Indians everywhere in the Americas. For example, Mario Vargas Uosa, a prominent Latin American author and 1990 Peruvian presidential candidate articu.lated a modemviewpoint onthe demise of Indians in a 1990 Harper's Magazine cover story. Vargas Uosa did not emphasize the physical disappearance of Indians, but rather Abya Ya l a News �INTEH their inevitable assimilation into lhc domi· nan~ non-Indian cullure: "Perhaps the ideal-that is, lhe preservation of the primitive cullure of America· is a utopia incompatible with Ibis olher and more urgent goal· the establisbment of societies in which social and economic inequalities among citi· zensbereduced to human... lfforeed to choose belween lhe preservation of Indian cullures and !heir complelc assimilation, with great sadness I would chose modernization of the Indian population, because there arc priori· ties; and the fiiSI priority is, Of COU!$0, IO fight hunger and misery... • Although policies toward Indians in lhe Americas rest at least in pall on the view !hat Indians will die out or assimi.late into a superior non-Indian world, the facts stand in st31k conlrast to the mylh of the vanishing Indian. Today tbiny million Indians live in theAmeri· eas, a number roughly equal to the combined populations of Guatemala, Honduras, EISal· vador, Nicaragua, Cosla Rica, and Panama.ln Guatemala and Bolivia, Indians make up lhc clw majority of the population. Indians 31C a significant minority population in almosl every country in the hemisphere, and in many countries they still maintain a large and re· sou rce-ricb land base. Indian nat ions and tribes lhroughouttbe Americas are canrying on the historic struggle for their land, resources, self· government, and cultures. Indian bnd, Indian Res<Jur«S. and Indian De•elopment Indian leadersoonsistentlycitc Indian land rights as their most vital oonccm. Without their land base, lndiansmaybeablctosurvive as individuals in the dominant economy and culture of their non-Indian neighbors, but they will not be able to survive and prosper as distinct peoples with distinct cultures and traditions. Indeed, governments throughout VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 the Americas, led by Europeans and !heir descendants, have sooghtto expropriate, al· lo~ and control Indian land and resources as a means of assimilating Indians. policies such as these make beliefs about the disappearing Indian self-fulfilling prophecies. New laws and policies must fuUy rocog· nize bow Indians view !heir land. Allhough there are differing views among Indian communities, oommon lbemes do exist. Indians genemlly feel a sense of permanence in their land that non-Indians do not share. Noo-Indi· ans tend to be very nomadic, to view land as a commodity to buy and sell, and to have ancestral roots on other oontinents. Generally, Indians bold their land in some form of communal ownership. The idea of private, individual land is ltistorieally unknown in Indian communities and is rare even today. When Indiansspeal< of rights to tbeir terri· tories, they arc referring not only to the land, but also to Oora, fauna, waters, and mineml resources. Indian cultures and religions eel· chrate the close interrelationships that people share with anirruds, plants, and natuml resources. The idea of sustainable development is pall of thecultuml and religious heritage of most Indian peoples. This culluml and reli· gious herilage is very much alive and weU today. As recent studies show, the survival of Indian oommunities and cultures bas oontrib· uted greatly to the survival of some of the world's most biologieally rich environments. II would be a mistake, however, to take too romantic a view. Indians, like all other hu· mans, utilize and develop thei! territories: they plow, plant, barv~ and mine the canh and usc its resources. Some observers argue that Indians with bulldozers and chai nsa~vs will soon be as destructive to their home cnvironmc.ncs as non-Indians arc 10 theirs. Some Indians have already permitted toxic waste dumping, storage of nuclear waste, and other environmentally dangerous practices on their lands, while others arc hotly debating whether to do so. NATIONAL. Nevcnbcless, those Indians willing to sacrifice their homelands are the exception. Most Indian oommunities bave maiola.ined their cultures, homelands, and resources by resist· ing outside forces !hat have attempted for centu.ries to destroy or purchase them. Tbe Indian·regions on maps of Centml America have remained green not because non-Indians left tbe Indians alone, but rather because Indians successfully fought to keep the regions green. Indians and Fmironmcnlalisls Most environmental organizations are based in Nonb America and Europe. Those organizations !hat exist in Latin America arc based in cities among Ladin<ls and are often funded by their North American and European oounterpans. Ind.ians are on the margins of the organized environmental movement Although some environmental groups have established good working relations with In· dian organizations, most relations belween Indians and environmentalists are uncertain and strained. There is even potential for serious conOict. Like human rights workers, academics, and other non-governmental activists, many environmentalists bring with them the bag· gage of their own cultures. They have been raised within tbc framework oflaws and poli· cies that have long oppressed Indians. Because the academic and legal communities have not yet given prominent attention to the issue of Indian rights, most environmentalists remain unfamiliar with tbe history of Indian land disputes. lflcadinghuman rightsorgani· zations write repons about Guatemala and Bolivia without even mentioning that the In· dians of those oountries are majority popula· tions subjected to minority rule, it is not surprising that many environmentalists are not sensitive to Indian concerns. For instance, during a 1988 oonferenee belween environ· mentalists and representatives ofCOICA, the 17 �~-~> .• . r. ..-:-~- ·. .. .~ Amazonian Indian coordinating group, an exchange occuned about debt-for-nature swaps- A COICA leader explained that tbe debt involved was not Indian debt, while tbe "nat\lre· in,'Oived was Indian Ltnd that Indians had not agteed to tJade for anything. Another diSturbing trend involves attempcs by mineral development corpor.uions, hazardous waste disposal companies, lumber companies, and othe~ to pass out favo~ in Indian communities to buy support for their projectS- Governments have long used this approach. More recently, environmental groups have sought support for tbeir projects tluough similar steps- By gaining tbe backing of some mem~ or an Indian community, outside~ ean createtbe appearance that Indians were actually involved in the decision· making proc<SS and that the whole Indian community approves. There is danger that these divide-and-<:onquer tactics will seriously hann Indian communities, undennine Jegjtim:lte Indian leadership, and gtnerate a baddasb againSt environmental projed:l that may be seen as manipulative or c:oloaialisl. Nevertbeless,someeffcctive alliances have devtloped to promote both environmental pr<Mcction and Indian rights. In Brazil, the Yanomamilost nearly onc-fiftboftheir population when gold-miners invaded and poisoned their lands in the late 80's. In the ate 1970's., the Indian Law Research Center filed a human rightscomplaint with tbe Inter-American Commission on Human Rights demanding legal demareatiooofthe Yanomuni terri- 18 meetings arc now omong the most vital and well auendcd of all U.N. human rights activities. Human rights experts who previously focused exclusively on the rights of individuals oow support pr<Mcction of tbe group rights of Indian communities. In J9S9, the International Labour O.g;anizalion (!LO) approved a new convenlion on tbe rights or Jndigtnous peoples requiring Indian participation in all matters concerning develapmentoftheir land and resources. Also in J9S9,tbe Organization of American States (OAS} began its own law rcfonn to prepare a new judicial instrumenttosecuretbe rights of Jndigtnous peoples. Indian rights advocates bope that better legal guarantees at tbe international level will prompc national governmentS to provide better legal protection fOt Indian rights. Indians tluoughouttbe Americas are fighting for their rights in national couns., national legislative bodies, and conslitutional conventions result~ ing in rapid changes such a~ Brazil's new constitution which supports Indian rights and in bottom-up environmenl31 protcclion the demarcation of Yanomami land. g project in a Central American Indian area. tory and expulsion of outsiders. Environmental and human rights groups joined with Indiangroups to placccffcctive andoverwhclmingpcessureon Brazil's President to expel the miners and demarcate 22.5 million acres of anc::esua1 Yanomami land in 1991. The deman:ation process has oow begun. A numbe< of non governmental organizations have agteed to monitor implementation of Brazil's new Indian Jaws and policies. [Significant changes have taken place regarding this matter. See article pg. 23) On Nicaragua's Miskito Coa.~t. Miskito communities helped develop a government program to expel resource pirates from a marineandcoastalenvitooJntnt rich in turtles, shrimp, lobster, and fJSb. The project trains Miskitos to managtand polioe!bearea themselves. It was initiated not in board rooms in Washington or in government offices in Ma~gua, but in a series of meetings beld in Miskito communities along theCo..st. Environmental groups bave actively and financially supported every phase of this pioneer- ("ondu,ion DeH•Iopin~ a Sound lk~al Fr.tnW\\ork for Indian Rij!ht' and I he En, ironment Environmentalists and Indian.~ must not merely critique Jaws and policies to secure the bealth of Indian communities and their environments. The groups must develop a sound, international legal framework to replace myths and arbitrnry govemme nt power. Fonunately, the effort to develop a sound international legal framework for Indian rights is well underway. For the paSt 15 ye;m, Indians have worked within tbe human rights system of the U.N.to develop Indian rights pcotections. The U.N. Working Group on Indigenous Populations, has been meeting for ten yc~ and will soon rclta.~ the final draft of a proposed declarotion on tbe rights of Indigenous Peoples. Within the U.N. human rights system, tbe issue of lndia.n rights has moved in one decade from tbe fringt to the mainStream. The annual Working Group The protection of human rights and tbe environment requires a truly international legal order based on democratic principles. NonIndians must reject the myths and imperialism that have shapod Jaws and policies toward Indians in tbe Americas thus far. Govcmments must respect democratic decision making with Indianconununities and must ensure that relations between Indians and tbeir neighbors are based on agreement rather than on domination. Indians, 1101 outsiders, will beSt gtn•ern Indian land and resour=. Although Indian communiti"'- like all others, have difficult decisions to make about their development, if Indian.~ are permitted to chart their own future they wiU continue to serve not only themselves., but also the global environment. Workingtogetberasequals, Jndiancommunities and the rest of the wo~d can share important lessons about how beSt to pcovide for all future gtncntions. Aby a Yala News �ENV IHO:--.:ME:--.:T & DEVELOPMENT ecades of petroleum exploitation in people that !ive'there. In 1992,afferextrncting the Ecuadorian Amazon have bad a over one billion barrels of crude oil, Texaco devastating impact on tl\e region's Oed the country leaving behind 2,500,000 environment and its inhabitants. Among the acres of baneo rainforests, abandoned toxic Indigenous communities directly affected, materials, 17 million gallons of spilled petro· Qu.ichua, Cofan, Siona, Sccoya, Huaorani, !cum and 20 million gallons of toxic spillage and more rccently,Shuar, Achuarand Sbiviar. in the Amazon's rivers. The ecological damage has bad a profound a growing movement to organize against the effectuponthelndigcnooscomrnunitics.Asidc exploitation of oil conglomerates is Sleadily gaining momentum. Complex and volatile, from the disruption of traditional lifestyles the situation in the region is changing and and massive displacement, it has caused growing more critical as the Ecuadorian gov- severe health problems. According to differemrncntscckstocxpandthcconccssionsgiven ent studies done by Acci6n Eco1 6gica (Eco· to petro-chemical corporations and the logical Action), an Ecuadorian environmen· privatization of Pctroccuador tb.rough there- tal organization, and The Institute for Eco· form of the hydrocaroons law. These policies nomic and Social Rights (IESR}, skin dis· will, on the one hand, lead to an increased role cases, digestive and respiratory problems, for private companies in the Ecuadorian malnutrition, cb.ronic headaches and cancer Amazon while on tbeother, reduce tbe State's run rampant throughout the communities. A control over the exploitation of a delicate separatcstudy by the Canadian company HBT Agra, assessing the environmental impact of coosystem. Texaco's activities is to be presented to both TEXACO tbe Ecuadorian government and Texaco. The repon will not be published, however, and For twenty years, Texaco'soperations have both Indigenous and environmental groups decimated one of the world's mOSl biologi· are quCSlioning its validity as it neglects to cally diverse regions, wreaking havoc on the mention the indelible impact of Texaco's environment and the 300,000 Indigenous actions up:m 1he region's inhabitanlS. D VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 In response to the extensive damage Texaco has caused, a campaign to hold Texaco accountable bas been launched on an international scale. Presently, there is a world-wide boycott of its products with campaigns taking place in Denmark, Holland, and England. In addition, IWO lawsuits in the United States have been filed and anicles in The New York Times, Reu1ers News Agency , and New Yorker Magazine attest to tbe fact that this conflict bas fmally caught the eye of the international press. \1 \Xl"S Wbile the campaign against Texaco intensifies, the Nonh American petro-chemical company, Maxus, continues tOexpand expiO· ration of Block 16 wbicb includes pan of Yasuni National Park and Huaorani territories. Evenbefore beginningextraction, Maxus bad already caused a 900 barrel oil spill when a pipeline belonging to the Occidental Company was accidentally perforated by a Maxus work crew. Even though the spill was, fort be mOSl pan, contained, oil did manage to reach tbe estuaries of the Napo River. Moreover, tbe road tbat Maxus built to 19 �support itsoil extraction in Block 16bas ledto the colonization of the Tiputini River area. Through the purchase of wood for its encampments and extraction towers, it is promoting massive deforestation of the southern portion of the Cuyabeoo Reserve which was recently declared one of most biologically diverse regions in the world. The company is also responsible for several chemical spills in Ibis zone. As unbelievable as it may seem in the face of its disruptive practices, Maxus is attempting 10 present iiSCif as "protector" of the environment by promoting the establishment enous peoples of Pastaza, created social instability, and divisively manipulated and corrupted local individuals. Need I affirm that we find this tactic unethical and reprehensible?" Cuyabeno Reserve in Cofan tenritory, forcing the corporalion 10 negotiate with the Cofan community. The Cofans demanded active participation in Petroccuadot's activities on their tenritory and lbe financingof solar panels for their villages. A provisional accord was ...,!~---~· turned down by the corporate executives in , Quito who only agreed 10 the purchase of tbe solar panels valued at $10,000. The Cofans unanimously rejected tbeofferand stated that unless someone with sufficient authority agreed 10 their demands, they would be forced once again to shut down Pctroecuador's ex- L .. ploration activities. This conJlict was temporarily resolved when Petroecuador announced that no oil bad been found in Paujil. Nevertheless, there is evidence that suggests that Pctroccuador plans 10 perforate a few miles outside the reserve. of an environmental inves4igation srationand sponsoring an archeological project to "preserve Ibe cultures that have been occupying the region for thousands of years." ARCO I'ETROECUJlOR .-\\ll TilE I'E\IJI\G IIYDROC\RIIO\S L.\ \1 REFOR\1 Another petro-<:bemical corporation is ARCO, which hasuscddivisivetacticsamong Indigenous communities in Block 10 of the The future privatization of Petroccuador Pas1aza province. During a meeting with lead- has potentially devastating implications. If ers of the Organizationof Indigenous Peoples passed, the World Bank sponsored of Pastaza (OPIP), in Berkeley , California, privatization and reform of the Ecuadorian during the month of October, 1992, ARCO hydrocarbons law will sever the stale's ability agreed: 1) 10 rcspccllhe political and cultural 10 control and sanction oil corporations. The integrity of Indigenous peoples in Pastaza 2) new law would open up the region 10 innot enter into divisive negotiations through creased exploration and exploitation as well lhe buyingoffofloeal individuals; 3) todesist as grant new ooocessions to multinational from creating tensions which may lead 10 the corporntions, aecelernting the pace of demililaiization of the region; 4) 10 keep all struction even more. meeting allendces abreast of present and In response 10 the impending reforms, a future exploratory activity. Nevertheless, campaign bas been launcbed which seeks 10 ARCO has forgone this accord and launcbed minimize tbe impact on the region. The a campaign 10 politically debilitate OPIP. "Amazonia for Life" campaign is currently Through manipulation and bribery, ARCO pressuring the Wodd Bank toconsider its loan has created a parallel and independent organi- 10 the Ecuadorian government as a "Type A" zation, DICIP, and is unwil.ling 10 continue loan, calling for environmental and cultural lhe dialogue unless DICIP part icipatcs equally. impact reports prior to any further exploration Needless 10 say, OICJP unconditionally sup- in the region, as well as establishing a process ports ARCO's activities. In a rcccntlellct 10 of public participation that would include the ARCO's CEO, John Middleton, Hector affected Indigenous communities and repreVillamil, president of OPIP stales: 'To date, sentative organizations. ARCO bas neglected 10 comply with (the above)"guaranlccs and bas actively pursued a COFA\S CO\FRO\T strategy which systematically and insidiously PETROECL\DOR undennines the political integrity of OP!P. During the past months, ARCO has reinstated On October 2&, 40 Cofans took over a an un.eaJied for hostility toward the lndig· Petroccuador oil well located inside the 20 IILOCK 22 EXCLU>Eil FRO\ I 199~ CO\CESSIO\S In November, 1993, it was confirmed that Block 22, inside Yasuni National Park, would not be included in the concessions being offered for 1994. Th.is is undoubtedly due, at least in part, 10 pressures from the international and Ecuadorian environmental communities. However, the right of Indigenous peoples 10 control oil development on their lands still needs 10 be addressed. •••••••• The prolonged pctroleum extraction activities in the Ecuadorian Amazon has taken place without environmental or sociaJ impactS being taken into account. Important decisions have been made without consulting with the Indigenouscommunities who inevi- tably suffer the brunt of these deleterious activities. National parl(s, reserves and Indigenous tcnritories which bad supposedly been pern1anently designated as cultural and envi· ronmental reserves have not been spared. II is within this context, that the Public Enterprise Rcfonn, 10 fi6ECUPA103 in Category A, calling for an all-inclusive Study of social, environmental and cultural impacts of petroleumactivities, isbeingadvocated by various international and national Indigenous, environmental and social justice organizations. Sou.r«: RafofON:SI Action Nttwork Abya Y ala N e ws �E:":VI KON:VII :.NT ALLIANCES & DEVELOPMENT. FORMED CoLOMBIA's PLAN Earth and it is a potential sourocof hydroelectric energy and oil. In contrast toilS richness in life forms and rcsowecs, theChoco is inhab· ited by some 800,000 Nro-Colombians and 110,000 Indigenous peoples (predominanlly Waunanas, Embenls, and Awas) living under conditions of extreme poverty. PlaJJ Pacifico seeks the invest· ment of transnational capital for infrastructure development to in· clnde avaSt networkofroads, portS, aJJd induStrial centers in theCboc6, the Pan-American highway through the rain forest between Panama and Colombia, and the Bahia Malaga naval base wbicb bas effective!ymil itarizcd the area. In addition, the construction of an inter-oceanic land bridge COMeet· Bulldours clearing th~forestfor COIIStruction ing the Pacific aJJd Atlantic coasts, i>/the Pan·Anreriwt Highway itt C<Jiombia is plaJJDed for the near future. uring the last decade, the Colombian For these reasons, the Nro -Colombian Pacific Coast has been ransacked by and Indigenous communities of the Cboc6 miningand timbercompaniesas well bave joined forces to defend their lands from as lhousands of coloniSlS. The situation bas impending devastation. for y~ the Rebecome critical as the nco-liberal policies of gional Indigenous Organization Ember.! the 90's have been implemented. Within this Waunana (OREWA), has Struggled to oblain context, the PacifiC is not on.lya region of high collective property righlSOverthe 61 reserves remability due to ilS abundant natural re- that make up 16%oflhe PaciJicCoast.lndig· sources; it bas also become a Strategic point cnous peoples arc currently waiting for the through whi<:h the Colombian Sute strives to "Icy de Ordcnamie nto Territorial", a constitu. consolidate itS insertion into the international tiona I law which will define Indigenous terrimarkeiS linked by the Pacific Rim through a tories throughout the country to lie approved development Strategy known as "Plan de by Congress. The newconst.itution represcnlS Apertura Hacia el Pacifico" (The Opening of asignificant step forward for lnd igenous propthe Pacific Coast). erty rights as it aims to grant Indigenous The Choc6 region of the Colombian Pa- territories the same degree of adminjsuative ciJicCoast isoneofthe world's most biologi- autonomy enjoyed by Colombia's departcally diverse coosystcms. II is covered by ments. HOwever, under the newoonstilution, tropical rainforests, abundant in minerals and the law was supposed to have been drafted by tropical woods. II has one of the highest the Colombian State and Indigenous organiconcemrationsof plant and animal spocieson zations yet this has not been the case. The bill D VO L 7 NO. 3 &4 AGAINS~r PACIFico bas reached Congress twice without the inclu· sion of the document submitted by lhe Indigenous groups. The Nro-Colombian communities of lhe Pacific Coa3l face a similar situation. The special commission designated by the gov· emmcntto work on the bill was made up, for the most part, by membersoflhegovemment. The resulting law (Ley 70) awards uneulti· vated laJJds ncar tbe rivers of the region, not the urban areas and farms they occupy, and contains clauses allowing for the construction of a network of roads within lhe allotted territories. This law ignores tbc legitimate aJJd legallaJJd rigblS of the peoples of lhe PacifiC over the areas they have traditionally occupied and where they have constructed the Nro-ColombiaJJ society and culture. Continu.ing a long-standing Struggle, In· digenous and Afro-Colombian organizations came together at the end of July in Quibd6, capital of tbe Cboc6, to jointly look for solutions to a common problem. Members of lhe Nro-Colombian Organization of Pop<Jiar NeighhotboodsofQuibd6 (OBAPO), and tbc Integral Campesino Association of Atrato (ACLA), petitioned the government for the legal owncrshipoftheir communal land hold· ings and the management of tbcir natural resources. Aceording to lhesc organizations, the government's recognition of their property rigblS and their dilcct participation in the policies aJJd development projeciS that affect them, is the only way to put an end to the environmental and social devastation brought about by tbc Plan Pacifico. ··or more lnform:Hion c-ont~c-1: OR.:W.\ O~ani~d(in lndi~rna rmi'M.·r-..i \\':wnana ..\ ..\. 2S.' Quihdtl. ('hocU ( 'olonlhi:J l't·ltphoni': !'79 -'99 67 7$ �LoGGI~G TIIHEATENS 1~ h~· BHJTISJJ NATIO~s CoLt : ML~IA Stl-..m O'Doncll International attention has focused on Oayoquot Sound, British Colum· bia, wbert the battle over clear-cut logging of an old·gl()wtb rain forest has resulted in hundreds of arrests in Canada and protests at Canadian em· bassies around the world. Indigenous peoples make up about half the population in the Oayoquot Sound area. The Firsl Nations oppose the Canadian government's decision to clear-<:ut tbe forest and want a solu· tion that both preserves their natural environment and creates jobs for their people. A November 1993 court decision stated that the government of British Columbia mUSI consider Indigenous land rights wben awarding loggjng contradS. AspokespersonfortheNuu· cbab-nultb Tribal Council said he bopod his people would now he given a share of the loggjng profits and a guaranteed peroentage of the forestry jobs. About 70% of the Indigenous people in the area are unemployed. Canada's new prime minister has said he would be willing to declare the Oayoquot Sound area a national park if the province and the Nuu-<:hab-nulth First Nations agree. However, many Indigenous people in tbe area have reasons to he suspi· cious of his offer. A similar fight over loggjng of traditional Haida land in the nearby Queen Cbarlone Islands ended about six years ago when the federal government created a new national park on Haida territory. The government promised that tourism generated by the park 22 FJHST Giam redw()()(/s such as this one on Meares Island are threare.ned by clear-cut logging would create jobs for Indigenous peoples in the area but, six years later, the only new jobs have been given 10 white bureaucrats and tbe tourists have not appeared. Instead, an army of government bureaucrats arrived 10 tell the Haida how to care for forests they had been looking after for time immemorial. "It's like a new set of missionaries have been steaming in here to save us," a Haida woman told a reponer. "Butwe'renotbeingconvened. We know how to take cart of our land." Many 01her First Nations across Canada - , arc fighting the destruction wrought by logging companies on their traditional lands. In most eases, the Firsl Nations are not seeking an end to logging but want sustainable logging practices and a share of the jobs created. First Nations haveal.ready won many court battles but still the logging continues. Canada has been called tbe "Brazil of the North" because of its destructive fores~ry poUcies and a comparison he· tween the two countries reveals many similarities. For example, trees cover about 40% of bOlb. Nearly 100,000 Indigenous people live in Canada's tern· perote and boreal forest, and about 170,000 Indigenous people live in the Amazonian min fores~. In Canada, an acre of forest is clear-<:ut every 12 sec· onds while in Brazil, an acre ls cut or burned every nine seconds. While the seale of devastation in both counllies is similar, an important difference exists in the human motivat.ion behind the destruction. In Brazil, a driving force-for miniCSI destruclion is tbe poverty of the loggers, while in Canada, the driving force is tbe greed of multinational corpora· tioos. For more infonnation contact tbe Nuu· chah-nulth Tribal Council, wbieb represents the 14 First Nations in the rogion: Nuu-dlab·nullh Tribal Coondl PO Box 1383, Port Albernl BC, Canada V9Y 7M2. Phone: (604) 724STS7 Fax: (604) 7234163 Abya Ya l a News �SELF DETEHMI~ATION & TERRITORY Co~sTITUTIO~AL REVI S ION 1~ BIV\.ZIL: A Tt !HEAT TO I N DIGE="Ol'S RIGIITS BY e batUe for the rights of the over twO hundred Indigenous groups in Brazil seemed to have c.Jaimed a victory at the end of 1988. Bra:z.il 's newconstitution was drafted and approved that year, recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples, including the right to their lands. A five year deadline for the demarcation of these lands was established. After obtaining Indigenous territory status they would be proleeted by the government against invasions. Only the Indigenous peoples would be able 10determine the use for theirlands, including. if they so wished, mining and forestry. This deadline expired on October 5, 1993, and only 266 of the 532 territories officially rcoognizcd bad been demarcated. The 1988constitulion also included a clause for its revision at the end of five years. This period also expired in October. If this revision lalces plaoe, the rights granted could be revoked. The validity of the demarcation of Indigenous territories and the current restrictions on the use of these lands are highly questioned by many groups that support the constitutional revision. Invariably, these groups are part of the elites that have lost advantages and privileges. The three chapters central to the debate arc those concerning agrarian reform, the environmen~ and the rights oflndigenous peoples. II is feared tha~ if carried through, the revision could lead to changes toward the Nco-liberal policies supported by the majority of the Brazilian con· gress. Spocial interest groups lobbying in the Congress will have great influence over be results oftherevision. The political climate in the congress is actually dominated by these diversctboughgenerallyconscrvativegroups. The lack of complementary judicial tools that are also adequate and agile, added to tbe inoperative power of the executive are also seriously threatening the conquCSIS made for indigenous rights. T: VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 SLt.L;"o.:L .J. \.IC\~111.1.<> One of the most significant conquests was that over the Yanomami territory in May, 1992. The granting of 9.6 million hectares demarcated as Yanomami territory is now in danger of revision. Although the official recognition bas not kept gold prospec!ors away, some groups contend that this area is ~xeecd­ ingly large for the Yanomarni. Another argument is that demarcation in border areas threatens national sovereignty Minister of Justice recently declared that the demarcationwillonlyoontinucinareaswbere there are no conflicts, a requisite nearly impossible to fu1fill, and lbal effectively baits the process of demarcation until the revision issue is resolved. This process could take months or even years. The Minister of Justice also bad the power of prohibiting access 10 indigenous areas, but the Supreme Tribunal recently revoked Ibis power. This will have serious consequences for groups that are still isolated. Their limited numbers are threatened by the illness and violence that nearly always follow contact with outsiders. In the 500 years since the beginning of European invasions, the population of Indigenous peoples of Brazil bas been reduced from over 5million to less than 500,000. Their territories today are only IO%oflbeiroriginal size. The biggest obstacle to their survival is theattitudeofBra:zilian society. To the majority of the population, Indigenous rights and environmentalism are not social priorities.. Hunger and poverty are ranked first These economic pressures create great tension between the Indigenous peoples and the new colonistS, poor migrants trying to establish fanns in their territories. Indigenous people are thus the most widely discriminated group in Brazil, frcqucntl yviewed as sicl<, dirty, and carriers of the Cholera virus. The physical and cultural survival of Indigenous peoples is not considered their right, but rather an eeeenlricity of environmentalists. Many Brazilians arc of the opinion thattbe resources of the tropical forests can and should be exploited for economic bencfi.ts alone. These benefits rarely reach !bose actually affeCied by poverty. This attitude needs 10 change if the rights establL5hedin 1988 aretobeupbeld and if the fight for indigenous rights is to be continued. by creating practically independent stales. This argument does not take into account the fact that Indigenous territories have existed in border areas for years. Indigenous groups like the Kayapo and the Guarani are involved in legal batUes to prove their rights 10 establishing territories thai cover areas in different countries. Though it is true that the constiiUiional revision would not aller tbe present situation it can risk tbe loss of the judicial principle that pbilosophically supports the rights ?f indigenous people. Thus, the Yanomarni and the Kayapo could lose the legal basis to defend their autonomy and territories, as well as looiQg the power 10 resolve other issues still not legally defined, such as their rights over intellectual property and germ plasma. The appropriate compensatory mechanisms are yet to be CSISblished. Recent events justify the urgency of the possibility of constitutional revision. The Sources: Porantim, Revisao Constitucional 23 �THE NEW PERUVIAN CONSTITUTION AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AIDESEP overnment policy under suooessive Peruvian administrations has consistently denied lndigenouscommu· nities the right to participate in the political processes governing their lives and theirenvi· ronment.ln Peru, like its neighboring states, the Amazonas has perennially stood as the cushion for external problems and it, as well as the Indigenous peoples that inhabit the fores~ have traditionally been subordinate to and utiliztd by outside intereslS. The politics of intervention practiced by peevious admin· istrations have been taken a step further by the Fujimori regime as reflected in his proposed Olnstitution for Peru. G peoples by the installation of terrorism in tbe region, could escalate the violence that al· ready exists. B) Under the new text, Indigenous lands arc subject to seizure. This measure, proposed to facilitate aocess to credit, puts at risk communities that might he persuaded to follow tbe government's promotional campaigns and While tbe doelarationsof ethnic pluralism and the recognition of the right to Indigenous identity in the draft version ofthe newOlnsti· tution superficially represent progressive changes, their character is for the most pan symbolic and offset by the more concrete terms applied to Indigenous territories. The princi· seek credits offering their land as collateral. pal changes are summarized in the following C) Most imponantly, Indigenous lands classipoints: fied as abandoned can be taken over by the state and sold to individual investors. This A) Indigenous land holdings which have been point is of grave consequence since the clasprotected under constitutional law since 1933, sification is carried out by government funcare to be"declared open to land markets. This tionaries working underquestionableassumpmodification, coupled with the lack of access tions: After two years without cultivation, of indigenous peoples to civil justice, govern- lands are declared abandoned. This criterion ment corruption, and the twelve years of per- undermines the swidden/fallow (slash and secution and displacement of Amazonian bum) agricultural practices of many commu- 24 nities which make use oflong rotation cycles. Under these systems, the forest is left to rest for years before it is once again cultivated. Under the new Olns:titution, fallows are erroneously considered abandoned lands. D) The criteria applied to the demarcation of lands represents another threat to tbe tcrrit<>rial integrity oflndigenous peoples. By dividing communal land holdings into independent agricultural plots, the communities will become ex· tremely vulnerable. With this constitutional proje~the edifiCe of the once pioneer Indigenous legislation of Peru is in dan· gerof crumbling. Olupled with the promotion of agrarian investment in the Amazon region, the privatization and alienation of in· digenous territories represent adet. rimental blow to the Indigenous ,,,,.....,. peoplesofPeru. Undertbefujirnori regime, we are not taken into ac- count, or at least not as different peoples. The forest's communities and their economic, cultural and social practices are at best, considered an obstacle to the government's development priorities for the rainforest. The purpose seems clear: To irn· pose on Amazonian and other original communities an agrarian vision along with tbe extractive one that has, in the last few years, devoured more than 10 million hectares. Sou~tt: AlDESEP A by a Y ala News �WoMI::N's !.! ~ ~==~-...J ! INDIGENOUS W O M EN I N BOLIVIA SET EXAMPLE F OR A B Y A T: Indigenous women of Bolivia have come to occupy an imponant and in uential role in the lndige.nous movement after many years of struggling for their rights and !boseof their peoples. Using Native American women as models of or~tion and unity, today, Bolivia has the greatest national organization of Indigenous women in tbe Abya Yala continent The Coordinating Commission of Indigenous Women of Bolivia (CCMIB) was cie· ated during tbe First National Gathering of Indigenous Women on July 1993, in Acbocalla, La Paz. The Commission's purpose is to strengthen the Indigenous, popular, and campesino (peasant) movements through tbe active participation of women. By orga· nizing different gatherin~ and seminars, the Commission seeks to unite all the Indigenous and non- Indigenous women's organizations working tbrougboutthecountry and promote tbe formation of leaders in the various mem· ber organizations. VoL 7 NO. 3&4 Y ALA The Commission is guided by the funda- Diroetors was eloeted to organize the Second mental principles of doeentralized authority Encounter, which will take place next yw, and respoet for tbe autonomy of each member and where a permanent Boald will be eloeted. organization. In addition, !bough it is a women's organization it is not "feminist" Instead, the Commission looks to compli· ment its activities with those of its maJecoun· tcrpartS, since, as on participant affirmed, "in e original,traditionalcommunities,separatelevels of power between a man and woman did not exist A eouple made doeisions of mutual a:t:..J:....::II-iOiliriA• •lilllllll aooord, because the struggles of both the men ~ and tbe women were tbe same." Nevenhe· For More Information coniJ>Ct: less, taking into aecounttbe marginalization that the government's exclusion policies Combi6n Coordinadora dt' makes them face, the Indigenous women have 7\fuj('rC's lndl::<"na.~ de Rolhia considered unification a priority so that they Casilla 2315 can begin to devise theirO\vn methods to eloet Calle Yanacocha \o. +II representatives of their nationalities to the Edif. ..\reo lris.l'i<o 13. Oficina 13112 Bolivian government La Pa1. lloli•ia During the Encounter, the unification of 25 women's organizations was consolidated Telephone: 369.963 in tbe CCMIB, and an interim Board of �INTERV IEVV MAURICIA WITH C A STRO In 1991, Vicente Matute,fonner FETRIXJ president, and other members of the Directive Commission were ambushed and assassinated. Mauricio Castro, Xicaque,then SecretaryofFETRIXI. assumed the presidential office which she holds to this date. She is manied and is the mother of three children. run by LadinOISand the children are prohibited SAIIC: Does tbe government have any l3w fromspeakingtheirnativclanguages. Wehad that recognizes tbe indigcnoos communities? a case in which a first grader forgot to greet his Mauricia.: Nothing specific. Tbereisonlyone teacher in Spanish and instead greeted her in article tbat refers to Indigenous peoples in the Tolupan. Tbe teacher said she could not constitution. 'lbere is no law from which we understand him and that he could no longer be can infer bylaws. The organized nations of SAIIC: Very littleissaidabout thelndigenoos in school. The child was then forced to Indigenous peoples have passed a legislative peoples of Hondurns. How many are there abandon his dass<s. Socially, the native proposal that we call "Protection law for lndigeoous Nations". We did this with the and what groups do tbey belong to? language is DOl spoken, Ollly in the borne. belp of some lawyers and with tbe bad:ing of Mauricia: In Hondurns we have 6 groups, 7 ow lndigCOO<JS peoples. It has been in Conincluding the Cbonis who are not )'CI org:a· SAIIC: Is there mcism? niz<d. Within those 6 groups, with their Mauricia: In Yoro there is tremendous rac- gress for more than four yeaJS. One adminisdiverse languages and customs, there areal· ism. Our people are wori<ing to develop tration takes over, then another,and there is no most half a million Indigenous peoples. there consciousness of our own identity bu~ for one to promote this. Weare also taking action are the Ltncas, which number 80,000; the example, wearing our trad itiona!clothingonly for the ratification of covenant 169 of tbe Pcicben, about2,000; theGarifunas, 300,000; serves to frighten people or create aspeaacle. Intemational Labor Organization (lLO) but there are very few of u.~. In addition, tbe theMisikitOIS 40,000; and the Xicaques which number about 32,000. The Ltncas live in SAIIC: How is the land situation in Hondo· government functionaries are very cleve-r. Ltmpiro, La Paz, and lntibucan. Tbe Peichen rns? Do you have enough? Arcyoorcommu- Some of tbem come 10 the !ndigeoous communities and if there is a problenn, they say and MislcitOIS Iive in Pahuac:as,Sull'lOS,Gracias nities respecled and rccogniz«l? a Dios, and Colon. Mauricia: The situation is critical. The gov- they will solve it and we aeversee tbem again. ernment passed a law called "modemaation SAIIC: Do these Indigenous nations still con· of the agricultural sector" by which they give SAIIC: The Honduran peoples are traditionpowcrtotbelargelandowners 10 appropriate ally agricultural? serve their languages and tradir10ns? Mauricio: We, the Xieaquesareon the verge more lands. This law convcns the land into a Mauricia: We, the Xicaques cultivate com of losinp our language. This is why we arc marketable good tbat can be sold to tbe and beans and we make some crafts, such as working so hard to strengthen it and spread it. tr.lJISnationalcorpomtionsandforeigners. Tbe baskets, mats, and pottery. The Ltneas make specifiC problem of the Xieaques is tha~ even weavings from wool and they also cultivate SAIIC: Whatiseducationlikeinyours.:hools? thoogh we were given titles to oor properties com and beans. The Miskitos dedicate themMauricia: This istbemostseriousproblemof in 1861, people keep appropriating oorland selves 10 eollecling coconuts, oranges. and to tbeXicaques. Tbemajorityofthescboolsare due10 this law of "modcrnil.ed agriculture". planting rioe. In Amuskiti, whicb is a very auriciaCastro: My name is Mauricia Castro and I come from tbe De panment of Yoro in Honduras. I am pan of the peoples ofXicaque orTolupan, located in the Nonh of the country. M 26 Abya Yala News �Wo:\ll ~ ~~s Ma;m'ela Castro at the lnte,..Amuicon Encounrtr on lndlgtn()US Rights and Common Low swampy, the people fish. They have little This issue ha.• led to a campGign org;10ized by pGrctls, islands in themiddleoftbelakes. It's thelndigenouspeoplesofHondurasandpeople an extraordinary place. The rivers Patuca, from tbe popular sector, syndicates, farmers, Platano, and Coco are very laJge and navi- and organizations, because this is an attack g;~ble. l..asl year,the president wanted to give >g;linsl humanity. a concession to exploit !be . - - - - - - - - - - - . "lbe Spanish gave us the SAUC: Do you have a jungle of Anwquitia, a name Xiquaques because relllionship with tbe virgin jungle. I believe we were not easily tamed farmill8 sectOr? that in Centnl America so we decided to keep the Mauricia: There have this is the mos1 luxurious name, always rebels." been conOiCis with 1be and mos1 dense tropical &nners wbo have come forcsl. into our lands by force. SAIIC: Have you tried 10 exploit those re- The Union of Fann Workers (UTC), wanted to come into Yoroand therewas a very serious sources? Mauricia: The govemment tires. There is a confrontation. We know that this was not the law called the law of Honduran Corporation desire or the fam>ers themselves but rather of and Forest Development that says that the some of the leaders and some of the catUe forests belong 10 the state, independent of the ranchers, and although we were in jtil for faCithatthesc lands may be private lands. So several days, we earned respeCI for the aunow lbc government has the autonomy to sell tonomy of thelndigtoous people. Now, even lbc forests of our communities. Butlbcsc bas lbc coffee gtOWers have to eonsull with us been much resistanc:e. In some cases lbc before lbcy can mechanize tbeir planta~ Indigenous peopk have said that it was lbc responsibilityoflbcgove~iflbesepcople SAUC: Do you have traditional forms of entered and later found lbci r machinesburned. O<g;lnizatioo? Has it been difficult to fonn VOl. 7 N O. 3 &4 fcdcrntions that are based on Western forms of organizing? Mauricia: The Tribal Counci.ls existed but lheywere not united. But with the helpoflbc Catholic Cburcll, tbe missions, and some of the fanners that wanted to "make friends" with lhe Indigenous peoples 1 recuperate 0 vacant lands, we heg;IO to know each Olher. From 1970 10 19n there was a process of exchange between the tribes in order to share experiences and gc,t better acquainted. In 19n,lbc federation was organized but in an almoslgbotstlyfasbion. Everyyearweplanned .-iogs but somelbiag always happened. Between 1981 and 1983, we begao to orpoizc lbc councils and in 198S, lbc fitsl OrdiaaryCoogJCSS was beldwbicb gathered alllbc ml>esofYoro,EINegrito,Oianchito,Mozaran, andotbers. TheCoogJCSSofTribeswascstablishcd and tbestalules were made. There were many discussions about the name of the federationbecause many said we were TolupGOCS and nOI Xicaques. the SpGnisb gave us the name ~Xicaques" because we were noteasily lamed sowe decided to keep the name, always rebels. SAUC: What isthename, then,oflbcfcderatioo you belong to? Mauricia: Federation of Xicaque Tnl>es of Yoro, FETROO. SAUC: Do you belong to any confederation? Mauricia; This work came after FETROO. We begao to realize that on tbeone band lbcre were the Mislcitos and on theOiher,tbe l..enkas and others, so, with the help of some university students, anthropologists, that always study us, we managed to have the Fitsl Gathering of lbc Indigenous Peoples of Honduras in 1987, one year after having formed FETROO,. In 1988 we held the Soeend Eocounter from which a provisional committee for lbcconfcderation was born, and where we realized that there wereotbcrolgilnizcdgroups. ThcThirdEocounterwasbeld in Yoroandlbc Fourth in Tegucigalpa when our leader, Vicente Malule, was assassinated . Bctv.