77 12 1190 http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/df8f88ea081db569e7e598e2e3a0600b.pdf 173f8a0b5ce57e7f66f3340924f71e19 PDF Text Text I N B R I E F_ _ ,_,_ Indian Communities Trapped by Ecuador-Peru Border Conflict ighting erupted between the Peruvian and Ecuadorian armies in a disputed Amazon border region ~long the Ccnepa Rh·er valley on jan. 26. What looked at first like an isolated border skirmish has escalated into an intense conOict F At a press conference concluding their visit. the commission announced that the govemment could St<tnd in \'io1ation of the right to life and well·being as a result of oil pollution in the Amazon. t\ final repon on the visit has yet to be released. For more info,.matwn. coruacr: with at leasl 47 dead and 94 wounded combatants. The Sierra Qub l..tgal Dtj01S< Fund. /80 Montgomery St.. Suire HOO. S<ln Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) demanded a cease fire on Jan. 3 1. stating that. "'more than 300 communities a.re located in the zone of mili· FranclS<o, CA 9410-1, (415) 627·6700. FGX: (-liS) 62i·6i40, email: scldjsj@igc.copc.org. tary connic.t, these Indigenous cornmunilies that have nol Peruvian Indian Communities File Suit Against Texaco n December 29. a class action la,vsuit \I/3S filed in feder- been auended by either the government of Peru or of Ecuador". An unknown number of Indian residents of the region have been displaced from their communities. despite calls by CONAIE for the governments to respect the lives and territo· ry of Indigenous peoples. The war is reportedly costing each side overS 10 million a day. and has heated up with bombings on each side of the border and the downing of several Peruvian planes and a helicopter. Ecuador accepted a CCtlSC· fire mediation offer from former US president Jimmy C:mer and former COSta Rica president Oscar Arias. but Pcno declined to comment on the offer. OAS Commission Investigates Ecuadorian Human Rights Violations or yem'S. Indigenous organizations in the Ecuadorian Fmassive oilh•we suffered hum-an rightsb}'violations asmultina· Amazon a resuh or dC\'Cloptnem carried US-based OUl tiona! corporations and the Ecuadorian government within their territories. The struggle to resolve these problems hit a turning point on Nov. 7 when the Org...'\nit3tion of American Sunes· spe(:ial commission on hun'la.n rights arrh•ed in Ecuador to investigate human rights abuses in that country. Although the commission framed its visit as a general investigation of the human rights situation in Ecuador. the impact of oil development on Indigenous peoples was one of O al coun in New York on behalf of 20.000 Indigenous people !hong on and around the Napo River in the nonheast Peruvian Amazon. The suit charges that mismanaged Texaco activities within Ecuador, along the upper ~ches or the Napo River, caused severe damage to the lnditms' w3y of life in Peru- damage due to the release of huge amoums of toxic chemicals. and to repeated oil spills. This case follows a ground-breaking victory by Ecuadorian Indian organizations in the spring of 1994, when a New York coun held that Texaco could be held liable in US couns for their actions in Ecuador. The Peruvian suit charges Lhat ··texaco deliberately ignored reasonable and S<lfe practices and treated the pristine Amazon roin forest ... :md its people as a toxic waste dump... lt runhcr contends that over 400 flawed well sites were built. despite Texaco's full knowledge that they would ·rcsuh in SC\'Cre spills and environmental damages. The Ecuadorian governmem estimates that Texaco spilled 16.8 million gallotlS of crude oil and oil residues in its Amazonian provinces. with an unknov.m portion winding up downriver in Peru. As recently as J992. the Peruvian Rio Napo ran black with crude that had been released upstream . Irifonnati(}l1 I'YOYid<d by Edwatd f-lmnmcml.. two topics the Commission actually in\'cstigated (the other bemg the treatment of prisoners) . Half of the Commissions delegation traveled to the Oriente region. where they met with representatives from grassroots organizations and leaders or Lhe eoran and Siona·Secora tthnic groups. Commission members were appalled at Lhe impact of Texaco oil develop· ment on the envir onment. The Commission also mt:l with a Huaorani community from the Napo region who reponed on .J>ollution and the encroachment of colonists in their territory. In addition to meeting with state authorities, the Commission consulted environmental. human rights, and Indigenous organizations. including representatives from: CONAl E. CONFENIAE. COICA. ECUARUNARI, FICI, FOIN, and OINt\E. 4 Brazilian Senate Proposes Law Threatening Land Demarcation he Brazilian Stn..1te 3pproved a bill 3imed at eventually reducing existing 1ndian Areas within frontier zones. nnd T complicating the process of rmure demarcations. 10 become law. this bill will have to be approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the President of Lhe Republic. If approved. the btl! will put the already demarcated Yanomami Indian Area. located along the Venezuelan border, at risk of being reduced. The bill threatens not only the Yanomami. but would be a blow to all Indian peoples in Brazil. It is supported by CCO· nomic groups with a \'CSted intcr~t in exploiting the natural resources within the Indian Areas. as wen as cenain sectors or Abya Ya~ News �11'4 the mllillU)' who onsist th~t lndoan l•nds 111 the frontier zone thr-e:ucn nntlon:al security and tht: rnnintc:nancc: of Brazthan sovereignty. Tho$ erron by the Senate is one more obstacle to the already slow process of dcm~rcating Indian lands in Bmzil. According to the bill. future denmaotions would "'quorc the appro,'lll or the N•uon:tl Cong=. Addition~! provi.soon.s would require the Prau:itnt 10 consult ''ith th~ govemnttm of tM state in whoch the Indian Area is proposed Th- rules would make the dtn\.1n::lllOn of lndoan lands an)Where extremely diflkuh. 1f not Im pos>tble. BR I E f Indian Lands in US and Canada Targeted tor Nuclear Dumping uclcnr wnste produced throughout the Untted Statts could soon end up in the lands of the Meadow l..1kc Cree 1~escrve in Canada$ Saskatchewan provmce. tr plans under conslder:"tuon b)' tnbal c-ounca1s. nuclt~tr pow.:r compames N and gov~mment agtncits come to frunion. this would be 1hc "·lst• finol >top tn • long chain or nuclelr production and storage houstd on. or adjaeenl to. lndum bnds. The US Dcp>nment of Encr;y ond • potcntlO.I waste r<etpt<nt. Atomic Energy of Canoda LTD. uc consodenng construction or !\ pennanent nuclear wnstc dump on the From CIMI (lndrnn1U M1.$Swtr.a1y Co11rK10. Meadow l.,ke Cree Reserve. The Mcodow Lake Tribal Council hns supponed thts proposal. In their current l!<:onom1c lnttimives Report. the Council tout$ the dump as More of the Same Under Paraguay's an economic boon for the tribes 8.000 members. "Democratic" Government In promoting nuclear waste as the cure for econom1c nd~gCnO<lS peoples in Paraguay h.wc yet tO reap the benefits or dcmocmcy. which was restored m 198<} ~rter more th.•n titre<: tlls. th< Counctl follows in th< foototcps of the Mescalero cl=dcs of mdllllry diCt3lotShtp. Utde N5 ch;lngcd for Paroguays Tnb•l Counctl m New Mextc:o. whtch has olltred the hodlg<nous peoples smcc ~r:ll Allrcdo Su~r$ ovenhrow Mescalero r~r,~uon as 3 temporal)~ nucl.e3r sr:oragc snt m 1989.ln fact. rn>n)•orthecountlj~ lndogenousoommunhles In Feb. 1994. offictals of the Meadow L:tke Cree and the ""'" b«n fighnng mcrea.sed Jlr<SSUn'S to fore< them ollthetr C"..anadHm go,·cmment ,,sittd the Mesca1ero Reservalion. and arc reportedly working on an agreement \ltithin which lands. as wrll as go\'emment m.diiTr.rt:.lll'C to their needs. ' \\'e have tnle to our land. but 11 has been mvaded by more the Mescalero would act as temporal)' holder and broker or than 200 J>e:l.S."