-.en 27 �thesecrelat)' and they said that we were going secrelat)' and they tell him what to do. But we to be dead. Butthefive, two women and three don't wish to make a parallel organization of men, were from different oounciJs. women because we believe, and this is a custom of the Xieaqucs, that women without SAllC: Does the intimidation oontinue? men can do nothing. and equally men without Maurieia: The other day I reeeivod a call women. Even though "machismo" always saying: Maurieia Rivera de Zubirana is pay- exists, we resist by saying: "Don't walk in ing someone to kill you and two other leaders front of me, don't fall behind, let's walk of the tribe. But I don't know...who knows? together". We have no prolcction. I oould believe that the Police are protecting me but it's just as SAIIC: How is your spiritual life? Is there likely that they are investigating me. The much Catholic influence? Police are like that always. The fodcration has Mauricia: There is a lot of inllueoee; little of been given many diplomas of reoognition but our spirituality remains. The Evangelists you sec that it's all politics. The deputy of introduce themselves into our oommunities Yoro is the one that exploits the Plangrande and putthem to sleep. Theydon'twaotpeople tribe. He is a landholder, the deputy, so how going to meetings. They say it's a sin to are we going to register aoomplaint ifheis the promote the development of the community, one who is exploiting us? There arc Indig- that the riches arc in heaven, that the poor are enous zones, where more than 200 non-Indig· blessed. They put all this in pooples' heads so cnous families live, that they want to tum into they later say: "But well, this is how God 1986 and 1992 wcformed the Confederation municipalities. There are schools, electric wants me to Hve". I don't go to mass. Priests of Autochthonous Peoples of Honduras light, roads, and even though we have prop- have oome to visit me and ask why I have not (CONPA). erty tiUcs, we indigenous peoples live cling· baptized my children. I teU them I don't ing to the cliffs. We have resistod du.ring three interfere in their spiritual lives. I don't want it SAIIC: Wbat lod to the assassination of regimes because we are the legal owners. and my children don't otiss it. ViccnteMatuteandthereprcssion? Weknow various Indigenous leaders have diod. Who SAIIC: What is the situation of women in SAllC: Do you have hope in the Continental are the repressors? relation to the organizations? Indigenous Movement now that you have Mauricia: FETRIXI is the only organization made oontaet? Do you think you should unite Mauricia: [The repressors arc) the land hold· that has three , - -- - - - -- - -, with the Indigenous pooples of "We have no protection. ers and the cattle ranchers of Yoro. We women oo lbe America? I cou.ld believe that the realized only at the end that themililat)' killod hoard. Five men Mauricia: The principal goal of police arc protecting me Vicente. There is a whole tribe that is under and three women, CONPA is to bring our forces to· but its just as likely that the oontrol of a general of the Annod Forces andwebelievethat gether, search for our ancestral they are invcsti.g ating of Honduras. Vicente was a very bonOS! and in lhe next term pas~ and oommunicate with all me." quiet man and in a meeting with president there will be four. Indigenous peoples of America. Calleja-we have the video and the tape reoord- Women participate We know that we are not all the same, but we know what we want ing-said that he wou.ld not he surprisod if the in decision makIndigenous peoples of the Sao Francisoo tribe ing, whethertbc men like itornot.UI see that at lhe continental level. go into a field to get their firewood and are it is in favor of the majority, then that is my hangod and taken away. ApparenUy they decision. Since 1987, womenleave the house SAIIC: Anything else? killod biro for talking like that and go to the assembly. Because the wo!SI Mauricia: I want us to prepare ourselves so problem is that women stay in their bouse, and ou.r rights as women are respected, so we are SAJJC: Have~other leaders been assassi· how are they going to be taken intoacoount if given the space that has long been dcniod to natod? • theydon'tgo tothesessions? Noone is going us. Tbisdoesnotmeao wewaottotakeit from Mauricia: In 199l,theyearthey killodVicente, to oome to the house to tell them: "we named men, we want to be given an equal opportuthey advisod us that they were going to kill you Cacique". In other oommunitics, there nity. Greelings to all the Indigenous women five of us and that's whatthey did. They said are no women in lbc organizations. In of theoontinent and let's keep going forward it would be those of the directive hoard. I was FETRIXl there arewomen who have a mao as because the struggle is ours. 28 Abya Yala News �EAL EPIDEMIC HITS COMMUNITIES OF SAN LORENZO, PERU n the Peruvian Indigenous communities of San Lorenzo, located close to the Ecuadorian border, an unidentified epidemic rosem bling the measles has spread voraciously, killing 5 and infecting 88 others. Symptoms include high fevers, skin eruptions, respiratory difficullies, hemorrhages, vomiting of blood, diarrhea, and bone pain. Representatives from tbe Ministry of Health have Oown to the respective sites to collect samples which are currently being evaluated in the United States. In the meantime, a vaccine against measles has been discovered to diminish lbe intensity of the illness, resulting in a campaign to vaccinate 13,000 people. The Minisl.ry of Health made an official agreement with the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Jungle (AIDESEP) to develop an"Action for Health" program serving ISO Indigenous communities of the High Amazonas regions via the San Lorenzo Health C.nter. Eacb community elects Indigenous youth to be pall ofthe "Promoters of Health" network that is trained to respond to the needs of the community during times of crisis. In addition, the Ministry of Health appoints an lndigeoo+ prescntative to be in charge of the health needs of 8-IOcomm'"'/rie's. Previous cbolera and malaria epidemics were effectively brouh{t under control tbrougb I (@PTS JNlrriATIVE ON INDIGENO U S HEA,L "PH fter reviewing the "Heal!! ; the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas" initiative fonnulated at the Working Meeting on Indigenous Peoples and Health, held in Canada, from April 13to 17, the Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), resolved to adopt Document CD37(JJ) during its Fourth Plenary Meeting held last September. The document which describes the initiative, was presented to PAHO by Colombian Senator Anatolio Quir3, Juan Reategui of Aidesep, Peru, and Mirna Cuninham, Miskito from Nicaragua. The resolution urges member governments to take steps in improving the deficient health and living conditions of the estimated 43 A VOl. 7 NO. 3 & 4 these networks. This is the second epidemic to reach the San Lorenzo communities in recent years. Malaria Falsiparum, before coming into San Lorenzo, bad spread in the border petroleum exploitation regions of the Ecuadorian rain forests with the arrival of obreros (oil workers) from other partS. Despite these positive efforts, both !be impacts of disease and severe water sbortages are driving San Lorenzo into an increasingly alanning health crisis. As a resul~ AIOESEP, its member organizations and the San Lorenzo Health C.nter are ealling for a revamping of Peru's bealtb care system for its Indigenous communities. For more infonnation contact: AIDESRP Av. San Rugeoio981 Urb. Santa Catalina-La Victoria Urna 13, Lima, Peru Tel: 71~21 ·- Fax: 72-4605 million Indigenous personsoftbe Ameri· cas as well as the participation of lndig· enous leaders and representatives in Ibis process. The resolution further eallson governments to strengthen the tochnieal, admin· isuative, and managerial capacity of na· tiona! and local institutions that are responsible for the health of Indigenous Juan Reategui or Ald<sep populations with a view to progressively 1 - - - - - --...J overcoming the lack of infonnation in this area and ensuring greater access to health services and quality care, thus contributing to a ttigher degree of equity. Member governments are further urged to work toward the transfonnation of health systems and the development of alternative models of care, including traditional medicine and disease prevention programs. The directing council also calls for the ~rticipation of Indigenous persons and their communities in all aspects of PAHO's work. For more inl'o: Pan Amtrkan Health Orga.ni1:alion 525 23rd St N.W. Washington DC 20037, USA 29 �VIOLENCE A GAINST INDIGENOUS P EOPLES n August 18-19 1993, lhe village of forces have plagued !he nation's inhabitantsMazamari in lheprovinceofSatipo, In the rainforest regions, since 1992 alone, located in the cenlr31 rainforest re- there have been 1,491 indigenous victims. According to the local people, some of gion of Peru, was anacked by 150 guerrillas belonging to the revolutionary lhe attackers of the augustiS-19 massacre Maoist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining were young Ashartinka rebels. Sendero will Path). The massacre resulled in the death and often plant Indigenous rebels within the vilbru!al mutilation of 87 Ashaninkas, about a lages and instigate the Armed Forces' violence against them to prove the government's lhird of which were women and cbildren. During lhe early morning hours, a band hypocrisyandbetrayaloflndigenouspooples. ofSendero guerrillas came disguised in tradiAbout 700 familes have been severely tional Ashaninka garb affected by the terror, abandoning their demanding weapons. lands, villages, and Whcntbevillagersdid their way of life. Due not comply with their demands,thebru!al atto lhe rapid changes wrought by the invatacks began. sion of both Sendero This has been the worst attack on the guerrillas and the PeAshaniokas since lhc ruvian Armed Forces, capture of Sendero traditional waysof life Luminoso's leader, have been severely Abimacl Guzman. disrupced,causingexThis massacre is just tremcly unstable livoneofthemanygenoing conditions. The cidal actions system· The massacre left more 1han 200 orphans continuous threat of aticaUy conducted against the Indigenous Scndero's terrorism has forced Ashaniokas commurtities that refusetosubmittoSendcro's and other Indigenous communities of Peru's Maoist 'doctrine of a "Revolution for tbc Ccnlr31 Jungle to oonccntrate aU their enerPoople". Due to the Ashaniokas' resistance, gies and human resources toward self-<lethey have been targeted and persecuted. fense. Throughout Peru, violence and terror on the In response to the unwananted violence part of Sendero Lumiooso and the Armed and brutality, lhe Indigenous peoples of the O 30 IN PERU: Ccnlr31 region are actively engaged in oommunity organizing and creating al.liances with Indigenous organizations. The First CongressoflheAshaninkalndigenousPeoples of the Peruvian Amazon will be held from November29to0ecember3, 1993, inSatipo, Peru. Other lndigneousorganizations,such as CECONSEC, ANAP, and FECONACA, as well as representatives from oonccmed public and private institutions will also be attending. . \. <: T I () :--.1 There is an immediate need for relief funds for the 200 Ashan.ioka orphans and widows as a result of the massacre in tbc Mazamari village. CECONSEC is also in need of economic aid to continue supporting the organization of the First Congress of Indigenous Peoples of the Central rainforest region of Peru. For more information on bow you can help, please contact: Kalia Arya 4015 Rhoda Ave. Oakland, CA 94602 Tel: 510-482-4682 FAX: 51(}.421-4758 or SAUC A b y a Yal a N e ws �RIGHTS . In respoose totheaogoingvioleoceagainsl and theRCelll m II :reoftheAWnjnta UICiegeoous f'OOI'Io in the village of Mazamari, province ofSatipo in the CeniW Jungle of PeN, We lbc A+••i•h People feel it i3 necessary to bave an EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES OF TilE Ct!NI'RAL JUNGLI! REGION OF PERU. THE FOLLOWI NG I SSUES AND PROBLEMS W I LL BE ADDRESSED AT T H E CONGRESS: I. Tbe problems lbc Asbaninka communities a~e clcal.ing with in the face of lbc ldveiSily tbey an: experiencing. 2. The problem of the Asbanjnka refugees and di3placed iodiviWals and families and flow to regain land rights. 3. Analyze the situation of abandoned lands by lbc iDdigeoous COIIIIIIIIDi1ie cmo to Scadcro LumiDoso (Shining Pa!h) brutal displacmcnllae6cs. 4. Analyze the relalcd and arole problems of health, ocluclliouad foocloflbc OOIIIJDUDiries lbal bave arisen with the mer.- of refugees. 5. Evaluale pOOtic and private i.oslillltioos and peJSOm lbalan: cleoelopiic favoablo ICiioas towaJds assitinglbeAsballinkacommunilies. Also analyze diose Moan: baltliliog from lbcslaleof emergency we are cunelllly living in. 6. Tbe impact tWttheapprobation of rellled articlesregalclingna!MiaDclsiD the Peruvian Coa>1itation will bave on the communities • right towards ocx:upying abel plOieding lbcir laa.cls from ezploiWion and invasion. Vol. 7 NO. 3 & 4 31 �ONIC DENOUNCES \VA V E OF l\1UR D E RS lima: Thedeatboftwolndigcnouspeopleaddstothereported zone, several incidents have occurred that threaten the socurity of the murder on November 2 of Nelson Moreno, president of the Indigenous peoples of the area. The Armed Forces have surrounded Ortega Municipal Council and leader of the Indigenous Re- and searched several Indigenous households in search of infonnation gional Council ofTolima (CRIT). regarding supposed links with guerrilla groups. On October 7, armed men dressed in civi Iian clothes broke into the house of Manuel Narciso Cauca: Saturday, November 6, in Rosguardo de Paletar.l, an armed Sdrez, the treasurer of the Indigenous Town Council ofVolao. They group assassinated Jorge Vargas, intcringovernor oftbe Town Coun- demanded infonnatien on guerrilla groups, and when be denied cil, and member of the Indigenous org;~nization and former guerrilla having knowledge of them, he was assassinated in front of llis family. group, Manuel Quintin Lame. The group identified itself a$ part of the Before leaving. they issued the following threat: "Anyone who gives Coordinadora Gucrrillera Simon Bolivar and Wa$IOOJcing for other even a drop of water to the guerrilla, wil.l be killed." Indigenous members of tbecommunity. The Indigenous peoples living in Urab3, in the department of Antioquia, an area of armed conflict, arc constantly subjected to the Sierra Nevada: Tuesday, November 2. Two armed men appeared crossfire between the Armed Forces and the guerrilla groups wllich dressed as civilians in tbe community of Guamacas, di.slrict of San frequently engage in combat on Indigenous lands. Juan del Cesar (Guajira) ncar Marocazo, where in April, the leader For more infonnation, contad: Arsario, Gregorio Nieves, was assassinated. Francisco Mujica, leader ofthecolllll)unityofGuamacas, was also murdcned. Thefact that a few days before, the group UNASE appeared in Marocazo with a list of ONIC names among which where the commissioner of Marocazo, Rafael 31 J5.48 Francisco Nieves, and the general socretary of the organization YUGUMAYU BUNKUNARRUA TAYRONA, Victor Julian Alberto. The group was aooompanied by a hooded man. T: Antioquia.: In the Departmentof Antioquiaand especiallyin the Urabi Source:National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC). 32 Abya Yala News �I-l l INDIGENOUS ACTIVIS T H ELD I N GuATEMALA n Oct 27, Marco Cbooo Danuls, Qeuchki man and active member of the Consejo Nacional de Desplazados de Guate mala (National Council for the Displaced of Guatemala CONDEG), was detained by soldiers in Ia "Cumbre" in Salama, Baja Versapaz, while on a bus to Guatemala City. He is repo!1edly being held in lbe anny barracks in Salama. CONDEG was founded to defend the rights of Guatemalans displaced by the anny's counter-insurgency campaign. The army considers lbe members of CONDEG to be "subversives.• In recent years, members and leaders have suffered buman rights violations, including lbeir disappearance, extrajudicial execution, and intimida- O tion. ::vt A~ RIGHTS. Lenerssbould urgelbat his legal situation be clarified and lbat beeilber be released or brought before a competent court. Plca\t stnd lt'lters to : Gntl. 'Inrio Enriqul'l 'lorult·l 'lini., lro de f)t'fl·JNt \linhlerin dt• u~:ft· n..;t Paladn \ at·ion;tl. Gn:•h·nwtt Cit~ G u:.tlt·ma ht Fa\: 01 J :-u2 2 :'.\7472 Td,·fax: 301 :W•l CO\Gl"A <a: Smd ~ • P i'-'S uf h:lll'r." lu S:\JIC :md lu: ("0\lli:G 7:t .-\H·nid;l K--56, Ztlll~tl Edifidn El ('('ntro 7 :'\hel. Ofkin:.~ 7-12 G ua1('malu Ci l~. Gua lt•maht Human Rights organizations are concerned for the safety of Marco Cbooo and ask that you immediately send leners or faxes expressing your concern for tbe safety and well-being of Marco Chooo Damas. ON-GOING VIOLENCE AGAINST MACUXf oftict between lhe Macuxi and local land owners regardi.og lbedema.rcatonofI ndigcnous territory in lbe state of Roraima, BJ112il, bas lead to continuing violenoe against lbe Macuxi. On November 6 1993, Democlidcs Albuquerque Carneiro, a 23 year old Macwcilndi.an, died in poli<lc cUStody. Aocording 10 reports, bebadbeenmestedonsuspicionofbavingstolensomecattle. A plOt to cover up lbe real cause of bis dealb was discovered when a poli<lc offioer confesed to tbe shooting. O V o l. 7 NO. 3 & 4 Souroe: Amnesty International Sinoe late Seplember, a mililaly mad bloelc bas beeo operating io lbe Raposa!Sern do Sollodigeoous area. The Macuxi have campaigned for lbe demarcation of lbe aJU as an JodigtDOUS resctve but local pol ilicians, influential land OWDetS, and lbe Slate goveromeol of Roraima are vehemently oppooed 10 lbedcmarcarion. As a resuj.~ lbe Raposa/SemtdoSolareawas DC)(deman:atedwithin tbecoostitutional deadline of October 5, 1993. Consequently, reporiS or ~ official harassment againstlndigeoouscommu.nities have been ttansmitted. Please send letters expressing your concern about the dealh in custody of Democlides Albuquerque Carneiro on November6, 1993, in the police Slation of Alto Alegre, Rollinla Call for an inquiry iolo this dealb and ask lbat the respousible be prompc!y bmugbl to~; wge a full inquiry into reports of ill-treatment and barassmco1 6)1 official security foroesof members of lndigeoous OO!IIlllunities at the mililal)' polioe baJracks in lbe Raposa!Sena do Sol area. State Hood of Polk< Exmo. Sr. S.C..tario de. Seg. _ Publica do Estado de Roraima Sr. Rubens Braga Quintela Av Capii>O Enc Garoest no 324 62.300 Boo Vista. RR Brasil State G<wemor Exmo. Sr. Govemado< do E&.lado de Rorai ma Sr. Onomar Pinto Palacio 31de Marco PrKa do Centro OviO>Ctntreo 69.3000 Boo v;..._ RR 8ra%il P!<ase send ropi<> 10 Si\ltC and: Roraim.a Indian Council C«oelho l ndig<nis<a de Ror>ima Cain Posllll t63 70.300 Boo Vis1.1. RR Bnsil 33 �DINEH STRUGGLE ' AGAINST PEABODY COAL CONTINUES illegally for 9 yeatS, the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and U.S. Department of the Interior have purposely neglected to e.oforce the law and require Peabody to Slop mining with invalid permits. In addition, there have been recent repotts of livestock confiscation in the region. Your immediate action is needed now. The destruction and suffering mUSl be stopped! Help bringjuSlice to the sacred lands of Big Mountain by sending letters and faxes expressing the need to uphold legal mandates to: __ _, ....-----------., US. Otpctren• oflllledor 111111 ud cser..a. NS. wake of fiagile ecosystem destruction, desecration of sacred es, and the depletion of valuable water resources, a major paign to hold Peabody Coal Company acoounlahle for its actions is being launched by tbe Dineb peoples of the Four Comers area in the North American Southwest. Blacl< Mesa/Kayenta mine is the largest Slrip mine and only coal slurry line in the U.S. It bas been carved into the most sacred azea of the Hopi and Dineb people, destroying all homes, grave sites and sacred azeas in its path. ·Even though Peabody bas been conducting its mining activities E W~DC.­ Fu:QOl)._ -~ Dlo<ll Ropl2045 w, 3rd 134 w-..,AZI6N7 Fulpbooe (60:1) m.:mr7 Eet':\DOHI:\~ l ~DIGE~Ol 'S MOVE:\IE~T TIIHE:\TE~ E D n the evening of October 31, COJCA's beadq\Wlers were broken into and robbed of over $6.000 worth of off1CC equipment . The wee. prior to the i nciden~ COICA was k prompted to take extraordinazy steps to improve its security when it learned that CONFENAIE's office had suffered a similaz break-in. Earlier in the montb, a dead dog was found neaz COICA's office with messages on it saying, "Mateun indioy haga patria"(bea patrio~ kill an Indian) and "Muera Lucho Maeas el reformiSla" (Death to O Lueho Macas,the reformist). The first of these messages has also been painted on numerous walls azound Quito. Luis Macas is the president of CONAIE, Ecuador's National Indigenous Federation. Wblle this bate crime is particularly ominous and disturbing. there is no evidence that it is connected to the burglary. As this type ofevent is unusual in Ecuador, membetSoftbe Indigenous community believe it could signal the emergence of a right wing effort to undermine the movement. Valerio Grefa, General Coordinator of COICA, bas written the Coalition in Support of Amazonian Peoples and tho Environment asking for its moral, political and financial assistance. Please mall or fax leners to President Sixto Duffin with copies for the Picbincha police chief. Besides expressing your concern and hope tbattbe government wlll take steps to protect COICA from threats and violence, your letters should state that we are closely monitoring the situation and will report any future incidents to the US human rightS communityandNGO'sworkinginsolidaritywithlndigenouspooples. , _.. Sblo Duna CaSI PI tdJ ~a c:lal Gtnia-1043 QuHo. £<uado< Fu: (593) z.sti0.569 Mort lnf'onnalion <'2ll be obtaiotd through Denllis Udal~ AC'tiQg COOfdJ_ator n lor tbt Am>ZOft Coalllloo at (617) 723-2578. 34 Abya Yala News �0HGA:".'IZATIO:".' & COMMUNICATION. SEEKING UNITY IN GUERRERO epresentatives from Nahuatl, Mixtooo llapanooo and Amuzgo communities attende<l tbe First Congress of Indigenous representatives of Guerrero from September 23 to 26 !993. This conference was a big Slep forward in tbe unification of Indigenous Communities of Guerrero and their struggle to estahlisb autonomy. The rights of Indigenous communities, including land rights and perspectives regarding culture and development, were among the themes addressed during the conference. ill terms of Indigenous rights, the need for the recognition of individual rights as well as traditional forms of enforcing justice was expressed. The election of commissioners within municipalities and the partitioning of Indigenous land by the Dcpattment of Agriculture was denounced as going againSt tbc traditional communal land structure. Propo6als in relation to these issues were tal<en to the National Consultation Forum of lnd.igenous Nations, where land issues and the enforcement of Article 169 are dealt with. In addition, a propo6al for the passage of a law entitled Indigenous Electoral of the Sixth District, which would allow for Indigenous representation R within the Chamber of Deputies, was put fonb. The need for direct patticipation in development programs taking place throughout the region was discussed. In this contex~ a format (or devising solutions to problems of education, unwieldy infrastructure of services, the sustainable use of natural resources and the financing of agricultura.l production was designed. In order to implement the solutions and projects, the creation of a government fund for tbe economic development of Guerrero's Indigenous communitics, to be managed by tbe communities themselves, was suggested. In order to preserve their traditional cultures, the representatives pcoposcd the creationof educational programs in which children could learn the music, dance and language of their people. The Second Conferenoc will be taking place March 15, 1994. e lnteramerican Encounter on lndig enous Rights and Common Law took place from June 16-19 at the beadquarters of the Alliance for Development in Guatemala. The event was organized by MayaOdtureCenter(CECMA). Representalives from different Indigenous organizations from throughout the continent pattieipated, including: National Indigenous Organization T: Vol. 7 NO. 3&4 of Colombia (ONIC), The Honduran FederationoftheXieaqueofYoroTribes(FETRIXJ), the General Guayami Congress and Kunas United for Napguana both from Panama, Sejekto of CoSia Rica, the Council of Mayan Organizat.ions of Guatemala, representatives of the Autonomous University of Mexico as well as representatives from SAUC in the United States. 35 �~ ""'''""""' INDIGENOUS BIODIVERSITY .~ ( """' '" '""' NETWORK e Indigenous Biodiveristy Network (Biolndio) was formed in agencies to improve its implementation at tbe international level. Geneva, Switzerland, in October 1993, by Indigenous rcpre While the convention will be a major focus, Biofndio will also serve scntatives attending the Fitst Intergovernmental Cmnmittcc to support a range of Indigenous initiatives on biological diversity on the Q>nvention on Biological Diversity held since the Rio protection around the world. Qlnferencc in June, 1993. Biolndio is a growing networlc of global aboriginal groups and organizations worlcing togctber to protect Biolndio is made up by: biological diversity tbrougb active Indigenous participation in tbe Asian lndigcnous Women's Networlc formulation of policies, laws and programs relating to biodiversity Asociaci6n de Oerccbo Ambiental de Ia Regi6n lnka·Pen\ protcction,includingratificationandimplementationoftheBiodiversity Q>ngrcso General Guayami, Panam~ Q>nvention. To strengtben the role of Indigenous peoples and their Cultural C:Onservancy, USA communities in biodiversity protection, First Nations have to forge Cultural Survival, Cana~ international connections. Presendy, Biolndio is worlcing to establish Sobrevivencia, Paraguay a non<:entralizcd structure and reaching out to native groups and SAIIC, USA organizations from the fourcomersoft be world to discusscoopcration Gabriel Muyuy, Indigenous Senator of Q>lombia at the global level. Biolndio was motivated by the need of having direct Aboriginal For more tnronnation, please contact: presence and autonomous voice on the Biodiversity Q>nvention's Alejandro Argumedo implementation phase. Ncgotiationsoftheconventiondid not include 1 Ni<holas Stree.t, Suite 620 Indigenous peoples even tbousJ! the richest ecosystem, biological and Ottawa, Ontario Canada KIN 7B7 genetic diversity is usually found on Indigenous territories. Biol.ndio Tel: 613.233.4653 will work to ensure Indigenous participation in the implementation of fax: 613.233.2292 the convention and seeks to cooperate with NGO's and international T: PEOPLES OF THE RAIN · FORESTS HOLD GLOBAL CONFERENCE epresentatives of Indigenous organizations from tropical rainforests around the world met at the Second Qlnferenceof the Worldwide Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Rain Forests held in lquitos, Peru, from August 25 to 31. The conference, organized by the Q>ordinating Body of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin(COICA), was a success notonlybecauseofthelarge numberofparticipating organizations but also due to the decisions that R were reached. The acknowledgment of Indigenous autonomy was the central theme during the Second Qlnference which included the participation of80 representatives from 26 different organizations from the Ameri· cas, Africa and Asia. The members agreed on a resolution that seeks 36 to apply the recommendations made in the 1991 U.N. meeting in Nuux, Greenland, which focused on tberigbt oflndigenous peoples to govern tbemsclves througb their own laws, social norms and cultural values in a territory designated as their own. A second resolution issued at theconferenceasks for the ratificationofcovenant 169of the International Labor Organization (IW) also dealing with indigenous sclf-<letemtination. The Alliance was fonned during tbe First Q>nferencc beld in February 1992, in Penang. Malaysia. The Alliance seeks to influence the development policies of governments by urging law makers to respect the rights oflndigenous peoples whose livelibond is tied to the forests. Aby a Y a l a News �OtHIA~IZATIO~ AlPIN om October 13-24, members of AJPIN(Inlemational Association of Indigenous Press) mel 10 p~~blicly announce recognition of lbcir o!lical staiUS by lbe International PressAssociation. AlPIN is comprised oflndigeooos people and organizations lbal work wilb various ltlOOiums of mass communication, press, radio and television. ll's objective is 10 make 1he Indigenousvoiceanactiveonewithin mainstream society. F . I:'\ & COMMUNICATION RADIO WAVES FOR WOMEN recenl conference organized by lbe "MujeresAymarasyComunicaci6n" program of lbe Center for Education and CommunicatiOn in Puno, Peru, brougbl together Indigenous Women who make community-Jcvel radio programs in PeruandlloIivia The programs, made for and by women, deal with problems faeed by women everywhere, such as domestic violence, discrimination, and marginalization. Their object islo unite women around their mutual concerns A and 10 provide an avenue lbrougb whieb women can mobilize for social ebangc. The conference provided the women an opporiUnity 10 share lbcir experiences and 10 create a network of support As Rosa Palomino, wbo producesaradioprogramin Perunoledaltbe end of lbe eonference: "The radio programs provide a system of mui\Jal supporl, a fonn of devclopmenl- Ifwedon'lincludelbcwomen, we will nol develop..." • • • • • • • • • • • D E F E :"\SE OF hDIC)E:"\Ol 'S i\1tGH.\:"\T \VOHKEHS nited Fann Workers (UFW) And Representatives of lhe Binational Mixlee-Zapolec Front (FM-ZB) have signed a joint agreement 10 Spill organizing and advance lbe defense of human and labor rights of Indigenous migrant workers in lbe U.S. Thousands of Mixlee and Zapelee Indigenous peoples comprise lbe latest immigrant group of workers toiling in lbe agrieuiiUral fields and the service industry of California. Mixlee-Zapotec Bi-national Front is lhe largest and most impertanl Oaxacan organization in California The new immigrants are Indigenous workers from the U Mexican Slate of Oaxaca wbo, through a joint effort of lbe UFW and FM-ZB, will be encouraged 10 join lbe United Fann workers Union while still maintaining lbe autonomy of lbeirown organization, under an agreement thai was signed on September 24, 1993. UFW President Arlllro Rodriguez and FM·ZB General Coordina· lOr Arlllro Pimentel Salas signed the agreement in Los Angeles, CalifomiaonSeptember 24, 1993.1beagreement is expected 10 boost a new union organization campaign begun by Cesar Olavez shortly before his death last April 22. WINGS FOR THE YouNG LAS, Solidarity Alliance of Latinarnericans, is a projecl driven by Carnita Piedra Castaneda Foundation of Ecuador, thai seeks 10 promote links in the union among lbc young Indigenous peoples of Abya Yala 10 initiate solidarity and an international support network. This projec1 covers lllree specific areas: I) The creation of a network of communication on a national and international level allowing young people access to infonnation in order promole exchange between different community organizations. 2) To prolllOie national and international gatherings with Indigenous youth. wilboul walls", community v.'Orkshops, and the "university of lbe Streets", utilizing lbe methodology of "learning/doing, the commu· nity leaches the eommunity". The objectives of ALAS are to achieve unity and leadership of young people on ~half of communication and education so young people can become fundamenlallo lbc development of their communities. ALAS will hold lbe Continenla!Eneouoler in Riobarnaba, Ecuador nexl year, People interested can contact Mauricio~ Coordinator/Secretary City of the Yoong-Penipe Box826 Riobamba, Ealador Tel: 474-124 FAX: 593-2-962263 3)1becreationof pep<~lareduealionprograms whalwillbea"sebools VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 37 �I a C.·\.LE:-.:l>/\H AsHAN l NKA AGAINST OF EvE:-.:Ts SuMMIT rteenl violence against Asbaninka communities in Peru (Soc article on page30). VIOLENCE For more infonnation C()!'ltacl: The 8 Asbanlnb Ollanizations affiliated with the lnter-dhnic As$0Cialion for thelle..:lopmentoflhe Ptruvi31l Jung)e(AlDESEP) v.ill hold the Fil:'$1Summit Gathering of the Ashaninka Peoples in Solipo, Peru, from N<Mmb<r 29 !" Deoernb« 2 Th< purpooeol thls impomnt meeting is to analyze and formu· late lhc pol ides aDd strategies thal should be taken in v~w of the I NTERNATI ONAL TESTIMON I ALS ON H UMAN R I GHTS AlDESEP Av. San Eugenio981 Uri>. Sta C.taJioa, La Vict<>rill Uma,Ptru Tcl:724«)5 Fax: O.SI-014-724«)5 befocc a Council ot TonanlZin Land lnstitute P.O. Bo.x 40182 Albuquerque, NM 87196, USA Tel: (SOS) 766-9930 lndigCOOU$ ctsliliert from around the world will present their cases FOURTH HOLD CONGRESS The Fourth Congrt.$s or the Nationallndigooous Confederation of &:uad<l< (CONAJE) \>ill "ke place frorn Deoemb<r 12·15 at the heOOqurarters of the National EcuadoriM Amazonian Indigenous ConfedtratiOia (CONFENAIE). New leaders will be eloct«< to sttve a three year ttrm by rtprcsenlatives from CoaslaJ, Andean, KANTO D E LA T I ERRA M EDI C INE Preparations are underway for next ye&''s Kanto de Ia Thm, Medici r;e f.a&Jes Gathering. to be bdd in l..aredo. Texas. a1lhe Old M Road site, rrom Mardl 17 - 20. ines FIRST GATHERING OF SPIRITUAL. ELDERS OF Mll..l..ENNI;,.. l.. OF A BYA and Amazonian <lClrnmunitic:s. on behalf or the nir;c Indigenous nalion.'i or Ecuador. 2,S(X) people are expocccd to attend. For moce Information, con~: CONAIE Av. Los Granados 25$3 and Av. 6 de Oiciembre C.Silla Pooui92-C, Ql,ito, &:uaoo< Tel: (2) 248-930 Fax: (2) 442-271 The is.sue:s of eavironment. the free trade alliance, and the ollhe rivtr ll\at scpantes Mexico and the· Ul\ited Statts are at the focus of this year's galhering. ~am.inadon Par1icip3J'lts who are planning to attend in Marett. pk.ase ooot3Ct: EAGLES GAT H ER I NG TH E that will produ« a document for For moce lnfonnation contact: The lntematicnal Te$timonials on the Violation of Indigenous Human Right$. to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from Deoemb<r9· 12. 1993, will briog Indigenous peoples and Ofi>Oiza· lions together tO (lftStnt and heat l<$limony on the impact natioa· state p·emments have 1\ad on Indigenous toVe:reignty rights. CONAIE T O l...is~eners $ubmi$$ion to the United Nalions and other forums. The event is c» sponsott<l by the ContinMtal Coor\iinating Commission of lndig· enous Na1ior\s and Otp\iutKas, tbc Indigenous Peoples' AJii· anoe. aOO the Tonantzin l..atld lnstilute. Y WISDOM Al..A The ga~hcring will acSdress the main issue affecting the lndigtflOUS Peoples of Abya Yala. !he danger of Ex.1inaion of the Wi:sdotn keepers-Spiritual EI<Sers due to the almost im,·enible damage to our Traditional W ays. Our plan of action is &O strength the Kanto de lo1lern Reymu.I'Kio Tigre-Ptrtz f.xOC:Uti\'C Oire<:c.or P.O. Box 3m i.al<do, TX 78044 Tel: (210) 791·3674 Tra<titional Ways or friendship. trust. cooperation and, above an, the building of a Peaceful Future of ~is:tenoe with all our Relations and our Mocher Earth. For all communieatiMs conlaCl us at the following addl't$$! Ploy«~<> de Dmarollo S3ntiago Km. 1S C3rretera Roost.\·ell Apclo. IJ.BC.P.01903 Guatemala, GuawnaJa Fax: 953913 Abya Y a l a N ews �LETTEHS Dear Brochers; Dear Friends: Dear SAllC Slaff: I congraiUiale and lbank you for I have received IWO casscues of I was deligbled 10 receive your your invaluablemagazineandm· your radio program, Voces news journal for lbe firs! lime. I dio programs, lbey have been so Nalivas. lgreaUyappreeialelind- found il very u.sefullo show and helpful for us here and lhc lndig- ing ou1 aboul aclivities lhal arc educalepeoplelhalcomelbmugb enous cause as a whole. The happening in lbe Indigenous lhe park and research slalion abundanl information and male- world, reclaiming righiS to land, (Parque Amacayacu, located in rial from all over lbe Indigenous naiUral resouroes and life. The the Colombian Amazon). Howworld has both stimulaled and SAIIC program is important for ever, articles describing wbal is infonned us. both Indigenous support groups happeningwilbnarureandeveryand Indigenous peoples them· !bing lbal lives wilhin i~ were Soon we will also be sending in· selves. missing. fonnalion aboul Napuruna and who we are. I will be sending you infonnation Rodolfo Pinilla and pholograpbs aboul us and lbe Parque Amacayacu Yesterday, "Voz de Ia Selva," a activities our men, women and Lelica, Amazonas Colombia radioSiationiniquilosworking al children are involved in. lbe forefronl wilb Nalive com· munilies, did a nalional report on Loila Rener lbe conlarnination of lbe Napo Managua, Nicaragua River. Valerio Grefa of COICA is a paisano and we speak in We've eome &om Quichua. It seems as !hough a ·afar to talk about God, petroleum company is going 10 Slarl operations in Peru close 10 \ civilization, and eternal lbe Cumry river which leads 10 ' - - - wisdom lbe Napo river. If Ibis happens, where are we going 10 find fish 10 cal and clean waler? Dear SAIIC S1aff:, . I would like 10 unile my voice wilb lbeolber people lbal see and read lbe Boletin, even lbougb I am far away, wilb unified senti· meniS in an eeho lhal will grow louder every time. I a.m a mesli2a from a region of O>Iombiaandbaveworkedmany years wilb various elbnic groups. As an anlbmpologist, I work wilb women and lbus am very interestedinfonningawomen'sgroup in the furure. For Ibis reason, I would very much like 10 receive your book Daugblers of Abya Yala. Amanda 0 . Delgado Cali, Colombia Since I live by lhe Napo River, I lold lbe people in charge of O>n· servalion and lbe Environmenl aboullbis possibilily so lhallhey migbiSiarldoingsometbing. Unfortunalely, lhey are in lbe clouds. Bul, if we keep lalking 10 lbem, lbe migbl do act. They have said 10 me, "You, lbe Nalive peoples, aretbevoiceofalarm." They also would like 10 receive your news journal. Padre J O>quinche Mercia Mision Napuruna, Rio Napo Iquilos, Peru VOl. 7 NO.3 39 �1992 DIRECTORY I NTERNATIONAL & REsOURCE G UIDE An annotated directory of over 600 international organizatiOns that participated in 500 Years of Resistance projects. Includcs declarations from Indigenous conferences and organizations and informarion on cuniculum resources, speakers bureaus, computer networks, audio·visual resources and print rcsourocs. S8 + $1.75 shipping. DAUGHTERS OF ABYA y ALA Testimonies of Indian womeo organizing throughout the O>ntinCIIL SWemems from grassroots lodian women leaders from South and M<$0 America. InehJdes n:solutions from Indigenous women's meet· VIDEO: COLUMBUS DIDN'T DISCOVER ingo, a dit:eeto<y of Indian women's organizations and key oonlliCIS, informationonlndianwomeo'sprojCCCS,andpoemsbylndianWOII1CII. Forty~iglltpages with beautiful black and white photographs. Printed on recycled paper. $8 + $1.SO shipping. Soon 10 be available in Us Native people~ perspcccivcs on the Columbus Quinocntennial based §pankh, on the footage of the t 990 Quito Conference. 24 minutes. A CO· production of SAIIC, CONAIE, ONIC and Turning Tide Productions. Available in Spanish or English for S2S + $1.75 for shipping &handling. AMAzoNIA: VOICES FROM THE RAINFOREST VIDEO: REBuu..DING OUR A resource and action guide with a comprehensive lisling of international rainforest and Amazonian Indian organi_atiioos z sponsored by SAI IC and the International Rivers Network, and COMMUNITIES lnc!Jaenous leaders from Central and South Ameri<:a di.scuss the 500-yean campaign, which began as an Indian n:sponse to the Quinceo.tenary celebration and has developed as an ongoing dialogue among indigenous activists. Produced by SAIIC. $18 + $1.75 shipping. published by Rainforest Action Network and Amazonia Film Project, 1990. Available in Spanish or English for $8.50 + $1.75 shipping. VIDEO: J\ SKIHT Flu. OF l3LTTEHFLIES SAJIC LOGo T-SHIRTS t:; ThrcceolorT.Shi~s with the SAIIC logo on the front and the logo of theeondor and the Eagle from the Quito Conference on the back. S12 + $2 shipping, spee,ify M, L, XL, XXL: White, turquoise or Red. m i nU(l'"· ,.\ IO\'(' IJIK'Ill In thl' hthmu... ZiiJlUh,••.: \\Uil1l'11 or !\(llltlu:rn ():~\:u.'<t, ~1~:\h:u. h~ lilmmak\'r\ Elh:n <>...hurm· o111d :\tau n.'l'll <;c,...,Jin~. Fur ,., ... r.\· pu rt:hao.;e m:ul(•, :• 'l'Cund c.'HP.'.\\ill hl' ~·nt tu an lndigl'nou-. \\tnm.•n's urJ.!anization as a ~ifl. $19.95 + ':'..' ...hi(lpin:.!. South and Meso American Indian Information Center (SAIIC) PO Box 28703, Oakland, CA 94604 Non-profit Organization Postage PAID Oakland, CA US .· . Permit No. 79 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 7, nos. 3-4 (Fall/Winter 1993) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource II Continental Encounter of Indigenous Peoples Language A language of the resource English http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/798de76337270199e5bda0bec7b94548.pdf 9b2b74f48df861d733b9e82dffc058f8 PDF Text Text A BYAYALA NE S JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AND MESO AMERICAN INDIAN RIGHTS CENTER (SAIIC) VOLUME 9, NUMBER 1, SPRING 1995 PRICE $4.00 •• ,.,. fp • �c ONTENTS Editorial In Brief . . . .......3 . . ... . .. .4 Borders A 19th·Century War in the Amazon .............6 Mexico'sDomestic and International Borders .. . ...8 US/Mexico Border Encounter ....... ......... 10 New Colonialism in Nicaragua ................12 A Mapuche View of State Frontiers and Indian Nations ........................14 Self-determination and Territory Ye'kuana Land Demarcation . . . .. ....... ..... 16 Salta, Argentina: Struggle for land Continues .... 18 Chiapas Update . ......................... 19 Bolivia: Neoliberal State of Seige ........ • .....20 A,bya Yala Hews Editors: SAJIC Bo.>rd of Directors Journal Coordinators: C~ Musch, Marc Secl<er, Gia Giant EditO<ial Assistance: Gilles CO<nbrissoo ~' Gilles CO<nbrissoo, Kevin Ross Copy EditO<: C~ MUSCh SAIIC Staff Director: Amalia Dixon Administrative Coordinator: Leticia V<l!dez Development Coordinator: N>drf:>N Bartlett CO<nmuni~tions Coordinator: Mate Becker SAIIC Board of Directors Nilo CawQueo(Mapoche-Ngentina) Wara Alderete (Cakhaqui-Atgentina) Alejatl<lro Nnarv Ngumedo (0\Jecl>.Ja•Petll) Guillermo Delgado (0\lecl'<la·Solivia) Xihuanel HtJelta (Chicanindia) Carlos Maibettl (Misl<itu·Ni<:arasua) Gina Pacaldo (San C arlosl\pOChe/Chicana) Marcos Y (MilYa-KaqchikeVGuatemala) oc SubS(riptions: ~ Y Nevos(ISSN 1071-3182) is pUolishOOQ.bt0f)'in ala ~ish and Spirish k is ,.;lab.'e forWla'l'Ull S25 """""' ~ iio<lriOeo,;lip, $15 ION.f>:ome 9.bso"'""l S25 for ~. . Women $4() ~ for l:le&ips, add $10. )\Xr dc::ralicr6 help <.6 send the jcunll free inSpirish to~~ in the Souh. We welcome submissions of &rticles, fetters, ohc> tograpns and relevant information. lettets arid arti· cles may be edited for length. If you have access to a cO<npuw please send yc<x arti<:le on papet and on an ACPfe cO<npatit>le 3 112 inch disk. Send all cooespondence t<> SAJIC P Box 28703 .O. Environment and Development Interview with Leonardo Viteri .... . ...........22 Interview with Mino Eusebio Castro . ... ..... . ..24 Chile: Chiloe Forests Targeted ................26 Biobio Power Plant Threatens Communities .. . ..27 Raposa/Serra do Sol Dam .... ...............28 rco-p-cflls Crid:land~~$5. f'oraiiCOhef~mem­ oakland, CA 94604, USA Phone: (510) 834·4263 Fax, (510)834·4264 e-mail: saiic@igc.ape.e<g We would like to thank the f~lowing individuals and organiz.ations for their generous assistance to Abya Yala News: Billy R. Trice Jr, Matiana 8\Jstamante, Stefano va~ese, Fernando ~ra and Laura Soriano, w ith speciat thanks to Vickie Waid, Judy Sttonack, and aoosy Draper. Interview with Victoria Tauli-Corpuz ............29 Ouichua Potters Cultural Exchange . .. .. . . .. ...31 Organizations: Nnerindia (5pain) . CEDIS ~Bolivia), 1 OOCip (Swiu:etlMd), Indian>< Medresentet (Nolway) Grvpo Karurnanta ((!SA), RainfO<est ACtion 1 NetwOrk ,USA), TIPI (Norway-Spaill). International Publications: NAORP (UC Davis, USA), Presencia l iteraria (Bolivia), RevisUo O~rasca (Mexico), NAClA (USA), Hoy(la Paz). Allian.ce to Counter the Vampire Project ........ .32 URNG-Government Dialogue ..... .. . .. ......33 Guerrero: PRI State Violence Unleashed ........34 Organization and Communication Internet and Indigenous Organizations ..........35 Abya Yala Fund Filling the Gap ... ..... . . . ....37 SAIIC News . . . . . ..................39 On the Cover: OO.rani-Kaiow6 in Mato Gtosoo do Sui, Btazil, defending their land Phol<>. Jo8o R. R ipper lmagens clcl Terra,1994. Coutesy of Arlloo<ll<6 , Thanks to the following foundations for their generous support: John D. and C atherine T . MacArthur Founclcltion,_General SeMce Founclcltion, Public Welfare f<XJrlO<Ition, foundation for Deep EcOlogy. SAIIC representative-s abroad: Juan 5et>asti6n Lara·REGNBUEN (NOIWay), Rafael Ngumedo (Germany), Al~a.ndro Argumedo (Canaclcl), and Susan O'Oonell (Wales). •Al:>ya Y is the Kuna word for Continent of life ala wlli<:h includes all of the Americas. Indexed: Altemative Press Index, Ethnic Nf:>NS watch. SAJIC is ~ted at 1714 F ranklin Street, 3rd floor, oakland._CA. 94612. Please send all correspondence to the P.v. Box at:><m. �EDITOR I AL tate borders, rather than cultural borde•-s, are one of the lmogest obstacles blocking Indigenous peoples from communicating, working togethe•; and reinvigorating our cultures. For this reason, we have dedicated this edition to publicizing Indigenous thinking and discussion on nation-state border issues. The 1995 war between Peru and Ecuador has rekindled interest in this on-going debate. Reminiscent of tl).e for· mative nineteenth-century nation-state independence Wal"S in Latin America, this recent war is a bloody conflict between nation-states fought 'viU> Indigenous lives. 1\ventieth-century examples of similar situations include the 1932-1935 Chaco War between Paraguay and Bolivia which took 40,000 Indigenous lives, the so-called Soccer War in 1968 between El Salvador and Hondu1·as, the never-ending strife on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, and the hm-dships which the Miskitu people in Nicm·agua and Hon.duras and the Kuna Nation in Panama and Colombia have endured. Em-opean colonizers first, and then American States, delineated borders. Outsiders divided the conti· nents' geographical space and states, p>-ovinces, departments, municipalities, and counties replaced cultural territories of Indigenous origin . The Span.ish C.-own, after decimating and exploiting Indigenous poeples, decided to give some territo.-ial rights furough the systems of "Mercedes lndivisas," "Cedulas Reales," and other communal •-ights. Indigenous peoples exercized autonomous •ights to those te•~itories. However, after the Crwllo (descendants of Spaniards) elites expelled the Spanish monarchy in the so· called War of Independence, they took away those territorial rights, and imposed on Indigenous peoples a new ideology of "citizenship." Indigenous peoples were forced to enroll in the Criollo Independence Army. Needless to say, they were used as canon fodder. The new governing elites decided that it was their turn to mle the vast tenitory which is today America. The Criollo elites 1-eshaped, according to their individual interests, what today m-e considered the Latin American states. Indigenous peoples were not consulted to evaluate that process. With our populations decimated, bordet"S we re imposed on us, subdividing our Indigenous nations. Although the decline of the Spanish empire and the emergence of the Criollo elite ushet-ed in the recognition of some of our own traditional ter•itory,lndigenous "uprisings" tlwoughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries were constant 1-erninde•-s of the denial of our immemorial rights to our own territories which we have occupied for thousands of years. New legal systems based on individualistic Roman judiciary tenets contradicted the collective cultures of Indigenous peoples. Today, the Latin Ame.-ican states continue to deny and ignore Indigenous peoples' con· ception of justice and gove.-nroent. Today, the Indigenous movements demand to be hem·d. It is important that tlu-oughout tllis Decade of Indigenous Peoples our different conceptions of political rights to self-determinat ioll and autonomy be re· examined. Our cultural practices and our r-epmduction as collectives requi.J-es having control over our tern· tot·ies. We a re more conscious about the need to be heard as "collective entities." Indigenous peoples' demands need to be heard and met by new rules that Callllot be defined by westem laws and cultures. It is imperative that governments and societies t-ecog>lize oux rights as distinct and original peoples of the world. Bordet"S at-e but one of several obstacles we face as Indigenous peoples. Each demarcated border line has been created by the p1-ocess of colonization and violence against Indigenous nations. Whether domestic or intet·national, borders bear the same colonial logic. Ultimately, they mean our demise. In light of this fact, the articles in this issue will update the tremendous pJ-essures we must face due to anachronistic colonial legal structm-es, by now obsolete, that deny us om· tights as original Indigenous peoples. S SAIIC Board of Directot"S ' Vol. 9 No.1 .. 3 �IN B RIEF Guajajara Murdered in Brazil anuel Mendes, a Guajajara Indian, was killed following a land invasion in the state of Maranhao, Brazil. Mendes' assassin, Jaime Jardim, was an invader of the Krikati Indian territory, located in the Brazilian state of Maranhao. According to his daugh· tet; Manuel Mendes had been receiving death th1·eats for some time. Tension had been building in that area since a group of invaders prevented a team of technicians from demarcating the Krikati te1-ritory. The minister of Justioe issued a directive ordering the Krikati territory to be demarcated in July of 1992. However, because of pressure from local politicians, land invaders and the family of ex-president Jose Samey, the demarcation has been intet-rupted. Meanwhile, Krikati land continues to be illegally occupied. Invaders have settled on about twenty farms and in a Krikati village. In December of last year, when technicians were once again sent to demarcate the area, invaders burned the entrance bridges and blocked access to the ru"ea. M Information supplied by CIMI-Conselho Indigenista Missionario Ondian Missionary Council) Colombian Guerrillas Attack Venezuelan Outpost 'J1ension has been building between Colombia and 1. Venezuela since last Februruy, when Colombian guerrillas crossed the Venezuelan border and attacked a military outpost in the Amazon lowlands. Both Colombian and Venezuelan officials deny the possibil· ity of rumed conflict between the two countries, yet Venezuelan Pt"esident Rafael Caldera ordered thou· sands of troops to the border area. AS a t'esult of the conflict, anti-Colombian sentiment is high in Venezuela. Venezuelan authorities have depotted thousands of undocumented Colombian migrant workers and graffiti slogans such as "Colombian Murderers Go Home" have appeared throughout Caracas. Honduras: Xicaque Denounce Government allows the wild 1adinos' (non-Indians) to throw us off the land our ancestors left us; he said. The Xicaque are one of the largest Indigenous groups in Honduras, and although they have been identified by national and intemational autho•·ities as victims of social oppression, nothing has been done to alleviate theh· problems. The Xicaque suffer from starvation, illnesses, and the slow but eventual extermination of their people by colonizers of their land. A Xicaque elder, Timoteo CaiLx, believes that the genocide of his people will end when the Hondw·an government sends the International Labor Organization (ILO) ratification of the Indigenous People's Convention 169, which guarantees their pro· tection. Meanwhile, the govemment has promised to send the ratification of Convention 169 in order to assw·e all Indigenous communities that it will not abandon its commitment to preserve Xicaque lives and culture. Information courtesy of l nterPress 7'l•ird World News Agency. Bill to Grant Ngobe-Bugle Autonomy · in Panama ue to strong opposition by com· munity of DgovernmentPanama to up athe Ngobe-Buglelands, the mining of theh· the has drawn bill that grant the will community autonomy over its territory. The Ngobe· Bugle people claim ownership of over 11,000 square kilometers ofland in the western prut of Panama. Marcelino Montezuma, a Ngobe-Bugle leader, explained that his community t'ejected the mining of their territory out of concern for environmental degradation. The Ngobe-Buge people felt that without autonomy over their land, they would be powerless to regulate the mining process. "FiJ'St of all, we wru>t independence, then we 'viii see if mining 'viii suit us," he said. While discarding the use of violence to gain auton· omy, Monte'tuma insisted that the Indigenous people of Panama "at·e losing patience." He also said that they demand to be treated with dignity and will not allow the Panamanian government to take away their ancestral lands. Vicaque leader Julio Soto recently denounced the A.Honduran government's failw·e to demarcate their Information courtesy of InterPress Third IVorld News lands and assure their sw-vival. "W~re in a bad state. Agency. The government will not say the land is ours, and 4 Abya Yala News �IN BR I EF Brazil: Indigenous Commission Fights f or Demarcat ion over the reserve reveal huge clear-cut m·eas on the western and sou thern edges. Sumu leaders have commission of twenty-t ht·ee Xucuru Kariti, Wassu demanded the cancellation of the mining permit. Coca!, Geripank6, Ka.-iri-Xok6, and Karapot6 Indians from Alagoiis, along with Xok6 Indians from Information courtesy of Nicaragua Center for Sergipe, went to Brasilia to denounce acts of violence Community Action. against Indians and demand measw-es for the demarcation of their lands. The commission was heard by Indigenous Assembly Grapples wit h audiences at FUNAI, the Office of the Attorney Suicides uicides among the Guarani Kaiowa, which have General, and the Chamber of Deputies. Citing one of the most serious incidents, the Karapot6 warned that been on the .-ise for the past ten years, were the at least eight myste.-ious fires had destroyed crops, main subject discussed this past May at an Assembly fences and grazing land in their 1,810-hectare ter.-ito- of the Aty Guassu Organization in the state of Mato ry, which has been the object of litigation for two years. Grosso do Sui, Brazil. The Assembly bt-ought together shamans, Indian leaders and chiefs from 22 villages to t ry to learn why 22 Indians have committed suicide Canadian Mining Interests in this yea~: Nicaragua Threaten Sumu The suicide rate among the Guarani Koaiowa is 'l"'be Nicaraguan Ministry of Economics recently unusually high. The World Health Organization con.1 a warded a milling permit to the Nycon Resow·ce siders that an estimate of over one case in 10,000 per Company of Canada to search for gold and other min- year is abnormal. According to FUNAI, 161 suicides, erals in the Bosawas Reserve. Nelson Lopez of most of which were committed by young Indians, wet-e Nicaragua's Environment and Natural Resources registered among the Guarani Kaiowa ft-om 1985 Agency (MARENA) has said that the mitling operation tht-ough May of this year. Extreme poverty, the gradual loss of traditional rel.ithreatens the health of the Sumu and constitutes "a violation of the 1991law" that established the t-eserve. gious practices, and, above all, the lack ofland are facYet the Bosawas Reset·ve, on the border of Honduras itt tors directly linked to the suicides. A•·aldo Veron, who northwest Nicaragua, cont inues to be the site of min- also once attempted suicide, spoke on these factors at ing, logging, and subsistence farming operations that the Assembly. The villages of Dourados, with 8,900 Indians endanger Indigenous populations and the envit-onment. According to MARENA, there are now 700 non- squeezed in 3,530 hecta1-es of land, and Caarapor, with Indigenous families living on the borders of the reserve 2,346 Indians, have been the most affected. who have cleared thousands of acres of forest for ct-ops and cattle-grazit-.g. Loggers have begun to haul b-opi- Information courtesy ofCIMI-Conselilo IndigenistCL cal hardwood from the ru-ea to Managua, and £lights Mlssionlirio. A S ------------~-~~ SAIIC Supports Ojarasca • A new refreshing publication covering Indigenous peoples and issues in Mexico To Subsc.ribe: Send add 10 Epigmenio No. of Subscriptions._-,--__ North, Central, and South America: Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania: Donation Ibarra 53, Colonia Romero do T errenos, 04310, Mexico D.F. . (5) 659-8652 Institutions: US S75.00 0 Institutions: US $100.00 0 Individuals: US $60.00 Individuals: US $75.00 0 0 0 Name.~--------Zip Code_ _ _ _ _ _ __ Stree:~---------------Country__________________ City~-------- Phone:_ _ _ _ _ ____ Make check or money order payable to Pro Mexico lndigena, A. C. Vol. 9No . 1 5 �BO R D E R S A Nineteenth-Century War in the Amazon: Indigenous Communities Caught in the Ecuador/ Peru Border Dispute by Fernando Rivera ndigenous people who live in the disputed area between Ecuador and Peru have faced severe hardship and danger dwing the latest conflict which erupted in January of this year. Forced to fight and caught in wars not of their O\o,;n design, Indigenous communities in both Ecuador and Peru endured the death of some of their people in batt le, the threat of mass starvation, illnesses, and the de.struction of their environment. The recent fighting is an unfortunate continuation of border disputes which have divided the two ies since the wars of indecount1 pendence and is another example of the internal colonialism to which Indigenous peoples ru·e subjected. Each country has based its territorial l"ights on di!Terent treatises and international legal concepts. Each has had its own reasons for waging w81: Both Ecuador and Peru, however, have ignored the impact that such land disputes have had on the Indigenous peoples who live along their borders. With every war and every treatise, neither Ecuador nor Peru has been as negatively affected as these Indigenous communities. The terr:itol"ial dispute between Ecuador and Peru has been one of the longest and most complicated land disputes on the continent. During colonial times, first the Viceroyalty of Peru and later the Viceroyalty of Gran Colombia administered the Amazonian provinces. In 1829, after gaining I 6 independence, Peru and Gran Colombia signed an agreement in which they did not establish borders, but agreed to 1-espect the former colonial divisions. Since the borders in that 1-egion were never clearly defined, theil: demarcation bec81ne a topic of constant debate. In 1941 a w91· broke out between Ecuador and Peru which ended with the signing of the R>o de Janeiro Protocol which sought to define the border between the two countries. In 1950, however, Ecuador decla1-ed the Protocol null and void because of what it believed to be technical differences in dem81-cating 78 kilometers of land along the Condor Cordillera. In 1981, another war broke out between the two countries. Some analysts believe that the ruling government of Ecuador began that war as a way to distract attention away from its economic problems. Similarly, some analysts believe that President Fujilnoti may have begun the current war in order to assw-e his re~lection. Whatever the motive, it is the Indigenous communities along the Ecuador/Peru border that are the most affected when the two countries decide to go into battle. First, both count1ies force Indians to fight in the military. This makes neighboring communities along the border and binational communities (communities divided by the bor· der) fight among each other. Much has been said t-ecently about intraethnic wars all 81-ound the world, but little attenti<>n has been paid to the fact that Indian peoples in Ecuador and Peru have been forced to kill each other. Many of these people belong to the same ethnic or cultw·al gJ"Oups, as in the case of the Shuar, Achuar, Aguaruna, Huambiza and Quichua Indians. Second, the toU of the war is felt primarily in Indigenous communities along the border whet-e most of the fighting occw-s. Hundreds of families have been displaced by the destruction of their homes, harvests, and cattle. Bombings occur t-egularly, and deadly diseases are spreading rapidly. "Indigenous communities have never had bordet-s," says Mino Eusebio Castro, vice-p1-esident of AIDESEP (Indigenous Association for the Development of the Pemvian Amazon). "Wbat is occurting is that thet-e 8l"e conflicting interests between two political gJ"Oups striving for economic contJ-ol. We have never been consulted over the creation of borders, yet who do they use when there is a conflict of this type? Who provides the food? Who gets recruited to fight on the fi-ont lines? Who gets affected by protecting the borders? It is the Indigenous people!" Luis Macas, president of CONAIE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador) reported that the war has directly affected 21 of the 400 Shuar centers (or communities) in the Ecuadorian Amazon because of their proximity to the border. Also, among the 30 Achuar centet-s, the Abya Yala News �BORDERS 11 centers closest to the border h ave been greatly affected. Furthermore, out of the 25 Quichua communit ies on both sides of the border (10 in Ecuador and 15 in Peru), the number of affected families reaches 800. Finally, other smaller bordering communities also suffer from the war. These include the Siona, Secoya, Cofan, and the Shiwiar communities. The total number oflndians in Ecuador alone affected by this war reaches 20,000. If the conflict continues, Macas predicts the loss of more Indigenous lives, homes, and livelihoods. A recent article in the Quito daily El Comercio describes the social and economic effect of the war. According to the report, 180 Indigenous communities and approximately 3,000 families "are faced with a social, economic, and psychological crisis because thei1· crops and animals have disappeared and their understanding of their own territory has been changed" since the fighting began. "Life is not the same. Trru>quillity has not retw·ned to the selva since the cease-fire," said Luis Yam pies, a leader of the Shuar community. "Many communities cannot retum to their lands because they are mined. That was a defense st•·ategy by the Ecuadorian military, but we are affected." In formal and informal declarations, Indigenous groups have denounced the violence and demanded that the governments of Ecuador and Peru stop the war. COICA (The Coordinating Body for the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin), an umbrella group that represents Indigenous organizations from the eight nation-states with territorial claims in the Amazon Basin, proposed the creation of a bi-national park which would demilitarize the conflict zone and guarantee peace for years to come. The proposal was Vol. 9 No.1 born out of an impending need to protect the environment and the desire to re-integrate the Shuar and Achuar communities in Ecuador with their cultural cou11· terparts in Peru- the Aguaruna and the Huambiza Indians. Another-perhaps more radical-declaration signed by members ofboth CONAlE and CONFENIAE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon), demands, among other things, that Ecuador be recognized as a "multinational, multicultul'al and multilingual count•·y" (see sideContinued on page 38 Ecuadorian Indigenous Nationalities to the nation and world: The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAlE) and the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE) met in an Encounter of Solidarity for Peace and Dignity in the city of Sucua, Ecuador, at the headquarters of the Interprovincial Federation of Shuar-Achuar Centers (FICSHA), on February 21·22, 1995. After analyzing recent conflicts between Ecuador and Peru, we declare the following: n the conntries of Latin America and around the world and, proticulru·ly among cow>bies which ru-e in conflict, we comprise a dive1-sity of peoples and cultw-es which ru-e historically located in ow- own territories. The border conflicts that today lead to bloodshed in neighboring populations and destroy their hrun>ony and lifestyles, ru-e not in ow- interests. Rathe•·, they have lead to a stalemate and a deepening poverty for the communities involved. For these reasons, we Indigenous nationalities propose: 1. That Ecuador be constitutionally recognized as a plwi-national, multi-cultw-al, and pluri-lingual state, because the recognition of and respect for diffe1-ent peoples is not an obstacle to the unity of a diverse oountry, but rather a resource that wi)l sb-engthen its cohesion. 2.ln homage to the Intemational Decade oflndigenous Peoples that the United Nations declru-ed, we demand of intemational organizations and the guarantee nations of the Rio Protocol that Indigenous peoples in Ecuador and PeiU be included in the peace negotiations as active paJticipants in the seru-ch for a definitive solution to the conOict. 3. That the Ecuadorian State pe1manently suspend the colonization programs in the ancestral lands of the Indigenous nationalities of the Amazon Region. 4. The legalization of Indigenous te11itories in the .border area and in the Amazon Region as a fundamental guarantee of the secUiity and ter•ito•ial integrity of the country. 5. That the National Parks, Protected Forests, and Forest Reserves be given to and administe1-ed dil'ectiy by Indigenous organizations for the apprOJ?Iiate use and management of their naturalresow-ces. 6. That we be 1-epaid for the socio-economic and environmental impacts caused by the war; a guarruJtee of the 1-etw·n of displaced peoples to their Indigenous communities; ru>d the establishment of a fund for the relatives of civilians killed in the conflict. 7. That the budget for the lnteJ-cultural Bilingual Education program be augmented. I 7 �B O RD E R S Indigenous Fragmentation: Mexico's Domestic and International Borders by Arace/i Burguete Cal y Mayor or Indigenous populations, the notion of "borders" is directly associated with a history of occupation and usurpation of their ten·itories. In the case of Mexico, the wars that have accompanied each international border demarcation have not been limited to Indigenous populations in the north or south. The formation of the Mexican Federation was carried out with the same amount of violence and colonization. Each ten; torial division within the country has been imposed as a "bot'der" for Indigenous peoples. These borders were constructed in an attificial and arbitrary ma nner, and were superimposed over a cultural and historical geogt·aphy that dates back thousands of years. F Mexico's Southern Border Mayan communities suffer from both · domestic and international border impositions. Within Mexico, five states of the Mexican Federation (Yucatan, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Chiapas), almost one hundred municipalities, and over one hunAraceli Burguete is a natiue of Chiopas, sociologist, and technical and research coor<linator for the Independent Indian Peoples' Front (FIP/). 8 dred cooperative farms and communities divide the Maya people. Internationally, the Maya area covers the borders of six nation-states (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador). The most costly impact of this fragmentation has been on the Mayan global identity, now surviving in multiple linguistic identities (Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Tojolabal, Quiche, Tzutujil, Quekchi, etc.). These linguistic gt'Oups have not been able to unify into one single Mayan identity. Nevertheless, there are encouraging signs for unification, even though the Maya people continue to be fragmented. In fact, it appears that those living in Guatemala are undergoing a process of reconstruction of their global identity. Even though this phenomenon is also taking place in Mexico (albeit, in isolated instances), in the majority of the states in which Maya people live, the impact of tourism and industrialization has accelerated the tendency toward "deindiani?.ation." This accelerated "deindianization" is occurring primarily in Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. In Chiapas, despite a strong Maya cultw·al tradition, the Maya global identity is fragmented due to linguistic, municipal, and communal differences. Despite this fragmentation, the states, municipalities and commu· nities which make up the southern border of Mexico constitute a region that has histodcally been integrat. ed through a common Maya cultural base. Stil.l, the phenomenon of "borders" has had a tremendous impact on the Maya people of Mexico. The Treaty of Limits officially demarcated Mexico's southern bor· der with Guatemala on September 27, 1882. The demat·cation with Belize dates to July of 1893, and was defined tlu-ough negotiations with Great Bt;tain. Neither demarcation process was peaceful. Wars and border conflicts preceded each accord. Even today, some Guatemalans regard Chiapas' incorporation into Mexico as an act of annexation and theft on the prut of Mexico. This feeling is similar to that of Mexicans in regards to the US-occupied Mexican ten;tories of Texas, New Mexico, and California. In reality, this kind of nationalistic rhetoric about stolen land hides the fact that the real victims of bot·det· disputes and land annexation have been the Indigenous communities on both the notthern and southern borders of the Mexican nation. On September 12, 1824, Chiapas was officially annexed into Mexico through a plebiscite. A total AI:Y{a Yala News �BORDE R S "Mayan communities suffer from both domestic and international border impositions. Within Mexico, five states of the Mexican Federation (Yucatan, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Chiapas), almost one hundred municipalities, and over one hundred cooperative farms and communities divide the Maya people." number of almost 100,000 citizens voted to include Chiapas into t he Mexican Federation. However, not all of those who lived in Chiapas had the opportunity to vote on such a crucial issue. In 1824, only those who could read or write and those who could prove that they were "honorable" citizens (citizens with wealth and of mestizo or criollo ancestry) were allowed to vote. The opinion and collective perception of territory of the Maya, Quiche, Tzotzil, Tzeltal, Tojolabal, Quekchl, and Marne peoples that lived in Chiapas was never taken into consideration. A Border in Conf lict The Maya people's response to the fragmentation of their culture has never been passive. Hundreds of rebellions have demonstrated the Maya communities' nonconformity with their reality as a divided people. The Maya rebellion that bas lasted for more than twenty years in Guatemala and the recent Maya uprising in Chiapas are modem examples of Maya resistance against the borders and what these borders signify for them: oppression and the loss of self-determination. The concept of "border" in southern Mexico became more tangible as a result of internal conflicts in Vol. 9 No.1 Central America. Thousands of political refugees crossed Mexico's border. Many of them were Maya people who were escaping repression at the hands of the Guatemalan authorities. T hese people have now settled in the municipalities adjacent to the border. According to official government sow-ces, there a re almost 40 thousand Guatemalan refugees along Mexico's southern border, with half of them in the state of Chiapas. Many believe that the actual number of political refugees who have settled in the south of Mexico is higher. As is well known, not all refugees were accounted for in these statistics. Estimates indicate that the number of Guatemalan refugees in Mexico is at least twice that of the official count. The presence of refugees and the bordet's proximity to the Guatemalan guerrillas push Mexico's government to increase the presence of police and soldiers to guard the borders. Because of tllis, the one million Indigenous people of Chiapas and other border states have suffered assaults on theit· liberties, and all possibilities for democracy were halted. The authorities of Chia pas have consistently defied existing federal laws by allowing certain individuals to break them with impunity. In the last twenty years, the Maya who live along the southern border of Mexico have lived in a virtual state of war. They have struggled to achieve democracy via peaceful means. However, the authorities have responded 'vith acts of violence and ten-orism, similar to those experienced in "lowintensity" conflict areas. Violation of Indigenous People's human righ ts and impu nity for the violators has also been a characteristic of the past twenty years. The violence and repression against the Mayas of Mexico's southern border has no precedence in tile rest of the country. Yet, this kind of violence is not circu mstantial. It is reproduced to the same magnitude in other border areas. '(?/ 9 �BO R D E R S Once Divided: Indigenous Peoples in the US and Mexico Unite Across the Border AUKA MAl KUAR KUAR was the First Historical Encounter of Indigenous Peoples of Baja California and the United States border states of New Mexico and Nizona. At this encounter, Indigenous peoples divided by nation-state borders attempted to rebuild their sense of unity by exchanging views and analyzing their current position regarding the ongoing process of organizing on a regional/eve/. What follows is a brief report on this encounter. based on arti cle by Carolina de Ia Pefia and Eugenio Bermejillo, Ojarasca, Mexico n June of 1994, the First Indigenous US/Mexico Border Ml\i Kuar Kuar Auka Encounter took place in Tecate, Baja California. Unlike similar conferences, attendance was not limited to tribal leaders. Members of all ranks represented their communities at the Encounter. These communities included those associated with UECI (The Common Land and Indigenous Communities of Baja California Union), Peace and Dignity, and The Native Cultures of B.C. Institute. Howeve•; tribal leaders were by no means absent. Leaders from communities across Mexico, Baja California, and the US were present. The Encounte•'s pw·pose was to in itiate communication among Indigenous peoples in Mexico and the United States. Several issues were discussed. One of the most important being the difficult situation faced by bi-national Indigenous communit ies (communities that are divided by the US/Mexico bo1·der). These discussions resulted in the drafting of a declaration concerning this problem that was later sent to bi-national Indigenous communities for approval. Part of the declaration reads as follows: "Our I 10 rights have been limited by the Guadalupe-Hidalgo Tt·eatise of 1848, which does not recognize the historical and natural rights of freedom of movement within our Indigenous communities, linked both linguistically and culturally, on either side of the border." The signers of the declaration demanded the right to cross fi-eely for ce•-emonial and religious purposes, advocated the toppling of existing barriers in order that members of Indigenous communities may visit one another and rekindle •-elationships with family members separated by the border, and requested access to natw·al resources necessary for cultural or medicinal pu••poses and for the construction of houses. Membet-s of the Hia-ced O'odham, Yaqui, Kurniai, KiJiwa, Pa-ipai, Cochimi, Kikapu, Mono, and Cucapa communities signed the declaration. In 1989, at the Border 11-ibes Summit, similar issues were raised. Representatives from twenty Indigenous communities from the Sonora/Arizona border and from the Creek, Cree, Cherokee, Ojibwa, Mohawk, and other communities separated by the US/Canada border were present. One of the main topics of discussion was the decla- ration fi-om the O'odham Nation calling for the t-estitution of its territory in Mexico, reduced from 4,800 to 20 square kilomters in the span of two centw·ies due to cattle ranchet-s' invasions from both the US and Mexico. In July of that same yeru; the O'odham Nation had asked the United Nations Subcommittee for Indigenous Rights to intervene in this eightyear territorial conflict that is still unresolved. The importance that Vine Deloria bestowed upon the Summit and the declaration fi-om the O'odham Nation is true for all of the Indigenous communities that are separated by national borders: "The fact that the O'odhams present themselves as one nation, forces the governments of both Mexico and the US to resolve the conflict through negotiations among equals and prohibits them f1-om just turning the matter over to the courts." The O'odham Nation did not actively participate at the Encounter in Tecate, which may help to explain the lack of continuity between tll.is recent Encounter and the 1989 Summit. Howevet; an Indigenous group that is associated with the O'odhams-the Hia-ced O'odharns-was present. The HiaAl;;yya Yala News �BORDERS Abya Yala News Back Issues (Back issues are available in both Spanish and English for $3 each including shipping. Before 1993, the journal was called SAIIC Newsletter.) 0 Confronting Biocolonialis m Vol. 8 , No. 4. Winter 1994; Includes: • The Human Genome Diversity Project • Safeguarding Indigenous Knowledge • The Guaymi Patent • Biodiversity and Community Integrity 0 Indian Movements and The Electoral Process Vol. 8, No. 3, Fall 1994; Incl udes: • Mexico: Indigenous Suffrage Under Protest • Bolivia: Reconstructing the Ayllu • Guatemala: Maya Polttical Crossroads • Colombia: Special Indian Districting 0 Chiapas: Indigenous Uprising with Campesino Demands? Vol. 8, Nos. 1 & 2, Summer 1994; Includes: • Maya Identity and th e Zapatista Uprising • Chronology of Events • Indigenous and Campesino Peace Proposals • Interview with Antonio Hernandez Cruz of CIOAC 0 II Continental Encounter of Indigenous Peoples Vol. 7. Nos. 3 & 4, Winter 1993 (not available in Spanish); ced O'odhams have been struggling since the beginning of the 1980s to be recognized as a community. As a result of th e Hia-ced O'odhams' rejection of several mining projects, it became increasingly clear that they continued to exist as a group with the necessa1·y strength to rejoin the O'odham Nation. Bu t the Union Congress, at first, rejected an initiative to recognize the Hia-ceds as part of the O'odham Nation due to a lack of information 1 -egarding the number of people in this g'I'Ou p and location of their commw>ities. Marleen Vazquez said that faced with this pr'Oblem, "a small g'I'Oup of people went ou t to visit houses in the Hi aced conununities and took down names of people, genealogies, photos, and even visited cemeteries. We sen t all of the information we received to the O'odham Nation, and they accepted us. In 1984, 250 of us became members of the tt;be. Vol. 9No. 1 Also includes: • Oil Companies Take Over the Ecuadorian Amazon • Free Trade's Assault on IndigenouS Rights 0 1993 Year of the World' s Indigenous Peoples Vol. 7, Nos. 1 & 2. Winter/Spring 1993; Includes: • UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights . • Statement of Indigenous Nations at the UN 0 Exclusive Interviews with Four Indian Leaders Vol. 6, No. 4, Fall 1992; Interviews: • Miqueas Millares, AIDESEP (Peru) • Mateo Chumira. Guarani (Bolivia) • Margarita Ruiz, FIPI (Mexico) • Calixta Gabriel, Caqchikel Maya (Guatemala) 0 March on Quito: Amazon Indians Demand to be Heard Vol. 6, No. 3, Spring & Summer 1992 (not available in Spanish) Also includes: • Interview with President of ONIC (Colombia) • CONIC Meeting in Kuna Yala (Panama) 0 News from Around the Continent Vol. 6, Nos. 1 & 2, Spring & Summer 1991; Includes: • Pehuenche Organizing Pays Off (Chile) • Sculh and Central American Women's Gathering (Peru) Since then, 1,.200 of us have been inscribed, and ther-e are 300 indi· viduals whose acceptance is pending. The most difficult cases are found in Mexico. The Mexican O'odhams can't be legally inscribed in the tribe, until we have enough resow·ces to complete the investigation as requir-ed." Another gJ'Oup also separated by the USI:Mexico border; the Kikapu, pr-esented its list ofpr'Oblems at the Encounter and drafted a series of needs and demands. The Kikapu descended from the Algonquins, and after· seven successive migJ·a tions, finally settled par·tly in Oklahoma and partly in Muzquiz, Coahuila. Since 1947, they have enjoyed the right of free movement across the USI:Mexico border. Owing the SUilUilers, some Kikapu work on farms in Oklal>oma and return to Mexico in the winter. Because they are a mig~·ating cultw-e, they have called for the sim- plification of customs pr'OCedures so that needed resources can reach the Kikapu in Mexico. These r-esow-ces include lule acualico, a basic material used in the construction of homes and in the making of crafts and automobiles. The importation of resources into Mexico requires fiscal registrations and credit cards, both of which they do not h ave. "The Constitutional Reform, which holds t he State responsible for the preservation of Indigenous cultw·es, is not carried out her-e," declared Jose Ovalle, an anthr'Opologist that was invited to the Encounter by the Kikapu . Ovalle spoke at t he Encounter about the newly implemented customs pr'Ocedures at the USI:Me"ico border that make it nearly impossible for the Kikapu on either side of the border to communicate. '(?) J For further in{ormcliion1 see Ojarasca #38-39, (NouemberDecember 1994). ' 11 �BO RDE R S Nicaragua: Colonial History Repeats Itself on the Atlantic Coast of Central America b y Amalia Dixon pie, both young and old. Banished from their ancestral land, deprived of their natural medicine, they suffered from scarcity of food, clothing, and animals. In short, the migration had a tremendously negative physical and emotional impact. Some decided to return to Honduras, their birth place, traumatized and insecw-e about their future and way of life. The Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua, representing almost half of the country, was officially incorporated into Nicaragua in 1894. Today this area is inhabited by Miskitus, Sumus, Ramas, Garifonas, Afro-Nicaraguans, and mestizos who came from the Pacific. Until 1894, the English recognized this land as "Mosquito" territory. The English arrived on these coasts dwing the time of the buccaneers (English pirates that preyed on Spanish trade ships), and they intermarried with the natives. They influenced our culture by giving us English last names, imposing a new religion, and promoting their monarchy. History tells us that the English imposed four kings and eleven chiefs on the Miskitus. Amalia Di.wn is a Miskitrt woman History was repeated in 1982 from the Atlantic Coast of when the Sandinista government Nicaragoo, a board member of in Nicaragua relocated people from Abya Yala Fund as well as the the Rio Coco by force, in accordance Miskitu organizations Panapana with a unilateral decision guaranteeing its own political in'terests. andFURCA. n 1821, the Cricllo governors of the Central American countries met in Guatemala to celebrate their political independence. At the same time, they defined the border demarcations of their respective states, overstepping the previous historic demarcations of the ancestral Miskitu, Sumu, and Rama peoples. By arbitrarily deciding where national borders would be, the new states violated our territorial rights. What already existed between our peoples was distorted. It remains impossible to accept these impositions. Part of the southern Caribbean coast of Honduras is Miskitu territory. It was crossed by the Rio Coco, which today serves as a dividing border line between Nicaragua and Honduras. After the Criollo Independence, what remai.ned on the Honduran side was considered disputed ter·ritory. It was added to Honduras in 1959 by the World Court at The Hague. This separated the Miskitus into two countries: Nicaragua and Honduras. A first attempt at relocating all the Miskitus to Nicaragua precipitated the deaths of many Indigenous peo- I 12 This resulted in an upnsmg in defense of our ancestral Indigenous l'ights. As a move towards autonomy, the Congress under the Sandiriista government approved the Autonomy Statute Law for the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua in September of 1987. The government of President Violeta Chamorro ratified the Autonomy Law, but did not consider it a pl'iority. As a consequence, its enforcement stagnated. Nevertheless, for the people of the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua, it provided the answer to ow· struggle for ancestral rights. Soon after in Honduras, Indigenous people began to question their· real identity, since t hey are of the same origin as those in Nicaragua. This illustrates that the Rio Coco border line makes no sense for us as Indigenous peoples. The Autonomy Law needs to have a setious program of implementation. Buying seeds for agricultural prod uction, either for household consumption or for the mru·ket, is a ptiority for the region. Until now, the presence of NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in the communities has partially alleviated their immediate needs. By contrast, economic activities that affect natural resources like agrofor-estry and concessions for the exploitation of Iurnbet; minerals, and marine life, are Atyya Yala News �BORD ER S "What keeps us together as a people is our spoken language and our social structure in which community practice persists." all in the hands of the central government. Today, mining coml>anies have returned to this area and are repeating the past history of e>.-ploitation. The centra) government and multinatio)"lal companies have also signed several accords that do not contain positive development plans for Indigenous communities. Tj).e presence of these companies means minimum wage work, conditions of economic exploitation, and ecological dest.-uction for Indigenous peoples. The Smnu people, for example, have endured serious environmental imp~ts. Severa l rivers like the Bambana are ah·eady contaminated. In the end, the Autonomous Govetnment has very little participation and decision-making power in these negotiations. Meanwhile, the subscription of the Nicaraguan government to the new policy of the ESAF (Economic Structu1·al Adjustment Facility) has deepened the economic crisis of the Atlantic Coast peoples. The government s ubordinates all deals and national resow-ces, like minerals, lumbet; and marine life to p.-ivatization. In other words, it does not offer alternative strategies for the bettern1ent of ow· people. Only 20 pet-cent of the taxes that the companies pay are given to the Autonomous Governments of both the southetn and northern regions for their administrative expenses. Recently, unemployment there has Vol. 9No. 1 reached 90 percent. This means profound limitations in agricultmal production and little economic income for families. These economic limitations do not allow the autonomous government of the region to plan an appropriate development strategy that could produce qualitative changes. In response to the econotnic fragmentation of Indigenous peoples caused by the wat· and the cultural confrontation with the Sandini.sta govertmlent (only since 1990 have our people begun to return to their places of oti gin from refugee centers located in Hondw·as), the autonomous leaders of the Atlantic Coast are studying the inlplementation of a production system that would solidif y our traditional economic system as an alternative strategy. It would attempt to alleviate ow· w-gent sw·vival needs, but keep us a unified community for years to come. What keeps us together as a people is om spoken language and our social structure in which commun ity practice persists. We have lost ow· traditional way of dressing (many costumes have disappeared), but ow· struggle for self-determinat ion is still ongoing. f?J 13 �BO RDER S State Frontiers and Indian Nations: Commentary on Implications for the Mapuche and Indigenous Peoples by Aucan Huillcamiin Paillama n cultures around the world, formal law often stands in antithesis to justice and .-ights. The Council of the Indies, an administrative structure that the Spanish colonial government imposed on what they deemed the "New World," legalized an oppressive system toward us as Indigenous peoples. Historically, oppt-essive laws which states imposed by force suppt-essed persistent Indigenous uprisings in defense of our life, rights, and freedom. Today, many claim that times have changed. Howevet; the formation of the current state has maintained the oppression initiated by these early colonial institutions. Not only wet-e states established ignoring existing Indigenous temtot;es, but state institutions have not been able to administer justice among Indigenous peoples. It was not through carelessness or ignorance that the institutionalization of Spanish colonial legal systems clashed with Indigenous cultures. Many times they have made us believe, incotTectly, that through courts we can obtain justice. At other times we attempted to improve our position by submitting amendments to modify the state constitution. Although today the Chilean state has approved laws t-elating to Indigenous peoples, these have undermined Indigenous systems ofjustice. While we ru·e claiming our rights, justice, dignity and freedom, the ideology of colonialism continues to distort our reality as Indigenous peoples. Legal language conti.n ues to define us as "ethnic minorities" without defining the nature of out· ethnic charactet: This ignorance reduces us to simple statistics. The state continues to deny our inalienable right to selfdefinition. This is a right that we as Indigenous peoples have never yielded. We have not given anyone the right to define who we are. An administrative division oflands carried out during the colonial period forms the basis of many of the current state borders. States, in tw-n, ru-e founded through force and violence. In our perspective, we Indigenous peoples, as the 1-eal Nations, consider the founding of the nation-state as a perpetuation of our oppression. The Criollo (the colonial elite descended from the Spanish conquistadors) independence did not mean independence for us as Indigenous peoples. The colonial borders that were transferred to independent state boundaries ru-e still only inventions, walls that separate Indigenous peoples. They ru-e ideological, legal, political, and institutional walls. It is commonly said that "the walls have fallen in the modern world," and that we are quickly advancing to an integrated, developed, modem existence. Nevettheless, how do we define the walls that divide, for example, the Aymal'a Nation into Bolivians, Peruvians, Chileans, and Argentineans? The Mapuche Nation also has its own wall. Today, the Chilean and Argentinean border divides us. Violence mars the history of the fragmentation of the Mapuche people. The Spaniards, upon entetmg Wallmapuche (Mapuche ten;tory), imposed their will by force. Alonso de Ercilla, author of The Araucon.ian, describes the battles fought by the Mapuche in defense of their lives, dignity, 6-eedom, and ,;ghts. Based in part on this information, the Spanish kings believed that the1-e had been a war in Mapuche lands. Charles V made decisions based on the supposed War of Arauco, the name that the Spaniards gave to our Wallmapuche. In 1641, befot·e the Mapuche uprisings, limited Spanish military capacity forced the Spaniards to Aucan Huillcam(m is Werl1en, or spokesperson, for tlw meet with the Mapuche. They established the first Mapuche organization Aukin Wallmapu Ngltlan~­ Parliament of Quillem on Januruy 6, 1641. At this meeting they fixed the Mapuche tenitorial border at CounciJ. ofAll the Lands in Soutlwm Chile I 14 Abya Yala News �BORDERS the Bio-Bio River to the south. Ow· territot-y then comprised eleven million hectares of land. The Parliament of Quillem also recognized our absolute independence in the interior of ow· territot-y. The Mapuche were forced to accept the introduction of missionaries into our ten-itories during the summers. In addit ion, the colonizers requested the return of the Spaniards captw-ed by the Mapuche. The Mapuche demanded that the Spaniards retreat from Los Confines, which today is the city of Angol. Each time the Spaniards, in violation of the Tr-eaty of Quillem, were militarily able to penetrate Mapuche territot-y, they did. After the Mapuches expelled them, they agt-eed to sign new tt-eaties to delineate borders and suppott the political independence of the Mapuche people. At the time of Chilean Ct-eole Independence (1810), the Mapuche often suppo•·ted the Spanish Creoles. During that petiod of ow· history, it was inconceivable that the Mapuches not ally with the independence process from Spain. Finally, the Chileans militarily invaded the Mapuche te•-ritory. This did not happen, howevet; until 1881; the Mapuche maintained their independence 71 years after the formation of the AJ·gentinean and Chilean states. To achieve the submission of the Mapuche people, t he two states had to coordinate theil· militru-y forces. In AJ-gentina the milita•·y campaign was called the "Conquest of tbe Desett" ("desett" because whites did not live there), while in Chile it was called the "Pacification of the AJ·aucania" (o•; the "Pacification of the Savages"). Both actions were nothing sho•t of the execution of state-sponsored genocide, sanctioned by their t-espective legal systems. In 1883, Chile and AJ-gentina petmanently demarcated theu· state borders. In the logic of state structw-es, we Mapuches who remained under the jw·isdiction of the Chilean state became Chileans. Those who 1-emained under dominance of the AJ-gentinean state became Argentineans. The unilateral actions of states at-e well known, and similar to the Papal Bull Inter Caetare proclaimed by Pope Alexander VI when he divided Indian territoties between the kingdoms of Po•tugal and Castilla in 1532. In 1990, the Mapuche o•-ganizations existing under Vol. 9 No.1 Chilean and AJ-gentinean state jurisdiction began a process of decolonization . To work toward this goal, we decided to revive the emblem of the Mapuche Nation. This action provoked reactions in many different sociopolitical sectors. Ow· traditional Mapuche authorities, howeve•; were fi•m and clear. In their wot·ds, the "flag is not meant to deny anything to anyone, nor to impose on anyone, nor to invade other people. Rather, it is a -eaffi rms our identity as a distinct cultw·e. flag which 1 We accept that the Spanish and Chilean people exist, in the same way that we the Mapuche exist. Because of this, we have legitimate rights to manifest our cultm-e, our reality. The Mapuche national Oag is not a conquet·ing symbol like the flag of Napoleon Bonapatte. To the contrary, it is a manifestation of our existence within human diversity, and thet-efore is ful ly legitimate and valid." One Lonko (a traditional Mapuche leader) said, "Now we have the following alternatives: To follow the Oags of the state and of political pruties, or the flag of the Mapuche Nation." The most powerful tool that we Indigenous peoples have is that of consent. We have not resig ned our fundamental rights. The day Indigenous peoples accept the concept of the state as a Nation will be the day we have given up our fundamental rights. We have consented to t he state on one level when we participate in their elections. To participate in that process is equivalent to the acceptance of a system that does not recognize us. It is also an ideological contradiction of our peoples, even if, frequently, it is the efforts of some determi ned leaders who push us in that direction. Consent is our only tool for achieving change. States can continue to make laws and impose them; these will be invalid, for we Indigenous peoples have not expt-essed our willingness to conform. What states seek through theu· new colonialism is to involve us: They have designated it "participation through confet-ence," as if the only right that we have is to be consulted. Howeve•; om· true Indian libet-ation \vill begin when we assume ow· condition of ilnmemotial identity, when we abandon the identities of the national states that dilute and disavow us. -QJ ·· 15 �SELF- D ETERMINA TI ON AND T ERRIT OR Y So That We, The Ye'kuana, May Inhabit Our Land In Venezuela, the Ye'kuana nation has organized itself against a legal invasion. In 1978, the government of Venezuela, bypassing the Ye'kuana peoples, declared Duida-Murahuaca a National Park and OrinocoCasiquare a "Biospheric Reserve.· Until recently, however, other than declaring both areas under Special Administration, its implementation never occurred. According to the Ye'kuana, government bureaucrats have systematically ignored their historical presence and territorial rights make decisions on their behalf. by Jose Felix Turon Transcribed b y Simeon Jimenez Turon have come to Caracas for the first time in my life because our land is being threatened. Where I live, along the source of the Cunucunuma Rivet; I have heard rumors of invasions of lands close to us and of futw·e plans to invade other lands in the area. Therefore, I, having always lived aloQg the source of the Cunucunuma Rivet; have come Caracas to write about the historical bases of ow· territorial rights. I will speak about the real owner of the land and about the origins of the land. This is how Wanadi gave us a piece of the Amazonian territory. I The Origins of Our Land Slhe who made the earth is called Wanasedume. There was no earth In the beginning Wanadi (or Wanasedume) created the earth so that we, the Ye'kuanans, may inhabit it, care for it, feed off it, manage its resow-ces, and so that we may die thet-e. Wanadi said, "Take care of the land. It belongs to you; do not destroy it ." That is how the land became ours. The owner of the material necessary to make the earth was Mane'uda. With his material Wanasedume created the earth. He made it inhabitable. 16 That is how the earth was Cl-eated. In the Beginning Wanasedume realized that people on eruth had nothing to eat. Slhe brought the yucca from the heavens, being the only one who knew where in the heavens it was. Slhe first planted it in Roraima, so that everyone there could have food to eat. Wanasedume then realized that the Ye'kuanans, in their place of origin (Kamasoii\a, notth of the Cutinamo River), had no food. Where slhe first brought the yucca, Maru·awakajaina, it did not grow. Slhe then took it to the Cunucunuma River where it grew for 24 hours until it reached the skies. Therefore, we, the Ye'kuanans, consider as our land the territory that begins at the Cutinamo River, as well as the Cunucunuma, the Ventari, and the Manapaire River. Wanadi gave the yucca to Kamasenadu. She was the owner of all food. Theref01-e, it is only the women, as the mothers or guardians of agricultw-e, who cultivate the earth. Wanadi planted the yucca in the yard of a house that belonged to a man by the name ofTudumashaka. Many fruits were bot·n from the trunk of that yucca t ree. The fruits were like rocks. The tree grew so big that no mot-e yucca could be planted; people only ate the yucca that fell from the tree. Seeds and rain also fell. No longer able to grow upward, the tree grew sideways. Then the rock-hard fruits fell dangerously. Tudunadu, son of Tudumashaka, died picking up fruit to eat. Some told Kamasenadu that people were dying, mging her to 6nd a solution soon. Kamasenadu agreed, granting permission to cut down the tree. The chief of the felling was Yakawiyena. He visited neighboring villages and asked Waimene, a chief with workers, to help him. They worked one day and night but the trunk did not fall, one of its branches being booked to the sky. Kamasenadu was present at the felling to collect branches. Kamasenadu sent Wayuni (the moose) and Ml\iadaku (the tiger) all the way to Mudumunui\a to bring water back to the place of the felling. There, a number of other chiefs were now also waiting. Seeing that the trunk was not sent falling, Kamasenadu Wadl\ianiyu to discover what was happening 'vith the trunk above. Wadajaniyu returned, saying that he had no teeth and could not cut the branch hooked to the sky. Then, Abya Yala News �_ _ _ __,c_.=. = - F S E...:L Kamasenadu sent Kadio (the squirrel), who was like people, advising her to stand on top of the trunk so that she could come down the same way she went up while the branches fell off. Kadio was able to grab a fruit and save it in her mouth before chopping the branch with her teeth. The tree fell and the squirrel came down with it. Ever since then, the trunk of the tree is called Madawkajujo. Kadio fell to her death at the foot of the tl-ee in Tudumashaka's yard. The fall was so violent, her eyes welled up. This is why the squirrel's eyes at·e welled up. I<amasenadu quickly revived the squinel by blowing on her. When the tt-ee fell, Wayuni and Majadaku were not present and therefore did not get fruit 6·om the tree. The main branch fell toward chief Padamo. Majadaku, angry, theatened to eat people if he could not eat yucca. Wayuni, not having heard Majadaku very well, said that they would eat the leaves. Majadaku then said that he too would settle for leaves. Kadio, after her •·evival, sat on the t runk with the fruit hidden inside her cheeks. She mocked Majadaku for not getting any yucca. Soon their insults turned to fighting. They placed bets on who could kill whom. The winner would take the fruit as a pl'ize. Majadaku jumped from trunk to trunk. Kadio lay Majadaku a trap. She placed a loose rock on his path. Majadaku stepped on it and fell. All of those involved in cutting down the tree became animals: Majadaku (the tiger), Wayuni (the moose), I<adio (the squirrel), Wadajaniyu (the "tuqueque"), Nukoyame (the woodpecker), and Dakono (the "tara larga"). Vol. 9No. 1 0 E T E R M I N A T I 0 The food which Wanadi gave to us was mean t for the Ye'kuanans. All those who nowadays eat cassava took notice of where the branches of the tree of life fell, taking stems and sprouts from the branches. Some did not know how to properly cultivate yucca. The land surrounding the Autana River and the hills a.long its headwaters, and the land surrounding the Cutinamo, Padamo, Cu.nucunuma, and Ventuari l"ivers are apt for the cultivation of yucca. The lower regions (for example, the savannas of the Ayacucho Port, of the Esmeralda, or even the lands not·th of the Orinoco Rivet·) are not. This is the story of the beginnings of the domestication of yucca and other foods native to the Orinoco and the Amazon region-foods that all of us, peoples of the Amazon, eat today. Second Demarcation: Present-Day Boundaries of the Ye'kuana Communities We, the Ye'kuanans, have lost a great deal of the land which Kujuyani left us as his sacred legacy. We must defend this sacred legacy in the same way other religious groups demand respect for their churches or places of worship. On our land, we, the Ye'kuanans, should not pet·mit others to indiscriminately and disrespectfully frequent our sacred sites- as is the case in Madawaka, Duida, Autana, parts of P iaora, and in the Pem6n region ofRoraima. OuriJ1g the months of Mru-ch, April, and May, 1993, we the Ye'kuana oommunities of Culebra, Akanaiia, Esmeralda, Tookishanamai\a, H A H 0 T E R R I T 0 R Y Watamo, MOdeshijaina, and Huachamakare, met and agreed to establish our communities' boundaries and to demand state t-ecognition of those boundaries. Based on our people's collected memory-embodied or condensed in the historical wisdom of Jose Felix Tur6n-six communities were able to demarcate their lands according to the teachings of the story of origins. Th us, our occupation of the lands we now reclaim dates back many centuries. Our occupational •·ights precede the Europeans' arrival and the founding of the Venezuelan State. Some national constitutions of Latin America have acknowledged these rights, including Brazil (1988), Colombia (1991), and Paraguay (1992). No declaration is more transcendental or powerful than our peaceful, productive, and conservationist occupation of the land that Wanadi and Kuyujani left in our custody. In this age of"preservation" and "sustainable management," it is imperative that the Venezuelan government respect our rights. Granting us legal rights to the lands we have occupied for centuries wou.ld not only be just and right, but also a guarantee for their "sustainable management." We fear there could come a t ime when we 'vill not be allowed to live off the land. We do not want that moment to an·ive, since our lands are food, shelter, ow· life, and religion. To deny us our land would be to amputate ou r soul and our supreme reason for living. '0 Based on a" excerpt from Esperando a Kuyujani by Sime6rt Jimenez and Abel Perozo (Eds) Sa.n Pedro de LQs Altos, Venezuela, 1994. 