\l families. Our forest has been destroyed. our US nuclear waste-which would then be shipped on to Cree wild fnnt trees have been uprooted and tossed asldc without lands Mescalero Tribal Presodent Wendell Chino is cur· puy. the animals in the jungle ha,·c been ko off and we ate rently negotiating wuh thirty·t\VO utilities :md three lled going hungry." sud Nobeno Romero. nn elder m the Mby:l· nucle;ar comp;tmts for stornge of their waste, according to Gu.1rant communlt)t located m Ypa~ ln the S()Uthem depanment n Grccnpc3cc rcpresent3th..,. These pl>rlS may ha..-e been or c.-.-pa Dozens of surular confltru an: bang 0\-erlooked. or fordlalled b)' • tribal pltbtSCttc '" whtch Mcsc:dero mem· pla)ed doun, b)· President Carlos \\'osmosys g<>'-ernmcnt. bel'$ catcgonally rejec<ed propos:~ Is for nuclear '"llSSe stor· In 1Cl93. the lndig.."flous oommunlty m \'patl m.•naged to :tgc. The i'onh 1\mencan Free Tr>dc ,\grccmtnl (NAFTA) have SOlllt of tiS ttmtOij' dematattod :IS an lndtgt:nOUS resel''e has povcd the way for intcrnnuonnl shopptng or nuclear The COitlniUOil)' of Ypau \\':1$ gtven 2.600 hectares of natural wnstc. lrr.1di:tted fuel is a noi'Hnrl(f item wuhan the uadc fOt'dllS nnd swmnps 10 share with two other communities. However. 1hi~ has not put an end to the l:md mvasions which :lsrccmcnt. '""king it economic to ship nuclc:u 'vnste mto beg.1n In 1989. The mOst recent land uw:l$ion In \'pau beg;m this Cnnndf'l. The only requircmenl Is nccess «o temporary and paso Apnl, an official in the Mlni!.ll)' of Agncuhure and pwnnncnt stomge sites. For this. Indigenous l~nds have R.1nchmgs r..rm Credit Office Is reportedly • principal backer or been tnrgctcd, just as the)' h~ve •lways been for nuclear thiS tn\-;~S10n. Thn:e months >ftcr compe.stnos ~n invading te:sung. urnn1um mining and fuel enrichment. Tom Goldtooth of the lndtgcnous En,~ronmemal the Indigenous bnds- the )llS<tce ~hnlSil)' orde"'d politt to disNetwork char:teterizes th1s as ...a plot b)' government and lodge the tn\-.dets. Yet, no xuon l.,s bttn tokm The P.lrngu:ayan g«)\'t.mmcnl'~ pos:atton tn re.1:uion to tndU>tl)' to take ad,'llntagc of lndt3n trmtones: He adds. Indigenous commumties is charactonztd by a double standard. "'They know that wt don"t ha\'t: tnvn'Onmental codes or Parogua)• N5 one or the best l~ws 011 Indigenous rights in L:uin 1nfrnstructures that would protect us from stornge of w;\Ste. Amc!iCI. but pa)'S little aucmlon to ot. Instead. nccording to the Our network and our consutuems have been vchemcntl)' ln<hg<nous rights group ProfessioMI Soclo·Anthropologkal and opposed to 1hc federal stmtcg)' to site nuclear facilities on Legal Services. the government h:IS octunlly tried to p.1ralyze the our lands. It has to be stopped. If our d<•cted trib.1l orfi· dal$-<lnd some of them are puppets of the government-won't progr&.<S of Indigenous oommuniues nnd nllicd NGO~. stop it. our grassroots organizatiOns Will ... lttf~rmtttwn Jwm IAunan-.cnco Pr'ts.S, Uma. Ptru I \-Ill. 8 No. 4 s � 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, no. 4 (Winter 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 Brazilian Senate Proposes Law Threatening Land Demarcation 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 Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Brazilian Senate Proposes Law Threatening Land Demarcation Item Type Journal Article Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 4-5 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note The Brazilian Senate is considering legislation that would possibly reduce the size indigenous reservations. Attachment Title Brazilian_senate_proposes_law.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Brazil Legislation Reservations Yanomami http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/f547c36664a2b81bb6b206fb3fd68a7e.pdf 09f95fdb565f48d7915b6b9556de2d5a PDF Text Text PERSPECTIVES ON BIODIVERSI TY AND I NTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Amazonian Peoples on Biodiversity and ·tPR Resolutions from the Coordinating Body of Indigenous Communities of the Amazon Basin's Regional Meeting September. 1994, Santo Cruz de Io Sierra. Bo/Mo he Coordinating Body of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin, repre.seming Indigenous c01nmunities in this region, T which is one of the richest in biodivcrsi 4 ty in the world. will not be excluded from m:aking itS voice hc~trd in respect to this subject. In this regard. the Indigenous com· munities are well aware of the impor· t..'lnce of protecting biodiversity, as well as our knowledge related to it. \Ve know that our 3utonomy and assurance of life with dignity ,,,.m deJ>end on the process· es of comro l. consen•ation and develop· mcm of these resources especially over the next few ye.'\rs. when the world will be discussing the issues of biodiversity. \ Vc must be quite dear that we, 1he Indigenous communities. are the ones entitled to claim proprietary rights to tht..se resources. in spite of increasing claims made by multinational corpora· tions of the Non.h. This situation obliges indigenous people and our organizations to take positions and elaborate strategies rclc· vam to current and future generations. With thJs in mind. COlO \. under the auspices of the UN Dc\'clopmem Program. organized a regional meeting in South America. The conclusions and recommendations of that metting are reprinted below. I. Basic Points Of Agreement 1. Emphasis is placed on the significance of the usc of intellectual propeny systems os a new formula for regulating North-South economic relations in i> \trsuit of colonialist interests.. 2. For Indigenous peoples. the imel- Vol 8 No.4 lcclltal propeny s}'Sicm means legitiJnation of the mis.'l.ppropriation of our peo· pies' knowledge and resources for commercial purposes. 3. All aspects of the issue of intelleat"'ll property (detenuin.'ltion of access tO nation· ~I resources. comrol of the knowledge or cultural heritage of peoples. control of the use of their resources :md regulation of the tenns of exploitation) are aspects of self. detem1ination. For Indigenous peoples, :lCCOrdingly. the ultimate decision on this issue is dependent on self--detenninc'ltion. Positions taken under a tniSiecship regime will be of a shon·teml nature. 4. Biodiversity :md a peoples knowledge arc concepts inherent in the ide."- of Indigenous tenitori:ility. Issues relating to :t<.'C\."'$5 10 t'e:SO\IrctS have to be viewed from this Standpoint. 5. Integral Indigenous territoriality. its recognition (or restormion) and its re<.-onsti· tution. arc prerequisites for enabling the cre:uivc and inven~h'c genius of each Indigenous people tO flourish-and for it to be meaningful to speak of proteaing such peoples. The protection, rcconstlu.uion and development of Indigenous knowledge sy.st~ms call for f~,tnher com.milmerll 1 the 0 effort to have these syStems reappraised by the outside world. 