17 �S E l F • 0 E T E R M I H A T I 0 H A H 0 T E R R I T 0 R_,c__ __ Y Salta, Argentina: I l1 Electoral Politics Delay Granting of Land Title he 4,500 Indigenous people of the Wichi, Chorote, Nivakle, Toba, and Tapiete communities in the northern Argentinean Salta region are still waiting for an official land title for the area where they traditionally live. They require a joint title for the five communities in order to continue living according to their traditional customs of hunting and gathering over a wide ru-ea, a way of life that does not allow land privatization. In 1984, wh en they first demanded a land title, they were only offered separate titles for each family, which they 1-efused. In 1991, the 27 commumttes of the "Asociaci6n de Comunidades Aborfgenes Thakas Honat" ACATH (Association of Aboriginal Communities Thakas Honat) submitted a proposal (including maps) for the legalization of their land to the pt'Ovincial government. This led the pt-ovincial government to pronounce the dect-ee 2609/91 and give cleru-ance to the redistribution of"a piece of lru>d without subdivision and with only one land title, ...and big enough for the development of their traditional way of life" to the Indigenous communities of districts 14 and 55. However, the redistribution of l8lld has not happened yet and land conflicts are developing between the Indigenous communities and the local criollo smallholders, who have been inct-easingly using prut of the traditional Indigenous area for the pasture of theix cattle. Such conflicts T 18 are not unusual in situations which lack agrarian reform. Instead of struggling for the implementation of agrari811 reform, some smallholders tend to move into marginal or Indigenous areas. Governments are du ty-bound under the Right to Food to protect access to food for both marginalized smallholders and Indigenous people. This me8lls that the implementation of agrru-ian reform and the protection of the Indigenous people promote conflicts among the very poor by encouraging the smallholders to move into marginal and Indigenous areas. The Indigenous communities' t-ight to feed themselves is at stake as long as no lega.lization of their traditional terri tot-ies occw-s. According to recent information, the government is t-eluctant to implement the above mentioned dect-ee before the fotthcoming election. Fwthermore, the government seems to plan to provide the Indigenous communities with a land title concerning only a small prut of the original te11-itory. This would mean a breach of atticle 75 and 17 of the Argentinean constitution and the ratified JLO convention 169, both guaranteeing the property of the traditional land whet-e they live to Indigenous communities. As a State party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, Argentina, is also dutybound to protect and respect the Indigenous communities' right to feed themselves. Until a satisfactory solution is reached, and while the struggle continues, the Wichi, Chorote, Nivakle, Toba, and Tapiete people also face harassment and violence from those who oppose the redistribution of land in the ru-ea. In a formal declaration issued by ACATH, Indigenous leaders express deep concerns regarding the "tht·eats that ru-e continually being directed to our bt-others and sistet-s, the \vire fences that the criolws continue to put up on our land, the wood that continues to be taken illicitly and the burning of three houses by a poUceman named Mor6n. All of these crimes go unpunished by the authorities. This makes us feel unprotected and neglected by the government." fl1 Support the Irulige,ous commuTli· ties iTl the Salta region by writing letters encouraging the government to support the right to feed oneself aTld to provide a Ia nd title for districts 55 aTld 14. Send letters to: Sr. Gobemador <le Ia ProviTlcU. de Salta, Roberto A Ulloa, Casa de Gobiemo, Gran Burg 622, 4400 Salta, Argerllina, Fax: 54 87 360 400. , Sr. Presidente de Ia Republica. Dr. Carlos S. Menem, Casa Rosada, Capital Federal, Argentina, Fax: 54 87 343 2249/331 7976. [,formation provided by FoodFirst /nformatioTl and Action Network (F!AN). Abya Yala News �S ELF -D E T ER M I NATI ON Breaking the Myth of the Nation: Proposal for Autonomous Regions While recent nesotiations between the Mexican sovemment and the Zapatistas prosressed little, the fallout from the uprisins has led Indigenous orsanizations and campesinos to consider autonomous resions. In this article, we present some selections from the proposal. n 1994, various Indigenous organizations in Mexico including the Council of Indigenous and Peasant Organizations of Chiapas, the Guet-reran Indigenous Council, the Independent People's Fl'Ont, the Union of Indigenous and Peasant Communities oflztmo, and the Yaqui 'l);bal Council met on several occasions to elaborate a proposal for the for mation of a utonomous regions. The pt'Oposal was aimed fil'st at Indigenous peoples, later to be presented to the Congress of the Mexican Union. Then, on Apl'il 9-10, 1995, a gen· eral reunion oflndigenous organizations gave ,; se to the Plw-al National Indigenous Assembly for Autonomy. Under the title of"lnitiative for the Creation of Autonomous AreaS: the assembly proposed to change certain articles of the Mexican constitution so as to allow Indigenous peoples in different regions to govem them· selves. In the "Considering" section, the proposal states that, "The Mexican State cannot, and must not, continue I AND T E RR I TO R Y Chiapas and Quintana Roo. Out of all the municipalities of the countty (2,403), one third, or 803, 8l'e munic· ipalities with one th.h'd or more of Indigenous population. Close to 30 percent of all localities, or 44,218, have an Indigenous population, of which more than 13,000 8l'e qualified as "eminently indigenous localities" as a consequence of having 70 percent or more of persons speaking an Indigenous language." · Antonio Hemandez is a Mayan Tojolabal of Chiapas and has been Secretaty General of the Central de Obrel'OS y Crunpesinos Agricolas de Chiapas (CIOAC- Central Union of Worke•-s and Agricultural Peasants). In the last elections, he was elected as national deputy, and remains one of the most active promoters of the proposal for Autonomous Regions. In a speech in ft'Ont of the Congress in November, 1994, he stated: "We want to conttiliute to the foundation of a democratic and plural state... Open yow· minds and you r hearts to the Indigenous demands for autonomy. There will not be complete democracy in our country while a decentralization allowing our self-governing is not included in the organization of the state. "<:lt to be stmctured politically as though Indigenous peoples do not exist. To con-e<:t this injustice, it is ne<:eSS81y to abandon the project of a homogeneous state and, in tum, put forth a new national project and constitution based on a federal system in which Indigenous peoples compose an organic element. .. "The Mexican nation-state was organised in ignorance, or explicit denial, of Indigenous peoples. The vru;ous indigenist strategies practiced by the government, especially th.t'Oughout the 20th centwy, were of such ethnocentric and centralist ch81'acter that they are [today) the principal cause of misety and oppression [in Mexico) ... "In the states of Oaxaca, Veracruz, Chiapas, Puebla, Yucatan, Hidalgo, and Guetrero, 78 percent of the total Indigenous population lives. In some states, the Indian population is greater than that of nonIndians, such as in Oaxaca and Yucatan; in othet-s, the Indigenous nuclei constitute more than one The next meeting will occur in th.h·d of the total population, as in Oa,taca on August 25-26, 1995 CICA : A Pan-Indigenous Organization in Central America CICA will also facilitate the Regional Program for the Suppott of Indigenous Peoples in Central Ame•;ca (PAPICA) organized with by Atencio Lopez (Kuna) peoples in Central America to coor- the Ew'Opean Community which n July 21, 1995, in the city of dinate their efforts on a regional makes available appt'Oximately 8 Guatemala, the Indigenous level to defend their rights in the million dollars. Council of Centt·al America face of the political and econotnic CICA staff includes: Leopoldo (C!CA) was founded, which inte- structural changes stemming from Tzian (Maya-Guatemala), President; grates indigenous representatives the democratization pt'OCess. Mawicio Castro (Zicaque-Hondw'8S), ft'Om Guatemal to Panama, includThe founding of CICA is pattic- Genet-a! Secretruy; William Borreg6n ing Belize. ularly important as it occw·s dur- (Embera-Panama), Treasw-e.: -<:lt The iniative to found the ing a time when dialogue and paciCouncil was bom dwmg a reunion fication follow the civil wars that For more inforrnation, contact: in care o(COMQ, 2a. Calle in Panama held in June, 1994. have impoverished our countries CICA,Zona. 3, Chimaltenango, 3·40, There, attendants agreed on the a n d impacted mos t strongly in Chimalt. Guatemala. Tell Fax: 502· urgent necessity for Indigenous Indigenous communities. 9-392709 O Vol. 9 No.1 19 �SELF-DETERMINATION AND TERRITORY A Neoliberal State of Siege On April18, 1995, a series of strikes organized by lndisenous peasants and urban teachers forced the central government to declare a state of siege that has lasted three months. The international press has marginally covered this event. A state of siege is a serious menace to the concept of democracy and reminiscent of authoritarian rule. It is the first state of siese that neoliberalism could not avoid. In what follows, sociolivera Cusicanqui interprets the reasons behind such measures and underlines the double moral osist Silva R standard of current politics in Bolivia. by Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui emocracy and violence are lead to the consolidation of the not incompatible terms or "double moral standat-d" which is at exclusionary in and of them- the very heart of Bolivian democracy. selves. In Mexico, a solid clientelistic state structure serves as the base of the oldest electoral farce in Ametica, while hundreds of thousands of rural Mexicans and Indigenous peoples die or flee from their country. In Colombia, democratic regimes elected according to D vruious conventional normS have co-existed duting more than a century with the most repressive and brutal military and paramilitary violence, and with the most vatied forms of popular armed resistance. In the Bolivian Constitution, the "state of exception• permits a wide margin of arbit•·ary state power that ·r emains pattially within the legal bases of a legitimate republic. These are the "democratic fictions" that, historically, enabled the oscillation between democracy and dictatorship, and that in the present, Silvia Rivera is professor of sociology at the Universi.dad Mayor de San Andres, Bolivia. She is a member of THOA (Andean Oral History Workshop), Chukiyawu, Kollasuyu (Bolivia). 20 of coca cultivation) abound, and no one has been able to enforce the constitutional laws of the state. For centuries, thousands of Indigenous peoples, mestizos, cholas, and bircholas [urbanized peasants] have ftlled the Bolivian prisons. They are always the unyielding enemies, the silent threats to this "pigmentocratic" system in which whites or q'aras rule through a mandate that seems inherited from the depths of histo•·y. Teachers and Cocaleros Forty years ago, who would have thought that teachers and coca/eros (coca growers) would be the last Bolivia is a country where there remnants of the classic confrontais democracy for the few and dicta- tion of Bolivian politics: a unionized torship for the many. Vast rural sector-and here we know that regions of Bolivia are subject to unionization covers a wide range of the law of "survival of the fittest," sectors entrenched in a diverse where open and concealed violence Bolivian culture- and the formal is a structural feature of modern country represented by political daily life, exemplified by under- parties and the state. The gap development, displaced popula- between these sectors continues to tions, extreme poverty, and a total grow, fed by constant violence. Here loss of popular 'viii. For more than is why this last national strike and a decade, untried killings and the call for the state of siege hides a repression of Indigenous peoples vaster unease: the frustration of a in the Chapare region (the center people who voted hoping for Abya Yata News �SELF change, and who now see more of the same misery and t-epression that has not changed in centwies of q'ara domination of the Bolivian state. The ingenious conception of the "blank slate" inherent in all reformism blinded the government to this phenomenon of collective frustration over the design of a "New Bolivia," a project that, as in other times, runs the risk of remaining a propagandistic slogan. Fundamentally, none of what was promised in the elections was accomplished, beginning 'vith the promise of 250,000 jobs. Furthermore, Bolivia Jacks even the minimal maneuvering power necessary to defend its once buoyant "illegal" economy (not only narco-tt·afficking, but also contraband and industrial pirating) that enjoys a flourishing stability in the North. How useful, then, is educational ref01m and populat· participation if the pillar of the model promised (and discerned) by the ruling coalition is crumbling to pieces? Was it merely a calculation errot·? Or are we, as in other conjunctures, again witnessing the sad spectacle of an oligarchic blindness or myopia of the powerful, who lack the historic sense necessary to impose, among other things, a long-lasting legitimate rule because their language (and particularly their reformist language) has decayed into a parade of lies and linguistic run-arounds? Nevertheless, the problem of Vol. 9 No.1 DET ERMINATION the double mo•·al standard, and the fragile legitimacy it supports, is not only a ballast of the state and its leaders. I would say that it is a key feature of Bolivian political culture, and in this sense, con· stitutes us as actors and shapes our percept ions, behavior, and expectations. In this case, the lack of coherence in the actions and explicit demands of the COB (Bolivian Workers Union) and the teachers is evident. The teachers' resistance to yielding unionacquired privileges speaks more to corporate entrenchment than to authentic revolutionary unionism. What's more, the teachers are the main actors and principle obstacles involved in the renovation of our antiquated educational system. But who are the teachers? They are a product of the 1956 edu· cational reform and, in this sense, also reflect the government of 1952-the same clientelistic meth· ods, spheres of influence, and corruption. And who is the MNR (the ruling governmental party) to clean up the corruption of the education· al sector? Who can t-eally do it? In the end, even the strike is inscribed in the double moral standard. While public schooling grinds to a halt, the same teachers who are striiUng continue to work diligently and profitably in the private educational institutions. So, are the Capitalists not the enemies of the Workers? Why doesn't the whole educational sector come AND TE R R ITORY to a stop? Tragically, the most affected are the children of the wot·ket·s-rural and very urban-who are the only ones left who depend on the devastated public education services. The rest-including a strained blue-colJar and popular sector-support the private schools. They live as though in a different country, going to classes and dutifully following t heir curriculum, while t he rest of us are striking. Among other factors, the professional and union conduct of the education sector has contributed to this insurmountable gulf that separates the rural from the urban, the upper and middle from t he lower classes, and schools of the fll'st, second, and last category. Popular malaise and profound and legitimate collective frustration on one side, union members and politicians increasingly distant ft-om the collective identity on the other- this all has contributed to the consolidation of a deeply conservative authoritarian political cultUJ-e appat-ently totally •·esistant to change. The state of siege summarizes, therefore, the primary failure in the scheme of government •-eforms being carried out by the govetmnent, and at the least ,viJJ leave it with the comfort of learning that no change is possible without the pruticipation of theyrotagonist and affected majotitf. V Excerpt front a longer text published in HOY (La Paz, Bolivia). 21 �EN VIR O NME NT ANGA A Scientific Research Institute in the Ecuadorian Amazon In 1992, as a response to nesotiations with oil companies attemptins to expand their operations into the Pastaza resion, the I'<MAZANGA institute was formed. Since then, it has been on the forefront of new attempts to incorporate and protect lndisenous knowledse of the environment. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Leonardo Viteri, director of the Amazansa Institute, and Quichua Indian from the Pastaza resion of Ecuador. (~~ W~ Leonardo Viteri Can you tell us a bo ut th e Amazanga Institute? ince the 1970s, a number of Indigenous organizations in Ecuador, like OPIP (Organization of Indigenous Peoples of Pastaza), CONFENIAE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorean Amazon), and CONAIE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador), have come together, making important political and organizational advances. Howevet; we have overlooked the very important areas of technology and scientific investigation. These would permit us to consolidate and strengthen our ability to negotiate and plan for the future of Indigenous peoples in terms of economic development, territorial protection , education, health and everything that an autonomous development really means. In this vein, OPIP, an Indigenous organization in Pastaza, has worked to legalize Indigenous territory. Fifty-two percent of the 2.5 million hectares comprising that territory were legalized in 1992. This has given greater security to Indigenous communities, giving them more harmonious lives and assuring their future. Another 48% of Indigenous territory has yet to be legalized, so we're cont inuing our effort to have traditionally Indigenous territory recognized and legalized by the government. Having legalized territory does not automatically solve Indigenous problems. It gives us many more commitments and challenges. We must manage the territory, protecting it and managing the natural resources in order to live there. In response to these challenges, in 1992 OPIP decided to create the Amazon Institute of Science and Technology (A.\\1AZANGA). Indigenous knowledge which has developed over centuries is a fundamental pillar of S 22 this Indigenous-run organization. This institute has been put in charge of the environmental planning of all traditional ten;tories, focussing on their use and management in harmony with the existing natural resources. The research, application and development of Indigenous knowledge is necessary to achieve a level of autonomy. All the work of the instit ute leads to designing and planning a program of development for the Indigenous people of Pastaza. Our concept of development guarantees a harmonious advance of our people, both nationally and intemationaUy. We want to prepat·e for the future of our people, to assut·e a dignified autonomous life beyond this century. Basically, over the last 30 years we've been losing ow· autonomy, and that is what we want to regain and strengthen. We want to project ourselves before the country and international community with our proposals, our contribution to society, our technologies, our discoveries, and our knowledge. What is the basic Indigenous knowledge t hat b as allowed your people to live for thousands of years in harmony with the Amazon? We Indigenous people have vast knowledge; this is what has allowed us to survive up until the present. First, holding of land is fundamental; based on ow· land, we can identify what we have as a people within that ten·ito•·y. Ten·ito•·y is the foundation that allows for unity among peoples. It guarantees the strengthening of cultw·al identity and allows us to be really autonomous. It also gives us validity as Indigenous people on this planet, providing us with natural resou1·ces which allow us to live in dignity without being overly dependent on others. The biodiversity which exists in ow· ten·itory is so great that A'afa Yala News �E NVI RO NM ENT "We're trying to stop the proliferation of groups that have come to Indigenous communities lately to steal knowledge of medicinal plants, technology of forest and river management, etc. " Two thousand Quichua people from Pastaza marched to Quito in 1990 to assert their rights to control their territories and natural resources. only the knowledge we've attained over time lets us manage it equitably. At least 80% of the resow·ces the Indigenous com· munities of Pastaza have are from the rain forest and the rivers. A plan for the management of at-risk species is already established through AMAZANGA. We are also facing continuing pressures from eco· nomic interests such as logging, petroleum compa· nies, and tow·ism. These economic development pro· jects necessitate envit·onmental impact studies. We should also develop contingency plans for salvaging detetiorated areas and for disasters such as floods, ill· ness, and contamination. ry all of it. Community participation is the backbone of the project, and communities should manage the natw·al resources. All the information comes from the community and is returned to the community to be applied. There ar e cur rently pr ojects for collecting Indigenous genes for scientific p urposes. What stand does AMAZANGA Institute take on this issue? The creation of the AMAZANGA Institute responds precisely to the need to prevent any project that would harm or control biodiversity or genetic resout·ces of any kind. We oppose any kind of aggres· Have you done research on the resources in sion against or appropriation of Indigenous knowlyour tei.Titory, such as its biodiversity? edge and integrity. We're trying to stop the prolifera· Yes, we're starting those activities, especially inven· t ion of groups that have come to Indigenous commu· tot-ying our resources. Rigbt now in the lower part of nities lately to steal knowledge of medicinal plants, Pastaza we're inventot-ying flora and fauna, including technology of forest and river management, etc. We're fish, different wood species, medicinal plants, and working to develop respect for our knowledge, and pond-dwelling species. This research will direct proper our communities are well aware of the danger that this theft of genetic resources repre.sents. management of these resources. Lately we've heard about more complex pty~cts Is there community participation in these plans like the Hwnan Genome Project. For us, this is noth· for r esearch, resource management, and devel· ing less tban an inhumane, insane project which opment? assaults our peoples' dignity, the natural ordet; and Without community participation, there is no goes against our beliefs and religion .'Our job is to research. Altbougb AMAZANGA technicians are sys· stop this type of project. "flJ tematizing Indigenous knowledge, they can't invento· Vol. 9 No.1 23 �E N VIR O NMENT Peruvian State Targets "Abandoned" Lands of Ashaninka After days of march, "displaced" AShaninka widows and orphans arrM! at a community in search of protection from Shining Path violence. Since about 1989, Ash8ninka communities in the Selva Central region of Peru have been the object of Shinins Path guerilla violence. The civil war has led to increased colonization from the highlands into Ash8ninka areas. Faced with extermination, Ash8ninka communities have had to leave their lands, clearing the way for statesponsored colonist land invasions. In this interview, Mino Eusebio Castro, vice-president of the Inter-Ethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rain forest (AIDESEP, a national coordinating body for Indigenous regional organizations representing over 500,000 Indigenous people living in the Peruvian rain forest), talks with SAIIC about the people's hardships and their effOits to organize and save their communities. f~~ -w~ Mino Eusebio Castro Tell us about yourself and your community. y name in my maternal language is Naaperori Shirampari Asheninka, in Spanish it is Eusebio Castro. I am Ashaninka. The Ashaninka are one of 63 groups that inhabit the Amazon region of Peru. Tradit ionally, the Ashaninkas were a wan·ior society that controlled a magical m·ea. We lived from resources such as hw>ting, fishing and trade with other Indigenous communities. But all that changed, and our history became conquered by lies and broken promises. We tried to reject tokens brought to us, but there were many abuses and violations. Ow· Indigenous rights were violated, and many of our women were raped. In some cases, we were enslaved. M What have been the major threats to the AshAn.inka? The exploitation of lwnber by colonists has resulted in much violence. The guerrilla groups Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) have also violated Indigenous rights. They have oppressed us and killed bilingual teachers and leaders. Although we tried to resist, we did not have sophisticated weapons. If we did defend ow"selves and killed someone, the Peruvian Constitution declares that we would be tried as murderers. Thus by justice, we were between two fires as it is said. When did the intrusion of the Shining Path into ;;-;-- - - - -----24 Abya Yala News �EMV IR OMMENT the Asb8ninka communities begin? In the new Peruvian Constitution, articles 82 and It began in 1978 and 1979, and by 1980 there was 83 have decreed that our lands can be seized ifthey ar-e incursion into our areas, not with violence, but \vith deemed "abandoned" by the state. They can then be l.ies, so we would become their strength. By 1989, there bought by those who have the most economic power; was an uprising in the Pichis valley to reject the revo· like the petroleum companies. lutionary movement. The MRTA kidnapped and killed our hero Alejandro Calderon. As a result, many leaders Do you have lands that you consider aban· rose up to protest and counter this force. By 1991, we doned? were able to expel all those guerlillas who had infil. Traditionally, for us the1-e ar-e no abandoned lands, because we view land space in an integral mrumer·. We tJ·ated the Pichis Valley. The Shining Path entered our communities in 1993 are trying to take initiative in pr-otecting and il) man· which resulted in the massacre of the Chiriary com· aging the lich biodiversity of the area. munity in the region of Satipo. About 57 people were killed (see Abya Yala News, Vol. 7, Nos. 3 and 4). What have been the major developments sur· Presently, we have more than 39 communities that rounding petroleum companies in Indigenous have disappeared. Many people have been displaced areas of the Peruvian Amazon? The Candoshi community has been the most affectand are refugees. We have organized ourselves into self-defense ed by oil exploitation. It is located in the no1ther·n groups. We asked the militar·y if they would be willing region by the Maranon and Pastaza rivers. Occidental to collaborate 'vith us to achieve peace. We want peace. Petr-oleum has bought lot number four. The Candoshi reject this completely. AIDESEP and the Candoshi You have made an alliance with the military community have staged protests and put pressw-e on with a goal of pacification, yet, according to the government arguing that this was not done with international information, many of the those the consent of the Candoshi community. AIDESEP has sent letters of protest to Occidental killed have been as a result of the military. Do you have faith in the military or was it through Petroleum, yet their responses are vague, stating circumstances that you had to make a necessary that they are concerned about the environmental pact? impact. But a few months ago we verified that there This is not ow· war. The military does not know who was a major oil spill on the Pastaza River. This is who. We indicated that since we know the ten"itory, we means that all the nora and fauna will be poisoned. should help defend it, but we were not given sufficient In addition, the Candoshi will not be able to subsist arms to confront the guerrillas. Who cares when an on hunting and fishing. In the San Juan community, lnd.igenous person is killed? No one. When one of the the oil company has been offering to pay people to military dies, then it is another story. They are made relocate to another area. They have come in with into heroes. When an Indigenous person dies in defense clothing and medicine. The Candoshi general council declared that they do not recognize these actions as of his tern tory, no one says anything. legitimate. They took back all the things given to the What were the guerrillas and military disputing families, and the company was told to leave. This has in the region? created quite a reaction from the company as well as Until now the Stl"Uggle has been for power. The the Ministry of Energy. Shining Path wanted to gain more power by using the Indigenous people in the war against the state, but since Is there much contamination in the rivers? we are dedicated to peace, we did not concede easily. There is mercury in rivers such as Madre de Dios. Some of the people have eaten contaminated fish and How is AIDESEP preparing for the defense of have become very ill. As you know mercwy is deadly. In territories, for maintaining biodiversity, and the Chanchamayo and Pe1-ene Rivers, there has been so assuring a future for the Indigenous communi· much mineral waste that all of the fish have been killed. ties of the Amazon? In AIDESEP we have a program of establishing Has a political movement formed to stop this communal reserves. In the zone of Guayali, we have contamination? gained more than 100 property titles for the communi· Valious envir-onmental and ecological organizations ties. There ar-e still 80 left that need to be signed. Ther-e have ttied to raise public awat-eness, but to date the are many blocks through the Ministry of Agr"icultw-e government has not imposed ru>y regulations to stop the dumping of mineral waste. "0' because of lobbying of lumber companies. Vol. 9No. 1 25 �ENV I RONMENT Island of Chiloe, Chile: Huilliches Fight Lumber Company to Save Their Forests "In these territories (beins considered for exploitation), there live around 100 families. They beIons to the communities of lncopulli de Yaldad, TusOeo de Coldita, Piedra Blanca de Coldita, and Coinco. These communities have historically been threatened by companies that have wanted to steal our land. This is why, today, we make public our complaints to demand that the authorities respect our rishts and those of all of our sisters and brothers in Chiloe. · General Council of Caciques of Chiloe wo lumber projects threaten to alter the ecological balance of the Island of Chiloe (located on t he Pacific Ocean, west of mainland Chile), endangering the livelihood and way of life of the Huilliche communities that live there. Golden Spring, a multinational company based in Hong the companies Kong, and Hawerden and Los Pru-ques, S.A., plan to exploit a combined area of about 179,459 hectares of Chiloe's forest. Since 1993, the Huilliches have been trying to keep Golden Spt;ng from acquiring 50,000 hectru·es of land in the island of Chiloe to complete its lumber projects, and from drunaging the land that the company presently owns. Golden Spt·ing's initial goal is to export round logs to the Asian market, especially Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. The second stage of the company's longterm -plan is to build a plant in Chiloe for the production of plywood. The comprury has declru·ed that its plan for the exploitation of Chiloe's forest is ecologically sound and al.lows reforestation. However, the actions of Golden Spd ng up to now have been far from ecologically sow>d. Golden Spring began cutting down trees to build a road inside Tepullueico almost two months before receiving permission T 26 from the government agency (CONAF) that grants such permits. The damage to the land was so great and public outrage so massive, that CONAF fined the company $20,727,562. However, the Huilliche community is not satisfied with this fine because of a series of factors. First, large companies have traditionally been able to forgo their responsibility in paying ftnes imposed by CONAF. Second, CONAF had originally denied Golden Spdng permission to build the road based on earlier documentation that declared the ru·ea in question willt for exploitation, but then changed its mind a few days later. Because of this abrupt chatlge in policy, the Huilliches feru· that the government sides with Golden Spdng and will pursue the company's interest ove•· theirs. The company's intentions became a topic of hot debate among environmental and governmental agencies until, finally, in Apt;] of 1994, Judge Francisco del Campo issued an order to halt two of Golden Spdng's project, namely, the widening of yet another road in Yerba Loza and the construction of a "piedraplen" (rock base) for the employment of a port in the Compu Stream in Chaildad. However, the order is useless since the widening of the road had been completed before the call to halt and the con- struction of the "piedraplen" had been halted earlier pending a permit from the maritime authorities. In April of 1994, CONAMA (The National Environmental Commission) and Golden Spring reached an accord in which Golden Spring agreed to commission a study of the environmental impact of its plan of exploitation of Chiloe's forest before it can continue to exploit any additional land. However, as environmental g>-ou ps and leaders ft-om the Huilliche commw>ity point out, the study should have been done before Golden Spring was allowed to buy land in Chiloe with the purpose of forest exploitation. FUJthermore, Golden Spring is allowed to continue exploiting the land ( 135.000 hectares) that was already approved before the accord with CONAMA Lastly, because the study is being financed by Golden Sptmg, CONAl"lA is powerless in making sure that a neutral patty (like a university) conduct the study. Golden Spring continues to this day its operations in Tepullueico and is looking to buy more land in Chiloe. Its plan is to own about 50,000 hectares of forest in order to achieve its production goals. The Huilliche community of Chiloe is very concerned because, albeit public outcty, government intervention and the halt of some of its operations, it looks as though Golden Spring is confident it will be allowed to continue to exploit the forest in the mrumer they intended given the runount of money (so far; 8 million dollars out the 25 million dollars set aside for tllis project) they continue to invest in heavy machinety, vessels and personnel. As if the threat of Golden Spdng was not enough, the Huilliches also have to contend with plans for another pt-oject that would have devastating •·amifications for thei•· Continued on page 34 Abya Y News ala �E N V IR ON ME NT Chile, Upper Biobfo: Hydroelectric Power Plant Threatens Environment and Pehuenche Communities he construction of the Ralco power plant on the Upper Biobfo river, Chile, threatens to topple the rivet's fragile ecology and cut off vital access to water for nearby Pehuenche communities. A campaign led by the Pehuenche to stop the project is underway, but faces powerful opponents such as national energy corporations and international funding agencies. Since ENDESA, Chile's biggest and most powerful electrical company, began to design a series of six hydroelectric interdependent power plants on the Biobfo River in the 1960s, the Ralco power plant has been considered the "key component" of this ambitious hydroelectric project. When the campaign to save the Biobfo River began, ENDESA and the CNE (The National Energy Commission) denied that they were planning several short-term projects along the Biobfo River. For example, they presented an earlier project, the Pangue power plant, as an independent project, completely ruvorced from Ralco or any others. An accomplice to thls tactic was the IFC (The lnternationa.l Financial Corporation), an entity affiliated with the World Bank. The IFC provided $100,000,000 in funds for the construction of Pangue. ENDESA and CNE deceived the public about the real number of proposed plants as a tactic to minimize the public's fear of negative effects from the power plants in the region. Considered independently of each othe•; the harmfu.l effects of the power plants apperu-ed to be less severe. Independent investigations reveal that ifRalco becomes a reality, it would have detrimental social and environmental effects on the Upper Biobfo region. With the dev- T Vol. 9 No.1 astation of 5,597 hecta1·es of land, at least two Pehuenche communities (Quepuca Ralco and Ralco Lepoy) with a combined total of about 650 families will have to be evacuated from their territory. ENDESA has promised to give them land for resettlent and jobs in the construction project. Howeve•; the Pehuenche communities have The proposed Ralco Hydropower project raises serious questions of ecocide for the Biobio watershed and the Pehuenche rejected these offers to p1-eserve their communities. The Pehuenche derive their income li·om subsistence fa•·ming and the sale of cattle and crafts. The proposal offers them little more than temporary labor as unskilled workers in the power plant's construction. Pangue, S.A. (the company in charge of Pangue through its Pehuen Foundation) has also instituted a system of credit (i.e. debt peonage) by whlch members of the Pehuenche communities of Quepuca Ralco and Ralco Lepoy may buy items needed for their home, such as stoves, pots, and other items. Howeve•; to acquire these items, the members of the communities must register their names with the company. The Pehuenches rejected thls program because of fear that their signatures will be used by Pangue, S.A as proof that the Pehuenche communities acquiesce to the building of the hydroelectric plant. The environmental effects of the Ralco hydroelectric plant will he devastating. Estimates indicate that about 3,400 hectal'eS of native fo1-est would be flooded, affecting about 45% of the fauna and 60% of the flora. The creation of an rutificial lake would endanger about 8 species of fish, 9 species of repti.les, 10 species of amphlbians and 27 species of mammals. Humidity in the ru-ea would increase, affecting crop production and altering the region's micro flora and micro fauna. The humiruty would also help increase soil erosion. The effects of toxic gas emission and toxic seiliments are still to be determined. But given the magnitude of the project, they would undoubtedly be environmentally and economically catastrophlc. Because of Ralco's negative impact on the Pehuenche communities and the envin>nment, it would seem that Chile's Indigenous Law and the Environmental Bases Law should be able to stop its construction. The lniligenous Law (No. 19,253) establishes norms for the protection, promotion and development of ethnic communities. It states that Indigenous land cannot be "atmexed, mo1tgaged, levied or 1-epossessed exoept for lniligenous communities or persons . .."(Art. 13). Continue'd on page 38 27 �EN V I R 0 N M E N T ---------------------------------------------------------------- sided with the gold miners and squatters, and have continued to intimidate Macu.xi people. Because of the activities of the gold miners, fish in nearby rivers have disappeared, and those that remain have high levels of mercury. In addition, the stagnant pits of expel nearly 400 men, women, and water left by miners have introchildren f1·om their land. Two duced malada in epidemic p•-oporMacuxi Indians were severely beat- tions. Malaria has become the en. Others were kicked, harassed, main cause of death of the Macuxi. and detained. The police destroyed Tht-oughout Brazil, Indigenous three houses, a cattle coral, and a peoples continue to fight for land demarcation. Brazilian President livestock pen. The following week, 170 Macuxi Fernando Henrique Cat·doso has returned to the livestock holding the power to sign into law the area and began to work there. rights of Indigenous peoples to Twelve military policemen came their traditional ancestral lands. and desb-oyed hammocks, food, and Because of pressure from local cooking il.nplements. When the politicians, he has not yet signed Macuxi attempted to stop this this decree. ~ destruction, t he police allegedly beat several Indians and fired at SAIIC has se11t f<LXes supporting the Macuxi's dema11d for l<md demar· theil.· possessions. cation and clenouncing human In pt·otest of this expulsion, rights abuses. We encourage you to Macu.xi cotomunities from other do the same. Please write letters parts of Roraima gathered at demaltdi1 that tlw Brazilianpou1g Caraparu II. Federal police report ernment demarcate tradition<z that military police have intil.nidat- lndigencus lands to: ed Macwd communities by flying President Fernando Henrique over their villages in helicopters Cardoso, Patacio do Planalto, and pointing weapons down at the 70. 159-970, Bras£/ia DF, Brazil, Indians. According to a statement Fax: 55 61 226 7566 released by the Indian Council of Rorail.oa state, "The motive for the Exmo. $~: Ministro da Justica, S~: Nelson Jobim, Ministerio da invasion was to guarantee the con- Justica, Esplcnada dos Ministerios, stmction of the hydroelectric dam Bloco 23, 70.064, Brasilia DF, Brazil, Fa.<: 55 61 224 2448 on the River Contil.-.go." The Macwc:i persisted in their Send opposit ion and sent a delegation to to: copies showing your supp ort the federal capital of Brasilia to pt-otest the violence the state mili- TIU! Indigenous Council of tary police of Roraima used against Roraima, Conselho Indigena de them. They also demanded il.nmedi- Roraima, Caixa Postal 163, 70.300 ate demarcation of their lands. On Boa Vista, RR, Brazil March 17, a federal court issued a Information from Amnesty restraining order halting the con- Internaticnal's Urgent Action struction of the Contingo River Appeal, CIMI Gndianist Missionary dam pt-oject. But the Macu.xi land Council), SEJUP (Seruico has not yet been demarcated. AI1ny Brasileiro de Justica e Paz), and personnel sent to Raposa/Serra do the Urgent Action BuiJ.etin of Suruiual lnternational. Sol to protect the Macuxi have Brazil: Macuxi People Oppose Building of Dam he Raposa/Serra do Sol region along Brazil's border with Venezuela and Guyana is home to 11,000 Macuxi and 3,000 lngarik6 Indians. Like other Indigenous peoples throughout Brazil, t he Macuxi have been seeking demarcation of their land. FUNAI, the government's Indian agency, identified t heir land as Indigenous in 1993, but the govetnment has not yet signed the order. Meanwhile, gold m.iners and squatters have invaded the Macuxi's land, bringing malada to the region and destroying the environment. At the same time the Macuxi and Ingarik6 have successfully campaigned against a dam p1-oject in their region that would have flooded nearly 4,000 hectares of land. This dam would have changed theil.· tmditional lifestyle and severely limited their freedom to hunt, fish, and gathe.: In 1992, the state electricity company (CER) began to study the known as Indian lands Raposa/Sen·a do Sol for a hydroelectric dam project on the Contingo River. The study clail.ned that only 45 Ind.i ans would be affected. Alternative studies maintain that 3,400 Indigenous people would be affected by the construction of the dam. The Macu.xi campaign to stop construction of this dam was met with force by the state military. On January 7, 1995, 50 Roraima state military police and seven members of the army invaded the Tamandua livestock holding camp of the Macuxi Indigenous community of Caraparu II in order to illegally T 28 Alzy.;a Yala News �W 0 MEN "We Must Combine Our Efforts" In recosnition of the similarity of the struggles Indigenous women face around the world, we recently had the privilege of talking with Victoria Tauli-CO/PUZ, a Kankilnaey lgorot from the Cordillera region of the Philippines. She is the past chairperson of the Cordillera Peoples' Alliance, a coalition of Indigenous peoples in the Cordillera, Northem Philippines. She is Executive Director of the Cordillera Women's Education and Resource Center, Inc., an NGO doing education, organizins, and projects amons Indigenous women in the region. f~~ .w~ Victoria Tauli-Corpuz Tell us about the founding of the Cordillera Women's Education and ResoUl·ce Center. ndigenous peoples in our region of the Philippines began to organize in the mid 1970s when the World Bank funded construction of four large dams along our Big Chico River. This project would have relocated 300,000 Bontoc and Kalinga peoples, but these people successfully fought against it. After this struggle, organizations were started on the local and provincial levels. The Cordillera Peoples' Alliance, which is the regional federation of these organizations, was organized in 1984. Although women were very much a part of this struggle, they didn't have their own organizations. So in 1985, we thought it was time to organize I our own women's center to train women to become leaders in their own dght. We created The Cordillera Women's Education and Resow'Ce Center was and took the lead in establishing organizations in the region. What is the primary purpose of the Cordillera Women's Education and Resource Center? First, we wanted our women to take a more active role in the stmggle for the defense of our ancestral lands and for self detennination. So we attempt to bring in more women and educate them on these issues. At the same time, we are aware that women are marginalized. In our traditional communities, Indigenous decision-making structures are ve•y male dominated. We felt this was not good for women, and therefore efforts should be made to improve this situation. Women must be equipped to patticipate more effectively in the community decision-making process. And thirdly, in many of our communities agriculture, which is the main economic activity, relies heavily on women. But when it comes to cash crop product ion, or when corporations hire, women are marginalized. When, for instance, the mines hire workers, they hire Vol. 9 No.1 only men, and the women become housewives. As house,vives, women are not patt of the conununity's economic activity as they are when they are subsistence farmers. We are studying how these modem developments have futther marginalized women. Tell us more about the traditional role of women in your community. Well, as I said, the women are the subsistence farmers. They are the ones who fetch water, keep the seeds, and take care of the children. Childrearing is sometimes shared since women go to the fields, then the men stay in the village and take care of the babies. Where do you believe machismo, or male domination, came from i.n your society? For us, as the ml\iority population, machismo was int roduced by colonization. Before colonization, although they were not part of the formal decisionmaking process, women were consulted about their opinions. When the colonizers came, they declared that women should stay home and take care of the children. That was not our traditional belief; housework was shared. The male-dominated beliefs of our colonizers seeped through our communities. For instance, we had a cowtship system in which women could also do courting, and mrutial sepru·ations were pennitted with appropriate grounds. When t he colonizers came with their religious beliefs, they told us this could not be, that it was immoral and that we could not separate from ow· husbands. Ow· colonizers brought and reinforced male domination in our traditional societies. Do Indigenous communities in the P hilippines have r ecognized territories? ' We occupy ow· land, but the law states that ow· land is public land. We have a law in the Philippines which 29 �W 0 ME N ----- ----- - --- ----- says all lands that are 18% slopes or above are considered public lands, and therefore cannot be owned or sold. Almost all ow· lands are 18% slopes or above. Because of that law, virtually all the people in our community are considered squatters on our own lands. So we are working to have that law repealed. In 1986, when there was a constitutional conm>ission, we lobbied to put a clause in the constitution recognizing ancestral land rights of Indigenous peoples. That law was incorporated into the constitution, but until a bill enabling and defining the law is passed, we legally do not have an ancestral land law in ow· country. What othe•- crucial issues are facing your community? asking that they be allowed to participate in their medical missions to the Aetas in Pinatubo. Their intent was to collect DNA materials from the Aetas by collecting blood, mucosal scrapings, and hair roots. This sounds very much like the Human Genome Divet'Sity Project. I 6nd this grossly unethical and immoral, because what they plan to do is to participate in a humanitarian mission to the Aetas who were displaced when the Pinatubo volcano in the Philippines erupted. So, in effect, they are using a medical mission to obtain genetic resow-ces. We did work with t he Foundation on Economic Trends (FET) in Washington DC. who filed a petition on behalf of itself and other organizations, including our own, for a moratorium on the Human Genome Diversity Project which at the time was promoted by the National Institute of Health in the US. So the FET filed a snit against them, but the whole project was transferred to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Suing the NSF will be more difficult because they are a semi-private, semi-governmental organization. These are the steps we have taken to pre-empt the attempts of the pi'Oject to gather genetic material. There are still ongoing logging operations. The logging companies attempt to drive people away from their land. However, mining is one of the biggest issues that we face because our region is ve•-y rich in minerals. Seventy-five percent of gold exports come from ow· region. The government is relaxing the laws to allow corporations to invest and open mines. These corporations receive 75-year leases. They operate strip mines and open pit mines. We have been •-esisting fw-the•expansion of these mines. Do Indigenous peoples in the Philippines deal with issues sinrilar to those of other Indigenous The Philippine government ratified GATT last peoples ar ound t he world? December. How wi.li this affect Indigenous peoWe really have many issues in common, like ancesples? tral land rights, traditional ceremonies, autonomy, and It ' viii have a tremendous affect on Indigenous peo- self govertrment. Because of that communality, we ples, especially in terms of their rights to their lands. It were able to combine efforts to cont,;bute to the draft will make it vety easy for the government to say that the UN working group on Indigenous peoples develsince they are a signato•y to GATT, we must open ow- oped. We should not underestimate what our lobby land for investments.They also have been encow-aging conbibuted to that draft.. us to produce cash crops like cut flowers and asparagus. With the production of cash crops, ow- agriculture Do you have any messages fot· women in Mexico, shifts from subsistence production for domestic con- South and Central America? sumption to producing high-value crops. This 'viii force We were pru-t of the group that organized the our agricultural production to become pa1-t of the International Women's Co•uerence held in Samiland (in Norway) in 1990. As a result of that conference, we entire world's market economy. developed a resolution saying we would do regional How ·is the Human Genome Diversity P r oject organizing among our women. Latin American women affecting Indigenous communities in the did their own organizing, which I think is great. On owpart, we built up ow- Asian Indigenous women's netPhilippines? Some Indigenous peoples have been targeted for work. Now we must combine our effo•-ts and come genetic collection, and some collection has probably together again so we can produce an excellent already occurred. On the list of the Human Genome Indigenous Women's Agenda to be presented at the UN Project we have the Ifugawes, who come from ow· World Conference on Women in Beijing in September. region; my own tribe; and the Aetas, a group of We should make an effot-t to outline the issues of Indigenous peoples from the Central Luzon, Southern Indigenous women, whether they are in the North or Tagalog, and from the Visayas. Late last year we got a the South, and then present these issues. We can also copy of a letter from Dr. Camara, one of the medical sponsor a series of activities in Beijing where doctot'S from the Aloha Medical Mission of Hawaii, Indigenous women can speak out. 'f?J wherein he enclosed a letter from Hoffman-La Roche, 30 Abya Yala News �W 0 M E N A Cultural Exchange: Quichua Potters From Ecuador Visit by Suzana Sawyer acha Gualinga Cuji and Leona Inmunda Nango, indigenous cosmology and l'8inforest sustainability. two Indigenous Quichua female elders from the The clay, ocher, and resin materials used in their work, tropical forest region of eastern Ecuador, building and decorating Indigenous ceramics reflect recounted the story of how Nunguli, the forest spirit the need to carefully extract and sustain resources in which lives below the earth, entrusted women with an uncontaminated envi1·onment. The cosmological clay to sculpt into pottery. Theil· Spanish bore the dis- itnagery used in decoratit1g the ceramics retell the tinctive lilt of those whose first language is Quichua. numerous stories of forest spirits, or powers, essential With hands knotted from working the earth neru·ly to protect and maintain harmony among aU forest daily for fifty years, Miquia Bacha and Miquia Leona beings, animate and inanitnate. Nw1guli, the spirit of molded nwcahuas (drinking bowls) and told the tales fecundity, protects all cultivated plants. Amazanga, from their mothers and grandmothers. They spoke the spirit of strength, protects all forest anitnals. with pride of their culture, the J•••NOPIP Tsumi, the spirit of fluidity, conthreat of petroleum contamination trois the worlds of waters and its and the recent border wru· with lives. And there are many more. Peru. Cosmological beliefs around The Bay Area was Bacha these spirits-their temperament..~. inclinations, and pracGualinga and Leona lnmunda's sectices- guide sustait1able pracond stop on a fow· city Quichua Potte•>s Cultural Exchange tour tices used in agriculture, huntorganized by OPIP (Organization of ing, fishing, and forest and river management. Indigenous Peoples of Pastaza) and Miquia Bacha and Miquia Fundaci6n Jatari, a small foundaLeona's ancestral territory contion established in 1978. Since its sists of a 2 million hectares of inception, Fundaci6n Jatari has uninterrupted prima•y rain forbeen dedicated to enhancing the educational opportunities of est in the central Ecuadorian Amazon Province of Pastaza. Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Ecuado•~ Peru, and This is the last such exp8llse in Bolivia. The 1995 Cultural Ecuador and the only place Exchange Tour is the second consecwhere women maintain the utive year in which Quichua women age-old tradition of Quichua pottery. OPIP is the Indian federahave come to shru-e theit· cultw·al knowledge and build interchange tion and organizational structw-e with the Notth. Their visits to uu•cno;a worren·s pottery represents the which has been fighting to proMinneapolis, Albuquerque, and intimate connection between lndi~enous teet this ancestral territo•y ru1d Santa Fe have allowed them to forge cosmology and rain fe<est sustainabllity. maintain sustainable Indigenous networks and friendships with management techniques for 16 Native Americans in the US. years. Founded in 1979, OPIP 1-ep•-esents 20,000 Chosen by their rainfo•-est communities, Bacha Indigenous peoples, dispersed in 133 communities. Gualinga and Leona lmnunda came to the United While gains have been made, the future of this terri toStates as spokeswomen in defense of their rut form ry and its people is uncertait1. and ancestral territory. Quichua pottery is a millenniIn 1992, 2,000 Indigenous peoples from Pastaza al practice exclusive to Indian women. Through its del- embarked on a historic mru·ch from theit· rain forest icate hand-coil form and intricate designs, Quichua communities to Quito to demand legal title to their pottery rep•-esents the intimate connection between ancestral teJTitory (see Abya Yala News Vol. 6, No. 3). Miquia Bacha was a key player in this struggle. The Suzana Sawyer is a Ph.D. Candidate in only woman to add1-ess the P•-esident an'd his cabinet, Anthropology at Stanford University and has worked Bacha Gualinga condemned the government for failing extensively with OPIP in the Ecuadorian Anwzon. to legalize "the territo1y in which theit· ancestors have B Vol. 9No. 1 31 �W 0 M E N always lived." While Indians in Pastaza returned to the lowlands after 5 weeks of negotiation with their territory adjudicated, titles included only surface rights to land and its products. SubteJTanean rights remain solely in the hands of the state to exploit. For twenty years, petroleum development has indelibly changed the social and ecological reality of the northern portion of the Ecuadorian Amazon through the construction of a network of roads and towns and the contamination of water and soil systems_ If petroletun development is not controlled, this is the fate looming on the horizons of Indigenous territory in Pastaza. ARCO, the only oil corporation working in Pastaza, has discovered a sizeable reserve in Indigenous ter.-itory and hydrocarbon extraction is inuninent, if the local communities and international pressure groups are not mobilized. The struggle for land and Indigenous rights in Pastaza is not simply the concern of a politicized Indigenous elite. Miquia Abigail and Miquia Leona came to the Bay Area in representation of their communities and OPIP to speak in their own voices about their peoples' historical struggle in defense of their culture, beliefs, language, and way of life in the Ecuado.-ian rain forest. Standing before the San Francisco audience, Bacha Gualinga spoke on the wisdom of the ages: "I don't know how to read or write. Not even sign my name. Yet, I have here, captw-ed within my head, years and years of history. I am here as a seed, as a root, as a tree. Look at me and learn." Tracing the intimate lin.k between Indigenous peoples and a landscape, she added, "'f Indians disappear, if our way of life is destroyed, what will happen to the world? Then there will not be forest. The jungle \viii not be green." In 1989, OPIP established a Women's Committee directed by and for Indigenous Quichua women to strengthen disappearing traditions and address women's needs. Female potters in the province of Pastaza cunently sell their artware to OPIP's Cooperative store, Yanapuma (Black Panther), in the provincial capital of Puyo. Now, OPIP's Women's Committee 'vishes to explo1·e possibilities for expanding the marketing oflndigenous ceramics. The US tou r aims to provide Amazonian Qu.ichua potters dit-ect access to internat ional alternative trade markets in the United States. The Women's Committee seeks to develop alternative trade networks as empowering opportunities to re-enforce the cultural tradition of the more than 3,000 women potters in the t'egion and extend needed economic support. An example of grassroots organizing initia ted and controlled by Indian women, the mru·keting of the Quichua ceramic tradition re-affirms the dignity their cultural identity by honoring indigenous female rut and strengthening female voices. Organized during International Women's Month, the Quichua Potte1 Exchange deep's ens a commitment fot· dialogue between women across the globe and expands international networks of mutual suppolt and cooperation. '0' For more information, cont act: Fwui<tci6n Jatari, P 0. Box 65195, Tucso11, AZ, 85728, Tel l Fax: (520) 5773642; or the Organizati01t of Indigenous Peoples of Pa.staza (OPIP), Casilla 790, Puy o, Pastaza, TellFa.<: (593-3) 885-461. Indigenous People form an Alliance to counter the Vampire Project On February 18-19, 1995, a group of30 Indigenous delegates from the United States, Canada, Panama, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Pe1-u met in Phoenix, Arizona, to discuss an Indigenous response to the Human Genome Project. During the three days of discussion, the delegates decided to form an International Alliance to counter the Human Genome Biodiversity Project. Many Indigenous peoples call this "The Vampire Project" because its goal is to collect blood, t issues, and hair from about 700 Indigenous groups around the world. The Human Genome Project is a proposal to collect and study the genetic structw-es of va.-ious ethnic groups. They have targeted populations "on the verge of extinction:•and refer to Indigenous groups as "Isolates of Historical Interest." SAIIC and many other Indigenous organizations have taken a stand against this pt-oject because it is yet another example of t-esearch which No1th American and European scientists carry out on Indigenous peoples without their consent and without all of the t-elevant information being provided to them. This is a continuation of colonialism ofindigenous peoples which began 500 years ago. The delegates at the Phoenix confe1-ence decided to make a plan of action to stop t.he Human Genome Project and its attempt against the biological, spiritual, physical, and psychological lives of Indigenous peoples. They formed a coordinating committee comprised of Indigenous people fi-om North, Central, and South America. They are plantl.i.ng another meeting for next fall in northern California in order to continue tbis campaign. The En'owkin Centre and Okanagan Indians in British Columbia organized this conference which TonatietTa in Phoeni..x hosted. Debra Hany, a Paiute Indian from Nevada, is coordinator of this project. For more informati<>n, contact: Debra, at PO Box 6, N~'Wn, Neuada 89424, Tel: (702) 574-0309, e-mail <Utarry@igc.apc.org; or the Ert'owkin Centre, 257 BrwtSwick St., Penticton, BC V2R 5P9, Canada, Tel: (604) 4937181 Fa..: (604) 493-5302. ,.,.-- - - - - - - - - -----32 Abya Yala News �INTERNAT I O N A l URNG-Government Dialogue: Indians Excluded Once Again On M:Jrch 31, Guatemala's govemment and the leftist umbrella guerrilla group National Guatemalan Revolutionary Union (Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca, URNG) signed an accord to protect the rights of the Maya Indian people. As we reported in the last issue ofAbya Yala News (see Estuardo Zapeta, "Guatemala Peace Talks: Are Maya Rights Negotiable~vol. 8, no. 4h these peace talks have excluded the Maya people who make up a majority of Guatemala's population. In the recently-signed pact, the govemment promised to promote constitutional reforms to recognize the Maya Indians, promote their rights, end racial discrimination and sexual harassment, respect traditional dress and languages, and promote bilingual education. Maya organizations greeted the pact as a cautious first step and stated that the effect that it would have on their sttussle to achieve their demands remained to be seen. The following statement is from the league of Organizations of the Maya People of Guatemala (Coordinaci6n de Organizaciones del Pueblo Maya de Guatemala, COPMAGUA, also l<r1<>'NTl by its M:Jya acronym SAJB'ICHil) on these negotiations. COPMAGUA Statement on Peace Negotiations he se<:ond Grand Assembly of SAJB'ICHIL, the League of Organizations of the Maya People of Guatemala (COPMAGUA), in view of the agreement "Identity and Rights of Indigenous People" which the Republic of Guatemala and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union (URNG) signed on March 31, 1995, in Mexico City, having been asked to analyze the peace negotiations; Concludes That: 1) This accord does not necessarily fulfill all of our aspirations and demands, but it is the minimal product of five hundred years of resistance, three decades of an internal armed conflict, and above all the struggle of the Maya people together with the suppott of the civilian population. It is one of the tools to begin the eradication of the social injustice, discrimination, oppression and colonialism that we s uffer today. 2) This Agreement is a minimal but significant step to strengthen the hope of the Maya people to end the marginalization, oppression, discrimination, dominance, exploitation and colonialism that we suffer. 3) The Maya people will continue to work and struggle to achieve all of our rights and demands. 4) The contents of the Agreement will only be effective if all parties demonstrate the political willingness to comply with the terms of the agreement, ' vith the full participation of the Maya people. 5) The leagues and organizations present at the s igning of the agreement endow SAJB'ICHIL \vith the power to be the representative and voice of the Maya T Vol. 9No.1 people to all of the parties involved (the government, the army, and the URNG) to oversee the implementation and verification of the tem1s of the Agreement, as well as \vith international groups. 6) We recogni1..e that the Ag1·eement was in part made possible by the support of the United Nations as part of its Global Peace Process, as well as by the support of the gJ'OUP of friendly countries. It Commits Itself To: 1) Disseminate fully the agreement, "Identity and Rights of the Indigenous Communities" to communi· ties, villages and hamlets in the Maya lru>guages through all of the possible means of communication. 2) Make all of the Maya organizations as well as the civilian population not only aware of the agreement, but also to involve them in its application and compliance. 3) Conduct consultations with its base organizations and other Maya organizations for the implementation of the necessary mechanisms and the compliance of the agJ-eement by those who signed it. Decides To: Conduct its third Grand Assembly on B'ELEJE' NO'J (May 2, 1995) 'vith the obje<:tive of making de<:isions regarding how to c.r eate work commissions to boost the agreement, as well as its functions and tasks. (1) B'OKO', WAQI' Q'ANIU ' Chimaltenango, April3, 1995 33 �I N T E R N A T I 0 N ~ l-----------------------------------------------------------A~ Mexico: Indians and Campesinos Massacred in Guerrero series of assassinations of Mixtee Indians topped with the massacre of 17 campesinos, has mru·ked this past June as one of the bloodiest months in recent history for Indigenous and rural peoples in Mexico. On June 10, Mixtec members of the Consejo Guerrerense 500 Ailos de Resistencia Jndigena (Guen·eran Council of 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance) Perfecto Gonzalez Rufino and Alejandro Tenorio Perfecto were assassinated, followed by the murder of member Rey Flores Hernandez on June 18, 1995. Then, on Wednesday, June 28, at a site known as Aguas Blancas in the Sierra of Coyuca de Benitez, approximately 70 policemen intercepted a passenger truck traveling to Atoyac, Guerrero, and began firing indiscriminately against the vehicle and its occupants. Of the roughly 60 campesinos traveling in the truck, 18 were confirmed dead. Eight people also disappeared and 19 people are gravely injured. In both cases, the incidents are tied to the increased level of popu- A Chiloe Forests Continuecl from page 26 communities and the ecological balance of the island of Chiloe. In May 28, 1994, the General Council of Caciques of Chiloe announced their knowledge of a document called: "A Study to Identify the Possibilities of Forest Exploitation in the At·ea known as Puerto Carmen- Big Island of Chiloe," commissioned by Los Parques, S.A. and Le Banque Colbert of France. 34 for the resignation of state governor Ruben Figueroa Alcocer, who appears to have been informed of the police action prior to the incident. The coalition faces a powerful opposition that the ruHng PRJ (Institutional Revolutionary Party) deputies mounted in support of Figueroa. In addition, on July 1st, what may have been members of OCSS ransacked and attempted to burn down the municipal palace in Coyuca de Benitez, site of a number of large popular protests denouncing the incident. Two state police agents and 8 local policemen believed to have been involved in the incident have been detained and are presently awaiting trial. State attorney Antonio Alcocer Salazar has also accused membet'S of the OCSS, including leader Benigno Guzman Mattinez, of "engaging in criminal conduct" in relation to the June 28 massacre. He also accused the OCSS of "tbeft of public property, destruction of commwucation lines, and causing harm to society" dw·ing various OCSS activities in 1994. He did not clarify what "criminal conduct" he was referl'ing to, however. '(>) Jar mobilization in Guerrero, one of Mexico's poorest states, with an Indigenous population of about 300,000 out of 2,650,000. In the first case, the murders are the product of the intolerance of regional cacique and municipal president of Tlacoachistlahuaca, Armando Ramos. A group of Mi.xtec Indians began a peaceful takeover there of the municipal building on May 22 to protest corruption and government indifference towards the needs of Indigenous communities. In the second case, some of the passengers belonged to the Organizaci6n Campesina de Ia Siena Sur (OCSS-Peasant Organization of the Southern Sien·a), and were on their way to a demonstration in Atoyac. There, on May 18th, members of the OCSS had prevented the exit of local authorities from the municipal building dw'ing the 28th annive•·sary of the initiation of the Lucio Cabanas uprising. As a result of the massacres, tensions between state authorities and campesinos in Guerrero have reached a boiling point. Peasants Information from Consejo de have fo•·med a popular commission Pueblos Nahuat cmd La Jomadc• In the study, researche•'S consider the exploitation of 129,459 hectares of land located at the southern tip of the island, in the township of Quell6n, with an annual deforestation of about 150,000 square meters. This project would use up about 37% of all the forest in Chiloe, with an annual deforestation volume equivalent to 5 times the current annual seJTated wood production in Chiloe and 3 times the consumption of firewood. Wood production in Chiloe would double as a result of this project. According to these facts, the project (officially called, "Plan Astillas Puerto Carmen"), which is already being considered by the regional and provincial autholities, would become the first industrial exploitation of Chiloe's forest. This would mean the total transformation of all life forms in the island's ecosystem and a real threat to the swvival of many species in it. The General Council of Caciques of Chiloe consider implementation of this project a violation of Indigenous people's ancestral lights. '(>) Abya Yala News �O R GAN I ZA TI ON A ND CO MMU N I CA TI ON New Medium Reinforces Movement Computer Networking and Indigenous Organizations hen Peru and Ecuador began military skir- requi.l-e expensive intemational calls which limit their ; mishes on their shared national borde• SAIIC usefulness. Computer networks t"ept-esent a new technoreceived via email a statement from CONAIE logical breaktlu-ough which completely changes the fotm denouncing the fighting and calling for international in which we communicate. Today, with a computer and a assistance for the Indigenous communities in the con- modem (which a•-e becoming cheaper and easier to use) flictive area. it is possible to maintain virtually inm1ediate contact This in only one of an increasing nwnber of cases in with people ru-ound the world. Nonnally, it is possible to which Indigenous activists are beginning to utilize com- connect to the Internet ' vith a local call and maintain puter networks. Computer networks can be used to edu- contact ' vith people around the world without spending cate people about Indigenous realities and to build money on long distance toU charges. stronger organizations. The Internet, a system of interIndigenous activists ru-e now taking these means of linked computer networks which stretches ru-ound the communication into ow· own hands. SAIIC has always world, is becoming a powetful organizing tool for been committed to the goal of communicating to the pubIndigenous organizations and communities. lic an Indigenous perspective on issues which affect us. At this point it is relatively rru-e for Indigenous orga- We have accomplished this through vruious means of ni?.ations in the South to utili?A> computer networks to communication such as Abya Yakt News a nd urgent advance their goals. Some people have a 1 -omantic atti- action aletts distributed tlu-ough mailings and by fax tude towruu Indians and Western technology, and argue and phone. SAIIC is now malting the tt·ansition to using that people ru-e less Indian if they use computers. But as email and Internet t-esources to achieve these srune an Aymara 11-om Bolivia has argued, we will not be less goals. We can use this technology to educate others about Indian because we ru-e using a compute.: It is a tool, and ow· reality and to mobilize international public opinion it can be used in a positive way to achieve justice and lib- against hwnan rights abuses and on other issues which we face. We should also look for ways to use computer eration for our people. -e The telephone, and then the invention of the fax networks to mo1 effectively communicate among ourmachine revolutionized communications tlu-oughout the selves in order to shru-e info•·mation and to develop orgaworld. For Indigenous activists, faxes irnpt-oved commu- nizing strategies. nications between organizations ru>d with support -esow-ces can be divided into Computer networking 1 gt-oups in Notth America and Europe. Faxes, however, three main categories. First, private messages called W In the last issue of A'Oya Yala News (Vol. 8, No. 4), two short stories about SAIIC's efforts to use computet networ1cs and the Internet to advance its Ofganizing WOI1< included incomplete Of misleading info<mation. On 111e News from SAIIC page (p. 39), there was a typO in the name of SAIIC's fleaceNet conference. The actual name is "saiic.indio. ·Also, SAIICs Home Page on the Wo!ld-Wtde Web is at httpdJwww.igc.apc.Ofg/saiic/saiic.html. Y can find an electronic copy of SAIIC's txochure ou 'Oy pointing a gopher client to gopher.igc.apc.org and selecting "OrganiUitions on the IGC Netwo<1<s Gophet'" and then "SAIIC." The brochUfe is also available in the ftp.igc.apc.cxs FTP site in the "publorgs_on_igc" d irecte<y and 'Oy sending an email 001e to "saiic-info@igc.apc.cxs: Also, a ste<y on ll1e Internet for Native Peoples Conference (p. 35) did 001 include complete information for subscribing to these lists related to Indigenous issues (please OOie that the -1in saiic-1 and native-! is the letter "I" and 001 the number one): saiic-1 (send a message "subscribe saiic-1" to majOfdomo@igc.apc.Ofg; this list mirrors the saiic.indio conference) Indigenous Knowledge (send a message "sub indl<now <Your Name>· to listserv@u.washington.e du) NativeNet(send a message "sub native-I <Y Name>" to listsetv@tarTMnl .tamu.edu) our In addition to these lists, Internet use<S mlrf wish to check out ll1e foii<:Miing electronic archives, NativeWeb (httpd/u!<anaix.cc.u!<ans.OOu/-mardnativeweb.html) Fourth World Documentation Project (http1Jwww.halqon.comlfWDP/fwdp.html) Native AmericJJn Net Server at UW-Mi/waukee (gopher to alpha1 .csd.uwm.edu and select "I.NIM" then "Information" and finally ·Native American Net Se.ver") Native Arrleric4n FTP site 4t Comet/ University(ftp to ftp.cit.comell.edu and change to the publspeciai!Nativel'fofs directe<y) If yoo have any questions about any of these items, please contact Marc at the SAIIC office. Vol. 9No.1 35 �ORGAN I ZA T IO N AN D COMMU NI CATION email (or e-mail, which is shott for electronic mail) are sent through computer networks. This con"espondence is similar to the regular mail, faxes, and phone calls which organi7.ations such as SAIIC have t•·aditionally used to conununicate with board members, s upporters, and other organizations. The advantage of email is that it allows the sending of mail messages and computer files vi.ttually instantaneously and often cheaper than other means of communication. A second broad category of infotmation on the Internet is that which is disttibuted via listserv lists, PeaceNet confer"ences, Usenet News Groups, etc. They operate like newsletters to which people subscribe and then t"eceive r"egUlar mailings. These subscli ption lists ru"e useful for distributing news t'eports, wogent action alerts, announcements and other infotmation which may be of a dated natw·e. It is fot· these pw-poses that SAIIC established the saiic.indio confet"ence on PeaceNet last fall. A final broad category ofinf01mation available on the Internet is that found in electronic archives, including ITP, Gophet; and World-Wide Web sites. Organizations can use these archives to post an electronic copy of a brochUl'e describing the group's work, manifestos and Native American Radio Talk Show Debuts A me1ican Indian Radio on Satellite r-1(AIROS), which started pt-og~-am­ ming for and about Native Ameri cans last fall to Native-owned and public radio statiorlS, began a daily Native talk show on June 5. George Tiget; Muscogee (Creek), hosts Native America Calling, a live call-in program that explor'eS the full range of Native American life and culture, with topics such as hibal politics, rut, music, humor, storytelling, gruning and religious freedom. The onehour daily progrrun can be heru-d on tribal.and public radio stations in the United States each Monday through F'liday at 1 p.m. Eastem time. Native Ameri ca Calling is produced at public radio station KUNM on the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. It is a co-production of the Native American tium and Public Br-oadcasting Conso1 the Alaska Public Radio Network. Listeners azn stay abreast of new pro· grams developments and new Sl<llions 36 declarations, past issues of newsletters, and other information which may have on-going value for the organization, its suppo1 ters, and the public at large. For example, SAIIC has placed a copy of its brochw-e on PeaceNet where people desiring more information on the organization can access it via FTP, Gophe1; or the World-Wide Web. Often weak infrashu cture and the lack of basic services such as phone lines, pruticulru·ly in remote areas, makes developing computer networks very difficult. In Africa activists at-e beginning to hook up to low-earth orbiting satellites in order to connect to computer network resources. For example, the NCO Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA) has assisted organizations in t"emote ru"eas ofTan7.ania wher-e there is no electl'icity or phone service to communicate '~a email and the Internet. F'l-om most anywhere in the world, a person \vith the appropriate equipment can send and l"eceive messages t\'~ce daily via a low orbit satellite. These lowearth orbiting sateUites have not been used extensively in Mexico, Central and South Ametica. Using this technology, Indigenous people can create their own computer networks in order to strengthen their o•oganizations and defend their way of life. 'flJ coming on line by calling the Ncztiue America Calling Holline at (907) 566· 2244. dedicated to the presentation of treaties on the •·ights of the Indigenous peoples. Sixth Annual Indigenous Environmental Network Conference For more information~ contact: Indigenous EnviJ'OnmenUll Network) Tel:(218) 751-4967, Fa:x: (218) 751- ne hund•'ed and forty six Indigenous nations and o•ogani.zations from the Americas gathered in Chickaloon, Alaska (J une 19-22) for the Sixth Annual Indigenous Environmental Net\vork confet"ence. The International Indian 'll"eaty Council (llTC) O l"ganized this confer~ O ence. The goal of this conference was to unify Indigenous peoples in their wot-k to protect the Eruth Mother and its natural l'eSources and strengthen Indigenous otogani.zations. DUling four days of the confer-ence, participants gathered in seventeen workships dedicated to themes such as territories, protection of natural resources, militarization, the Hwnan Genome Diversity Pr-oject, and NAFTA. The final tluw days were 0561. Second Coalition Conference on International Health uilding on the enthusiastic t'eSponse to the first conference held last November, the Canadian Society for International Health and the Canadian University CorlSOttium for Health and Development ' v:ill hold the second CClli fi-om November 1215, 1995, at the Radisson Hotel in Ottawa. The conference theme is "Health Refonn Around the World: Towar-ds Equity and Sustainability." Sessions 'v:ill include paper P•"esenta- B tions, symposia, workshops, poster sessions, and round table discussions. CcnmCL tire CC/H CoordinaU>r at Tel: (613) 730-2654, Fax:(613) 230·8-Wl, or e-mail: CSIH@(ox.nstr•can.. Ai:Y{a Yala News �O R G A N I Z ATI ON A ND CO MM UN I C ATI O N Filling The Gap With Abya Yala Fund The first foundation in the Western Hemisphere run by and for Indigenous People of South and Meso America. ndigenous representatives from Mexico, South America, Central America and North America have established a new fund to suppolt Indigenous communities and organi?.ations that an! organizing to guarantee the survival of our people. A group of prominent Indigenous men and women have formed this Fund with the goal of enabling Indigenous conununities to achieve self-reliance through locally-initiated improvement eff01ts. The Abya Yala Fund provides critical training in organizational development, communications, administration, fund-raising and project management. The Fund also gives grants and loans for small-scale community projects emerging from Indigenous communities and their organizations. "We created the Fund due to ou•· perception that a 'vide gap of communication and understanding exists between international funders and development agencies and Indigenous communities," said Leonardo Vite•·i, a Quichua from Ecuador and boa1·d member. There is also a great need for organi?.ational development among Indigenous communities that traditional funding sources are not addressing. To fill these gaps, Abya Yala I Vol. 9 No.1 Fund wo•·ks through local contacts to discuss directly with Indigenous people their priority issues and needs. By working with existing organizations and community projects, the Abya Yala Fund enables local residents to define their own priorities and helps the community access technical and financial resources. On May 4-7, 1995, Abya Yala Fw1d held its second meeting in Oakland, California, with board members C.·om South and Meso America as well as advisors from North America attending. In that meeting, the board developed a five-year plan for the organization. The Abya Yala Fund has ah·eady •·eceived many proposals from Indigenous communities working on projects to protect the envii·onment, land rights, human rights; to address women's issues; to support education projects; and to maintain the cultw·al integrity and spirituality of Indigenous Nations. Nilo Cayuqueo, a Mapuche from Argentina and a founding member of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAJIC), and Atencio L6pez, a Kuna from Panama, are the Co-dii-ectors of the Abya Yala Fund. Luis Macas, a Quichua from Ecuador and \vinner of the 1994 Goldman Envii-onmental Award, as well as other Indigenous leade1-s f1-om across the Americas are on the Board. Amalia Dixon, a Miskitu f1-om Nicaragua and member of the Board of Directors, \viii help promote the Fund in the US. Abya Yala Fund has established an office in Oakland, California, with the support of SAIIC. Until Abya Yala Fund receives its own non-p•·ofit status, the San F1·ancisco-based Tides Foundation 'viii be its fiscal sponsor. Abya Yala Fund has established contact with foundations and individuals who are very supportive of this unique initiative. In addition, the Fund has become a member of foundation networking organizations such as Native Philanthropy, Americans in Hispanics in Philanthropy, and the National Network of Grantmakers. Monetary contributions are greatly needed for pt-oject support and operations. The Fund is also seeking the donation of computers and modems, in order to facilitate regular communication with Board members and local contacts in Mexico, Central and South America. Please send taxdeductible donations or information requests to: Abya Yala Fund, clo Tides Foundation, P 0 Box 28386, Oakland, CA 94604, Tel/Fax (510) 763-6553. 0' 37 �ORGAN I Z A TION AND Amazon, Forum II f11he future of the Amazon .l depends on its Indigenous peoples and the state of their environment. The Coalition in Support of Amazonian Peoples and Their Environment held its se<:ond international fomm in Washington, DC, at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History on May 10-12. The meeting brought together North American non-governmental orgawzations with representatives from the Amazon Basin to coordinate long-te•m efforts on behalf of Indigenous and forest-dependent peoples. Secretary-General of the Organization of Ame,;can States, Cesar Gaviria, and Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the US. Department of the Inte,;o•; Ada Dee•; gave keynote addresses at a reception welcoming participants on the evemng of May 9th. For m.ore information on the Amazon Forum, contact: Melina Seluerston, Amazon Coalition, 1511 K. Street, N~V, # 1044, Washington, DC 20005, 'fel: (202) 637- 9718, Fax: (202) 637-9719, e-mail: amazoncoal@igc.apc.org. State Frontiers and Indian Nations Continued {rom Page 7 bru· (page ?)for extracts from the declaration) to guarantee the integrity and respect for Indigenous peoples. With· all of these declarations, Indigenous leaders reiterate the importance that Indigenous pruticipation should have in peace talks. They •·ightly point out that a meaningful and lasting peace will not be reached as long as the Indigenous peoples who live in the disputed te11-itories continue to be ignored. Still, the governments of Ecuador and Peru are not listemng. The government of Pem, for exrunple, has proposed a plan to strengthen 38 COMM U NICATION its borders by g•vmg away Indigenous land to colonizers from different ru-eas of the country. But peace will not come through the fmther colonization of Indigenous people. On the contrary, peace will only be achieved when Indigenous land is rightly and justly protected, and the Indigenous way of life seem-ed. A joint declaration from A!DESEP and CONFENIAE states: "Nowadays, it is in vogue to speak of integration. Howeve•; we have lived for thousru>ds of years in peaceful commun ion with our Indigenous neighbors on both sides of the border. Fmthermore, borders that the white people created have divided communities like the Shuar, Quichua and Cofan. But we continue to feel as though we were part of one Indian continental nation: the ancient Abya Yala ." f1) Additional declarations and in{ormczt.ion from Indigenous organiza· tions on this border conflict are in SAl/C's PeaceNet coll{erence saiic.indio as well as on the Internet at: http: II ulwnaix.cc.ulwns.edul-mar clgeography l latinam I ecuador I bor der_;nain.html. Chile, Upper Biobfo Contmued {rotn page 27 Howeve•; because of a lack of 1-esom-ces and interest, this law is not always enforced and large companies such as ENDESA can circumvent the law by, for example, buying land and building houses in other at·eas, trying to persuade native communities to "sell." The purpose of the Environmental Bases Law (No. 19,300) is " to regulate all activities that in one way or another a.ffe<:t the environment." However, because the law still lacks spe<:ific and definitive legislative language, it is easy for large corporations to act in defiance of the spirit such laws. As of now, it is apparent that the CNE will recommend the constmction of the Ralco power plant without objectively re-evaluating its inevitable effects. In December 1994, the CNE re<:ommended the construction of the plant's gas pipelines. Ralco ab-eady has utilization rights on the Biobio Rive1's non-drinkable water, the provisional electrical concession, and engineering studies in their final stages of completion. Even though the CNE did not include the Ralco powet· plant in its latest plan of works, the government is·about to consent to its constmction. If the government does give Et-.'DESA the permission to build Ralco, it ,viJl close the possibility for a real environmental evaluation to be conducted. Ralco, like Pangue, will become an example of how the Chilean govermnent allows big co•·porations to undertake socially and environmentally risky ventures despite the existence of laws that prohibit such proje<:ts. A sinrilar multi-dan> project during the 1970s, Antuco County on the Laja River, did not make good on its promise . Antuco is today one of poo1-est counties of Chile. Public outcry has been massive. Different environmental orgauizations like GABB (Action Group in Defense of the Biobio), Indigenous tights groups, student activists and other outraged citizens have joined forces to stop the constmction of Ralco. In a public declaration, GABB called fo•-a complete halt to any other project along the Biobio River, the enforcement of the Environmental and Indigenous Laws, respect for the Pehuenche communities, their land and culture, and the creation of an effective energy policy that would prioritize the social and ecological sustainability of the country. f1) Abya Yala News �S A I I C News from SAIIC ... his has been a ve•·y busy Spring as SAIIC has enjoyed visits from many Indigenous people from South and Meso America. Many of these visitors were het-e for the Abya Yala Fund board meeting the beginning of May (see story page 37). Aucan Huilcaman, a Mapuche leader from southern Chile, toured the United States in May to denounce efforts to extend NAFTA to Chile and the negative impact it has on Indigenous peoples there. He gave several pt-esentations and a press conference while he was in the Bay Area. Jose Maria Cabascango, Quichua from Ecuador and coordinator of Territo•·y and Policy at CONAIE, spent sevet'al days with us in June on his way back to Ecuador from the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) meeting in Alaska. We conducted an interview with Jose Maria about his experienoes with the Indigenous movement in Ecuador which we will print in the next issue ofAbya Yala News. Nilo Cayuqueo, who has been coordinator, director, and cofounde•· of SAIIC for 12 years, will tum the dil-ectorship of SAIIC to Amalia Dixon, a Miskitu from T Nicaragua. Nilo will spend more of his time working with Abya Yala Fund, but also wil11-emain as active board member ofSAIIC while helpipg Amalia in the transition. Also, Nilo has been awarded a Vanguard Foundation Sabbatical Fellowship. The sabbatical will allow Nilo to take two months of vacation. He is planning to go to the south to visit Indian communities. Congratulations. Amalia Dixon, who has longterm experience with Indigenous organizations and the autonomy process on the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua, has been chosen as the new director of SAIIC. We are atTanging her visa so she can work in the Oakland office. She recently attended the IITC meeting in Alaska where she made many ftiendships and learned much about the situation of Indigenous peoples in North America. (She will continue in SAIIC the work Nilo has been doing for many years.) Welcome, Amalia. SAIIC board member Carlos Maibeth has been actively involved in a proje<:t to help ele<:tricity to the Atlantic Coast ofNicaragua through the use of solar panels. A recent fundraising in Berkeley, California, raised funds for this project. Joe Bryan is working in the SAIIC office for a month this summer as an Intern. Joe is a Community Studies and Latin American and Latino Studies major at the University of California, Santa C.-uz. Pat-t of this major entails a six-month internship with a social change organization. AJWr his time with us, Joe plans to continue his Intetnship in the Ecuadorian Amazon at the AMAZANGA institute. SAIIC is al.so pleased to announce that Gilles Combrisson has joined us as ow· new Journal Coordinator. Gilles has just fmished his deg..-ee in Latin Ametican and Iberian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked for six months last year with the Shuar Federation in the Ecuadorian Amazon. SAIIC continues to seek to broad· en the base of subsctibers to Abya Yala News. Please help us by asking yow· lhends to subsctibe. In addition, we urge you to clip the Librruy Re<:ommendation Form below and submit it to your local public or university library. This is a highly effective manner of spt-eading Indigenous perspe<:tives more 'videly. ' Library Recommendation Form Please forward this form to your librarian requesting that they enter a subscription to Abya Yala News. Requested by_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ AddreSS·- - - - - - - - - - , : - - - - - Signature Date'_ __,,---,--Abya Yala News (ISSN: 1071-3182) is produced on a quarterly basis in both English and Spanish . It is 36-44 pages with glossy color cover and black/white interior. Institutional and Library subscriptions are $40/yr (4 issues), or $60 for a subscription to both English and Spanish editions. Sample and back issues are available. Exchanges can be arranged upon request. Send subscription requests to the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC), P.O. Box 28703, Oakland, CA 94612, Tel: (510) 8344263, Fax (510) 834-4263, e-mail saiic@ igc.apc.org. Vol. 9No. 1 39 �ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM SAIIC Daughters of AbyaYala Video: Rebuilding Our Communities Testimonies of Indian women orgamz1ng throughout the Continent. Statements from grassroots Indian women leaders from South and Meso America. Includes resolutions from Indigenous women's meetings, a d irectory of Indian women·s organizations and key contacts, information on Indian women's projects, and poems by Indian women. Forty-eight pages with beautiful black and white photographs. Printed on recycled paper. $6 + $1 .50 shipping. An updated, bound edition is also available for $8 + $1.50 shipping. Video: A Skirt Full of Butterflies 15 minutes. A love poem to the Isthmus Zapotec women of southern oaxaca, Mexico, by filmmakers Ellen Osborne and Maureen Gosling. For e-JefY purchase made, a second copy will be sent to an Indigenous women's organization as a gift. $19.95 + $3 shipping. Video: Columbus Didn't Discover Us Native people's perspectives on the Columbus Quincentennial based on the footage of the 1990 Quito Conference. 24 minutes. A co-production of SAIIC. CONAIE, ONIC and Turning Tide Productions. Available in Spanish or English. $19.95 + $1 .75 for shipping & handling. South arid Meso American Indian Rights Indigenous leaders from Central and South A merica d iscuss the 500-years campaign, which began as an Indian response to the Quincentenary celebration and has developed as an ongoing dialogue among indigenous activists. Produced by SAIIC. $18 + $1.75 shipping. Amazonia : Voices from the Rainforest A resource and action guide with a comprehensive listing of international rainforest and A mazonian Indian organizatiions sponsored by SAIIC and the International R ivers Network, and published by Rainforest Action Network and Amazonia Film Project, 1990. Available in Spanish or English for $4.50 + $1.75 shipping . 1992 International Directory & Resource Guide An annotated directory of over 600 international organizations that participated in 500 Years of Resistance projects. Includes declarations from Indigenous conferences and organizations and information on curriculum resources, speakers bureaus, computer networks, audio-visual resources and print resources. $5 + $1 .75 shipping. C~nter P.O . Box 28703 Oakland. CA 94604 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED (SAIIC) Non·profit Organization US Postage PAID Oakland, CA Permit No. 79 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource State Frontiers and Indian Nations Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1995 Language A language of the resource English Zotero Issue 1 Language English Publication Title Abya Yala News Volume 9 Abstract Note Stories that focus on the relationship between indigenous governments and national states. Pages 1-40 1995 spring vol 9 http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/3dbf49c9f164f6b5d7c2310eb53ea6d4.pdf ae55d8600b818edce703df9a386fe547 PDF Text Text JOURNf, THE SOUTH AND MESO RIGHT VOLUME 10, NUMBER 1, SPRING ERICAN INDIAN ENTER (SAil() 1996 PRICE 0 OCfO@ PEOPLES OF $4.00 �Abya Yala N ews ~~ ( ONTENTS E4;tors: SAIIC 6oar4 of D<r-c<tors Joumal COO«f;nation & laY<XJt: G~les Combrisson Copr Edit<>N: SAIIC Staff SAIIC Staff Editorial . .. ... . . .... ...... . .. .......... . . .3 In .Brief . , . .. ......... ...... . ........... . . .4 7" Indigenous Women Organizing Two Watershed. Encounters in Mexico . . . .. .......6 Interview With Activist Maria de Jesus Hernandez ..8 The Right to Love and Polit ics .. ... ............ 10 Commen(ary on Beijing .... . : ... ............ . 13 Empowering Native Women in Central America ... 14 Spec~al Section on Brazil "U m Je1to d e V-'- Ios" .. ......... ... .... ~ .. 16 . ;, ' o::. ... 1 Decree 177-5 .. ..... ............ . ... .. ~ . . ..•• 18 Interview ~ith Jaci r Jose de Souza .. ...... '· . ... ;20 Self Determination and Territory f;. Interview with Jose Marfa Cabascango .. ........22 The Survival of Nativ~ ~merican Lpnguages . ...' ..25 Environment Di-rector:Amalia Dixon Administrative COOf'dirlatOI": David Rothschild Jouonal Cooroonator: Gilles Combrisson Radio P~ram Coordinator: Laura Soriano Morales ubr"ary COO«finator: Kat;a TO<rel; SAIIC Bo ard of Directors Wara Ak!er-ete (Calchaqu;.t~rgent;na) Alejandro Amaru AtgoimedO (Qui!<hua·PeN) N;lo Ca)'li.<lueo (M~fle.A!gcotina) Mariana Chuqu(n ( ukhua·Ecvadof'} Gum ..-mo D<lfgado Quechua·Solnna) Carlos Maibeth (M,sSQto·Nicaragua) Gina Pacaldo (San Carlos Apache·Olicana) Mar"Cos Yoc (Maya·Kaqch;J(ct.Guatcmala) Subscriptions: A1f,Yala News (ISSN 1 071-3182) ;s P<Jil6she4 quar· te in English and Spaflish. It is available fOf" an annual $2 Q<lrsonal membersllip. $15 low.;ncome subscfip. tion. $25 fot lndigenovslsocial justice non-~fits. $40 institutions. For Canada and Mcxko add $5. for all other intemational memberships. add $10. Yoor dona· tions help us send the joomal free in Spanish to Indigenous organizations in the Sovth. We wekorne subrn~ssions of ar-tides. &etter-s. phc>togral)hs and relevant ;nformation. Letters and at1ides may be edited for length. If )'OU ' - access to a comp<Jter. please send)'<¥ article oo papeo- and oo anApp!e compatible 3 1/2 onch d;sk Send all c~e to: 1 P.o.~9~~ USA Ss103 Oaldand. ~~·H,ol ~~~~3 e-ma1t sau(@lgc.apc.Ofl We "!!U)d 1ke to ~nk the following ;ndMduals and ; Indigenous Conferences Reject Hidrovfa . ... .. ...28 9JXantzatlons for thetr generous aSSJStan<e to Abya Yala News.: Biobfo Upd ate: State Grants Concession . .... . . ..30 Silly R. Trice Jr.. Laura Soriano. Stefano Va.-csc. Glenn Swttkes. Ricai"Cio Huerta. Kat;a Torre!;. Mar"C;a Campos. Human Rights Coca/eras March in La Paz ... ... ....... ...... .31 Argentina: Kolla Lawyer Challenges Prejudice .....32 tilamandu : An Evicted Community in Argentina ...33 Organization and Communication Mexico: EZLN Calls for Indigenous Forum ........34 EZLN-Government Negotiations . ....... . . ... ..34 OAS Declaration ..... .. . ....... . . . ... .... ...35 URACCAN Offers Degree in Indigenous Law ... ...37 Announcements and Ads ... ...... .... ...38 SAIIC News .... ... ...... .... ..... . . .... ..39 Shannon Wright, Christine Hatverston. Alfonso lararn;llo. and Dan Wh)ner. Special thanks to Vockie Ward and Jud;th Su-onach. Thanks to all the people and organ;ut;ons who sent us their greetings for the new yeirl 9.-ganizat;oos; Ametind" ISpam). CEDIS /Sol~ oa · . . DoCip (Switze<land). lndW1sk Med;cscntC< (NO<Vr.!y • Grupo Karumanta (USA). Ra;nfor-est A<t;oo Net (USA).TIPI (Norway·Spo.n). Sin;gutazaa Magaz;ne. PubHcatK>os; NAORP (UC Davis. USA). Presenc;a Literaris (8o1M3). Rcv;sta OjaJ"aSca (Mcxi<:o). NACLA (USA). Hoy (La Paz). Thanks to the following foundations for their~ support: john 0. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Gener-al Service Foundation, Public Welfare F oondat;on. Judith Stronach Fund of the Varguard Publ;c Foundation. FoundatK>o for D<lep Eco!Og)< SAIIC Repn!sentatives abroad: Juan Scbastiin Lata (Spa;n). Rafael ~umedo (Germany). Alejandro Atgumedo (Canada). and Susan o·oooelr (WaJ«). •Acya Yala is the Kt.Jna word for Continent of life which includes all of the Americas. Indexed: Memative PI'C'SS Index. Ethnic News Watch. cover Photos: Dick Bancroft, Glen Switkes, Nilo Cayuqueo SAIIC ;s located at 17 I4 Frankfon Street. 3td Floor. Oakland. CA 94612. Please send all correspondence to the P.O. Box address above. �E D IT ORI A l I n light of the recent fourth \VomenS \Vorld Conference in Beijing, and the international attention that is being rocused on womcnS issues, we dedicate this issue to Indigenous women. In the context or the lkijing conference and the International Decade of Indigenous Peoples cckbr:ued by the United Nations, Indigenous women mtsc their voices from all nations. peoples. organizmions. and comn>unitles and call for the respect of Mother Eanh. life. territory. selfdetermination. and communal intellectual rights. Through thts calling. Indigenous women also seek to g.1thcr fo..:cs for a beuer conservauon of Indigenous philosophy: the ethtcal. cstheuc. and spiritual values contamed m the v>ston of our 311CC$tOrs Women. along with gi\ing binh to the new gtnerauons. arc the guardians and those rcsponstble for tr>~ns· nuumg. developmg. and protecting the values whtch idenufy us as peoples. This is why women have played such an tmponant role m htstoncal struggles for life. although th.1l role •s almOst never acknowledged. In the !kt)tng conference, despite the limned access for our voices. we Indigenous women made a declomuon to the mtcmationol communny in which we <>"Pressed our opposnion to oil forms of social injusucc. and all types of violence and d1scnmm:nion which affect our communi1ics. \Vc denounced the re..colonization and the thrc:u to the ecological cquihbnum m our communities. which under the m1me or g1ob.·lltz:uion, creates conditions for wealthy nations to once again tn\'adc our territories to exploit the resources that. 1hus rar. we have man~ed to preserve. We spoke out against at<:ords and entities such as GAlT and the World Tmdc O t·ganization (WTO), which help create the instruments for the appro1>ri1uion and privatization of our communal intellectual propeny. We denounc-.:d the "'pimting· of ancestml resource-s by tmnsnational companies in this age of '"ncolibcrnlism." Under such models. our values and comrnunal exchange practices will become a thing of the past. substituted with the greed required by the rules of the free Market. \Ve are even witnessing the appropriation of our genetic inherh;mce, under the name or the Human Genome Diversity Project. In the mean time. our rivers. the air we breathe. and the land we live on are continuously fouled. leading to rhe slow death of out Mother E•nh. In the cfTon to sUStam our families. we ha\"e. h.1d to incorporate non-Indigenous \\':I)'S. but we strive to rem~un in ham\Oil)' \V'Uh the environment. \Ve choose con.sctously to stamulate those economic acthitics that st~ngthen our peoples. under.~~onding that out communities depend mainly on tmditional systems of production like ftshmg. hunung. famtl)" agncuhure. and small crafts emerpriscs. The mo,·tmcm of Indigenous women toda)' confronts all sons of serious threars as it places itself in the p.1th of powerful and destruc1h•e forces. It is uigent. cons1dcnng the current suuation, to de,·elop better methods or communlc;ation between lndtgenous women so as to coordinate effective :~ctions m the defense of our peoples. Along with this, our dou· ble. vital role as reproducers and preservers of our people must be srrengthened. Faced with this historical, tmnseendental mis.s1on, we should seck inspiration and wisdom m our ancestors for our journey to the next millennium. \Ve should look for strength, courage, and determination in the future, which is the future of our communities. org.1niza- rions. and our peoples, and their right to exist in dignity. In this issue. in which Indigenous and non-Indigenous women have conrributed anicles. we explore the ways that Indigenous women h~we panicipated in the broader Indian movements in Uuin America. the speciAc org.1ntz:uions and progrnnu 1haa have focused on ,,·omenS needs and aetivnies. ~nd. by means of interviews. the pomt of view or n:uive women rhemselves; how rhey emision their role tn native and nauonal society. and the hardships they must endure when the)• lry and change those roles. SAIIC II<Xlrd of Directors Vol. 10 No.1 3 �IN BR I E F Peru : Ecological Protection Zone Plan Threatens Indigenous Lands NRENA, Peruvian National Institute in concordance 12 of the Ley de I Resources,theLaw), has putwith articleproposaloftoNatural Tierras (Land fonh a create Ecological Protection Zones out of 40.5% of Peru's Amazon lands. \Vithin these zones, concessions could still be.granted. The rest would eventually become private propeny. This would be disastrous for Indigenous communities. most of which do not have legal title to their land. The proposal, published in the Peruvian newspaper El Peruano, defines Protected Zones as natural areas already protected (national parks and reserves), swamps, fragile watersheds. and lands along rivers. More than 31 million hectares of the Peruvian Amazon would fall into this category. The rest. about 46 million hectares, would be classified as Areas Free of Ecological Protection and be administrated by the Ley de Tierras, making it eligible for sale by public auction to private investors. Indigenous groups have already reacted strongly against this project. The Aguaruna and Huambisa council forwarded itS own amendments to the Ley de Tierras to the Ministry of Agriculture. Now, it only remains to see how the Minister of Agriculture, who stated that he was open to receiving the input of all sectors. will react to the national and international pressure. Information rueived from El Comerdo. Lima, a,1d fhe Amazon Coalilion Women March in Chiapas to Commemorate International Women's Day On international woman's day, March 8,1996, between five and se,•en thousand people, mostly Indigenous women, gathered at the Plaza de San Diego and marched to the plaza of the main cathedral in the center of San Crist6bal de las Casas, Chiapas. This march. which coincides ";th the dialogue at San Andr~s Larr~inzar between the Mexic.