6. Biodi,·ersity and the culture and lmel· leaual property of • people are conctpts that mean Indigenous territoriality. Issues relating to access tO resources. and othe- s. r ha"c to be viewed from lhis standpo~nt. 7. For members of Indigenous peoples. knowledge and dctemlin.1tion or the use of resoun::cs are collective and intergtnera· tior No fndigenous J)OP\Iialion. whether 1.1l. of indhiduals or communities. nor the govemmem. can sell or transfer ownership of resources which are the propeny of the people 3J>d which each generation has on obligation 10 safeguard for the next. 8. Prevailing intellectual propeny systems refle<:t a conception and pma.ice that is; o) colonialist, in th." the instruments of the developed coumries are imposed in order to appropriate the resources of Indigenous peoples; b) mcist. in that it belittles and minimizes the value or our knowledge systems; c) UStlllXItory, in that it is essentially a practice of theft. 9. AdjUSting Indigenous systems to the pre,-ailing ime\lectu.'ll propeny systems (as a world-wide concept and practice) changes the Indigenous reguL1tory systems them· selves. 10. Pot<nts •nd Other intclloxtual propeny rights to fonns of life are wucccptable to Indigenous peoples. 11. It is imponant to prevent conflicts that may ~rise between communities from the transformation of intelleaual property into a means of di\'iding Indigenous unity. 12. There arc some fonnuL-.s that could be used to enh.·mce the value of our prod· uas (brand names, appellations o£ origin), but on the undersro.nding that these are only IY tarkcting possibilities. not entailing monopolies of the product or of ooU ectivc knowledge. There are also some proposals for modifying prevailing imellectual property systems. such as the usc of cenificates of origin. to prevent use of our resources \vith· out our prior consent. 13. \ Ve mUSt prevent the use of current systcnts of intellectual propeny from rot>bing us. through monopoly rights. of resources and knowledge in order to enrich these >)'stems and build up power opposed toou.r own. 14. Work rm~ be conduaed Ol'l the 17 �PERSPECTIVES ON BIODIVERSITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY design of a protoction and recognition sys· tern whic-h is in accordance with the defense: of our own CO!lception. and mechani.srns mu.st be developed in the shon and medium ICI'JT\ tO prevent appropriation of our t-e:so<trttS ond knowledge. 15. A system of protection ond nlC<>gni· tion or our resources and knowledge rnUSt be designed which is in confonn.ty with our i world view and contains fomlulas that, in the shon and medh.\m tenn, ,...,ilJ pre\'ent the appropriation or our resoUrttS by the countries of the Nonh ond Others. 16. There mliSl be appropri.'le mechanisms for maintaining and ensuring the right of Indigenous peoples to deny indiscriminate access to the resources of our communities or peoples. and making it possibte to contest patents or ocher exclusive rights to what is essentially Indigenous... 17. Dise\tSSions regording intellectual propeny should take place without distract· ing us from priorities such as the struggle for the right to tenitories and self-detennilu~ tion. bearing in mind th.·u the Indigenous popuL·uiott :u"'d the land foml ru1 indivisible unity. II. Short-Term Recommendations J. Identify. analyze and systematically evaluate from the standpoint of the Indigenous world view difiere.Ol <:Omt» nems of the fom>al imelleetual propeny sys· tenlS. including mech..misms, instrumems · and forurns. among which we h.1ve: a) Intellectual propeny mochanisms Patents, Trademark. Authors' rights. Rights of de\'Ciopers or new plant vari· eties. Commercial secretS. lndusui:.ll design. ubels of origin. b) lmell«:tual propcny Instruments The Agreement on Trade-Related lmem.1lional Propeny RightS (TRIPS) of the General 1\greemem on Tariffs and Tr:lde (GA'Ii); The Convention. on Biodive~ty, " 'th special emphasiS on the following aspects: cm•ronmemal impact .1s.sessmems. subsidiary scieotiftc body, technological council, monitoring. nation.1..l studies and protocols, as well as on rightS or fam>ers and ex situ control of genn pl-lsm. which are nOt covered 18 w1der the Convention. c) lmell«:tml propeny forums O¢Hne mechanisms for oonsult.1.tion and exchange of infonntuion betv..·een Indigenous organizations and imemational forums such as the: Tn.-aty for Am..uoni..m Cooperation. Andean Pact. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. European Patents Corwenuon. United Nations Commission on SUSI~inable Developmem. Union for the. Protecdon of New Varieties or Plams. V..' rld o Intellectual Propeny Organization (WIPO). lnternatiOMl l-'lbor Organization (ILO). United Nations Commission on Human Rights. 2. E' "luate the possibilities offered by Lhe intemadonotl instruments embodying cuhuml. political. environmental Md other lightS that could be incorporated into a sui genelis le&~l framework for the prot«:tion of lndigcnotiS resou=s and knowledge. 3. DeHne the comem or consultations with such forums. 4. Define the feasibility of using some mechanisms of the prevailing imelleaual property systems. in relation 10 protection of biologicallgenetic resourocs and marketing of nlSO\>rttS. 5. Study the feasibility or alternative systenlS and mechanisms for protecting lndigenous interestS in our own resources and knowledge: sui gcnelis systems for protection of inu::Ueetu."ll propeny; inventors' cenificate. model kgisl-ltion on folklore; new deposit standards for material entering genn pl1.Sm lxmks: commissioner ror imellectu.~ propeny rights; tribunals; bi.lmcral and muhil.:neml contraCtS or oorwentions: m:neria)s transfer agn..""<:nlClliS; biological prospecting: defensive publianiOI'l cenific:ues of origin. 6 . Seek to m.'lke alternative s)'Slems operational " 'thin the shon tem1, by estab· lishing a minimal regulatory framework (for example bilateral comracts). 7. Systemattcally study. or e.\1xmd stud· ies already conducted or. the dynamics or Indigenous peoples. with emphasis on: basis for suscainability (territories. culn.u·e. economy); use or knowledge and r<SOUI"<X$ (col· lecth't ownership systems. community usc of resources): contmunit)'. l'tation.."tl. regional and intem..1tional o~ni.zation:ll bases. These make it possible to create mechanisms wilhin and outside Indigenous peoples cap:W!e of assigning the same value to Indigenous knowledge. ans and crafts as lO western science. 8 . Establish regional and local lnd1ge:rlous ~dvisory bodies on intellectual propcny :Uld biodive~ty " 1th functions involving legal a<h~<e . lllOtlitoring. productjon and disscn\il\.1tion of inJom'l:ation, ~'d production of m.:11erials. 9. 1demify natiorml imcUectual property organiza.tions. especially in areas of biod.i· ""II versit)t lO.ldentify and draw up a timel3ble of forums for discltSSion and exchange or infonnalion on imelleclual propeny ancVor biodiversity. Seek suppon for sending Indigenous dele&~tes to panicipate in such forums. An effon will be nude to obt:tin information wilh a viC\V tO the C\•entual establishment of an lnfomt.1tion, Training and Dissemination Center on Indigenous Propeny at1d Ethical Guides on contraCt ncg<Xiation and model contmclS. Ill. Medium-Term Strategies I. PLm. program. establish timetables and seek finatlCing for the establishment or an Indigenous program for the collective use and protection of biological resourttS and knowledge. This program \\111 be de\-eloped in phases acoording to geographic areas. 2. Plan, draw up timctab!es for and hold seminars and workshops at the com· munity, national and regionol levels on biodive~ty and prevailing imell«:tual propeny systems and altemati\'es. 3. Establish a pctmanem consuhalive mechanism Unkir~s community workers and Indigenous leadel'$. 3S well as :m infor~ matkm net,vork. 4. Train Indigenous leaders in aspectS or imellectual propeny and biodive~ty. 5. Draw 11p ~ Legal Protocol of Indigenous law on the use and community knowledge of biological resourttS. 6. Develop a strntero• for dissemination of this l.eg.1l Protocol at t.he nationol and in lC.m:uional levels. Abya Yala News � 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, no. 4 (Winter 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 Amazonian Peoples on Biodiversity and IPR 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 Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Amazonian Peoples on Biodiversity and IPR Item Type Journal Article Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 17-18 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note The Coordinating Body of Indigenous Communities of the Amazon Basin settled on several basic points of agreement regarding indigenous positions and strategies relevant to biodiversity and intellectual property rights issues at a regional meeting in Bolivia. Attachment Title Amazonian_peoples_on_biodiversity_and_ipr.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Biodiversity Coordinating Body of Indigenous Communities of the Amazon Basin Human Rights Intellectual Property Rights http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/980a1ba42df530286acc39ecda8929dc.pdf 8465ab0c4703233dc2ac88381132d2a3 PDF Text Text I N B R I E F_ _ ,_,_ Indian Communities Trapped by Ecuador-Peru Border Conflict ighting erupted between the Peruvian and Ecuadorian armies in a disputed Amazon border region ~long the Ccnepa Rh·er valley on jan. 26. What looked at first like an isolated border skirmish has escalated into an intense conOict F At a press conference concluding their visit. the commission announced that the govemment could St<tnd in \'io1ation of the right to life and well·being as a result of oil pollution in the Amazon. t\ final repon on the visit has yet to be released. For more info,.matwn. coruacr: with at leasl 47 dead and 94 wounded combatants. The Sierra Qub l..tgal Dtj01S< Fund. /80 Montgomery St.. Suire HOO. S<ln Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) demanded a cease fire on Jan. 3 1. stating that. "'more than 300 communities a.re located in the zone of mili· FranclS<o, CA 9410-1, (415) 627·6700. FGX: (-liS) 62i·6i40, email: scldjsj@igc.copc.org. tary connic.t, these Indigenous cornmunilies that have nol Peruvian Indian Communities File Suit Against Texaco n December 29. a class action la,vsuit \I/3S filed in feder- been auended by either the government of Peru or of Ecuador". An unknown number of Indian residents of the region have been displaced from their communities. despite calls by CONAIE for the governments to respect the lives and territo· ry of Indigenous peoples. The war is reportedly costing each side overS 10 million a day. and has heated up with bombings on each side of the border and the downing of several Peruvian planes and a helicopter. Ecuador accepted a CCtlSC· fire mediation offer from former US president Jimmy C:mer and former COSta Rica president Oscar Arias. but Pcno declined to comment on the offer. OAS Commission Investigates Ecuadorian Human Rights Violations or yem'S. Indigenous organizations in the Ecuadorian Fmassive oilh•we suffered hum-an rightsb}'violations asmultina· Amazon a resuh or dC\'Cloptnem carried US-based OUl tiona! corporations and the Ecuadorian government within their territories. The struggle to resolve these problems hit a turning point on Nov. 7 when the Org...'\nit3tion of American Sunes· spe(:ial commission on hun'la.n rights arrh•ed in Ecuador to investigate human rights abuses in that country. Although the commission framed its visit as a general investigation of the human rights situation in Ecuador. the impact of oil development on Indigenous peoples was one of O al coun in New York on behalf of 20.000 Indigenous people !hong on and around the Napo River in the nonheast Peruvian Amazon. The suit charges that mismanaged Texaco activities within Ecuador, along the upper ~ches or the Napo River, caused severe damage to the lnditms' w3y of life in Peru- damage due to the release of huge amoums of toxic chemicals. and to repeated oil spills. This case follows a ground-breaking victory by Ecuadorian Indian organizations in the spring of 1994, when a New York coun held that Texaco could be held liable in US couns for their actions in Ecuador. The Peruvian suit charges Lhat ··texaco deliberately ignored reasonable and S<lfe practices and treated the pristine Amazon roin forest ... :md its people as a toxic waste dump... lt runhcr contends that over 400 flawed well sites were built. despite Texaco's full knowledge that they would ·rcsuh in SC\'Cre spills and environmental damages. The Ecuadorian governmem estimates that Texaco spilled 16.8 million gallotlS of crude oil and oil residues in its Amazonian provinces. with an unknov.m portion winding up downriver in Peru. As recently as J992. the Peruvian Rio Napo ran black with crude that had been released upstream . Irifonnati(}l1 I'YOYid<d by Edwatd f-lmnmcml.. two topics the Commission actually in\'cstigated (the other bemg the treatment of prisoners) . Half of the Commissions delegation traveled to the Oriente region. where they met with representatives from grassroots organizations and leaders or Lhe eoran and Siona·Secora tthnic groups. Commission members were appalled at Lhe impact of Texaco oil develop· ment on the envir onment. The Commission also mt:l with a Huaorani community from the Napo region who reponed on .J>ollution and the encroachment of colonists in their territory. In addition to meeting with state authorities, the Commission consulted environmental. human rights, and Indigenous organizations. including representatives from: CONAl E. CONFENIAE. COICA. ECUARUNARI, FICI, FOIN, and OINt\E. 4 Brazilian Senate Proposes Law Threatening Land Demarcation he Brazilian Stn..1te 3pproved a bill 3imed at eventually reducing existing 1ndian Areas within frontier zones. nnd T complicating the process of rmure demarcations. 10 become law. this bill will have to be approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the President of Lhe Republic. If approved. the btl! will put the already demarcated Yanomami Indian Area. located along the Venezuelan border, at risk of being reduced. The bill threatens not only the Yanomami. but would be a blow to all Indian peoples in Brazil. It is supported by CCO· nomic groups with a \'CSted intcr~t in exploiting the natural resources within the Indian Areas. as wen as cenain sectors or Abya Ya~ News � 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, no. 4 (Winter 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 Peruvian Indian Communities File Suit Against Texaco 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 Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Peruvian Indian Communities File Suit Against Texaco Item Type Journal Article Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 4 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note Peruvian indigenous communities file suit against Texaco, claiming that Texaco's operations caused severe environmental damage in their region. Attachment Title Peruvian_indian_communities_file_suit.