~n Government and the EZLN (Zapatista Army of Natiomll Liberation), was held to commemorate International Women's Day and was organized· by the Comisi6n de Mujeres Por El 8 de Marzo (The Commission of Women for March 8th) and the Frente Zapatista de Liberaci6n Nacional (Zapatista National Liberation Front, or FZLN). The participants came in caravans from Indigenous communities all over Chiapas, including the Lacand6n jun· gle. It was an emotional and inspirational event as women, 4 some carrying babies on their backs, and many wearing ski masks. marched through the streets. Some banners denounced the unfair treatment of Indigenous women and demanded equal rights for women, and others announced suppon for the FZLN and the EZLN. Compiled from reports from Glolxll Exohangc Volunrccrs Honduras: Violence Flares Against Indigenous Communities he Commission for Human Rights in (CODEHUCA). has expressed grave TCentral Americasafetythe DefenseofofChonfs Indigenous concern over the and life members and leaders. a community residing in the depart· ments of CopAn and Ocotepeque. Representatives of the Confederation of Autochthonous Peoples of Honduras have reponed a series of death threats made against the leaders of the Indigenous Chonfs Council of Honduras (CONICHH) and members of their families. Particular mention was made of the following persons : Antonio Arias, Marla de Jesus lmeriano, JoS<! Ernesto Suchite, JoS<! Domingo Mejia, Victoriano Ptrez. Natividad Lopez, Juan Amador Mtndez, Andrts Ramirez, Estanislao Ramirez and Crist6bal Pinla. Members of the community have been subjected individually and collectively to several attacks including the destruction and burning of their houses. fields and other possessions. These acts have been attributed to cattle breeders and land owners in the region who are opposed to the reclaiming of land which the Indigenous population has occupied for over a century. Within this context, on March 2 and 4, 1996, the houses and other possessions of seven Indigenous families were burnt and destroyed. One of the fires also caused the death of the child lsmael Arias Leon. CODEHUCA remarks that in 1994 the Government of Honduras ratified ILO (International Labor Organization) Convention 169 and in July of the same year also signed a commitment, stipulated with 8 Indigenous and Black communities, in order to resolve conflicts over land possession. In spite of this, so far there has been no definitive distribu· tion of land to the Chonfs communities of CopAn and Ocotepeque. The International Secretariat of OMCTISOS-Tonure believes that the failure to comply with the obligations mentioned have encouraged the commission of acts consti· tuting grave violations of the right to life and safety of peo· pie. as well as their economic and social rights. A'<Y{a Yala News �------------------~-----------..!.~N B R I E F I ~~ lnjormmion from OMCT/505- Torw,. Pl,ase send letters lO the Honduran go\'trnment expn~ssing yottr GOncern: S.E. Carlos Roberto Reina, Presiderllt de Ia RepUblica, Casa Pr.sidcncial, 6a Avenida, Ia Calle, Tegucigalpo, Honduras. Fax : (50<1) 34 35 73 Telex: 1129 MMRR H0/1429 HO Guatemala: Government Approves, but Modifies, Convention 169 n March 5, 1996, the Guatemalan Congress unanimously approved Convention 169 on "Indigenous and Other Tribal and Semi-Tribal Populations in Independent Countries" of the International L1bor Organization (ILO). revised from an earlier version in 1989. Ratification, how· ever. occurred only after the ruling party modified the first article of the Convemion. The night before the congressional session. hundreds of Mayan people had gathered in front of the Legislative Palace in a vigil for the · new dawning.· Convention 169 was first brought to the Guatemalan Congress in 1992. It wasn\ until 1995 that, under the Presidency of General Efrafn Rios Mom. it was once again up for ratification. At that point it was taken to the Cone de Constitucionalidad (Court of Constitutionality) to determine if it comradicted the national constitution of Guatemala. Its conStitutionality assured. Kaqchikei-Maya deputy Aura Marina Otzoy of the Guatemalan Republican Front proposed to re-open the dialogue in February of this O yettr. The debates for and against the Convention were intense. Siglo XXI and Prensa Libre. both major Guatemalan national news publications. came out with headlines such as · convention 169 to the Trash 6in!" and "Ratification of Convention 169 Creates Environment of Uncertainty." The re-action or the private sector was one of cautious apprehen· sion. "11691 might be harmless to the country. nevertheless in no way docs it benefit the interests of Indigenous people." says the president of the Agriculture Department and the Committee of Commercial. Industrial. and Financial Associations . ..... it will only bring chaos to the country.'" Indigenous organizations. on the other hand. did their best to ensure that this favorable piece of legislation get approved by the national government. COPMAGUA (Coordinator of Mayan Organizations of Guatemala) stated that ..with the ratification of Convention 169, the Mayan people seek to build a solid and lasting peace in the country... \11/e are calling out to you so that you may realize the necessity of change in this society. that its no longer possible to go on accepting living conditions implanted during Vol. 10No. 1 500 years of sacrifice. pain. despair, indignation. and alienation." Seventy-five deputies were initia1ly present at the voting session. Sevemy·two remained at the momem of decision. a nd voted unanimously for Convention 169. Nevertheless, the governing party (PAN - Party of National Advancement) managed to modify Article I of the document, ensuring that the ratification is being made with the understanding that the dispositions of the national constitution come before those of the Convention. Information !!YOvidcd by Atencio Lop<< BRAZIL: Marcio Santilli Resigns from the Presidency of FUNAI n March 8, 1996, Marcio Santilli. resigned from the presidency of the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) after 5 months of service. This comes as the agencys fundamemal aim of demarcating Indian lands has been undermined by the recent passing of Decree 1775 which allows outsiders to contest the process in a court of law. After 10 years of documented FUNAI corruption, Santilli was in the midst of attempting a clean up the organization. Many high level decision-making FUNAI authorities have been accused of illegal logging and mining in Indigenous areas as well as having long·standing patronage ties with some local leaders. Where Santilli had identified blatant cases of corruption. he had replaced Staff. combating powe rful job security laws for the public sector. After the passing of Decree 1775. however. FUNAI's effectiveness seems to have completely plummeted. Faced with corruption scandals, an outbreak of invasions of Indigenous areas. and police inaction, Santilli resigned. · we owe Marcio Santilli our thanks for his effort to c lean up FUNAI. and put it in shape to effectively defend Indian rights in Brazil. Bm it is now clear th at the National Indian Foundation needs radical surgery. not band-aids. if the ddcnsc of Indigenous rights in this government is to move from rhetoric to reality." said Carlos Alberto Ricardo, execu- O tive secretary of the lnstiruro Socioambiencal. On March 14 , 1996,julio Gaiger. a lawyer specializing in environmental, agrarian, and Indigenous rights. took office as the third president of FUNAI during Henrique Cardoso's term. L'lst year Geiger worked as an auxiliary to the justice Minister and is responsible for the final text of Decree 1775. Itifonnarion from Environme mal Defense Fund and Amanaka'a, and d1c lnstituto Socioombie11taJ 5 �NDI GEN OU S WOMEN ORGANIZING Two Watershed Encounters for Indigenous Women in Mexico The National ANIPA Women's Conference and National Indigenous Forum recently held in Mexico constitute two examples of how Indigenous women's participation is increasingly crucial for a global Indian identity. By Maya Santamaria he h1gh level of panicipatlon of Indigenous women in the Zapatista Army of National LiberatiOn (EZLN) has inspired and T encouraged other lndagenous women 10 take pan in the CIVIlian struggle in Mexico. Recognizing their lmponancc as the base of their culture and the givers of hfe. a fundamental role which is gaven little value in socaety, Indigenous women from many different regions of Mexico have decided to rai.se their voices after 503 yc.1rs of silence in order lo rescue their dagnity and defend the nghts of Indian peoples. The need to analyze and understand the particular situation of Indigenous women has caused them to make spaces for thernseh·es where they can dascuss their problems. needs. and interests. During the closing of the last year and the opening of the new, two encounters of Indigenous women were held m the highlands of Chiapas: the workmg table on "Situation. Rights and Culture of Indigenous Women" in the dialogues the EZLN and the between Government, the National ANlPt\ \\'omen's Conference. Women and the Peace Dialogues Wnh the will to dialogue with the government about the~r dem.1nds as Maya Stmramaria wrlrcs and researd1es primarily In the region of Chiapas and has followtd the ZapatiSla uprising smet it began an 1994. She also providts ttchmcal assistance for the women's T~tot:<il Weavil1g Cooperative fn San Cristobal de las Casas. She is pntsently working on an exhibit on Llparista wome-n in Minnts()(a 6 lndaan women. 19 invited guests and twchr advisors from Indian communi· e that the autonomy of the pueblos indios is the path towards the initiation or a new tics and women~ organizations relationship amongst ourscl\res, with throughout Mex1co panicipated in the the: Mexican state:, with other Mexicans. Workmg Table "I of the Peace and between men and women... \Vithm Dialogues. "Indigenous Rights and this framework of autonomy. we Culture," between the EZLN and the Indigenous women demand our full 1 Government in S. n Andrts Sacam p.1nicipalion. and that no internal or Ch'en, Chiapas. external condauon am pede 11.• The document also demands a reThe women who panicipattd as rep· rescntn.tives of their commumucs and negotiation of NAFTA and the reform of organizations in the dialogues. among article 27 to its original revolutionary them Tzotzil. Tzetzal. Tojolabal. sparit, which stated that the territories of Chmanteca. Chol. Mixteca. and Nallhu Indian peoples are "i.nahenable. not women, prepared their list of demands negouable, and mdispensable." and despite language and cultural barriers. which was altered against the ' viti of Through the two phases of their work, most Mexicans for the purpose of passfrom October 18th to the 30th of ing NAFTA. Among their demands was November, they drafted an elaborate also the right of women to own and document which s1gnaled the tnple dis- mherit land. the redistribution of land crhmn:uion that they suffer as based on the criteria of sustainabilit)\ Indigenous people, as women, and as access to alternative technology. the poor when it comes to he.1lth, edu- increased and amproved educational, cauon, nutrition, housing. and re<:re· cultural. health. producuon, labor. and at ion. social welfare services, as well as the end The EZLN's female delegation of the PRt-dominated (lnstilutional demanded, among other things. that Revolutionary Pany) State, and the lran· Convention 169 of the lntemalional s1tion towards a true democrnq~ The process of actually punmg Workers Orgamzauon (OtT). and other international pacts signed by Mexico, be together their ancestral demands in a made legally effective. and that they be joint document representing translated to all of the Indian languages Indigenous women in Mexico proved for diSiribulion to the communities. an anvaluable experience. Among other Com·ention 169 of the OIT is one of the thangs, it proVIded a venue for the new princopallegaltools that Indian peoples relationships and organization between have to defend their rights to self-deter- Indian leaders through the leadership of mination, and the basis of the claim to the EZLN. The go,•emmenl commission Autonomy of lndaan peoples. They (COCOPA), an contrast. d1d not raufy demanded that based on these accords. the women's document and dad not prethe necessary refom1s be made to the sent the least intention of negotiating a Federal Constitution. so that It include fundamental change. It stated that il the free exereise of the autonomy of would not consider the discussion of lndaan peoples. "We women manifest concepts such as · autonomy." "religion." AW6 Yala News �--------------~~ 0__,__,,_,'--" 0'-"--"- -'-'-O'--M E....:.:.__, R G A:... H I Z I H G H'--" 1 G E H"--" U S- W " " '--"- H O'--',__,c....:: '"self-detennina.tion."' tion." or "'new constitu- National ANIPA Women's Conference The first womenS encounter of the National Plural Indigenous Assembly for Autonomy (ANIPA) was held in S.1n Crist6bal de las Casas from December 7-8, 1995. Two hundred and sixty rep· resentatives of 65 Indian and womenS organizations from 30 Indian nations and 13 states of the Mexican republic gathered in Chiapas to "speak our word, talk abom our rights, uses and customs, and discuss the propos.1l of autonomy for our communities. within a vision of gender: The national \\'omenS Conference came at the culmination of a series of womenS workshops and regional conferences galvanized by the Zapatista uprising that have sought to provide spaces of renection and discussion about the issue-s confronting Indian women. In addition. many women feel the urgency to funhcr organize and Ct)' out against the military presence in their comrnunities-not just in Chiapas. but across Indigenous regions in Mexico-and what this presence means for their fitmilies and their communities. Invited by the Organizing Commission of the ANIPA and the women\; organizations in Chiapas such as K'inal Ansetik, J)>as joloviletik, and the women~ commission of CONPAZ, the panicipants of the encounter dis- Women of San Andres Sacamch'en de los Pob<es befO<e the first dialogues. analyzed their lives as children, as mothers. and as wives. They gave a new name to their struggle, that of ..amono· my,"' and made the concept theirs.. one following the women$ ANlPA conference. Many of the women delegates Stayed for the general assembly, making this the highest attendance of women at that they could now take back to their an ANIPA meeting. During the ANIPA communities and share with other women. In attempts to do away with the meeting. they asscned that, "Autonorny societal factors that oppress them as Indigenous women. the panicipams discussed their rights, which they trans· lated into Spanish as · customs." They expressed their desire to do away with all the "bad customs" and nourish the "good customs· in their society. "There are customs that can be counterproduc· tive or contrary to the dignity or libf.my of women," said juliana G6mez, tance for the preservation of ot.tr custonts, languages. and traditions, and to reject the resources the government gives us. because many times they divide us ... The women at the conference also reviewed a docurncnt written by the EZLN's advisors and guests in San Andr~s. which \\t;l.S approved by the ANIPA. The initiative for Autonomy and the women's proposal were then to be cussed the legal initiative that is in literature in Oa.xaca. juliana considered progress for the creation of Autonomous Pluri-ethnic Regions (RAP). Many of the it important to recognize that "some. presented at the National Indigenous Forum which had been convoked by the EZLN . The proposals and demands made by women involved in the autonomy initia· times, we women are the ones tronsmit· ting bad customs with the education we the women who worked and panicipat· ed in these encounters will uhimately be tive have e'pressed that the proposal does not include the autonomy of give our children," and that "the change should begin with the education of sent to the Congress and Senate for leg- women within their society, nor their desire to ha\•e specific rights as women. women ." The amendments proposed by the islation on Women's Rights. It is impor· tam to recognize that these spaces where women have, as an option tO war and for and that they have not been taken into women for the initiative to form autonomous regions were drafted into a problems concerning their culture and consideration during the creation of the propos.•I. Mixteca and representative of the Editorial Center of Indigenous is a set of attitudes and fom1s of resis- In the two days of discussion the council o£ the Autonomous Pluri-ethnic rightS signal an imponant change in the political process in Mexico: namely, that women tOok the time to talk about the political and social situation in their vil· regions during the fonh reunion of the ANIPA, which took place on the same grounds for the three days immediately the process of democratization can no longer occur without their true Iibera· tion as women. 1\ !ages. communities. and homes. They Vol. 10 No.1 document and presented to the general the construction of peace, debated their 7 �I N DIG ENO US WOMEN O RG AN I Z I N G Profile of an Indigenous Woman Organizer (~~ if!~ "aria de Jesus Hernandez Yalderas It is important to let Indigenous women speak For themselves. whether in a political context in their respective cultures and communities. or in the pages of the journals and magazines that speak of them. In what follows next, Maria de Jesus Hernandez Valderas, a Nahualt woman in M exico, pro· vides us with a glimpse of the activist world of Indigenous women. Surmounting the difficulties historically placed on her. Maria embodies the enduring spirit of Indigenous women across the continent. Cnn you tell us your name and where you are rrom? y name is Marfa de jesus Hernandez Valdems. I participate in a women's o rg.,nization called Campesina Women's Union of jehca. in San luis Potosi. Mexico. M Are you Nahuatl? Yes. we speak Nahuatl. In how many communitic.s do you work? Vle work in nine communities in the municipality of jeliea. \Vhen and bow was the womenS organization born? The women~ organizalton was born when our compaileros. who have an organization called Ia lgualdad de jeliea (Equality ofjelica), were able to see that they wereni able to progress. that their org;amzation would not work without the suppon of women. llec:luse of this. they named us the •nght arm of the Cooperativa de Ia lgualdad de jelica (Equality of jelica Cooperative).· From that point on, they saw that it was imponant that women participate, and 8 we called for the first meeung. Vanous women rrorn several commumties attended. The important thing was that we were very motivalcd abotn partici· pating In a meeting. Before this. we had never attended a meeting. It was the first tome that we women left the house. all full of emotion. and canying our ch1ldren. Were the husbands bo thered that the women were holdi_ g meetings? n Wetl, at first the women~ meetings were held with compantras who already were participating. That was how the org;tmzation began. later. m\1tauons were made to the other women who also wanted to participate. What are you able to achieve through the wo1ncn's organizalions? \Ne want women to be recognized; that we " also participate and that we be heard. Many times when women speak in a meeung. the men doni pay attention. We want to gain support for us, the women, together, org.1nized. What arc some of the activities usually done by women in your community? The chores of the woman ... The home has always been left to us; that 1 . s to take core of the home, to gather firewood, water, and care for the children also. I am finding out that this happens everywhere. Do you also work in the fields? Yes. some of the women work m the fields, and many of us dedica!C ourselves only to the family. What d o you grow in the fields? In the fields we produce mostly Coffee, ond son1e vegetables. Is there much that you don' produce because the land is not good? The land is good but we have noticed that it Is much better for coffee. Very little of com and beans is culti"ated. Ha\'t you all been in contact with tht women of other communities? Yes. Yes. We are panicipaung m a ipatcoordin.11ing group. We are partiC ing jointly. men and women. There, at the regional le"el, we talk about wo men's situotlon and special needs. �INDI G ENOUS What is the coordinating groups name? h 1s called COCIP (Laguasteca Potosina lndtgcnous Organization Coordinaung Body). a lot on me, as well ns m)' husband. They are all still httle! Arc all of you Nahuatl in the ooordintuing group? No. we are Nahuatl and Mames also. Arc you working women in Chi"pas? And you have time to work in the women's organbation? Well. I don\ hove o lot of time. but I make some. My children still depend What is you positio n in the organization? The women selected me as the Women's Union Treasurer. closel y with Up until now we haven't had much contact. no. But do you think its important to be in touch with them? Yes. wt would likt to be communi· cat mg. We don\ hear much about the work that they're doing. We would like to be informed so our organization here can take on some of the responsiba and show rhat we can lity help them from here. So you handle a lot of money? Well not so m uch but. . ! \Vhat are s ome projects you have been involved with? Fil'$t we managed to get a popular soup kuchen there m the municipality of jilitra that IS called "Flor del Caft." a small goods store that IS in one of the communmes. and a nixramal (com for ton illas) mill. Is coffee produced in the mountains or in the t>lains? WO MEN O RGANIZING Do you also retoin your religious prac:tices? People are sttll very Cathohc m large pan, but we also ha.-e 01her seclS in which people panicipate. but they are much less practiced than the Catholic group. So you don't re1ain Any o f the Nahuatl ceremonies, like offerings to the Earth? As Nahuolts. we always make arches and offerings. The arches ore made from a branch. a stick and they arc decorated with palmilla. and xtmpasutchilt flower$. That IS Nahuatl traditton. There are also dances in wh1ch we participate, during tht patron S3tnlS celebrations. This was btmg left bthmd but at the moment we art: seeang that it is impon ant because 11 promotes the rebinh of the culture. Do you wish to send out a message to women of other countries, of other cultures? \\lhy contac t wome n of other cotma In the mountains. tries? We arc also p:micipnting in alter1t is important because that way we native medicine and In various bakfind out how women live at the eries. Well, I would simply like to s.• y. to all the women that hove not yet joined national and international level as well. Potosina, to panicipate and for us to begin leaving fear as1d<. Th.11 is what Do you have children yourself at home? Y<s. I have four children. Vol. 10 No.1 Do you still use your traditional medicine? Well. m large pon that was being left as1de. but we wnnt to pick up traditional mcd1cane ag:un. a women's organiz..ltion, I invite you ' from this corner or L. guasteca1 inhibits us most. But. yes. I invite you to panicipate m an org.1mzation. h is difficult but we ha\'C tO do whatevtr is possible to pan1c1patt. Thank you. ..., 9 �IHDI GEHOUS WOMEH 0R GAHIZIH -'' -- - - - G The Right to Love and Politics: An Indigenous Activist's Perspective Eulalia Yagarf Gonzalez. a Chami woman activist in Colombia. was elected as a member of the regional parliament of Antioquia on March 8. 1992 (/ntemational Women 's Day). In this interview. she speaks to us of her life and hardships as an Indian woman activist. Eulalia is convinced that the struggle of Indians in Colombia For land. culture. and autonomy must be conducted on many different fronts simultaneously. Her struggle is not only relevant to Indigenous communities but to all oppressed people in Colombia. particularly women. (~~ w~ Eulalia Yagari Gonzalez Why did you agree to be an lndian woman I don\ just want to fight for the candidate for the senate elections? interests of Indian women. l also wam efore I attSwer your question, let me just s.1y that the political participation of Indian women is nothing new. We have always been in,·olved in politics in the sense that we've always ddendcd our interests. to fight for the rights of all women in this society. the workers. the campesinas, the Black women who have always been dtscriminmed againSI until now, the women of other ethnic groups like the Gypst~ically all women who are poliucally and socially active in this country. But when I demand their rights I don' JUSI want to make superficial political speeches. No. if I get elected to the S.,nate, I'll fight for quite specific proposals and proJects promoting th e social development of women: the right to prenatal care, for recognition of B our tradmon. our culture, our fe.Uow men as well as our whole people and our land. We fought for 500 years until our votces were finally heard. Now Colombta has a new conSiitution. A certain sector of the Indian population, Blacks. and other ethnic groups have united in n political alliance, which will not only defend Indian interests and rights. but also those of Blac k people, the lower clnsses-in fact all marginal· ized groups. When they were looking for candidates and they noticed that I'd been politically active for tweh•e years and was commined to the rights of women. children and our entire people. they chose me. Actually I only agreed to the candt<bture ofter they approached me for tht thtrd urne. But as an Indian cific groups on the left. but also on the right. We'll see what the politicians will actually do. Of course. in the election campaign, they promised all sorts of things. Personally I don' have any illusions about what I can do for the Colombian people. firstly because I'm aware of my hmttations and secondly because we don' have the financial means. \Ve htwt far too lut1e power in the Slate to really change soctety. All I can do is simply devote all my Slrength and intelligence to the task tn hand. I'll also use my feminine cunning. because in all honesty, we women art very cun· ning. Women are capable of a great deal. hs just that we' ve always been women to achieve their right to work undennined. Our rights were taken and decent jobs. not just jobs that are away from us and we were undernlued. Wo men were there for sex. c hildalmost beyond physical endurance. rearing and maybe the odd b it of poliWhat could Indigenous women tics. We never had any more space than achieve: in 1he senalc if 1hcy were that. So we're well-placed to flirt with our bodies, but also wuh our intellielected? We could Slart by tmplementing gence, our diseemtng nature and with everything the new constitution has our cunning. \Ve htt\'t man)' ab1lities assured us of. We mUSI form alliances we can use to change thiS soctety. As an with other progress"-e forces. with spe- Indian woman, I can' speak such htgh women's pnnicipmion. and power for �INDIGENOUS WOMEN ORGANIZING along the street together. And there's no time to keep the family together or bring up the children properly. class Spanish as a big politician. but that doesn\ mean l have no right to be heard. Despite all my limitations. l intend to fight in the senate-albeit cautious1y. because the senate is a completely new ball game for us. Y j ust said you o nly let yourself be on nomi nated as a cand idate after the third inv itation. Why were you so hesitant initially and why did you accept in the end? &1.sically I never '''"mcd to get imo big politics. I've been pushed into it. The work in the senate seemed to me like the Stntggle of a little fish faced with a shark. And besides. this work means giving both Ill)' daughters to someone else to look after. I've also got a partner who's politically active as well. Vol. 10 No.1 I have a difficult relationship with him. We love each other but our political Stntggle in this quagn>ire of violence and war makes it impossible for couples to live in pe..1.cc with one another. We're not the only ones in this position in Colombia. Hundreds of us women, Indian women, campesinas, women from the popular movements, workers and trade unionists aren't able tO have happy relationships with their par1ners. Conunitmem to the cause takes away the ability and time for love. Relationships often break up. because there's a lack or opportunity for the joys and pleasures or love. affection and togetherness. Sometimes we're only at home ror one or two days and often only for one night. There~ no time to sleep with each other or even just stroll \.Vho are your children growing up wilh? With relatives. Bm or course an aunt or granny can't replace a n1other. You can't just switch emotional tics. Traditionally, we Indian woman always have our children with us. Indian children grow up differently from other children. From birth we carry children around with us. In many communities they-re only weaned when the)'re five or six. I suckled Marcela for four years. Because of my work I had tO wean Patricia arter two years. 1 think this long and close relationship early on helps Indian communities to develop a strong sense or solidarity. We may well have political differences, but we still feel ourselves to be Indigenous people. Toda)' our children. the children of the popular leaders. are growing up with traumas and pS)'Chological problems as a result or the permanent state or war. They have no home. no parents who love each other, they don·t reel protected and they don·t have a good education. Lots or children are constantly in day-nurseries. We leaders and women at the head or the popular movements sometimes find ourselves on our own in the end, not because or the political work in itself. but because itS being conducted in a war situation. Y ou're a member of the Antioquia Organization of Indigenous Peoples (OIA) . What type of women 's t>rogram do you have in the OlA? We don\ have a specific women$ program which renects the fact that very few women are in leadership positions. Cristiania is an Indian community where many politicians like to have a finger in the pic. Women have achieved a lot or political space but many are not in a position to take on political functions. In my ophtion we need a new policy for liberating women, but I don\ mean a policy like the ones introduced here from Europe and North America. 11 �IND I GENO U S WO ME N The cultures and societies are totally differem there. My positive image of women is not just limited to Indian women. I feelthm women in general are amazing, lovely creatures. Women-Indian and black women. French, Cubans, Soviet citi· zens. Chinese women-all women ali the most beautiful people in the world. On the other hand, some women who used to suffer and were repressed and put up with being beaten. have managed to liberate themselves. But what happened? They now act like they"re on another planet and behave just like men. I know its great to feel free at last. But do we really want this type of freedom? I don\ think so. I want liberated women to strive for something different. Women must change the course of this universe. But to do this we're going to need all our willpower. How do you defend yourself against machismo? Well. I've had to put up with all kinds of stuff. There are foolish , uncouth t)<peS who shout at you and don't let you finish speaking. So you have to grit your teeth and say to them: 12 O R G ANIZ I N G "listen, )'OU may be physically Stronger, husbands all their lives without even but I've got more inside my head. And realizing it. if we're seriously fighting for the s.~me cause. then no one just gives orders and Don't you think that's g radually no one just obeys." On the political cir- chang ing? cuit I've put up with some difficult sitCenainly there are women who uations. Jf they're traveling with a think the same way I do and are workwoman as a member of a delegation, ing tOwards a different educational polthe men are right in there trying to go icy. But its not just a question of disto bed with her. And afterwards they"ve cussing things with men because men got nothing better to do than talk about as individuals and the system which it and then it becomes the latest gossip. represses are not one and the same "Oh, so you went to bed with her. as thing. Men are also our lovers, our well? And what was she like?" After that friends and our brothers. The problem the woman is finished politically. A is that in Colombia and in the whole of friend of mine was done for because IS Latin AmeriC3 there are still far too few men claimed to have slept with her. men who acknowledge our true wonh. And they laughed themselves Stupid over it. ThatS machismo in its purest What will you do if yo u don't get into form. As a woman involved in politics, the senate? you Still have to deal with stuff like that. I'll work in the communities again. I But we can! wage this struggle the have a piece ofland I'll cultivate. I enjoy same wax everywhere. You have to go tilling the soil, sowing, harvesting. I'm about it differently when you're dealing actually a campesina. I used to grow with women who think of thcmsehr es coffee. I worked hard at it and carried as the slave at home and nothing else. heavy loads. But with the money I In this country there are still a lot of earned. I used to buy myself nice women who believe they can't experi- clothes. I'd happily do that again. "' ence any sexual pleasure because that's simply a mans prerogative. Many allow Milp<oo from Cnmpatlem< Goby KUpp<rs (edJ, themselves to be repressed by their l..ct<lcn: lAB mul Moollldy Rt>iew Press, 1992. Abya Yala News �INDIGENOUS WOMEN ORGANIZING Absent Visions: A Commentary on the Women's Conference in Beijing ast year more than 28.000 women from 185 countries met to aucnd he Founh World Conference of Women, from the 4th to the 15th of September, in the city of Beijing. China. This conference was org.1nized by the United Nations in order to receive the input of women from all pans of the world tO influence the Platform of Action, a document on womenS rights. which was on the United Nations' agenda. The limited prepamtion and panicipation of Indigenous women in the conference is due to many factors be)•ond the control of the Delegation of Latin American Indigenous Women. Unfonunately. as U Other sources have said. the organization~ al strucu,tre a.nd the agenda of the conference did not olfer equal conditions of panicipation to Indigenous women. From the begirming. there was a limited now of infonnation between Indigenous and non-indigenous women. The fom1er had little access to contacts. information, and financial resources. From the level of the United Nations to the non-governmental organiunions, space was not gmnted them as organized people. This """one of the biggest complaints that came out of the Meeting of Indigenous \\'omen of the First Nations of Abya Yala, held from july 31 to August 4. 1995, in Ecuador. The location of the conference made it hard for indigenous women to attend. Only 30 Indigenous women arrived, an abysmal number (consider the number of Indigenous nations in the Americas). Getting funds to cover the t'OSts of the flight was a great difficult)<Thus, in spite of the huge interest they expressed to auend this event. they were once ag.'lin not able. to partake in decision making processes that will alfect their lives. As stated above, the same financial factors and lack of suppon and commuVol. 10 No. 1 ni~tion hampered the prepanuory conti~ nemal meeting in Ecuador where some 150 women from 24 nationalities and communities met to elabomte their pro~ JX>sals to be sent to Beijing. The meeting took place later than planned, and as a result the Indigenous women$' proposals were not received in time to be submitted in the final document of the Platform of Action. ln spile of these limitations. their pro~ pos.1ls were presented in writing to the conference. Their document presented the vision of Indigenous women of Abya Yala. emph.1Sizing the challenges of selfdetcnnination and the survival as a dis· tinct peoples. Among others, Lhe Declamtion of Indigenous Women in Beijing put forward the follo,ving proposals and demands: (!) Recognize and respect our right to self~detemlination; (2) Recognize and respect our right to our territories and development, e:du~ cation. and health: (3) Stop human rights violations and all forms of violence against Indigenous women: (4) Recognize and respect our cultural and intellectual inheritance and our right to control the biological diversit)' in our territories: (5) Assure the political panicipation of Indigenous women and amplify their capabilities and their access to resources. . Essentially, the document stressed Indigenous territory as a key for the e.''is· tenoe of Indigenous peoples. It also touched on intellectual propeny rights, which the women felt should be respect· ed. It also called for the mtification of International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 169 along 'vith other declam<ions on the rights of Indigenous peo· pies. The Plan of Action of the World Conference of Women in Beijing. howev· er, emphasized the economic problems that alfect women, the globalization of the economy, and international women's rights-terms and concepts that few Indigenous women have experienced directly. Another issue was the Indigenous Women~ Delegations concern over the agreement in Beijing that an investigation occur on Indigenous knowledge of health and management of natuml resources. Indigenous women want to take pan in the study and not only be its objects. They recognize the necessity of their panicipation so that the study include the Indigenous vision. If one analyzes the theme of"human rights" in the Beijing proposal, it becomes clear that Indigenous women envision these "rights" differently. Indigenous women do not see them~ selves as competing with men. They have a more integral vision of them~ selves-not as individuals. but more as part of a community. In situations where women work in the formal economy. the resulting mentality is a competition between women and men. For most indigenous women. work is something shared in a community, and not a competition. Thus, the right of equality between Indigenous men and women is inseparable from thi.s system of production where the concept of duality predominates, meaning that man and woman complement each other in what they 1hink, do, and say. Indigenous womenS lack of panici· pation was a significant weakness in Beijing. It illustmtes the necessity for us to devise new strategies so that our vision can become an integral component of the broader womcnS move· ment, a presence to be recognized espe· cially during watershed encounters like the Beijing conference. '1' 13 �' IND IGENOUS W O M EN ORGAN IZING Empowering Native Women: New Initiatives to Reclaim Indigenous Women's Status in Central America Paying attention to women's roles as managers of territories and transmitters of cultural identity, we focus on two regions of Central America where small-scale Indigenous women's initiatives are encountering success at re-inserting women as dynamic members of their societies. By Laura Hobson Herlihy I ndigenous women's involvement with conservation, developm.cnt, and human rights organiz..'ltions hos given them new political and cconom· 1c power in the Honduran Mosquitaa and m Panama. Conserv:mon effons ha\'e almost always focustd on men~ role: 1n economic ac:ti\iues and thc:ar use o£ natural resources. However. focustng attention on the imponant role of women as managers of community territories and transmitters of Jan· gunge and cultural identity provtdcs glim~ of the emerging empowerment process that many Indigenous women are presently experiendng in Central America. In this antcle I present the case of the Mtskuo and Taw3hk.1 of Mosquitia and the Kuna, Ember.\. and Ngobe-Buglc Guaymt m Panama. Majao: A Women's Market in Moskitia The Tawahka Sumu (populntion 700) live along the upper reaches of the Rio Patuca in the Honduran Mosqutua. High atop cleared n,·er lxmks. houses cluster to fonn the ,.;1. lages of Krausirpe. Krnutara. Yapuw:is. Laura Hobson Herlihy is a Ph.D. student in socio-cultural anthropology at the Univmlty of Ktmsas. She has worked with various Indigenous groui'S in Nondums, in the Rio Platano Blosphcr~ Reserve of the Nonduran Mosquilla, arul in Panama. A re:sugence Mel Mel re-valonZdtion of lndogenous women's SlllluS is possible llvOUSh their own ~Zdtion ond i~ wtth c<lOSel\'&l()ll, ~ conservation, development, Mel lunM rights orgMtZ&tOOS Kamakasna. and Wasparasnf. Krausirpe. the biggest vtllage. has a population of about 400. Because few lndigenous women In Mosquitia Still weave bags made from rainforest plams. I was surprised to find Tawahka women weaving bags made from the majao (Heliocarpus Doneii-Smithii) · tree. The women explamed that FITH (Federa~i6n lndlgena Tawahka de Honduras)-a legally recognized Indigenous federation that represents the Tawahka pcople-mittmed a local market in the late 1980s to purchase their woven majao bags. In order 10 be marketed in Tegucigalpa as "book bags" or "purses: FITH representatives requested that women weave smaller. mulu<e>lored. b.•gs Wlth a long shoul· der strap. A few years later. MOPAWI (Mosquitia Pawis.1), a non-profit development agency in Honduras. 10ok over FITHs b.1g-making project and incorporatcd it into their ·fonnaci6n de Ia Mujer" program, which has helped improve women~ SOCioeconomic status in Mosqutlla by providing them wnh local cash-eammg opponuniues. Marketmg woven maJaO bags is a post· tive element m Tawahka Sumu society. Bag manufactunng is not hannful to the rainforest envtronmem and it provides a mechanism through which women pass down 1raditional knowl~ edge to their daughters while. at the same time, providing income for their households. In the process. the A':7{a Yala News �-----------..!~ D I G E N 0 U S I N~ W 0 MEN ORGANIZ I N G womenS majao bags have become one of the recognizable symbols of their broader struggle for their own identity and cultural survival. Estudios y Acci6n Social Panamet'o (CEASPA). I a11ended the first Indigenous women's' congress in 1993. Nearly I 00 Kuna, Ember:\, and NgobeBugle Guaymi women met over a weekend to discuss their common Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve problems and goals in this Central just nonh and contiguous to the American country. First, the particiTawahka zone is the Rfo Platano pants analyzed the political, legal, Biosphere Reserve. It was established social. economic, and cultural involveunder the United Nations' Man and the ment of Indigenous women in Panama. Biosphere Program in 1980 to protect Next, they analyzed the history and the natural and cultural heritage of this status of women in each culture group. special pan of Honduras. The Miskito, The objectives of the meeting were to the largest Indigenous group in the promote the panicipation of weram reserve, lived in 19 villages with a pop- (Ember:\ woman), merv (Guaymi woman), and ome (Kuna woman) as ulation of 4 ,500. In Kuri, a small Miskito village one force, tlnd to formulate proposi(population 122) on the Caribbean tions to be included in the "Plan coast, lndigenous·held territories with- Nacional de Ia Mttier." At the end of the in the biosphere are passed down three day meeting, the Kuna, Guaymi, through the female line. Sisters built and Ember:\ leaders proposed that the their homes around their motherS "Plan" should include, among other patio and reared their children togeth- programs, education , health care, land er as one greater family. V..'omen inher- titling. and work opportumues ited both coastal village and rainforest (including the marketing of ans and territories from their mother. known as crafts) for all Indigenous people in Mama Almuh or Kukll, the powerful Panam:i. grandmother figure, village elder, and Beyond this, some Indigenous head of the matrilocal group. women in PanamA also hold local and Miskito men lived awtt.y from the regional political offices. Celia Mezua, Coastal villages for long periodS of time, President of the Ember:\ "Congrcso earning cash off-shore while dhong for General," holds one of the most powerlobsters and doing subsistence agricul- ful Indigenous political positions in the tural work up-river while Jiving on country. As President of the Congreso, their wives· rainforest territories. \ 'Vith Mezua presides over a council of leadthe men gone. women passed down ers who make important cultural, Miskilo language and culture to their political, and economic decisions conchildren in matrilocal residential cerning the Ember:\. The daughter of a groups, teaching them traditional kin- former caciq1<e (chief), Mezua graduatship terms and womenS activities. ed from the national university, became a local leader, and was then elected to regional leadership positions. Indigenous Women's Congress During the first Indigenous in Panama womenS meeting in Panama, Mezua Farther down the isthmus, in a called out for justice and decried the broader and unprecedented way, government's taking of a Ngobe Indigenous women in Panama recently Guayrni rnanS lire. and for their use of organized an annual. national-level tear gas against pregnant Indigenous congress called "Mujer lndlgena de women who had recently demonstn'ltPanam~" with the help of non-governed in Panama City. She also called for mental development organizations the national legislature to approve the (NGOs), including UN ICEF-Panama, law recognizing the Guaymi Comarca the United Nations, and the Centro de homeland. Likewise, she demanded A Mll1718 Of Kuk8, the grandmother figure and village that legislators enforce the demarcation of the already existing Kuna and Ember:\ Comarca boundaries and for the removal of newl>' seuled colonists within their limits. Newspaper reponers recorded the event and these demands in the national press. That the government did not respond to all of them did not diminish the significance of this event. For the first time in PanamaS history, Indigenous women. coming from different cultural identities. acted together in unified opposition to the national government. Mezua and the other Indigenous women leaders continue to pressure the govern· mem concerning their tenitorial and human rights. The Indigenous womenS congress meets annually to discuss these and related issues. Indigenous women in Panama and Honduras are aware of the impacts colonialism, including · Modcmization" and " V..'esternization.. which have his· torically subordinated them. Their organized resurgence and self-valorization, as well as their involvement with territorial conservation. their own definition or "development," and collective human rights, are hopeful signs that they will ensure a future for their larger societies for years to come. ,.. Vol. 10 No. 1 15 • �BRA ZIL "Um jeito de Ve-IQs:"• Old and New Representations of Indian Peoples in Brazil by Gllton Mendes New Strategies of Organization? With comple1ely different cultural realities from national society and with Brazil. nor even to undenake an low population numbtrs. Indigenous exhaustive analysis or unknown aspects J'C'Oples in Bmzil are faced wllh huge of the social lives of Indigenous people. adversities in the realm or national poliNor do I represent the votce and politics. For this reason. th.1t they have con· tics of lndtan J'C'Oplc. I wish to probstantly reformulaled the ronns or resislemattu two aspectS that I consider tance and smneg1es to \'l.llonze thetr imponont: one, the pohuC~I strategies rights, their tnl<rtSIS. thear demands. odopted by lndtgenous org.amuuions to "'\>\'estern socaety•: on one side Here it lS now ntteSSary to menuon confront the new challenges in comem- humankmd and tlS mttrt9.S. on the the fight against lht I'CVISIOn or Decree porory Br.ml, the other, a brief frame of Olher, nature, scauc, revealing itself 22191, which regulaltd the process or the actual economic realities by which through phenomena ... demarc~tion or lndtgcnous and other they are affected. Indigenous peoples are seen and rep- special lands. Presently. the s•gnmg of resented in a form that is almost always Decree 1.775 by president Fernando negative. both in the elaboration or dis- Henrique Cardoso has unleashed a new Background courses-which are also practices-<tS in national mobilization , perhaps the There exiSts in Bmzil, approximately people's consciousness. as a consc· largest ever, or entities devoted to the Indigenous cause. This mobilization is 200 Indigenous peoples and each pre- quence or the fomter. calling for the revocation or this Decree. sents a set or panlcularities with respect S~ate policies nearly ahvays fall with· to its customs, language. and socio-polit- in the realm or •,velfare: envisioning itself a fundamentally altered \'Crsion or ical stroctures. They vary in population: nath-e communities as dependent on its predecessor as far 3S the security or The majority are numerically small soci- their protection and Initiatives. From Indian lands are concerned. ThiS situaeties (almos~ alwa)'S considered. indi,id- this point of vitw, Indian people are seen tion sho"'S a C!pacuy for poltucal Cltalually. to have been more populous in the as in a process of progress"·e tntegrotion ysis. indudmg one ""h "mtemauonal past). reduced to a few hundred or at intO nauonal SOCiety, oomponents of a eiTeas: times hardly a few dozen persons. The claimed '"unnary nauon: The church It is necessary to drow ouenuon to areas they inhabot vary in size and. in \<\siOn, like thai of many nOn·go,·em- one or the nt()S( relevant 3SpeclS of the some cases. have already been officially menlal org.anizo1ions (NGOs). Is not 100 Brazilian reality which IS the conduct of demarc~ted. The vast majority, however, dislant from this comlnuous provision or many organizations working in suppon remain b,,rely delineated and many more ,velfare and protection. always in a 'val' of Indigenous peoples. These, In generhave not even been identified or recog- that fulfills iiS own interests. al, have taken on the role or mobilizaAll1his would 1end towards ano1her tion and dissemination of Information nized by the federJI government. This means thm Indigenous peoples in Bmzil level or representation: the internaliza- on communities thnt arc •disadvanlive in consumt in.se<."llrity in relation to tion or the national society~ cultural \'l\1- taged" in relation to the state and distant one or the mOst essential resources that ues by n:itlve peoples themselves. often from the urb.1n centers and the political laking on the role or lhc "protected," decisions, and those ' vith limited conthey have ahvays possessed: the land! subject to state politics and programs tact with national society. ln many cases. Gillon Mendes is an ag,.,nomisl in Mato and actions originating from civil and these org.,nizations integrate theniSCives Grosso, Bratol. He has worked extensivdy religious enliues. Yet this in no way thus creating a third coalnion phase in ""ith the Enawtnc·Nawc and rcundy implies that lndtan peoples do not con- which Indigenous and non-lndtgenous rompletcd a two-month lnttrnship "'ith sider themseh'CS mdi-.duals btlonging combine for a smgle Cluse and repreto a different soci<t)' sentation. SAl/C. T 16 his brief Mticlc does not seek to trent a new set of infonnatlve facts on Indigenous peoples in Indian peoples inh:tbit environments where they have always existed in singular ' vays. seeing and interpreting 1he world in ways 1hat arc specific 10 each. They ha'" e51.1blished a very intimale and cominuous relauon with their sur· roundin&$. which leads us (or should lead us) 10 questton the rational. dic-ho1omous. and generic vtsion of mankmd and ruture. charactcnstic of �BRAZ IL The ethmc dwersity of Indian peo- leading anto the anterior. supponed by ples m Brazal Ius perh:lps been one of federal mcent~Ves (along with scanthe mam factors for the generation of dalous corrupuon). These cut through restStancc 1mtl~taves because it has pro· tens of thousands of males of forcs~ and duced a darect relollon of multiple local savanna. wnhout the shghtest preoccuforces capable of mobilizing, internally pation for the destruction they email. and mtcnSI\1C as well, each particular both for native peoples and,their enviI)' society. On the other hand, its also ronment. In the end. natural resources important to note that the new strate· have been wasted. particularly timber. gics adopted have been similar to those and massive deforestation has followed used by the different social groups of the installation of rural industries. Many Indigenous groups. in the face national society. Strategies thttt, often, result in intcrnnl connicts and difficul· of this stampede. were removed from tics. and arc capable of clashing with traditional nrcns where natural the more tmdiuon.d expressions of the resources abounded and relocated in · different natl\'C societies (see Interview regions completely unknown to them or already dramed of the same jacar jost de Souza). ""h A Brief layout of the Economic Relations If cultural diversity is renected in the search for new possibilities for political organizotion of Indigenous people. m the confrontation against the interests of groups or persons belonging to nation:-~1 society, the same is true t in the economic arena. Each particular society presents a different history of economic relations with surrounding societies. At the same time that some Indigenous peoples arc engaged m mtcnse commercial trade, there arc others that have had minimal contact wnh any market. Between these two extremes, there arc those who are resources. Thas h.u resulted in untold hardship. as evidenced by the high rate of suicade exastent m groups like the engaged m seasonal commercial trade. The decade of the 1970s deeply marked the h\·es of Indigenous people Guaranf·Karowa. Many other peoples continue to sufm Brazal m that, through the elaborauon of gig.1nuc "developmem" projects fer the consequences of these largeand in the "interest or national security," scale projects (dams, timber extraction. the authorh"rin.n state staked out a pol· mines. roads. factories, fisheries. agroicy of occup)1ng the Amazon. This industries. etc.) established around or opened two bloody wounds: the violent even inside their territories. For many, contact with )>COpies previously isolat- the only option left open is seasonal ed. leading to p.utial or total extem1i· labor outside of their indigenous area, nation. and the Irresistible incentive for selling their labor for ranches or in millions or persons to migrate with aim regional markets at derisory rates. or to senlc the "terras inabitadas" of the migration to ciue.s. where they live in conditions or txtrcmc povcny. Amazon. Diverse evaluauons made of the Hundreds of p.1rticular undenakangs m the Amazon h3\'t followed and Indigenous Sllu>llon in Brazil are pracconunue to follow the major roads tically unammous in that these trends Vol. 10No. 1 hove made thmgs much worse: destroying tradnional forms of producllon, sh:lrpening "dependence" on outsade aid. and leadang 10 envaronmental collapse. In this context, today, perhaps more then ever. the question of Indigenous peoples' relation to the market (the generation of income, the 1nanagcmem of natural resources, nnd the mninte· nance of an imcgml, rational, balanced life in rclmion to the environmcm) is more complex than ever. Contemporary initiatives in the field of the Indigenous economy have followed the trend of Increased small-scale projects. Go''tmmental programs (as imposed by anternauon•l finance banks) h:l,·e encourage<! undertakmgs belonging to the category of "sustamable de,'tlopment" proJects. lndagenous organizanons themselves and support organizations are mchned to favor economic activities that increment production within Indigenous areas: acth,itics that seek to add value to products destined for specific markets; activities centered around the rntion:.tlization and exploration of determined natural resources for a greater p.uticipation of native communities In the production and organization of work for commerce. The posluve sade of these decisions cannot be dented, JUSt as the nesuhs •re not grandiose and ammedaate. Time is being bought to be able, more clearly and decidedly. to fond exiSts th:lt are proper and "andependent." On the other hand. one must also inquire if this doesn' constitute a new political Strategy utilized by national society. geared towards its own economic interests, aiming at the lncorpomtion of new markets, especially those held as "alternative." In the end, one must finally ask, to what extent these inhimives constitute de faao something new. or arc they leading Indigenous people. once again. into "modern· and sophisticated schemes of economic exploatation. • ntlr: "A ll'ay o{Scnng Them· �BRAZI L Decree 177S:An Attack on Indian Lands in Brazil "Decree 1775 is more than a setback; it 's a death sentence for many Indigenous groups ..._ COIAB (Council of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of Brazil) ndigenous orgonizations and their allies iniuated a major campaign of resistance arter Brazilian President Fernando Hennque C.1rdoso signed Dttrtt 1775, responsible for the demarcation of lnd~an lands, on January 8th. 1996. As the cherished baby of Minister of justice Nelson jobim, Decree 1775 offers a 90-d.ay period for •states and municipahl1ts containing the area to be demarcat<d. and Othtr interested pclnies· to exercise the contrtulitono, or legally contest the process. Additionally. it sub· jectS 344 of the 554 Indian Areas in I from gold miners and mnchers (see ani· cle 1>0ge 20). Now. with Decree 1775. those effons appear to have been in vain. equapped to deal wuh the emanent onslaught of legal claims against Indigenous areas. In addition, CAPOIB claims that Indigenous orgamzalions point out that one of the maJor problems \\1lh I>ecrtt 1775 will create an · andustl)' of Decree 1775 as that u was de\1Sed m indemmues: si""' it calls for the oom· absence of open debate. Many pensation of pclnies claunmg a loss of Indigenous and indlgenist entities had land due to demarcalion. with titles to requested meetings to discuss the show for it. All claims of Indemnity made impacts of the decree. CAPOIB. an on Indigenous areas not )~t registered are lndagenous umbrella organization based valid. The agnbusaness compan)' in Brasilia active m the fight ag.11nst Colomzadora Temanonc Ltda. alread)' Decree 1775, points out that on August solicited compensation for lands belong· 15th, 1995. President Cardoso assured ing 10 the Enawene·Nawe Indigenous area in M:uo Grosso state; a sum to lhe tune of 7.6 milhon Brazilian reals (US$7.9 million). In Pam stotc alone, the summed indemnuies for all contested Indigenous areas would reach approxamately US$1.4 billion. Indigenous voices say Dtcree 1775 ·risks the lives of Indigenous people. • and add that im-asions and the prolifem· tion of daseases in indagcnous areas \\111 increa.st. R«em news from Brazil pro,·t this analysis to be correct. According to Brazil to re\1saon b«ause they ha'~ >~••o them that he would n01 make any d«•· be entered into the country$ ofliciolland sion without dlSCussmg the mauer an registry. Armed with such legal backing. detail with Indigenous organizations. contenders of Indian lands have olready Even nfter the signing of Dtcrce 1775, staned im•ading and staking their claims Minister Jobim was quoted as saying. anside lndig<nous territories. lndagenous referring to Brazahan NGOs leadang the organizations ond NGOs m Brazal. an sol- mternauonal c3mpaign against the Idarity with International (orces. are d«:ree. "These groups are not interested working to pressure the Bmzilian state to in solving 1he indigenous problem. They revoke the new decree. ore Interested in creating problems and confirmed and unconfirmed reports, we will ha,·e no dialogue \\ith those who im·asions are presenlly occurring in a couse problems· (Folha dt Sc!o Paulo. Feb. host of Indigenous areas, ancluding &r.lo What's Wrong with Decree 1775? 