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Litigation Napa River Peru Pollution Texaco http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/bab8de122f9edd86e39e825c728d8830.pdf c86aa64d29042270741acd46c96a7517 PDF Text Text HUM A N R I GHTS Brazil: Crimes Against Indians Go Unpunished Celestino (who had been removed from office owing 10 his lies \\O local land· ih lords) was taking photographs o f houses and people in the area on behalf of a landlord who claims to own the land. Immediately after this event. a ta..xi arrived coming from the d irection of Palmeras dos Indios. It was driven by Assassination of Guarani Luiz Ferreira da Silva and the passenger Leader Marcial de Souza Luis Quijeiro shot from inside the car at Tupa-i One of 13razils best-known Indian the chief and those who tried to help leaders. the Guarani activist Marcial de him. For another hall hour. they continSouza Tupa·i was murdered in 1982. ued to shoot and insult the commu nity Ubcro Monteiro. a powerful landowner in an auempt to Stan a larger confrontaand leader of the rightist URD party is tion. The accused men admiued comwidely known lo have ordered the ass.\5· mitting the murder on Nov. 17, bm sination. i\t his trial in Mnto Grosso du claimed to be acting in self-defense. Sol. in March of 1993, over 300 civil. The murder stems from auempts by federal and military police were required the Xukuru-Kariri to recover their lands. 10 protect the proceedings. Throughout In August, Luzanel Ricardo had panici· the trial. Monteiro d isplayed an arro- p·ued in the occupation o£ two famlS .. gance suggesting that he knew he would located within the traditional tcrriwry or be acquilled. Maucir Pauleui, legal advi· the Xukum -Kariri. local farmers have sor 10 CIMI (the lndianisl Missionary been spreading a campaign to defame Council), • the trial was full of irregular· the victims. The atmosphere in Palmciro hies and negligence. It was a festival of dos l'ndios is one very tense. and in dis:,ppcarances of evidence essential for view or the threats made against the convicting the guilty. .. Montiero was, in Indian leaders. the surviving ,...i tnesses of this crime are in danger. Government ract, acquitted. Officials h3\1e re[used lO p rO\dde proteC· tion either lor the community as a whole Xukuru-Kariri Chief Murdered The likuna Massacre AI dusk on Nov. 14. 1994, Luzancl or of the witnesses. The "Massacre of lgarape Cap.1ce1e" is another example how Brazilian jUS· Ricardo da Silva. the Chief of the rs ticc works when the victims are Indians Xuku ru·Kariri community at Fazenda Ptoosc write lcu< demanding protcttion for Canto was b rutally murdered by a group Indian communiti($ b(ing thn;atcned, and an or common people. Seven years ago. fo urteen Tikuna Indians were murdered of armed men who had entered the immtdiact ,md fair imttStigarion of tlttst: r in the community of San Leopoldo in Indian Area. Acco- ding tO witnesses. crime$ to: the state of Amazonas. Their massacre alter shooting the chief through the was organized by a logger named neck. the murderers subjected him to Arrorney General of rhe Republic: Castelo Bmnco who at the time was liv- three further shots and various kicks Dr: Arisridt$ jtmqutira Afw1rt~1ga. ing illegally on their bnds. Branco con- and blows. Two other Indians were also Minlsre'rio PUblico Federal, SCAS Q 603. i tinues 10 Ji,.e in liberty less than J 5 wounded in the inc-dent. The incident lore 2J. 70200-901 Brasilia DF. miles from the Tikuna community in the occurred less than an hour after a dis· Fax: 0055 61 313-5197 city of San Antonio do lea. His tweh>c agreement had taken place between the alleged accomplices also remain free due members of the Indian community and hifomu.ulon f rom Portantin and CIMI to a writ of Habeas Cotpus.The trial for former chief Manocl Celestino. Qndiar1ist Missionary <Atmcil). he killings and massacres orr Indigenous people in Brazil, which continue with impunity. C Oitfirm that it is not enough to replace judges. or make the democnuic system more transparent-both of which are nccess.~ry changes. R mher, the problem lies in the nmure of the Brazilian Slate. which is controlled by and for the rich. The acquhtal of ex-president Fernando Collor by the Supreme Federal Tribunal-in addition 10 causing indigna· tion throughout the country- has sho" "' that Brazilian juStice is a juslice based on class. Cases such as that of Manuel Lucendo da Silva show how BrazilS jus· tice system works. Manuel lucindo. a contractor for rubber tapping. com~ manded the 1963 massacre of O ro-\\1n Indians in the Southern region of Rondonia. He was finally convicted, over thiny years later. in May of 1994. He was sen1enced 1o 15 years in jail, but remained a1 liben y until his appeal could be heard. l-Ie died before this ever took place. Ironically. this was the first conviction ever in Bmilian history for the crime o f genocide. T this crime has been poSiponed repeated· ly due 10 imemtinable confusion over which branch of justice has jurisdiction. Finally a trial date was set lor Dec. 12, but was postponed once again just one week before that date. or V 8 No. 4 ol 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. 8, no. 4 (Winter 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 Brazil: Crimes Against Indians Go Unpunished 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 Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Brazil: Crimes Against Indians Go Unpunished Item Type Journal Article Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 33 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note The Brazilian government continues to ignore crimes against indigenous peoples. Attachment Title Brazil_crimes_against_indians_go_unpunished.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Brazil Genocide Guarani Massacre Tikuna Xukuru-Kariri http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/9b24bf9174bd893cf7809f7bc1b58509.pdf bb6786f6683428215bd5ba78b333b1f1 PDF Text Text EDITOR I Al T he tmpact or ncolibtrahsm on Indigenous muons. oriY'n~:muons. and cultul'C$ or the t\merlcas Ius been severe. The 1\<formulauon of the world economy accordtng to the globolu.,uon of capnallus tr.msl:nl'd tnto btMfits for our commwnlld R.11her. 11 IS precisely thiS globahzouon that Ius <lurpenl'd our problems. fOrttgn ln\·estors COOl IOU(: lO VJC\\' L.-.tln Amr:nca 3S the piJte rrom which nches C'3n bt CXtt'3(1ed Ot where the fifb"t worid~ toxic \\'OtStt C3.n be dumped, often wnh lhe consem of the nnuont\1 govemments. P~n or lhls conunuing movcmem ror economic appropnauon as the mcre3Sing ::~uclnpts co collect ::tnd oommerciali2e lndtgcnous peOI>Ies· knowledge and hiodtverstt)' not been Tlus practice of scckmg to mine our mind.s-3nd even our bodies-is conunonly known as "bio· prospecting," and bnngs \\1th uthe threat or tremendous new misappropriation of lndtgcnous resources. To counter this intensifytng threat. Indigenous peoples· or~Y~nl:ations urgently need to dcvdop conunental Stmteg•c l'C$J)OtlSeS of mutual suppon based on our nch expenenreof reSistance to colonllll fon:es. t\ baste undersundmg of the processe< shaping Wt;tern forms of ownership and access co b.c>dl\'tiSit)' is an tmponam first Sl<p In this snuggle. Through thiS ISSUe of Abya Yala Sews, "'t hoP'" to pmtn(lle the exch.1nge of inlormauon •nd cxpencnces that chc silwlion dcnunds. \\~ WISh to <mphosl::<:. h"""'''<r. that secunng protection lor Indigenous knowledge and blologtatl resources