6). de Antonana (Kaingang). the Munduruetl Indigenous forces ond andigenist In a clever foshion, Decree 1775 area in Amazonas, Rio Guam~ (Tembe) an NGOs have been unanimous in their effectively paralyzes land demarcation by Pam. Panambizinhno and Sete Cerms protest of the new decree. After the pass- subjecti~g the process to the inter- (Guarani·Kaiowa), both in Mato Grosso, ang of Dtcree 22191. which an fact manable bureaucracy of legal coun bat· Coroa Vennelha (Patax6) m &hia, Surua allow«! for the demarcation of se,·eral des 0\'Cr land. FUNAI (National lnd.an and the area of the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau an Indigenous Areas, many Indigenous Foundation). whach has histoncally Rondonhia. Other threatened areas connations fought especially hard to demar· lacked anthropologists and lawyers. \viii tested by the government and the mih· cate their land. The Macuxl in Raposa be responsible for carrying out required tary for their •stmtegic value· are Kricati Serra do Sol. for example. h3\·e been legal. geographical. and ethnographic (Mamnhao), &u (P:Ir.l). Mar.liuapsede leading an antemational campclagn for work prior to any demarcation or :IS part (Mato Grosso). and Raposa Serra do Sol demarcauon, to secure thtar ttrritory of any revision. FUNAI. howC\·er. as Ill· near the border with Guyana. 18 Aby& Yala News �B RAZ I L Indigenous Peop les and NGOs According to jobim. the new decree obidcs by the constitution (section 55 of React aniclc 5) because it guarnntces a third A well articulated number of forces, pany the right to contest a judicial £rom lnd1genous organizaltons and process through the contraditorio, a NGOs m Bmzil to human nghts. environ"baste element of democracy·. says ment. church groups. and even some jobtm. He also argues that the coun go\'emmcnts around the world fonned in cases ag;unSt Decree 22191 stalled in the response to the reversal of pohcy on Federal Supreme Coun wtll no longer Indigenous londs in Brazil. Stmtegtes for have a base now that the new decree revoking the decree have varied, but the contAins this clause: otherwise, all the majorily center on directly pressuring the areas demarcated under decree 22191 Brazilian state through letters. the press, could ha\'e been declared unconstitu- faxes. and other similar means. tional. For jobim, the Br.mhan go,·ernlnterestmg. too. has been the route m<nts •mage will impro'-e because they taken by CAPOII~reprc.<ennng more h3\·e fixed a legal ·error· thot ""II final- than l 00 Indigenous groups in ly put a Stop to the endless demarcation Braztl-wlnch sent a letter to the World procedures. B.1nk and the ambassadors of the G-7 However. one of the strongest argu- countries and the EurOl)Can Union rnems agninst the new decree. and one requesting the "temporary suspension of adopted by a number of leftist political resources deStined lor projects which leaders m Brazil. is that It goes against ha"e among other priorities the demarcathe sptnt of the Brazthan constuution. tion of lndtgcnous lands. such as Projeito The Br.uilian consutuuon states that. Terms lndlgenas, Planaforo, and \\1th regards to traditional Indian lands, Prodeagro." since those funds would hkett ts the duty of the "Umon to demarcate ly fall prey to the legal quagmtre which them. protect them. «.,..,.rc.coc. Att 9 .. N.u e-m cun.o. cuJo decftto bom.olopaOtio o.10 tCTiba ricSo Gtljfto c1a rqp.uo etu anOrlo Jmobill.. rio ou M Socraarla do P .. rimOnlo ct. Un.lSo do ,._,f,nL;ntelo d.ai f'u.Aoda. ot IOCC'I'C'Mol llaa 1 ' ... r 40 •" 1•. ao praro • ~ cti.aa. • •'-- 4a ~c:.QIO ~. ~o. ancI assure o\Qn, rc:~U~.....,, 0011 ·~do f the respect of all of their resources." Many argue that the new Decree pr<\·ents thts basic duty from being fulfilled. "It fnghtens us to sec that the gO\'crnment intends to revitalize, with the new decree. titles to land that the conSIItutlon regards as ·null and void.' since they were created centuries ago when the land was clearly lndtgenous," says Congressman ~ilma.no Miranda (Prtstdent of the Commttt<< lor Human Rtghts of the Chamber of Deputies). job1m is wasting no ume In imple· menting Decree 1775. Soon after the J>aSsing of the decree. he sent letters to several governors primanly in the Amazon region listing for them the 3reas to bt rev1sed in their respectwe st:nes. For elOimple, In a letter to the go,·emor of Por.l state dated the 11th of january. he hSted 14 Indigenous areas up for revision, including two whose combined area is only 58 hectares. vot 10No. 1 Pany and a strongly worded protest leucr signed by 80 environmental and human rights groups sent to President Cardoso from the Coalition in Support of Amazonian Peoples and Thetr Emironmcnt, • coordinating body based in Washmgton DC. The leuer exhons him to revoke the Decree. The Coahuon counts among.st its members most of the well known US environmental and pro· Indigenous organizations such as National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Defense Fund. S1<rra Club, lnternauonal Rh-ers Network, R.1m Forest Acnon Network, Amanaka••· and SAil C. The Coahtton plans to suppon the cffons of Bmzilian indigenous and human rights organizations and 'viii dis· cuss funding development projects linked to indigenous areas in Brazil \vilh multinational agencies. Decree 1775 mUSt be ,;ewed wuhm the larger context of the long tenn pl•ns held by • consontum of govemmrntal and pm•atc tnt<rests to develop large areas of the Amozon basin and other nat· promlSeS to ensue £rom the rcv1s1on of dozens of existmg Indigenous areas. The CAPOIB document claims that ·smce it took office over a rear ago. the go"cmmcnt of Fcmando Henrique Cnrdoso has been putting in ploce a deliberate policy of reduction of indigenous territories.· Indigenous organizations are also calling for the cancelation of ~rman funds (S22 million) donated to Bmzil after the 1992 Eanh Summit for the protection of tropical rainforests (Pilot Program lor the PrOie<:tion of Tropical Rainforests). Pan of that effort included funds specifically destined for the demarcation· o£ lndi3n Areas. Indigenous groups pomt out that Decree 1775 does n01 comply \\ith the obJcet"-es of the gront and they fear that SO!n<' of the funding from ~nnany could be dl\-ened to the r¢:\I'I.Sion or existing areas. Other major ellons against the decree include a motion of unconstiuuionttlity put forward by the Bmzilian Workers ural areas. as \\tith the mammoth Hidf0\13 proJCCt (see page 28). and progrtSSI\-ely mtcgrate the entire regton mto the national and mterrunional economic system. In defiance of the International Decade of Indigenous Peoples declared by 1he United Nations in 1993, the new de<:ree sets down the foundations lor a future of large scale d<\·elopmem ummpeded by lndtgenous groups stakmg claims to thetr traditional lands and resources. .., You can suppo11 lltt rf/orts of Indigenous p<opks in Bra<tl by sending. }tt-ring. or emallfng your lcners of prolt11lO lht jolluMng addr=s: Fcnuuulo Hcnrlquc Cardoso. l'r<$tdrn1 of ''-' R<pubiiC. PaLiclo do Planol!D, BrOS.lio - DF 70.160-900, Fax· SS-61-226-7566, cmatl: pr@cr-dj.rnp.br; Nrl$011 ]obim, MtniSicr of ]u.sliu, Esplanada dt>s Ministerios-Bioco T. Bra.<ilia - DF - 70.06'1·900, Fax: S5·61·22;J. 2'1'18. email: r\)obim@ax.apc.org 19 �B RAZIL Fighting for a Macuxi Homeland Macuxi leader Jacir Jose de Souza is a well known Indigenous activist from the Raposa Serra do Sol Indian area. Brazil. After 25 grueling years of work. this area has yet to be demarcated and has been the site of numerous killings and human rights violations (see Noticias de Abya Yala. Vol. 9 No. 1). Now. the revocation of Decree 22191 puts a cloud over the prospects of official demarcation. In this interview. not yet knowing the outcome of the revision of Decree 22/91 . Jacir confides in SAIIC the hardships faced by the Macuxi people and the often conflicting process of organization and representation that occurs in a common struggle. ~~~ -w~ Jacir Jose De Souza Why and bow d. d you start fighting for i the Macu.'<i p<:oplc? 'm from the maloat ('~llage) of Maturuca, in the state of Roraima, Brazi.l. Our land had been invaded, but the tuxaua (chieO of our Maloro 'vas.n\ responding. On April 27, 1987, we had a meeting and I ' vas chosen to lead the effort to defend our community, to replace the Tuxaua of the n~aloro. Our first Step was ending alcoholism, which the garim!"'iros (gold prospectors) were bringing into our community. Then, we staned to organize other communities and work with the other Twcauas. Still, they thought I was new, and lacked experience. I argued that, for the future. we had to take action on our own behalf. The government 'vas never going to do any· thing. FUNAI wouldn\ help us. Our effons continued; communities Started helping each other, clearing fields, buildinghouses. I took this experience of working with the Tuxauas to the annual general assembly. I chose four !"'Ople in my maloca (viJ. !age). went to the assembly, and told all the 1ivcauas about the village council we had formed. The reaction 'vas pretty neg· alive: They said, "What, you won\ respect the Twcaua any more, and there won\ be a legitimate authority?" But, when they saw the results of our work, they agreed to unite and work together. I 20 In 1987, we decided to extend our organization to the city to work for the demarcation of our land. I suggested 12 people, from all the communities, to start. In April, 1987, we went to all the malocas, explaining what we wam· ed to do, that in Maturuca we already had a council, and that this was for the future of our children. The people agreed. After one momh we went to the city. We had no house or anything. FUNAI didn't want to help us. So, we went to talk \vith a bishop. Don Aldo Mongiano, and he said he could provide a house we could use. We divided up the work. Three people stayed in the city, and the others returned to the malocas. After a while, the process was reversed. We set up a place where people could go for help. After lwo years, everyone was with us. I was in the middle of everything. We bought another house for an office in Boa Vista. People brought food from the villages. We put together a small project that received support. In 1988, we had a meeting in Manaus with COIAB (Brazilian Indigenous Peoples and Organizations Articulating Council). There was an election, and six people were chosen including me. I told them I didn't have enough experience, and that this is a very big city. But, they conVinced me and told me it would be fine. By 1990, we were doing well. Then, there 'vas an outbreak of malaria in my maloca. Many people fell sick. My ,vife w:ls one of them, and she died. When I got back to Boa Vista, they wanted me to work for the Council, but I said I had to take care of my children. When I got back to the maloca, they said you can\ leave. A Tuxaua is a Tuxaua. After four months, they chose me to coordinate the region. where there are 5,000 people in 48 villages. I agreed to coordinate things from my home. Our organization, the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR), now has diverse personnel, including a lawyer and an agronomist. Since we divided up into eight regions, some SLay in their areas while others work in the city. Now, we are even travelling to other countries. In September, the vice-coordinator went to Italy where he met \vith other organizations. Today, I am here. Our work to defend our rights continues. What are the principal problems faced by Macuxi communities? At the beginning of 1995. the state government ' vanted to build a dam on the Cotingo River, 'vithin the Indian area Raposa Serra do Sol. They sent the miliA~Ya laNews �BRAZ IL tary police who destroyed a house, beat up the 1i<Xaua, and kicked people out and burned a house. We resiSted. We held thai it was illegal 10 do this in an Indigenous area. We contacted the auorney general and FUNAI. We explained how the)• had beaten many people. uuer. the federal government decided 10 bring in energy from Venezuela. so things calmed down. The state government was doing this 10 hold up the demarcation lof ~~nd) . The amly came iluo the area. our also destroying houses. We had a meeting and called the mili1ary and liule by liule they lef1. Then in Oc10ber. they proposed creating a town, a municip..'llity within Raposa Serra do Sol. How could they get away with this? They called for a plebiscite and scheduled a day 10 hold il. They brought electronic voting machines. The ranchers and miners voted, as well as the Indians. In another plebiscite a year ago the resuhs were annulled because the Indians knew about it, and being wellorganized, boycoued il. Now they pulled a new maneuver, announcing the plebiscite with only 1wo days of advance notice. The Indians didn\ have a chance 10 organize. They brought computers, which people had not seen before. Needing assiStance, they could not vote in privacy. Now, they say they will build a city near Maturuca. V\'e believe this is to destabilize the Indian movemem. and to prevem the demarcation of the area. So. rm very concerned. ItS a very serious problem. How many years have garimpeiros been ins ide the area? Its been about 25 years. They staned working manually. Then. machinery was brought in. In the last seven years. they brought in dredging equipment, destroying the rivers, polluting them with mercury, leaving them filthy. When the federal governmem took the miners out of the Yanomami area in 1989-90, many came to the Macuxi area. This ' vas when falcii><Jrum malaria-the most serious kind-became rampan1. Vol. 10 No.1 Jacir Jose de Souza (right) during Amazon Week VI, 1995, during a panel on Indigenous Rights. We built a blockade and Stayed there months, not !cuing anyone or any vehicles pass. Then, FUNAI sent the federal police in 1992 to expel everyone. We managed to kick out 600 garimpeiros. The ranchers inside the area also began 10 leave. One of the meanest, named jai, left after destroying many of our houses. Now, this area is clean. and the foreSt is beginning 10 grow. So. today, there are very few canle inside. But, with the support of the state governmem. some remained. Now. there is a lot of pressure 10 establish a municipality. The fight is geuing serious, and we can\ give in. Did you s peak with Minister jobim? It's difficul1. We\>e tried three times to schedule a meeting. We tried 10 speak 10 the president in New York, but we couldn\. Some of our members have spoken with the miniSter, but hear that he is going to sign the decree )decree 1.775). ...and the s tate government? The state government. through buying ofT some of our people and giving them small presents like clothes, got the Indians to S<'\)' that "the government is helping us." But this is in the city of Boa Vista, where many Indians are suffering. and can\ go back 10 their village. Have you received the support from non-indigenous Roraima? populations in In any city in Brazil, there are people defending our rights. There are journaliSIS who help us. The church also suppons us. FUNAI also sent a decree to the minister recognizing our tenitorial limits. And, there are many organizations-CIMI (lndigenisl Missionary Council). that organization in SAo Paulo, the CPI (Pro-Indian Commission), in Rio de janeiro. So. we're working together. Any place we go. we find allies. But, powerful people with more money stay on top. What can people here d o 10 help the Macuxi people? On this trip, I've met other organizations like RAN (Rainforest Action Network), and asked for their help to speak \vilh the government here. People can send leuers asking our government to respect Indian people. E'>eryone can pressure the US government here also. Continued on page 36 21 �SE LF DE TERM I NATION A ND T ERRITORY Reflections on a CONAIE, Grassroots, and a Vision for the Future ~~~ i(l~ Jose Maria Cabascanao Jose Marfa Cabascango is a Quichua activist of the Pijal Community. Gonzalez Suarez Parish. province of lmbabura. Pijal has some seven thousand inhabitants and only 600 hectares of land. With intimate knowledge of that community. Jose M arfa Cabascango. an activist since the 70s. reached a position of prominence in CONAIE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador). As Secretary of International Relations. he has traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Americas. In this interview. he reflects upon the accomplishments and the future of the continental Indigenous movement from the perspective of Ecuador. \Vhat arc the principal accomplish· mcnb of CONA l E and other commu- nal organizations that you have seen in your years or work? once the 1940s and 1950s, orgam· S zations were born all over Ecuador: pe~sam organizations. even Indigenous organizauons such os the Federncion Ecuatorinna de Indios (Ecuadorian Federation of Indians). headed by Dolores Cacuango. n woman of struj;gle in th~ days. Unfortunately. those org.•nizauons were controlled by polouc:.l ponies (hke the Commumst and Socialist party). the Catholic and Evangcloc:.l churches, and by the labor movement. Therefore. they deOmtcly ntones. one of the most unponant pouus: and the struggle for an indigc· nous education Here. two prim.•ry were not autonomous and independent orgamzauorb. demands were an1culate:d · on the one In the years of 1972. 19H, ECUARUNARI began o rganizing nselr hand. that [tndtgenous) languages be recognized offictnlly by the Ecuadorian wilh force and with many problems state, and that education be adminis· and conO'•cts wilh the Church. Then n tered tn our own l•nguall"' These became mdependent, mitiaung the ver')' 1mponant experiences that wert inninted in those times. reconstrucuon or lndtgcnous peoples' collective Identity. In those years there were three main pomts of focus the struggle agamst mctsm, because ractsm wos very strong; the struggle for the recuperatiOn and legalization of the ter· 3n: Today, ractsm has not ended. Rac1sm appears m economiC explon.a· uon and the \10ia!ton or human rights. Rac1sm exiSts m the bchav1or of civ1l society. But it Is no1 as visible :tS before. �S lntle by louie we have managed to make the non-lndtgenous society understand that u too h.'\S Indigenous blood and that we definitely are d)'l\3mtc peoples. wuh • millennia! history. and our own territories. I indeed would lake to enlphnstze this aspect or the Struggle agmnSI mcism that is one o£ the princopal accomplishments; the President o£ the Republic himself is spe.~klng o£ a "multi-ethnic Ecuador.• With regard to the Indigenous territories. I believe there nre ;.1.dvancemems. We were able to recupemte some lands although often under a ventable Slate or siege. There are compafteros th.1l were assassmated and persecuted. But we managed to consohdate. ot least in pon, our temtonal sp.1ce. In the same way, lndtgenous peoples m the Amazon and Coast were able to legahze their own temtories. whtch as an imponant aspect. Therc£ore, despite powerful interests such ns those or the multinational. oil. mineml, and other industries, and those of the Ecuadorian Slate, we managed to legalize. at least in pan, those territories. In 1988 we managed to get bilin- gual intcr·culluml educ.ation institutionalized . Yes, there are many problems. many administmtive, technicd. and pedagogJC:'II dtfficulues, but ne,·ertheless 11 IS a move £orwand. Today for exampk, there arc plans to create, in htgher cduC:'IUOn. an Indigenous universny. 1 behe\'C thts IS an advancement. E l F DE TERM IN AT ION CONAIE surprised the world \vith itS project to form a multinational country and take up Indigeno us ..l egal'' traditions to create Indigenous legal s tructures in Ecuador. Do you see a contradiction between this ambitious project and wanting to return to w orking directly with the communities? We have always said that it is imponant to work on all £roms. The political, juridical, economic, social, and cultural projects that we have initiated have to continue forward, because these have an effect at the communit)' le,-el. I believe that lndogenous peoples in Ecuador have been the origmators of many initi.1tives. and there exists a popular backing across Ecuadonan society for our work: these arc not proposu1ons that are only Ill the mterest or Indigenous peoplu, but rather propositions to maugurntc a new society and attempt to rcsoh·e the huge problems or social crisis. hunger. and poveny. From the moment we initiated the struggle until 1993. there w.s genemlized state repression. Then, thanks to the struggle that rose in notional and imemational solidarity, little by liule the military presence in the communi· ties diminished. I believe this is an extremely imponant achoevemem. In the case or my communoty. all are working dthgently to acqutre new in£raSirueture, to develop water works, and the like. We, loke CONAl E. arc worried about how to provtde tmtmng in administrata,·c matters. What has been the experience of the communities living in this time of Two events in Ecuador where the change? and All o£ these accomplishments, evi- Indigenous · org:mi zalions CON Al E have had an important role: dent in today$ daily life. hO\•e repercussions and nrc felt in lhe communities. the Indigenous mobilizalion against For example. In the case or my commu- the Agrarian Reform law (Ley de nity, nascent connicts ~rc no longer Reforma Agrm·ia) in June of 1994, referred to the authorities comprised or and the border wur wi1h Pe ru. Did political entities, couns, judges. and the effecLivencss of CONAIE concounty and provincial authorities. They traSt strongly in these two events? are resoh•ed whhin the s.-ame commuTo summanze. around 1993 the nity. This ts a real control 'vielded by indUStrial sectors like the big agroour own authoriues which ha"e the indUStrial componoes worked out a procapocuy to create a "legislation" proper ject for an agmnan reform law (L.ty de !ksarrallo Agrano). We as Indigenous to the communny. Vol. 10No. 1 A N 0 T ERR I TORY peoples and peasant Otg,1ntz;>UOns o£ Lhe count I)' also worked out a proposal for agmnan reform. In june o£ '93. we all presented these before the Ecuadorian parhament There were three proposals: one from the go,·emmem, one from the landowner and agro·industrialist sector, and another from the Indigenous and pcas.~m organizations united an the National Agrarian Coordination (Coordinadora Agraria Nacio"'d). In the end CONAIE~ proposal was Slallcd or even thrown out, I don' remember exactly what happened. In 1994. the 108 (lnter-amenC:'In Development Bank) demanded that $80 million be tmns£errcd to the agrarian sector. wh1ch u saw as archaic. Then it demanded a change m the agrarian law. Womed, the government urgently sent a proJect to the Nauonal Congress so th.1t on fifteen days they could approve that law. When we reviewed it. we S..'\w that 11 \"35 the shortened version of what the landowners had presented in 1993. Nevcnheless. it was pushed £oo wand and approved. The Indigenous movement reacted very quickly. The enure country mobilized-organizations allied with CONAIE. popular organizations invol\'·ed and nOt invoh• m the agrar· ed ian issue. Now, wh)' ? On the one hand. the law proposed the pn>'aUZallon o£ communny lands and natural resources. espccoally or water. It thrc•tened to do away With peasont orgamz.~­ tion. It was a retrograde law: what they wanted was to rtturn to the hacienda system. gain ownership or all our resources, and deOnitcly implant an ideology or individualism. or market competition. Historically. il was :t very important moment. For the firs1 lime, Indigenous organizations demanded from the government the revocation or a law thai went against the mnJority of the Ecuadorian people-not just lndtgenous people. Also. for the Orst ume m Latin American hiStory. a prestdent s.1t at the negotiation table wuh an lndtg<'nous 23 �S E L F D ETERMINATI ON AND T ERRIT O ~~-~R Y trying to negouate With the o1l companies. The national go,·crnment would say, ·Not one step b.1ckward! \\"e're going to defend the temtory. our so,-. ereignty!" But at the s.1me tome they were handing over thts ·so\'eretgnty• to the oil compames! \Vhm are we sup· posed to make of that? In the Ecuadorian parlkunent they were approving measures to privatize petro· leum resources. electrical energy. telephone industries, and the social securi· ty system of the country. the Ecuadorian lnsutute of Social Security (JESS)! So. what ·sovereignty" do they speak of? org.1n1Z3l101\ for fifteen days of work, zations such as CONFENIAE and day and mght. We managed to paralyze the enure country. block roads. and prevent the dchvcry of agricultural products to the cuy. CONAl E. th:tt s:tid that the war Wa5* Now, in regards to the war, CONAlf: held some reunions with the Shuar-Achuar federation and the /\chuar compantros. But we have to cons1der th:u, on the one hand. there was a total suppon from the Ecuadorian people. 1ncludong suppon from Indigenous peoples and camp<Suw sector For example. in my communtt)· there were 14 compan<ros In the hne or lire. So. the panicipation or almost all the people was a very 1mponant aspect But 1 reiterate that CONAIE. the Shuar·Achuar Federation. and other n't of Indigenous people but of governme nts and th:lt those border areas de finitively belong to the Indigenous people li"ing there. How would you clarify this? It's that. yes, there was support from the lleO!>Ie. but unfonunately societies in general are too unpass•oned by e,·cms like this. be H war. or soccer. to menuon just a few. So the people rise and wnh thctr 1mpass1oned attitude begm to b.•ck a pos1uon 1mposcd by the government. '"th Mtoonalism and • false sense or p.1niS31bh1p. \\'e must t:.kc mto consideration that CONAIE produced many press releases clanfymg that. truly. 11 was not in our interest to support lthe warl. or org:mizauons met and came up with even the government (and much less very unport:mt rcsoluttons. demanding the armed forces). because m the end. of 1hc government l'Ctribution for all of the war was not one of Indigenous peo· the imp:tcts. both environmental and pies. On top of this, in the borderlands cultural, resulting from the war. There there '"ere closely relnted Indigenous were very large communities that were groups that were clashing: people with displaced. Ncvenhclcss. as of yet there the S.'lme historical roots. the same is no response from the government. blood. and the smnc economic problems. The 1mponant thing to remember is You said that the Shuar and Indigenous people in other regions that '" the development or the war. supported the armed forces. That when the people were up m arms. supconu-adicts the suuements of organi- poning the government, u tn tum , ...-as '24 The U.N. declared 1993 as the "Year of the Indigenous Peoples" and in 1994 they declared a Decade of Indigenous Peoples. !·las this been beneficial for Indigeno us peoples? Well 1 behcvc thot at the mterna· tiona! level, we have progressed a bit with regard to our rights. In 1992. Rigobena Menchti rece1vcd the Nobel Peace Prize. But, we have said that if we. as Indigenous pCOJ>Ies. don't truly take advantage or lhCSC COnJUilCIUres. nothing will happen during the ten years. or tWCnt)' )'C:li'S even. 1 believe that the idea IS that. for example. in regard to the Decade. we as organizations appropnate and seek change through the resolunons drafted by the UN. We should fight m the framework of the Unued :-lanons and parnc1pate in forums with clear propos.•ls. Many Indigenous people have tmveled and panicip.11ed. but often to provide a folkloric or cultural presence and not a politically acnve one. In the Ecuadorian case. we have a process or unincation between Indigenous. peas· ant. and Afro·Ecuadorian organiza· tions. There exists a nauonnl commit· tee ror the Decade wherein we are working with many proposals-concrete plans or action. We need to act. because many NGOs. and the church. are quite prepared to recel\·e all of the resources fllttrtng 1n lor the lntemanonal Decade . .,. �- - - - - - - - - -- " E _, F D E_, E R M I N A T I 0 N 5'-'- L_,c__,'--" T A N D T E RR IT 0 RY The Survival and Revival of Native American Languages The disappearance of Indigenous languages. although a deeply disturbing and ever accelerating trend. has received little national or international attention. Under enormous stress from a variety of sources. the Native people of this continent appear unable to halt the rapid erosion that is washing away a central strand of human identity. Not only are languages disappearing. but with them unique world-views and philosophies. The negative consequences of this loss of cultural. spiritual. and intellectual diver· sity will become more apparent as the spiritual and intellectual barrenness of the modem world more fully reveals itself. By Alexander Ewen and Jeffrey Wol/ock The Problem T he Study of Native languages, anthropological linguistics. was developed under the assumption that Indigenous languages were doomed. Its main task has been to record languages for posterity. This is important, but it is not enough. Today there is glowing resolve to put a brake on this process: the Indigenous cultures and their traditions are too imponam. For their survival, the languages must also continue. As a stuffed and mount· ed specimen can give liule sense or the live animal it once was, so dry texts and even tapes are no substitute for living languages. These are not museum pieces. they arc themselves living libraries, windows on worlds that can· not be replaced. The loss of language diversity is a global trend. It has been estimated that, at current rates, the 5,500 currently Hving languages will be reduced in a century or two to just a few hundred.l American Indian languages have been especially hard hit. Indeed, of the worlds languages that are considered nearly extinct. over o ne quarter are Indigenous languages in the United States. At the time of Columbus, at least 300 Indigenous languages were being spoken in what is now the United Vol. 10 N<>. 1 States.' Today there are on I)' 148 and, of those, one third have fewer than 100 fluent speakers and are considered near It is estimated that 80% of all C.•nadian and United States Indian lang<,ages are in a similar process of d)'ing extinction. More ominous, 32 native out." Few national governments are languages have 10 or fewer speakers and are in critical danger of becoming doing an)'thing effective to reverse these patterns. For example, the United States extinct within the next few years.J has a strong commitment to bilingual education. yet the manner in which it is taught is almost useless in preventing The percentage of Native-language speakers in the various communities varies enom10usly. While over 350.000 Native people, or one in six. speak their language, almost three-fourths of these come from fewer than a dozen Native nations or groups of nations. and more than a third of the Indigenous-language speakers in this country are Navajo. While Indigenous languages are threatened in other countries in the Americas. nowhere is the problem as critical as in the United States. More languages are on the verge of extinction in this country than in the rest of the Americas combined, and California alone has more threatened languages than any other country. Moreover, even those languages that are not immediate· ly threatened with extinction are in danger. For example. although Yakima has 3.000 spe.•kers. moSt or all of these are middle-aged or older. Without a comprehensive program to educate young Y akimas, the language will soon suffer a massive loss or speakers as they begin to pass away. languages from disappearing. There are many 1ndian communities that have successfull)' resisted the global trend. Some. such as the Hualapai and the Utes, have long had vigorous and effective language progmms. Recent More languages are on the verge of extinction in this country than in the rest of the Americas combined. and California alone has more threatened languages than any other country. income from gaming and other new enterprises has made possible strong language revival programs among the Oneidas and Menominee of \>Visconsin. 1n Canada. there is growing awareness of the seriousness of the issue and there have been strong commitments to Ian~ guage revitalization from national Native org~ niz.ations such as the Assembl)' of First Nations. 25 �,.. S E l F DETERMIHATIOH A H D T E R R I T 0 _,_ Y R...cc__ A Navajo WOI'IWI elder. The Navajo ate one of the few Indigenous cultures in the United States that have retained their language to th1s day. ~ethan one third of the Notive language SPeakers in the US are Navajo. All of this indicates two thm~: that I here IS a cntical need to began workmg wlth Native communities in the Umtcd States on tmensi\'e language trachmg or revtval: and that there are successful models of how to proceed. Many Indian communities require immediate action, in the form of specially designed programs, if their languages are to sur· VI\'C. The inability of the modem mind to understand the wealth thm surrounds 11 is every day making the world a poorer place . A repon issued b)' the Worldwatch Institute in 1992 warned thot the consequences of culture loss among tribal peoples would mclude the dis.1ppearance of millions of plant and :mim.-1 species which currently live under their protection.:J One c:m only ponder the question: when 1he world is reduced to a single language, will there be anything of ,·alue left to say' 26 The Needs All preliminary findmg; md1cate that Nati\'e commumues m the United States. Canado. and other pans of this hemisphere find the language retention 1ssue to be one of thc1r b•ggcst con~ cerns. The inabiluy to !XIS> on the language to the youth is makmg it more and more difficult to pass on traditions and culture, or even to foster the traditional leadersh1p necessary to guide Indian commumues mto the future. The general consensus among those who work wtth r-lauve people on their ISSues is that the'= maJOrtt)' ofNotive communities would gladly organize or participate in language recovery projects if they had the opuon. When economic opponunil ics present them~ selves. Indian reservations usually begin a language revualization pro· gram. Many communmcs. such as the Scneco and Onondnga. have fought hard for b1hngual education in pubhc schools, only to find that it is tnadequate to stent the loss of speokers. Due to the lack of resources .,.,,,_ able to most Nauve communities. many of whom ore >truggling with a host of other problems. language programs arc usually not an option. Most Indigenous people in this hemisphere have much lower standards or living than the sur~ roundmg populations and are often extremel)' poor. Many Nali\·e commu· mues suiTer pohucal oppression. continual eros1on of thelf land base, and the denul of thelf legal and cultural rights.6 EITorts to develop and pro"de an econom1 b:asc to these Indian commu~ c nities eon have detrimental effects on languages and cu1lurcs.7 New econom~ ic development acthoties such as the North Amencan Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) can be expected to have a I>J::t(a Yala News �S E L F negab,·e effect on lnd10n languages in Me.'<lco. where almost 30% of the populauon IS lnd1genous.* L'tnguage revitahuuon is a comparauvely new erron. wuh few successes and many failures. Programs are required that can take 1 nt0 account the specinc poliucal. cuhuml, and eco- nomic circumstances of Native com· munities.9 Even those Native people with economic resources often lack the many different skills needed 10 put forward a comprehensive program. Moreover. cultural change is now so rapid and pervasiVe. that new ways to hold the mterest of young people and educate them need 10 be developed. The lack of commumcauon among Nauve communaues has hindered the few successful models from being apphed m other oreas. In areas where language loss has reached a critical level. governments and institutions put the emphasis on recording languages rather than on rescuing them. Much more rescorch needs to be done on this Issue 1 bener survey and eval 0 uate the curre111 state of language retention among North American Indians as well as to seck om success· ful solutions. '1' Adaprtd from D:lybreak, Winter 1994 For mort informat•on, conta<l Alex El\·tn at Solidarl!y Foundarion, JIO IVcJI ~2nd Sr.. New York, NY, 10019; Phone: 212-76~9~10; Fax· 212-9S6-i2H rhc Re f erences Associated Pross. 1991. National Report Faults Schools for Loss of Language. Culture ond Fo1fure to Educate Natfve Students. Nows From Indian Counrry 5.22: 1. Amnesty lntomotionel. 1992. Human Rights Vlofotlons Agolnst the Indigenous Peoples of the Amerlcos. New York: Amnesly lntomatlonol USA. Briscoe. David. 1992. Report CritiCal of lndiqenous CultufO Lo.ss. News From Indian Country 6.24: 1 Chafe. Wolloco L. 1962. Estimates Regard•ng tho Pfcsont Speakers of North American lnd.an Languogcs. International Jourrwl of Amcrlc<ln Linguistics 28: 162· 171. DePalma. Anthony. 1993 <July 12>. Mexic<>ns Fear for Coin. Imperiled by Free Trade. New York llmes. Vol. 10 No.1 D ETE RMINA TI ON Diamond. Jared. 1993 Soealun9 with a Single Tongue. O.scover 14.2:78·85. Ewen. Alexander. Jeffrey Wollock al.l993. Stat•slie&l Absrract of lnd"'n PopulatiOns. lt>d<l>n Ccunrry Uni)Ubl•shed computer datab&so. New Yo•lc• Solodarity Foundalion. Feues. Maoi<. 1993. Is the language Ttde Tum1og in ConodD? Cultural Survival Qusrtorly 17.2:15·17. FO<bcs. Jaclc D. 1981 . The Survival of Native Amorlcrm M imeographed: UnlvCfSity o f Grimes. Borboro F. Languoges of t/10 World: Languages. Arizona. ed. 1984. Ethnologue. A N D T E RR I TORY sess unique knowledae or plants. tned•· cines. etc. that could be valuable to manlund. II noted thai "small language groups are d•sappearing at an unpreee· dented rate.6. The qual•ty of lofc omong lndogenous people In this hem.sphore varies widely. though on lhc whole 11 Is not ve')' good. lnchan reservatiOnS In the Un1ted States. w.lh the exceptoon of those that have svc· cessful gaming opera lions. are s~<ll among the J)OOfCSt r'CQions In tho country. Indians in the US suffer dlsproportiO<Ia<ely from teen·&ge suicldo <moro thon fouf times Dallas: Wycliff Bible Translators. Hale. Kenneth. 1969. American Indians in Linguistics. l ndlon Historian 2.2:15- 18. 28. the national ovorogo>. subs tance abuse. and other soclolllls. C.onodlan Flrst N ation feserves hove mony of tho some prob· lems. as well os often bolng enmeshed In Reyhnef. Jon. 1993. American Indian Languoge Policy ond School Success. Joumarof Educa!foool Issues of LBnguagB M mority Sruden<s 12 Special Issues: 35- Canadian government OVOf land title and development policy. Amnestx InternatiOnal <1992> prov•des a gl•mpse of the d•ff•cull•es faced t>y lnd•genous people in this hemisP!_lero. and perticutarty in 59. Tal'"""'· Volc~e. 1993. NAFTA· What Can the Native Community E.x.oect if Passed? Nt~ws From lndum Coclntry 7.22:3. Teeter. Karl V. 1976 Algonqu•n. In Nawe LBngu~~ges of<~ Ametic.os. ed•ted by Tho.mas A. Sebeok. Now Yooi<: Plenum Not o s: 1. Diamond <1973) mt~kes the estimate of global language loss. though he calcu· lates the n,,mbor of IMng languages at 6.000. 2. Teeter< 1976) gives an osllmate of 300 Native American languages at contact. 3. Grimes ( 1984) clossilics 176 lan· guages os nea~ oxtinct. of which 49 are in the United Stotcs. In her survey. only Austral1a 'V'Ath 43 comes close to this number: there Is no othef country with more thon 10 critlc&lly endangered lan· guages. Because d·fferent feseafchers use d•Herent cnter•e for determin•ng whether a langu~~ge Is endangered or neatly ex1onc1. thoro Is some dlserepancy 1n the flgur'es. The rulo of thumb used in the J)(esent fGVIOW •• that a language wilh fewef than ono hundrod speakers. all e$derty. can be considered near extinction. 4 . Teeter 0976> eallmates th&l half of all Amer1can Indian lonouagos witl become extinct along wllh this tast generation of speakers. Diamond 0993> cites Michael Krauss of tho University of Alaska at Fairbanks. · For tho 187 Indian languages surviving h'l North Amor1co outside of AJa~ka... Krouss ostlmotos that 149 of these are already moribund.· Fettes C 1993> stoles lhol SO of the 53 Native ian· guages spoken In Cenede afe • consid· ered declining or endongefed. • S . Accord•ng 1 B~scoo <1992). · up to 0 5.000 groops guard 12 percent of the earth's land orca. They d,ffer from the rest of humanity becouse they ltve closer to the SOil and remain d•at•nct from their countries' dom•nant eultufe. • The report also found thai lndogonous people pos· J>Oiilical and legal disputes with the Ull•n America. The Iauer generally live on extreme poverty. havo few of the "9h1s and sei'Viees aceordod lnd.ans •n the U .S . and Canada and ore often tho vtehms of political violence and opprossk>n. 7. There ore few studiel that correlate devek>ornent. resef"V&Uon economies. Of' othef (actOtS With Inchon language reten· lion. A simple companson of median incomes and poverty levels among Indian communities that hovo suffered sevefe language loss with those that have not gives a small fndlcotlon thot those reser· vations that am poorest moy fetaln theif languages bottof. More work Is needed on this question. 8 . With ovef 230 Indian languages. Mexico is tho richest source or Native fan· guoges in tho homlsphoro. Accotd1ng to Tallman <1993> and DePalma <1993>. NAFTA can bo expected 10 rapidly accel· erate the displocement of lnd•ans from their lands and Into che ove~rowded MeJOcan cit1es. Un.ltke the Un.ted States. where only 2.4% of ill popularton Is now engaged on agnculture. on MeJOCO. 26% of the labor fOf'Ce 1S compo:sod of farm WOf'k. ers. and the vast majotuy of these farm· ers are fnd..ans. Sanco com is the leading Mexican crop. the •ntroductK>n of cheaper American com Is l1kety to lead to a loss of jobs. lands. and cultures for millions of Indians. 9. Reyhner <1993> oMminos tho hislol)' of Indian language cducollon In the U.S. and its notable lack of succoss -in light of the new Native Amcricon Languages Act of 1990. Up until mccntly. lndion longuages were either banned or discouraged in schools. The lost few docodes have seen a change of ouitude. but lillie has been accomplished. In 1991. & report prepared bv a United States Department of Edueatiet'l Task FOf'co notod the continuing faolure 10 sl op lndoan language and crlliea loss <Assoc•ated Pross. 1991). The schools managed by lha Bureau ol ln<f""' A/fairs are no<orlous for lhe poor quality ol leache<s and equopmenl . end the derelict condition of the schools themselves. 27 �ENVIRONMENT Indigenous Conferences Reject the Hidrovia Mega-project • This project doesn 't value the rivers. the streams. the forests. the fish. the birds. the Indigenous peo· pies. nor life. It only values the winnings of a few businessmen.· - First Indigenous Encounter of the Paraguay River Basin I ndtgenous peoples who stand to lose thetr homes ~nd ltvclthood as the result or the ~lidrovfa industrial waterway project on the Parnguay· J>aran~ n•·er system met 1R October of 1995 to dtscuss the prOJ~t's tmpact on their tradUJonal econonucs. and to agree on ~ plan Of actton against Hidrovfa . Nivaclt, Ayorco. Angaitt. Guan~. Guarani Nandcva. and Guarani Occidentol r<presentau•·es from the Paragua)' and Ptlcoma)·o m·er basins met scp;u:.uely and came up with a detailed plan of action ag.1inst a project which they s.1y will spell disaster for rhe em'lronment and the communities. The ~hdrovfa proJect would r<qutre widenmg and deepemng the channels of the l'araguay and Paran~. South America~ second largest water system, to allow ocean-going sh•ps ~cccss to the port of Oiceres. Brrual, 2,100 miles upstream rrom the n,·crS mouth near Buenos Atres. Under the t>l~n being studied. the rivers would oc ch~n neled. straightened. ~nd dredged. with tribu· t~ries or the river blocked ofT and rock outcroppmgs in the channel detonated lndtgcnous peoples and environmemahsts msist that H1drovta. nicknamed "llell~ Highway," would devas· tate the river ecosystems, including the Pantanal wetland (the largest in the world). and by e.«enston. the tradttional economtes of the Indigenous peoples which are based on fishing. In the meetings. Indigenous leaders protested that Hidrovfa threatens to worsen the already preconous living standards or the people dependent on 28 the river basms and lead to the colonization of nearby l~nds. "Only 20 percent of Indigenous communhtcs in Paraguay have leg.1ltitlcs to thctr land, and only a fracuon or these are adequate £or sul!otammg a trJdHIOnal lifestyle." strcSSC> the declaration of the Paraguay ba;in. "The llndianl terruortcs of the enun: region will expcncnce pressures e\'cn greater than those that extSt present!)' due to spcculauon on the \'3lue of land and the establishment of r:mching and agricultural mdustries. The result will be more forced evictions. staning with the riverine popula· uons.· The Indigenous coahuons also stated that they were "extreme!)' won1ed" at the lack or informauon and evasive nature of the governmental institutes carrymg out the proJect. This concern was the tmpetus for the formation or the Rros Vtvos coalition, re-groupmg 300 NGOs and Indigenous organizations worldwide. In D<:cember 1995. follow1ng 3 years of pr<ssurc tO achle\'C pubhc panlcipauon 1n the Htdro•1a process. the lntcr·Governmental Comnnnee on I hdrovia (CIH). made up of the states of Argentina. 6olivta. Br.l%11. Paraguay. and Uruguay accepted a proi'O"'I from RIO> VI\'OS to prov1de The Nivac:lt people Wlil be impacted by the Htdrovla project. A'<Yta Ya"' News �E NVIR ON ME NT access to all documents from the feasibility studies of Hidrovfa. Nevenheless, CIH continues to state that construction will begin in the next few months. This has fueled doubts by Indigenous organizations and environmemal groups that the)' will have a meaningful role in the decision-making process. The resolutions of the Paragua)' and Pilcomayo Indigenous encounters call for the unification of Indigenous peoples affected by Hidrovfa and the joint preparation and publication of a diagnostic of the social and environmental conditions they face. As a counterexample to the ofRcial feasibility stud· ies carried out b)' the governments. the diagnostic would directly involve the leaders of Indigenous communities. Important too is the translation and distribution of information on the Hidrovfa project in all the Indian languages spoken in area of impact. Lastl y, they call for an intense and constant Indigenous presence in all of the local, regional. national. and international instances where decisions on Hidrovfa are being made. "\l) lnjonnalion compiled from original documents and from V..1orld Rivers Review (December, 1996), tl1< newsletter of the Jntemalional Ril'ers Networl: ORN). For more information, contact: Coordirwdora de Pueblos lndlgcnas de Ia Cuenca del Rio Pilcomayo, C.C. 1380, Asuncion-Paraguay: Tel: (595-21) 24-427: Fax: (595 21) 55Q-451; or IRN, 1847 Berkeley Way, Berheley, CA 94703: 1<:1: (510) 848-1155; Fax: (510) 848-1008: Email: frn .org: WW\V: hup:/1\V'Ivlv.im.org. "May W e Dream o f a Be tte r Futu re ?" A Le tte r from Indigeno us Peoples of t he Pantanal to t he Interna t ional Deve lo p m e nt Ba nk The following letter was sent by 180 Indigenous people of the world's largest wetlands. the Mato Grosso Pantanal. to the Inter-american Development Bank, regarding the Bank's support for studies for the Paraguay-Parana Hidrovia industrial waterway. and for the Pantanal project, both of which will have environmental and cultural impacts on the region, and both of which are being designed and implemented wi thout consultation with the traditional inhabitants of the region. Aquidauana. Mato Grosso do Sui. Brazil. January 27. 1996 We. the Guatos. Terena. Kaiowa. Bororo. Umotina. Pareci and Kinikinao are the lraditional peoples that the Great C reator chose to live in and protect this region of the world. Throughout time. our ancestors taught us to live in hanmony with the wafers. birds. and planls. as a way of giving thanks and nurturing this gift for our wellbeing. · With the arrival of !he white man came !he roads and the railroad. and then came diseases and new customs which were unknown to us. This was the new civilization. !DB is now financing a large-seale project under the pretext of developing the southern cone. We know that !his project is part of a new re-organization of the world economy. which will truly attend only the ambitions of Vol. 10 No . 1 unscrupulous businessmen. where egotism. nepotism. and polilical rivalries reign and only the fittesl suovive. In this context of the decadence of ·modernity.·· we Indigenous peoples were never considered. and were instead only victimized. We were never consulted. but we recommended !hat this type of ambition must be halted for the good of humanity. Their money musl not disrespect and destroy the homes of our people and of the Great Creator. Our role is to seove the memory of our people and of the Great Crealor. Our role is to seove !he memory of our ancestors and of our tradilions and to defend !he Pantanal. because only in !his way can we go forward towards the future in search of a better life. At !he First Meetings of Indians of !he Pantanal. the Indigenous voice asks: Why do they want to deslroy the nalural walerway7 Who is going to benefit? Who is going to become rich with this? Up to what point is !he !DB aware of the lhreat of destruction and empoverishment which the large-scale projecls bring for our people. We appeal to the Bank to be clear and transparent in its proposals. because our villages are worried. Will we be v ictims? Or may we dream of a betler future? For more information. contact: Rios Vivos Secretariat. Campo Grande. Brazil: tel: 55-67· 724 -3230: fax: 55-67724 -91 09: email: ecoabrmspant@ax.apc.org 29 �... EN VIRONMENT Biobio River: Chilean Government Renews Ralco Dam Concession In the Spring 1995 issue of Abya Yala News we reported that ENDESA. the largest private company in Chile. is planning to constrvct six hydroelectric dams on the Biobfo river in southern Chile. The first of these. Pangue. is already 70% completed. ENDESA now says it will move ahead with constrvction of the largest of the Biobio dam. called Ralco. Ralco threatens to displace 700 people. including 400 Pehuenche Indians. Since our last article. the strvggle to save Biobio and the lands of the PellUenche has been intense. Now, the Chilean state has broken down a barrier for the construction of Ralco. n Janun~y 12. 1995, ENDESA announced that despue oppost· tion by ciuzen grout>S and Indigenous people. members of the Chilean Congress. and even some gov· crnmcnt agencies. the office of the Inspector General of Chile had approved the renewal of ENDESM pi'O\'IStonal concession for surveying in the R.~lco area of the Upper Bioblo. The opposiuon to the renewal had caused the nom>ally autO· matic renewal process to be delayed for nearly a year. The groups opposed the renewal because of the negative impact of the sur· ,·ey;ng work on the ecology of the Upper Biobio >nd the Pehuenche Indigenous O cornmunities who live in the area. Ralco would be a 155 meter-high dam with a 3,400 hectare rese" 'Otr, which would flood over 70 km of the river valley and displaa! over 700 people, includmg 400 Pehucnche 1ndi:ms. Environmental and Indigenous rights groups oppose the project n01 only because of the wtde scale destntction it would cause, bm also because projections of Chile's future energy requirements tndicate that the energy it would produce will not be needed. ENDESA has been continuously con· ducting surveying acti\rities in the an::a. despite the fact that thetr origm.11 pi'0\1· sional concesston exptred in 1993, and their actlvities have consisl.enlly been carried out \\1thout the consent of the l>nd owners. The opposition groups 30 hold that while Ra.lco's impactS have 1101 been evalu>ted or approved by the appropriate government agencies. ENDESA should n01 be penniued 10 conunue to bring destrucuve elemems to the Ralco area. Under Chilean Law (law of PrOtection, Suppon, and Development of Indigenous People), the Pehuenche lnd&..U\S are not n.~uired to leave their ' lands against thetr \\Oil nor to accept any relocation pack>ge offered by ENDESA. The Pehucnche have made clear their opposition to the R.1lco project and the presence of ENDESA reprcscntauves in thetr temtory, but the concession \\111 enable ENDESA re1>resentatives to move through the Pehucnche lnd~ans· territory 3!j.11nst thetr wishes. Opposition to the gr•ming of the permit h.15 been widespread. Onjanu.•ry 19. a press conference was held 10 cnticize the decision to renew the claim. A dedar:nion w:IS signed there by the major en\Oronmemal groups and by youth organizations of the political panles in the go,·eming conluion of Chile. Also. the Chilean Burc.1u of Indian Affairs (Corporaci6n Naclonal de Des.1rollo lndlgcna .. CONADI}, recently created to implement Chile's new Indigenous Peoples law, intervened •&•lnst ENDE· SA. The Pehuenchc communhies in the path of Endes.1s proJect ha\·e had to contend with a well-<>rehestrated campaign or mis~infonnation were mtSied by Endes.1 lmo selhng thetr lands. Others have rcsiSied acuvel)\ asking Endesa engineers to vacate their communities tmmed•ately: "Since u has 1101 been possible to discuss thmgs \\1th ENDESA. and due to the assault that our Mapuche Pehuenche people are being subjected to, we feel forced to take the decision to ask them to leave Pehuenche territory, out of the communuies of Quepuca-Ralco. Palmucho. Qucpuca. Ralco-Lepoy, Lepoy. La Veta , Chenqucco...• (ll'erktn (chtefs) of Quepuca-R.1lc0 and Ralco Lepoy) . .., \lfflu to the Prtstdent Quit, Eduardo F•rt tmd to tlte diplomalic ftpr<wttatlves of Chll< In your own country, asking wm to r<Sptct the rights of lndigeMu< Ptoplts In Chile In accordance wfrh rite Cltiltan Indigenous Peoples law and lntcrnauonal Tttaues.: liduarclo Frei. P•<sldente tie Ia Reptlbllco tk Chile; Fax: +S0-2-690-4020 or +~·2-690· 4J29; http:llw'V\'\fm·sidcnda.cll; jo/tn Biehl. Chil<an l\m/xls$tldor to tit< Unlttd Statts: Fax: 202-887-5579 Compiltd from Corriemcs. news/mer of the Bteblo J\ctton G""'P (GJ\BB), and B•oblo updat« (translated by IRN). For More hiformation, contact: Grupo de Acclon por tl 81obfo, Ernesto Pinto Lagorrigue 112, Rccoltw. Santiago tie Otll<; Te1:+56-2-7J7· H20; Fax: + 56-2-777-6414; rnuJil· gabb@hueltn.r<una.cl and bribery. Some ------- At:lta Yalll News �H u M A N R I GHTS Cocaleras Take to La Paz! A 350-mile March to Demand Human Rights in Bolivia A oout five hundred Quechua- Aymata women organized a 350-mile march from the Chapare (a coca (Erythroxylum coca) producing area) to La Paz. Bolivia\; capital. The women marchers entered 1he capital on January 18, 1996,thiny days after having left from the upper rMches of the Amazon basin. Their main pur~ pose was to demand that the Bolivian govemment of President SAnchez de Lozada respect and enforce human rights in their home region. since abuses against the women and their families, also known as cocaleros, have increased recently. It was the first time organized lndigenous·peas..·mt women from the coca areas marched to L1. Paz to discuss coca-related policies that affect them and their communities. Coca: Spiritual, yet Demonized Coca, the raw material for the production of cocaine, is a native crop to the area. It was first made illegal by the Vienna Convention of 1961. However. due to strong Indigenous resistance (coca holds ancient spiritual and cultural value for the Indigenous peoples who cultivate it), Bolivian officials agreed on a depenalized status. Ritual consumption and cultivation of coca has been a11owed since that time by the Vienna Convention of 1988. However. due to the u ncontrollable status of cocaine expons and consumption abroad. governments have demonized coca leaves. condemning the product and pressing for eradication. Surprisingly, here in the US, the well known writer William F. Buckley Jr. recently reactivated the debate over legalization of dntgs in the jourMI National Review. The fact is that consumption of dntgs in general. and not only of cocaine, has been steadily rising in the US and Europe. A possible answer, Buckley stresses, lies in legalization. (William F. Buckle)• Jr., "The War Vol. 10 No.1 on Drugs is Lost"' National Review. Vol XLVIIl No.2. February 12. 1996: 34-48). War on Drugs or People? In the same way that the War on Drugs is perceived by policy makers as a failure, aoove all in the US, Indigenous peasants are not convinced by the long line of alternatives to coca cultivation. Chapare Indigenous peasants indirectly answer to foreign demand-the ..con· sumption side," in the US and Europe, which is almost never discussed. From the point of view of states. coca harvests must be condemned as the main providers of raw material for cocaine processed outside their domains. The US embassy in La Paz has cominuall)• pressured the Bolivian govemmem for complete eradication of coca fields. However. there has been a general failure to demonstrate the cconornic viability of altemative development projects, or alternative agriculture. Cocaleros are trapped in a never-ending profit cycle based on coca harvests that continue to guarantee their income. and thus their survival. As pan of the march, the cocaleras clearly addressed the fact that criminalization of coca has spelled disaster for the Indigenous peasants of Chapare. The state militarized the area. which they denounced as a violation of their human rights. In addition. the women marchers demanded the cessation of eradication of coca fields. compensalion for Indigenous peasants who were killed or have been physically disabled due to police bnllality in the area, government Stlllpon for initiatives seeking viable alternative development, legal protection for union leaders who represent Indigenous peas.1.nts in the coca areas, the decriminalization and commercialization of coca leaf nationally and internationally, and government account· ability for agreements signed in 1994 regarding the implememation of alternative development projects in the area. The Women's Cocalertl March received massive suppon from the public. A)"nara leader Cristina M~rquez. who represented the COB (Bolivian Workers UniOI\) during lhe march, said the "women are clearly struggling against the neoliberal model" led by President Sanchez. Ximena lturralde and Lidia Katari, first L~dy and vice President 0\rdenas· wife, respectively, agreed to analyze the demands of the cocaleras in order to better understand their situation. UMOPAR: Spreading Terror in the Coca Regions A sharp condemnation of UMOPAR, a specialized ami·dntg amted unit, was voiced by Quechua leader Silvia Laz.~rte. "For us [cocalerasl there is no life, justice. peace nor tranquillity in the coca fields ... we continue to suffer systematic abuses. \Ve want you to think aoout this, " she Slated. This coincides with a recent l'fuman Rights Wacch Americas repon which analyzes the human impacts of the War on Dntgs: "The resources possessed by Bolivian antinarcotics forces are too few: too few men too poor!)' equil>ped are being asked. on the one hand. to banle wellentrenched drug traffickers funded by immense profits. On the other hand. they are being asked to control the thousands of poor people who laoor at the lowest end of the drug production pyramid ... This law enforcement effon. moreover. is conducted in the absence of institutions and traditions that hold public agents accountable for their own adherence to laws protecting civilians from abuse: Quly 1995, Vol. 7, No.8, page 38). '1l (Compiled with information from the Bolivian National Newspaper, Presencia) 31 �I" HUMAN RIGHTS Nimia Apaza, Kolla Lawyer Challenges Argentinean Health Minister Nimia Apaza. an Indigenous Ko/la lawyer in northern Argentina <General Coordinator and Lawyer for the Jujuy Native Council of Organizations), challenged Argentine social welfare minister Herminio G6mez regarding his explanation of infant mortality in the Susques Province. "Infant mortality is not a cultural problem. " she asserts, "it is not true that mothers do not care for their children and that they let them die. • For Apaza. it is "the clash of cultures that is killing our people: Westem culture comes overwhelmingly. bringing so called 'superior and better ideas ' than our traditional culture... • How docs Minister GOmez tltink that infant monalhy rates in Susqucs. dur· ing 1he fors1 momhs of 1995. are linked 10 1he fac1 Lha1 mo1hcrs do no1 1ake L hcir children 10 1he hcahh centers? e presenaed an isola1ed case. possibly due 10 special circumsaances. In fac1. 1he academic calendar in Susques. which was once from summer until M:t)'· was changed from March 10 December. The previous calendar had a log1c: m May. grazing cycles change. and 1hercfore ammals need 10 be laken fanher away 10 find fodder. Moahers 1hat do no1 have older children are forced 10 lake younger children along. If 1hey do no1 lake thear ani- H duces a great imbalance. Susqucs, mdecd. is the sah plateau of JuJUY. This is 10 say that it has linle potable water and its vege1ation is b.1Sically a small perennial bush called T'ola (B<ucharis rola). T'ola prolect.s lhe topsool ·~inSI sarong winds and reproduces with linle minfall, which once created a s1oble source of graze for llamas. The problem os that today. soil ei'OSion has decreased Bunos (mules} were used to tmnspon salt to the lower ,,.neys to tmdc for rom. Nowadays, lllm vs arc considered dan· gcrous on 1hc highways. The police forbod them on the roods. so 1herc is no banering, nor com. On 1he o1her hand, 1hcrc are less gmzing arcos and beasts of burden are dying. People are aware of 1hos problem and they arc trymg to save 1he llama and sheep ons1cad of ca1ing the amount of T'ola in the area. them to survive. Before. families used to own large herds of amrnals and now 1hey ha\'c less th:m fifteen or twent)' heads. In a Strate· gic drama of survival, our people lc:orned to love under-nourished. Under Mercado. an agrononn$1, warned us these strenuous circumstances. the most about 1he ecological consequences, but affected arc the children who conn01 mals 10 graze, nol only will one child was n01 locord by the local au1hori1ies. withsaand high ahi1udc weaLher and sufchc. bua the emirc family will suffer The 1ru1h is 1hat our people tmdotionally fer from bronquilis. pneumonoa, and h.11vesa T'ola for domesuc use. but only whooping cough. because Lhey 001 have food for 1he next rear. 1ake what~ needed. avooding the disrupHow has the school system devalued lion of 1hc nntuml equilibrium. How then do you explain Lbe growLh 1he rradi1ions of your people? o f infant monality r.ues? Can you describe for us the tmdition· Tc:ochers ,v;lh good on1enuons teach h is the clash of cuhurcs thai is ttl diet in Susques? our children to eat cvcry1hing available, killing our people. When I speak about Our diet 1mditionally depended on but because of the geneml devaluation of cuhures. I assume that there is n01 one com-based meals, such as: Chilean our cuhure. 11 is understood 1hat com· superior c-ulture, nor th..1t ours as mferi· (brcakfasl), ulpada, to<ladas (snacks). b.'IS<d foods belong to poor people. So or. The concep1 thai our 1mdilions and lwlapurc<1, k<ll<~t>i, tult>O. caldo. 1111q<W, and when children return home. they no customs arc b.1ckward has made lhis picantes (lunches}. anchi (desen). and longer want 10 eat trnduional foods, and clash and mvasion the cause of malnu- chO£ha (rom beer). To this basoc doe1 we parenos do not ha'" 1he means 10 purtntlon and mfant monalll)~ added quinoo, Java beans, and pOl aloes, chase processed foods. For example. supplememed QCcasionally with chtllona noodles are available, but contain little How has \Vcstern culture affected (llama meat}. nulritional value. The superior value put Susques? on processed food is what is caustng the The people of the city don\ under- Can you explain the traditional eco- malnu1riuon of our people. stand 1hat our people live 'within' nnture nomic patterns of exchange in this and 1hat no one is superior. Mank111d is a_en? r (Excerpts of an inlcmcw by Manana no1 1he king of creauon: we arc all pan Our people obtruncd rom 1hrough CArbajal, "ilh p<mu.«oon from wcckly El of il. When nature is dcs1royed It pro- intcr-corrununal bartering systems. Pa1riota, l.n P~ Nov IJ. J 7, J995) Ecological collapse has caused deseruOcalion of the highlands. T'ola has been used as a fuel in the school ki1chen furm'ccs because there is no money avail· able for o1her fomos of fuel. Horncio '"II 32 A'<Yya Yala News �_ _ __,_ U M A H. N RIGHTS ,., Namandu: A Guarani Community Pays a Heavy Price for a National Park in Misiones,Argentina n the lOth of October. 1995. soon after mid-day. a group of unifonned. am1ed men from the Body of Park Wardens of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Government of Misiones entered the Mby'a Guaranf community of Namandu-Arroyo Azul and destroyed its dwellings and nearby fields. The motive for the attack remains unknown. but il is widely believed that it was due to the political interests associated with the creation of the Provincial Park of CuM Piru, and the broader governmental plans tO bring tourism to the area. O The area of NamandU is looued in the eastern end of the valley of CuM Piru. in the center of the province of Misioncs of nonhcastem Argentina. lt is covered with virgin rainforest and is one of the last undeveloped are.'IS of the Parana-Misiones Forest. It is also sacred to the eleven Mby'a Guaranf communities thm live there. The three communities of Namandu (Arroyo Azul, Namandu and Tamandua-i) are considered the guardians of the sacred area. Only four women. the children. and the elderly were present in the village when the uniformed men arrived say· ing that, in the name of the government, they had to 'vithdraw from the provincial park immediately. The women responded in Guarani Mby'a that they would wait until the men returned. When the women refused to accompany them out of the park, the officials broke into the dwellings, threw out all of the belongings, and destroyed all of the dwellings in the community, including the "House of Prayer" (Opy). Then they destroyed the communitys Vol. 10 No.1 flelds-<\11 of which were ready for har- vest. Soon the men returned from the forest \vith food and found their community completely destroyed. They quickly sought refuge in nearby villages. On the 12th of October, \vith the help of other chiefs, the members of are demanding that a Communily Indigenous Territory in the name of the Guaranf be created out of the Provincial Park. Ku Pin•. that would be pan of the Natural Cultural Reserve. '11 Please show your support for the Guarani p<ople by w•iting lette•> demanding: NamandU-Arroyo Azul wrote a leuer to Lorenzo Ramos, leader of the Counsel of Caciques (chiefs) of the Guarani People. They stated that. •we are 13 aboriginal families that. for a long time. have lived on this forest. Eight of our families have been evicted: fony people, old and )'Oung... Today we are thrown out into the streets and we sleep in the forest and don't have anything to eat. The children arc getting sick and us poor mothers and fathers, we don\ know what to do with them because we "This in an incident that does not deseNe all the expensive 'hoopla· that has been made over it. " -Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources abandoned our houses and the fields of manioc and wheat . We are suffering.. . We do not know what will happen .. . VVe do not know why we were evicted ... Although the MiniSter of Ecolog)' and Natural Rcsoun:es did not accept the responsibility for the events of NaTnandU and stated, ..This in an inci- ~ that tht governmtm r'tpair t11c damages they l1ave incumd and char the wardens be made legally n;sr>ansible in a courr cflaw; • supp<>n of the reqtr<St cf the Guaranf communities of Ku PirU that their land be demarcated in a Community Indigenous Tcnitory of 12,000 hcctan:s; • the re-establishment of Law 2435 that rccogni.tt.s the Guaratlf People. and their politi· cal. social. economic, and adtumi systems. ami grants them relative aut0110my; Sr. Gobernador de Ia Provincia de Misiones. Don Federico Ram6n Pucrta, Casa del Gobierno, 3300 Posadas, Al);<ntill<l; Tel: 54752-34483 Sr. Pn;sldcnte de Ia Nad6n. D.: Carlos S. Menem. Casa de Gobierno, Balcan:c 50, 1000 Buenos Ain:s: Argentina; Fax: 54-1331-6376: Tel: 54-1-343-3051 St Presidente de la Cd.mara de Dipuwdos de Misiones, Don l'lector Caballero, P<l1acio l.egislati\'O, lvanoswky 1950, 3300 Posadas, Fax: 54-752-39193 dent that does not deserve all the expensive 'hoopla' that has been made Argenlint~; over it," in November a court case For more infonnation contact the Cenlro Mocovi "/aiel> J..av'a: Casilla de Conw 36, 2728 Melinwt (/'rov. de Sanra Ft), Argentina; Tel: ~4) 0465·99015; Fax: ~4) 0465-99197. ensued during which an "apology• was issued. The Counsel of Caciques of the Guarani People continue to pressure the local and national governments and 33 �ORGANIZ A TION AN D CO MMU N IC A TIO N Forging Unity, Zapatistas Call for Indigenous Forum ith more than 300 delegates, 250 guests. and international observers and reponers. the Nauonal lndtgenous Forum took place on january 3-9. 1996. in SM CriSI6bal de las C.'\5.'\S, in an area called the Valley of jO\'el. The 0\'Cnl \\01$ co.lk<J b)' the EZLN (Zapatista t\rmy of National Liberntion), the Commission for l':lciflcation (COCOPA). ond the Plurnl Indigenous Assembly for Autonomous Reg1ons (ANIPA). Twenty four Zapatista commanders. four of W them women. panicip..1ted in the Forum by cha1ring the Working Commissions. The orgamzauonal frnme of the Forum revolved around 1hc objectives of the comrovcrsial "'Peace with Dignity and Justice- ncgoliaaions be1ween the government o£ President Emesto Zed1llo ond the EZLN occumng in San Andr~s lamlinzar, Chiap.1s. There the panics reached agreements on the firS! theme of lndig~nous Culture and Rights on january 18. Previous 10 the Fonun, the EZLN consulted ""h its more than one hundred ad\'1strs out of which 40 are Indigenous people. The Forum was divided into six Working Commis:;ions: I . Communi!y and Autonomy. Indigenous Rights 2. lnd1genous Culture 3. Indigenous Education 4. Condnion, Rights. and Culture of lndtgcnous \\~men 5. lnd1gcnous Peoples and Mediums of Comtnumcntion 6. Polhical Represcntmion and Panicipauon of lnd1genous Peoples It was 1he first 11me that the Zapatis1as met with 1ndigenous representatives from most of 1hc 57 Indigenous nations m Mexico. numberIng today approximately 14 m1lhon. In the Rcsoluuons. n>ost of the delcgmes expressed strong support for Autonomous Indigenous Regions as well as the need 10 ha,·e • pcnn3nent forum to d1scuss lnd1gcnous 1ssucs. Another resolution that came out of the Forum was 10 demand that the go"emmtnl and congress reinstate anicle 27 of the CollSiitution in order 10 ensure that communal lands woni be sold 10 outSiders. Also. the Forum proposed 10 change st\'ernl other an1cles of the Conslitution wnh aim to create a plun· nauonal state adapted 10 the many pueblos thm hvc in Mexico toda)' Margarita Guti~rrez. N3nhu from the SIOI< ofH1dalgo and one of the coordinators of ANIPA. spoke poshivcly of 1he evem ...Thas is a great Forum because u has united grassroots lnd1gcnous Represcmall,·es. and engaging in dialogue wilh the f:ZLN com- manders helps tO have an underst..1ndmg of the cuhures and problems we are facing. Also. the faet that m the EZLN women ha"e full panicipauon is very poshivc. \Ve hnvc to mnkc :m intenlnl revolution f.rst which is 10 allow women 10 p.1n1c1pate fully m all dect- SIOn-making processes... ,a Peace Accord Signed by EZLN and M exican Government ""J'"he EZLN and the Me>cican state agreed on a preliminary I peace agreement on Februaty 16th Ill the Chiapas town of San Andres Larrainzar. It was agreed that lndogeoous rights must be stated in the constitution: that Indigenous pol1bcal participation and representation be widely broadened: that just.ce be guaranteed to Indigenous peoples: that Indigenous cultural expression be supported: and that Indigenous peoples receive support for the creation of their own educational systems. . The peace agreement comes alte< the roundtable of negotoatiOn from January 10· t 8 in San Andres Sacamch ·en de los Pobres. where the two factions agreed to re-define the relationship between the state and Indigenous peoples. ex establish pnooples and components lex the construction of a ·new soctal contract.· in whiCh Indigenous peoples participate as full members of society. all 'lloithln the context of a ·profound reform of the state.- 34 By far the most s1gnifteant advance of the negotiations are the mocltfications to the Mexican constitution. namely the recognit1on of indigenous peoples' righ t to self-determination and autonomy. This comes alter an initial stance of complete reject1on of the even the mentton of the word • self-deterrn1natoon.- However. due to political pressures. the need to re-establish M exico's Image of stability as seen from abroad . and a negotiated definition of the nature of autonomy. the government conceded. What is the nature of the ·Autonomy" granted to Indigenous peoples after this Initial round of agreements? Autonomy was declared at the ·communal" level. which 1S a far cry from the Indigenous vision of distinct and proper temtorial. juridical. and political entitles. This point will no-doubt be contested In negotiating sessions to come. �ORGANIZA TIO N AND COM M UNIC ATIO N OAS Drafts Inter-American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Recently, the Organization of American States <OASJ distributed a rough draft of a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. On February 27-28, 1996, the IACHR (see below) of the OAS organized a reunion in Guatemala in which Indigenous leaders critiqued the declaration. The initial May deadline for receiving the input of Indigenous people has been indefinitely postponed, so there is time to unify Indigenous voices into one to modify the Declaration. For this, Indigenous peoples must come together in inter-regional meetings. SAIIC encourages the OAS to go further, as the Draft Declaration falls short of meeting the aspirations of Indigenous peoples for their collective rights. Despite addressing key problems Faced by Indian communities, the paternalistic dominance of national ideology pervades the document, leaving Indigenous peoples in a subaltern position of entities somehow "protected" by nation-states. In what follows, we present excerpts from the Draft Declaration. he present draft has been approved by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (lACHR) of the OAS for consultation about its tex.l with Governments, indigenous T organizations. other interested institutions and experts. On the basis of their answers and comments. the IACHR will prepare its final proposal to be presented to the General Assembly of the OAS. Section One. 'Indigenous Peoples' An. 1. Definition. 3. The usc or the term · peoples" in this lnstnunent shall not be construed as having any implication with respect to any other rights that might be attached 10 that term in international law. Section Two.' Human Rights• Art. II . Full observance o r human rights 3. The States also recognize that the indigenous peoples are entitled 1 collective rights insofar as they are indispensable 10 0 the enjoyment of the individual human rights of their members. Accordingly they recognize the right of the indigenous peoples 10 collective action, to their cultures, 1 profess and 0 practice their spiritual beliefs and 10 usc their languages. Art. V. No fo rced assimilation. The States shall not take any action which forces indige· nous peoples to assimilate and shall not endorse any theory, or engage in any practice, that imports discrimination, dCSintC· tion of a culture or the possibility of the extermination of any eth nic group. Section Three. Cultural Development Art. XVI. Indigenous Law. 1. Indigenous law is an integral part of the States' legal sys· tern and of the framework in which their social and economic d evelopment takes place. 2. Indigenous peoples are entitled to maintain and reinforce their indigenous legal systems and also 10 apply them to matters within their communities, including systems pertainVol. 10 No. 1 ing 10 ownership of real property and natural resources, resolution of conflicts within and between indigenous communi· ties. crime prevention and law enforcement. and maintenance of internal peace and harmony. Section Five. Social, Economic. and Property Rights 5. In the event that ownership of the minerals or resources of the subsoil pertains 10 the State or that the State has rights over Other resources on the lands, the governments must establish or maintain procedures for the panicipation of the peoples concerned in determining whether the interests of these people would be adversely affected and 10 what extent, before undertaking or authorizing any program for tapping or exploiting existing resources on their lands. The peoples concerned shall panicipate in the benefits of such activities, and shall receive compensation in accordance with international Jaw. for any damages which they may sustain as a result of such activities. Art. XX. lntellcclllal propeny rights. I. Indigenous peoples shall be entitled 10 recognition of the full ownership, control and protection of such intellectual propeny rights as they have in their cultural and artistic her· itage. as well as special measures to ensure for them legal sta· 1us and institutional capacity to develop, use, share, market and beque.~th, that heritage on to future generations. 2. Where circumstances so warrant, indigenous peoples have the right 10 special measures 10 control, develop and protect, and full compensation for the usc of their sciences and technologies, including their human and genetic resources in general, seeds, medicine. k nowledge of plant and animal life, original designs and procedures. Section Six. General P-rovisions An. XXIV. Nothing in this instrument shall be construed as granting any rights 10 ignore boundaries between States. September 19. 1995. 35 �ORGANIZATION AND C O MMUNI C ATION Conrlnued from pase 21 ABYAYALA NEWS BACK ISSUES! <Back issues are available in both Spani s h and Engli s h for $3 each plus shipping. Before 1993, the journal w as called SAIIC N ewslette r .) 0 State Frontiers and Indian Nations Vol. 9 No.1, Spnng 1995: :l II Continental Encounter o f Includes: • Ecuador-Peru Border War • InterVIew Leonardo Yoteri • Mexoco's Domestic and International Borders <not available in Spanish); Also includes: • Od Companies Take Over the Ecuadorian Amazon • Free Trade's Assault on lndogenouS Roghts 0 Confronting Bloeo1onlallsm Vol. 8. No. 4. Winter 1994: Includes: • The Human Genome Dtversity Proje<:t • Safeguarding Indigenous Knowledge • The Guaymi Patent • Biodiversity and Community Integrity 0 Indian Movements and The Electoral Process Vol. 8. No. 3, Fall 1994: Includes: • MeXICO: Indigenous Suffrage Under Protest • Bolivia: Reconstructing the Ayllu • Guatemala: Maya PolotiC81 Crossroads • Colombia: Spe<:ial Indian Oistricting :l Chiapas: Indigenous Upris ing with Campeslno Demands? Vol. 8. Nos. I & 2. Summer I 994: Includes: • M aya Identity and the Zapatista Upnsing • Chronology of Events • Indigenous and Campesino Peace Proposals • Interview woth AntoniO Hernandez Cruz of CIOAC Indigenous Peoples Vol. 7. Nos. 3 & 4. Winter t99 3 0 1993 Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples Vol. 7. Nos. t & 2. Winter/Spring 1993: Includes: • UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights • Statement of Indigenous Natoons at the UN 0 Exclusive Interviews with Four Indian Leaders Vol. 6, No. 4. Fall t 992: Interviews: • Miqueas Mollares. AIOESEP <Perul • Mateo Chumu·a. Guaroni <Bolivia) • Margarito Ruiz, FIPI <Mexico) • Callxta Gabriel. Kaqchikel Maya <Guatemala) 0 M arch on Quito: Amazon Indians Demand t o be Heard Vol. 6. No. 3 . Spring & Summer t992 <not avaolable on Spanosh) Also oncludes: • Interview with President of ONIC (Colomboal • CCN::; llloeelrg n I<Lra YdEI <F\nm)} 0 News from Around the Continent Vol. 6. Nos. t & 2. Spring & Summer t 991: Includes: • Pehuenche Organizing Pays Off <Chile) • South and Central American Women's Gathering <Peru) What has been tht response or people in the cities or Brazil? Arc they aware or the situation? I think thnt there 1S some acuvity. There 1S talk or Ollpnizing a pi'Oiest on Brastloo. When there is money to bring 300-400 lndinns to Brasilia, there is always liule time to plan. Wh :11 iS th e Situation regarding th e COil• struction of lhc go,•ernment dam on the Cotingo Rh·er? The conStnoction of the dam was suspended. and electricuy ,v;n be brought m from Venezuela inslcad. But. we don\ know what '"'" happen later on. Is the border area heavily militarized? The nnluary is on Nonnandoa and B.S. They want to build a town, and they keep coming through the area. helping the r:mchcrs, bummg an lndoan home here and there. l-low about in Indigenous areas? Calha None included a base withm R. ~)l05.'l1Serr.l do Sol. but they don\ ha,•e money to build it yet The molitary has declared nstlr agaonst demarcation of Indian lands. and suppons loc\11 interests. They built a blocklde on the only road that hnks the crues "ith the malocas, and assened the right to search entering Indians to intamidate them. Arc Indian lands subject to organized invasions by large c:ompanic-S. or Sm:\ll landless rarmcrs a.nd miners? The larger economiC intcre.sls howe plans to get into the area. They '""nt to get the miners out, so they can come in. But . we don\ want anyone to come m. "!' Send fax<$ to Prtsitlent Fmrando Henrlqut <Ardoso .,Jorrg him (0 guarantee riot dtnurre<l· Iron of lnd1gcnou.$ areas 1n Brazil, and to re\'oJ~r Ow<e1775: Htnro~ <Ardow. Prrso<knt of the Rcrmbli<, Palddo do rtanallo, Brasilia - 01' 70.160-900, fax: 55-61-226-7566. <mail: Frrnando pr@cr-df.mp.br A'r>[a Yala News �ORGANIZ A TION AND COMMUNICA T I ON • URACCAN Offers Degree 1n Indigenous Rights "For more than five centuries others have spoken For us. Today we want to begin to speak with our own voices on this October 12. when we commemorate once more the history of resistance of Indigenous peoples of the A merican Continent and as we launch a Degree Course in Indigenous Rights in our own university ''- URACCAN, the University of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua W American ith that invocation to the more than 500 years of Indigenous resistance on the Continent, Dr. Mlrna Cunningham, Rector of the new univer· sity URACCAN, began her address inaugurating a degree course in Indigenous Rights-a speech that showed that this new post-secondary educational institution in Nicaragua is dedicated to take the forefront of the struggle to defend and extend the rights of the Caribbean Coast peoples. Above all. URACCAN will be innovative and open 10 serve the real needs of the Caribbean Coast mosaic of minority peoples--Miskito, Sumu, Rama, Garlfuna, Blacks-who have been historically marginalized and oppressed by the Nicaraguan state. It will also reinforce the autonomous status of the Caribbean Coast area of Nicaragua by forming local experts in the fields of natural resource management who can prevent the exploitation of coastal resources by outside forces. The degree course in Indigenous Rights, inaugurated in 6ilwi (Puerto Cabezas), capital of the RAAN (North Atlantic Autonomous Region), is supponed and financed by a coalition composed of the internal budget of URACCAN , the Nicaraguan state, and International NGOs. It is a Bachelor level diploma that will be recognized as a basis to enter Master or Doctoral level degree courses in Nicaragua. The URACCAN Depanment supervising this course is headed by Y Zapata; coursuri es will be taught by Or. Hazel Lau, a well known Miskito leader and lawyer. · w e are merely demanding," Cunningham assened, ·a fundamental Vol. 10 No.1 right for Indigenous peoples and ethnic communities of the Caribbean Coast...our systematic and effective participation in the development of our own educational program.· The national educational system and national uni- versities. she says. have "'no roots in our culture and thus (cannot( respond to the urgent problems of our communities.ot Mirna Cunningham is well known as a continental Indigenous leader. In 1992 she presided the work of convoking and assembling the Third Continental Encounter of Indigenous. Black, and Grassroots Resistance. held in Managua. She is a member of the Nicaraguan Parliament representing the Pueno Cabezas (6ih,1) region. She is also one of the principal architects of the autonomy process rhar led the Sandinista government in 1987 to enact the Autonomy Law, a Constitutional provision that recognized autonomous status for the north and south Caribbean Coast regions. Indigenous peoples on the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast face severe marginalization. Unemployment in the RAAN is now around 90%, and for the RAAS (South Arlamic Autonomous Region) it is 70%. The Atlantic Coast area has the highest levels of mortality for early maternity: Three out of every four unemployed persons are women. and there is an increase in rape and abuse brought about by social decomposition and drug consumption. Francisco Cambell, who recently travelled to the US in se.1rch of fun her support for the program, spoke eloquently of URACCAN's historical place in the lives of the 61ack and Indigenous peoples of the coast. "The Autonomy Process was the greatest historical shift from the liberal. nationalist ideology that to be Mesri~o and Catholic is the only legitimate form of belonging and identity. Now, the peoples of the region say, 'We will bui1d our university.'" The establishment of an Indigenous Rights curriculum will further the autonomy process in the Atlantic Coast region by giving local peoples the educational training necessary to build the juridical framework for the reclaiming of rhe native econom)• and political system . In addition, the program ' viii do this in a way that respects the various cultural expressions presem on the Caribbean coast: "'unity in diversity,'" which must also integrate the cosmovision of the Black Caribbean community. It will also decentralize the whole process of education, taking students into coastal communities for work~ shops. seminars, and open-ended, participatory sessions. The course, however, is offered only on the Bil"1 campus, which will favor Miskitos over Sumus because of its location. Hence the need to open another program in the Bonanza region to the benefit of the Sumu communities. , . Adapted from a Courneyeur ltxl by Felipe Sruarr For informalion aboiu URACCAN conracr: URACCAN, Edificio El Carmen del Canal 4 112c. al sur. Managua, Nicaragua; Tel: 5052-682-143; Fax: 505-2-682-145; or fswan@uugare.uni.rain.ni; Fax: 505-2-682145 37 �ANNOUNCEMENTS A N 0 A o s Cultural Survival Canada: Research, Education, and Advocacy in Biocolonial Times round the world, Indigenous peoples ~rc the care· mals, and genetic material frorn biochversity rich regions. takers of sacred knowledge about the unity of all liv- ~nd of the associated knowledge-systems or indigenous ing things and life processes. fron1 genes. micro- peoples. Whether the Convention becomes a mechanism orgamsms and spectcs. to hu01an societies and the ecosys- for protecting indigenous peoples' nghts or a tool for tems m which we h\'C, These g•fts or the Crtator have entrenchtng boocolonoahsm will depend to a large extent on 0ns enabled our peoples to survive five centuries of colonialism the negotl:\l1 set to begin in November in Buenos Aires and to continue to nunurc an extraordinary diversity and where the Conference of the Parties to the CBD finally has richness of life. even within our n1uch dommished land Indigenous peoples' nghts on agenda base. Our sacred relauonship with Mother Eanh os also votal for hun1~nity as a whole as the world seeks ways to rebal· For more mformauon, please conrac1: ancc hum:m needs wi1h respect for the environment. Today, however, the gifts of the Creator ~rc under siege Culzural Surviwd Canada. International Coordinat111g Offtet. by corporations and governments auen1pung to make life lndigtnous Ptoplc.s' Biodo\'trsoty Nttwork OPBN) 30-1-200 lsab<lla itselr another form of pri\'ate propeny. Thos new wa\'e of Strw, Onawa, ON. Canada, KIS IV7 Phon<: 613·231·5361; colonialism seeks to open one ·Jast fromier'" for economic Fax: 613-2J7-1547: Emml: csc®wtb.OJ>C.org glob~hzation: the expropriation of our knowledge and the privatiz:uion of sacred plants. animals and our own genes. Cultural Survival Canada (CSC) os an autonomous ch.1r· itable organi:ation supponing lndogenous peoples' Struggles for sclf-deternunntion and territorial mtegrity. In the face of this new w~wc of coloninlism. we arc engaged in research, public education and advocacy around issues of biotechnology. intellectual property rights, and other aspects of the international trade on genes and Indigenous knowledge. CS Canada nlso suppons ad,·ocacy and capacol)'·building initiatives aimed at strengthening Indigenous peoples' ability to intervene m mtcrnmional fora where pohcoes on biocolomahsm are bemg shaped. A .. BUFf) Iii .r. COM Biodive rsity and Human Rights esc is working closely with indogenous peoples' org.•· nizatlons around the Fourth International Technocal Conference on Plant Genetic Resources of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (Uepzig. Germany, June 1996). the FAO's Food Security Summit (November 1996. Rome), UNESCO's Imernationnl Bloethics Commi11ee and, critically, the next meeting of the signatones to the Conventoon on Boologocal Doversoty (CBD) (('10\'ember 1996, Buenos Aires). The CSD is a binding intergovernmental agreement rat· ified by 138 States. tncluding the ma;orit)' of stotes'" South and Meso America While the Convention does include some recognition of the rights of Indigenous peoples O\'Cr our knowledge and mnovations. private and public inter· eSLs in the Nortl:l are clearly poised to usc the Convention as a fron1ework for expanded privatization of plants. ano38 -~~ on biological divc,..Ity Bullalo COmmons dclbut:s BlooOJonJallsm: u lo>l>alJut t:ma11: csc@web.apc.org. - Abya Yala -News �S A I I C 'News from SAIIC ••• incc our last journal in November of 1995, SAllC passed through a difficult period. which has slowed the publication of Abya Yala News. We apologize to our readers for this inconvenience. In spite of many S difficulties, our work with Indigenous peoples has continued on stronger than ever. \'~~le had numerous visitors. worked on many different campaigns. and stayed long hours to do it all. We are very pleased to announce that Amalia Dixon is now Director of SAllC. Amalia's experiences as a Miskita woman in the autonomous Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua have prepared her well for the rigors of the SAllC directorship. It is a pleasure to work with her. SAIIC is pleased to announce that Mariana Chuquin, a Quichua woman from Ecuador has joined us as member of the board of directors. Mariana is from the community of Mariano Acosta in the province of lmbabura. Mariana attended the Universidad del None in Ecuador as a single mother. She moved to the US in 1984. and now works in Social Services for the community of San Francisco's Tenderloin district, providing health, food. free shelter. clothing. counseling, and information resources. She has remained active in the Indigenous Movemem through il all. \Velcome, Matiana. Laura Soriano Morales, a MixteC· Zapotec woman from Oaxaca, Mexico, has joined SAIIC to coordinate and produce SAIIC's radio program. Laura is pan of the Binational Oaxac.an Indigenous Front, and has a long hisVol. 10 No.1 tOr)' of working in the Indigenous to this poil'll, we have taped a program on Biodiversity and Biopiracy for the purposes of informing Indigenous peoples of this new fom> of colonialism. The radio prosram also consists of a segment of news entitled "Indigenous Voices.· Radio programs are taped and distributed to over seventy different Indigenous radio stations and organizalions in L1.tin America. SAIIC welcomes David Rothschi ld as the new Administration and Project Coordinator. David graduated from the University of California. Santa Cruz, with a Major in Latin American Studies. David has worked with vari· ous Indigenous organizations in Ecuador including CONA IE. He is presently working on a book focusing on Biodiversity and Indigenous Intellectual Propert)' Rights, to be published in English and Spanish. In late October. we received the visit of j ose Jacir de Souza. long·timc Macuxi activist in Brazil. jacir extend· eel his speaking tour from the East Coast to the West. and had great success here in the Ba)' Area. We had the privilege of conducting an interview with him with the help of Leda Martins and Glenn Switkes. Between November and january. Gihon Mendes. an intern from Brazil, worked with SAIIC in developing closer solidarity ties with Indigenous organizations in the Brazilian Amazon. Gilton compiled key information on the changes in the Brazilian Indian land legal structures and also net· worked with and presented his work movement. Up to area activists. It was a pleasure hav· ing Gihon here working with us. SAIIC also received the visit of a Sami delegation (the Sami people are indigenm.1s to what is today Norway. Finland, Sweden, and parts of northern Russia). During their visit, we exchanged common experiences or fighting for territorial rights. issues of representation, and the struggle to pre.serve and manage the earthS natur* al resources. We thank them for com· ing to see us. Lastl)', we were luck)' enough to receive the v1s1t of Francisco Campbell . who is Vice-President of URACCAN. the Universit)' of the Autonomous Region of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua. Francisco talked to SAIIC about this brand new initiative to provide Indigenous education and training to the Sumu. Miskito, Rama, and Garlfuna peoples in Nicaragua. Several people have left SAIIC since our last journal: Le ticia Valdez. And rew Bartle tt , Marc Becker, and Cher yl Musch .We take this opportunit)' to thank them for their warm dedication to SAIIC and wish thern the best in all their future endeavors. ABYA YALA NEWS 39 �ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM SAIIC Daughters of Abya Yala Testimonies of Indian women organizing throughout the Continent. Statements from grassroots Indian women leaders from South and Meso America. Includes resolutions from Indigenous women's meetings. a directory of Indian ~.>aJ women's organizations and key contacts. information on lndi'\)1 women's projects. and poems by Indian women. Contains 128 pages with beautiful black and white photographs. Printed on recy· cled paper. $8 + $3.00 shipping. · Video: A Skirt Full of Butterflies 15 minutes. A love poem to the Isthmus Zapotec women · of southern Oaxaca. Mexico. by filmmakers Ellen Osborne and Maureen Gosling. For every purchase made. a second copy will be sent to an Indigenous women's o~ganization as a gilt. $19.95 + $3.00 shipping. Video: Columbus Didn't Discover Us Native people's perspectives on the Columbus Quincentennial based on the footage of the 1990 Quito Conference. 24 minutes. A co-production of SAIIC. CONAIE. ONIC and Turning Tode Productions. Available in Spanish or English. $19.95 + $3.00 shipping. Amazonia: Voices from the Rainforest A resource and action guide with a comprehensive list· ing of international rainforest and Amazonian Indian organizations sponsored by SAIIC and the International Rivers Network. and published by Rainforest Action Network and Amazonia Film Project. 1990. Available in Spanish or English for $4.50 + $3.00 shipping. ·1992 International Directory & Resource Guide An annotated directory of over 600 international organizations that participated in 500 Years of Resistance projects. Includes declarations from Indigenous conferences and organizations and information on curriculum resources. speakers bureaus. computer networks. audio-visual .resources and print resources. $5.00 + $3.00 shipping. "Indigenous Voices" Radio Program SAIIC's latest taped radio program is now available. Focusing,on topics related to biodiversity and Indigenous peoples. it serves as an informative base with which Indigenous peoples can protect themselves against unwelcome bioprospecting and biopiracy. 1 hour. Narrated by members of SAIIC's Board of Directors. <Available in Spanish only) $8.00 + $3.00 shipping. South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) P.O. Box 28703, Oakland, CA 94604 Non-profit Organization US Postage PAID Oakland, CA Permit No. ?9 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no 1 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English Zotero Issue 1 Language English Publication Title SAIIC Newsletter Volume 10 Pages 1-40 Abstract Note Entire issue