is only p.1n of the $lruggle we ha,·c heen carrying out lor 500 )'cars. the struggle 10 secure self-determinauon. human ngltts nnd ttr· ntory. Until now. lndlgenou~ peoples' knowledge : d inno":u1ons h~we never been rccog1,i2:cd. buL n1ther m have been expropriated. wilh()ut compen.smion. along with land and resources. Current nntionttl and International iniuau\'es deahng \vtth '"rights'" to biodiven.ity arc v;tguc, are not being implemented, or are directly rounter·producttve. Appropriate consen-ouon of btodl\'trsity in lndtg<nous territories ~t the genetic. species ond CCOS)'S· tern ltYtl;., lund>lll<.nlJII to the Slll'\'i\-ol and development of our <O<Iettes. Yet. the globoh:=~uon or the morkct ond rrtt-tmck td<ology. coday often <quatl'd W1th d<rnOCf'.tcy and partidpauon. h:l'oe m the lase )'<OilS tn<:r<ased the commodlftc•tton •nd erosion or btodwc"'">' Businesses arc focustng on lndtgenous Jl'"Oples· tradtttonal homdonds becluse they are biologtc:olly nch areas. Ther are Sttn os reservotrs of scnccic resources lor the rood. >griculture and phannaceuucal lndUSirits. escalating pressures on the land, resources and cuhu""' of Indigenous sodetlts. Consequently. Indigenous peoples around the globe are ft~clng cnom10us pressures to cornmen:iollze their traditional resources and knowledge. We arc not. by any mc:ans. trying to encour:~gc lndtscnous communities 10 beconte pall of the so-c:~llcd free market, or to jom in the commercialization of Mother E.'nhs resoun:cs. If lndtgenous communities want to sell their resources or to get compcn5-'llon from the corporauons or other bochcs seeking aec.:ss to these. !her h3•'t the nght to do so. But we h:r.·e to remem· btr chat future generatk>fiS "ill ol>o depend on the land ond ecosySlerns to SUI'\'1\'t. much tnore tlt.1n on any money the S3k or th- re50urecs would brmg. We "1Sh to emphas1u: the nt<'d to continue fomlymg an lndtgenous moYematt whtch en,istons ·~If ot the contincnml and even the global level. We cannot afford to let the corpornuom. and nnuonal governments dhide Indigenous peoples and rommunhi"" from each other while they seek 10 plunder our resources. It is hni>C'mlh·c to (ace th1s latest assault with t1 e-omwnon ngrecmcm nnd a unified Str:IICg)' for survi,·nl in the. shon . medium and long-term. SAIIC Board or Directors ~8No.4 � 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, no. 4 (Winter 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 Editorial 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 Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Editorial Item Type Journal Article Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 3 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note Bioprospecting has become a tremendous threat to indigenous groups across the globe. Indigenous communities need to develop a common strategy for responding to these external encroachments. Attachment Title Editorial.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Biodiversity Bioprospecting Conservationism Globalization Latin America http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/299f362786458217384adf2ae6108ac1.pdf e4fe36f1143e22b5c3bdb796895e7b57 PDF Text Text HUMAN --- - R IGHTS At on• a.m on Dtc. S. 3 group of from prosecuuoll) 111 Septtmber b)' masked. anned men forced thctr way Federal Justlet Avchna Mor:1les into Gernrdo Estrada~ house and Guzman of the thtrd distnct, forcibly abduct<d hom. Despnc all Ch1huohun. despite sixty-three out· ouempts to locate hom, his whereabouts Slnndmg fedeml and state indiCtments. remam unknown. Ills ~dls..'lppearnnce.. Documents obt:uned fro1n che auorney has been denounced tO the National : gcncrnl~ office and former National Human Rights OrnsbudsmnnS office lndigemst3 lnsmute employees indicate and to the Jn1Cr1or MllllSitr, and a writ that no less than thtrty SC\'en people or hnbtas corpus \W$ presented on hiS ha-"' been killed by Fontes' :ISSOCi:ltes behalf Gerardo Estrada IS a member of the O\'Cr the past three years. goverrung commlllCC Of the JndtgtnOUS Authontits of Colombl3 mo-·emem. and For """' lliformar""'- ( OfttCI(t· Randall Gir.gndl, ~<S< GIIGtdWil<, .)l<n'CI M<r<IJ< had n:eently been elected to the depanl'>ogram Dtr<aor ttl/FAX· (602}-.J26-2.511. mcm's mun10pal assembly In common \\1lh other lndtan c:ommumues.. the arnnl· ..U...."""g' op<.Otg lnd1ans 111 the rn.to regton >rt work1ng Nicaragua: Recontras 10 reco'·er th<tr trnduoonallands In the process, they ha"c come mto conflict Massacre Miskitu s t lci\St 20 Miskuu lnd1ans were ""th local landowners who. ""'h the kolled In Nov. when I00 recomru cooperation of military and p.1rnnnlilnry auacked the villages of Nucv:t Espcranza fon:;ts, have conumtted human ngl11s and Kant:tW$ 1n the area of S3n Andres violations again>t them. In Mny. the de Bocay. The O 'CCOntms mny be part or body of regional Indigenous leader, a group that broke awn)' from the Freme Laureano ln~mpue was found two dn)"S None 3-80. the l.bt recontm group to o.fier hos ,tbducuon by men who stated dls;tnn. that they wen: scm by the local military Anny Capt Milton S.1ndoval sa1d the commander recontms were mOSt hktl)' loolang for boots or food Sond0\'31 s:t1d se-·eral l'ltasc w-.41<11<'> .,.Jaxts .-.pl<>SI"S con.ccm hundred ann)' troops had been jo.-IN "'frtyojlr.d~ kod<rwrardD depiO)..,d. but could not reach the 31'<.0 &trodo ar.d "'8'"S ''"" <tfl po<stblc mcasurn beduse of l~ck or roods and heavy rains. be token to'""'"' IN It•<> of lttdlgtrt<JUS kadm In 1~ conrcxr of rtunr hi/lin~. 10: From: \\~tkly Net<'$ Up<lare on'"' Amaic.._ Senor Pn$ldtntt .Er'llt$1<1 S<Jmpu ""':ano, P":sldcntc de Ia Rtpubll<u. Palacio dt f'.'arlM. Colombia: Indigenous Leader Sanrofc de Bogota. Coloml>l<t. Fa.v: Oil 57 I 286 N311287 7939. Disappeared A rmed men abducted Indigenous .ll.Jeadcr Gemrdo Estrada from his Wuh <opla 1o: home 111 the 1\lquems municip.1lity Amh<l:lsad<>r Gabrltl Slh'd, Embcwy of Narino department on O.:c. :;_ His Colombia. 21181.£roy 1'1 NIV, 1\'cl,hlngrc>ll. whereabou<> ""' not known and there is DC 2000'1. and QNEP. M 2$916. Bogool. serious concern for h1s safety, <Speciall>• Co/Dmb!a. as lnd1genous leaders obducttd under similar on:umSt2ned: h,a,•c o£t.en bet:n an mddin1le ·:-unp.1ro· (c)r tmmunit)' Mexico: Sierra Madre Appeal he Consejo Asesor Slerm Madre (CASMAC) nnd Indigenous communiues throughout the Chihuahua T Mount~ms h:wc requested urgenl inte r- nauonal suppon to their demands for pc11CC and ;u.tlc.: 111 muluple assossinations •nd Other brut~l abuses of lndogcnOU5 Tornhum;trn, TeJXhuan. and tnv1ronmencal leaders in nonhem Mvnco\ Sterm Madr<. mountoon range_ In 2 kuer to Mtxtcan President EmrStO Zedtllo. CASMAC descnbes onc~d violenct 3g;>oi\SI Indigenous leaders ond env1ronmenU1hstS in the Slerm Madr<. of Chohunhua. Drug trafOckors working with local caciques (poliucal bo.~) nrc reponrdly responsible for many ossassinalions. beatings and other actS of violence Stme authorities have reportedly refused to investigate the maJOrity of these c~ and f«ieral mvesugouon~ have been hindered by dl\'trston of resources tO Other prio.rIU<S and by corrupuon in the judicial S)'S<cm Aecordmg to the feder.>l attorney scneml. one of the most ''IOiem CXI<JUCS. Anem1o Fontes. was granted 34 A lallcd. � 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, no. 4 (Winter 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 Mexico: Sierra Madre Appeal 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 Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Mexico: Sierra Madre Appeal Item Type Journal Article Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 34 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note Indigenous activists seek international support as they confront abuses of indigenous peoples in Mexico's Sierra Madre mountain range. Attachment Title Mexico_sierra_madre_appeal.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] CASMAC Mexico Sierra-Madre mountain range Tarahumara Tepehuan http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/1effd5dca26553ed0191a3539be6eb92.pdf 58108704d3aa42c0c35ad4f0eedeb5f5 PDF Text Text PERSPECTIVES ON BIODIVERSITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Guidelines for Biodiversity Collections: A Look at the Issues by M elissa Nelson here is no place where the clash between the exploitation of, and balance with, the naturnl world is more pronounced than in the struggles of the world's Indigenous peoples. As the colonial power elite tighten their grip on the remaining "natural resources ... they arc discovering that it is Indigenous people who hold the secretS to the many uses and benefits of plant and animal communities. An age·old T war is ensuing between two world views and ways of lh•ing: one that believes humans are the pinnacle of evolution and chat our ultimate purpose is l O con· trol and enslave nature: the other that Lhc human mind will never completely comprehend, much less control. the do is sensitively observe EarthS naturnl C)•cles and work to harmonize \Vhh them. It is surprising to many people thot this war of world views is not onl)• seen in the obvious pl"ces of educational philosophies. economic theories, and religious and political syswns, but in the seemingly benign realm of ecological conscl"\~ation. After aH 1 3S Australian biologiSl Roger Kitching has said, ·conservation is jusl as much a use as are agriculture, forestry, and urban de,·elop· n'ICnt." Highly diverse :Hcas arc m demand by u·a.nsnational corporntions who seek to control the world~ remr~in· ing resources. by conservation groups forces of nature and that the best we can who intend to protect their ecological significance. and by researchers who wish to study these areas. 'Who decides MeltSsa Nd.so11 is pan Ojibwc arul works as which areas are designated for constrva· c.xccutivc director of Ccnsuvancy in California. tion? How are these mauei'S decided? When are the local Indigenous people Vol. 8 No. 4 The Culwral involved? When do they initiate such efforts? Arc they in control of their ternwrie-s. or are conservation organizations in control? 1'hese are some or the ques· Lions raised br conOicts surrounding l~nd use in Indigenous territories. Reigning in the Bioprospectors? \Vhen capitalism and conservation nlCCl. omsider·tapitalis.ts unfortunately enjoy n>any advantages. as well as opportunitit.!S to reapply paternalistic auitudes that .. modern \Veste.mers" know best how to manage kmds. Consequently. an increasing number or concerned people (both native and nonnative) arc discussing and proposing ways to protect Indigenous peoples' knowledge and biological resources from exploitation br the various comp.:1· nics. governments. and academic. devcl· opment and research institmions seek· 19 �PERSPECTIVES ON B IODIVERSITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ing access to biodiversity infonnation and native knowledge. Organi.zations and individuals have met, u.n der diverse sponsors, including the Third World Network, Zuni Conservation Project, Pew Scholars Program, World Wide Fund for Nature, and Nati"e Seeds/SEARCH, to discuss formation or ethical guidelines to over.. see the relationship between "prospector" and "steward." Underlying these effons is a common feeling that bio- prospe<:tors are already grabbing biolog· ical material as fast as they can and that some process is needed to ensure a cooperative, just, and mutually beneficial relationship. Enforceable guidelines for bioprospecting are one component o[ the complex process or negotiating the equitable exchange o[ infonnation and rtcSources. Some Indigenous activists, however. human and land rights violations. From phannaceuti~l comrncts to international treaties · such as the Biodiversity Convention, we see governments, cotpormions. research institutes. NGOs. and other groups beginning to rc-eva.luate how they relate to and "'do bw;iness" 'vith Indigenous peoples. and begin· ning, at le-ast, to pay lip--service. to Indigenous intellectual propeny rights and benefit-sharing. Indigenous peoples worldwide arc meeting, organizing, and taking leadership roles in determining the nature of these relalionships. Here I point out some questions and issues to considet when reading, discussing, or assisting with the writing or ethical guidelines for biodiversity prospecting. General Considerations for Guidelines To begin with , the definition, purfeel that creating such g1.1idclines will pose. and scope or the guidelines must only condone and increase exploitation be clearly set out. For example. do the of biodiversity and Indigenous knowl- guidelines. cover only biodiversity infor· edge. It could do so by giving bio· mation, or do they cover situations prospectors a legitimate use-document where a bioprospector seeks access to to rationalize and cover up their colo- knowledge about the uses of biodi\'ersi· nialist. and, in Native American histori- ty? What is actually mea.m by biodiveran Jack 0. Forbes' view, ..cannibalistic," sity-plants, animals and fungi , or other intent. {look at the comtpt uses of biological entities such as microorganEnvironmental Impact Statements.) I isms or cell lines? How will guidelines cnn see both points of ,ricw. but sub- be enforced? What system of compli· scribe more to the belief that we have to ance will be used? What legal frameaddress the heedless bioprospecting work should be established? What i.nsti· already occurring within indigenous ter- tutions are subject to the guidelines? ritories and do something about h. Even Who decides these questions? though many bioprospectors exhibit "the disease of aggression against. and Critical Components consumption of. living things... we canIn 3ny biodiversity accessing situa· not let lear of the ·other" paral>••e us tion. one must Stan with an explon\tory and pre,•em cooperative efforts toward phase. I believe this to be the most crit· change. ical Slagc to regulate. Any guidelines A diverse set o[ ethical guidelines, must define how the appropriate contracts. uta.ties. and other dmft docu- Indigenous authorities arc selected. For ments have appeared in recem years in example. different situations might response to Indigenous protest of require prospectors to approach any 20 combination of Indigenous national. regional, sub·regional or conllnunity organizations. The exploratory phase should serve to introduce the potential user. as well as their intentions. interests. and methods to the appropriate authority. At the community level, the reasons for requesting access to biodi~ versity information should be revealed to the entire community, to tmditional leaders, and in the local langllagc or the co1nm\lllity being approached. A project document should be presented which discloses the foreseeable consequences :lnd commercial interests of the. research. and a description of the meth· ods to be used. Following this disclosure. 1hc bioprospector should inquire whether the community or its represemativcs wish to tenninate or continue with negotiations. If the. community agrees to lhe involve.~ ment with the bioprospector. then other issues, especially the terms of compenS.1tion, must be clearly outlined. The question is. docs the. accessing p.1rty have the ethics to honor and respect the oommunity·S deei.sion? If the desire to cooperate wilh 3Jld show respect for Earth's divci"$C' manifestations and peoples were currently presem . then l wouldn't be writing this. How do we instill I he absolute imponance of this basic respect for life in the "cannibals" of first world capitalism? I do not know, but we must start somewhere. Many acti\'iSts think that "talk is cheap" but by discussing this with a wide variety of people, and aniculating the deep ethical issues involved with this complex situation, we may begin to shed light on 1he subject and inadvcnently educate those who need to hear it. F()r rrt.OI'c information contact: Titt Cultural Constt\'MC)I, P.O. Bcx 72086. Davis, CA 95617. (916) 759-2285.jax: (916) 759-2268. fW.(a Yala News � 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, no. 4 (Winter 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 Guidelines for Biodiversity Collections: A Look at the Issues Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Melissa Nelson Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Guidelines for Biodiversity Collections: A Look at the Issues Item Type Journal Article Author Melissa Nelson Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 19-20 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note Indigenous communities are often caught in the cross hairs of different interest groups struggling to control ecologically diverse territories. Conflicts over the use of indigenous territories raises many important questions regarding the rights of Indian communities. Attachment Title Guidelines_for_biodiversity_collections.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Bioprospecting Conservationism Intellectual Property Rights land rights http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/5e58e9961adf556535c67d5e000224db.pdf 932f138051fafbc32ed49b38adc6b467 PDF Text Text ORGANIZATION - - --=- Coalition in Support of Indigenous Peoples and Their Environment Founded lndigenous organizations. Panicipants di.scussecl1he struggle for autonomy and self.detcnnination. how to create mech· anisms to assure respect for Indigenous he Coalition in Support of Amazonian Peoples and Their rights. and how to strengthen access to decision·making on Em·lronment opened an ofric:e in government T Washington DC in Nov. 1994 to Indigenous rights. The intent of the con· impro,·e communication and coordina· ference was to develop clear definitions of autonomy and self·detemlination. tion among US-based NGOs working with Amazonian peoples. The Coalition was born from an alliance between Indigenous peoples of the Amazon and groups and individuals concerned with the fu ture of the Amazon and its peo· pies. Coalition Members suppon Indigenous territorial rights and sustain~ nblc development ahemath·es. and share the belief that people are an integral pan or the ecosystem. The Coalition will hold an annu.~l Fomm !or NGOs to meet, receive guidance !rom Indigenous leaders of the Amazon. discuss current issues, and develop politic~l action su·atcgies. Topics at next years !omm (May I O-l2 1995 in Washington. DC) will include: Free trade and De\'elopmem, Intellectual Property Rights. the Timber Industry. At present the Coalition has three working groups: U.S. Policy and Hl.lntan Rights. Defense of Territories. and Financial Resources. It is helping to coordinate a number of cmnpaigns such as the Ecuador oil campaign. In an e!fon to promote communications among interested organizations. the Coalition: distributes a monthly Am~ort Update with news from Co..1lition members. F()r mor~ inj()rm,uion, p/(6$(. ccncac1: CoalitiOIJ Coordinmo,. Melina Sel\'Cl:Ston. 1$1/ I< St. N\V Suit< 10+1, 1\~ irtgton . DC 2()()()$. Te/;(202) 637-97 I8.jax;(202)63i· 9719. emaiJ: am«Z:om:ool@fgc.apc.oJi. Self-determination Seminar in Mexico T he Second Seminar on Sclf-determi· nation in Mexico held on Jan. 20·21 was organized b)1 the Colegio de Mexico under the direction of Rudol!o Stavenhagen and hosted by Oax.1can Vol. a No.4 American Indian Satellite Network Makes History or the first time. Native.owned and F public radio stations across the country have access to regular program· ming for and about Natjvc Americans. thanks to the new t\IROS (American Indian Radio on Satellite) network. Since Oct. 31. tl1is history-making ser· ,;ce has offered a daily one-hour feed or dramas. documentaries. litcrmure, self. help programs and heritage pieces, all related to Native Americans. The AIROS network, initially funded b)• the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is developing and establishing what will eventually be a 2+ hour distribmion system of radio pro~ grnmming by, for and about Native Americans. The AIROS feed includes a storyudling series, interviews with various Native American personalities. historical specials and a multi-pan series on breaking the C)'cle of child abuse. as well as a ' 'ariety of other specials and series. Nalivt America Calli11g will premiere at the end of February as a daily. hour-long. live call-in talk show focus· AND COMMUNICAT I ON most of whom operate on inadequate funds; says Susan Braine, AI~OS Manager. "We're working closely with the tribal stations to detem1ine program~ ming needs and to address those needs through tl1e radio programs that AIROS is able to acquire. Our goal is to encour· age and facilitate their own production of these programs. This is their network. It will be as successful and relcvnm as they. the stations, collectively make it: Braine said. AIROS also has plans to acquire ponable uplinks in order to broadcast conferences. po'"'vows. and oLhcr cui· tur:d events from reservations. This would allow tribes to share limited resources while learning from each other. For more information on the t\IROS schedule. contaCt your local public or Native.owned rndio station. Stations interested in becoming affiliated with AIROS should contact Susan Braine at 402-472·0484. Internet for Native Peoples Conference ndigenous activists !rom throughout California gathered at U.C. llerkelcy on Nov. l9 to learn new techniques and I discuss the opportunities for network· ing and alliance building on the in!or· tnation highway. Marc Uecker led a workshop using the Mosaic program to explore the Internet. This prompted both ideas and concerns about using the lmernet as a tool for funhering the causes of Indigenous peoples world wide. 01scussion that followed pointed to the ing on currem issues a.nd topics affecting demand for a larger and more in·depth conference in the future. Man)' who Native Americans. attended questtoned the use of this tech· nology !or people living on resen'l!tions and other third-world conditions who radio is the sole telecommunicmiot\S might not ll.we access to telephone lines service. AIROS directors see the net- or even electricity. work as a first-step towM<I an ambitious Ifyou have acc:t:SS lo a computer and modem. goal: building and linking stations on you mighc be inten-..ste(l in the following liscs the 250 Indian reservations in the rdatcd to Indigenous issues: Indigenous United States. greatest challenge is Knowlt:dg(. NaJive Netin obtaining Native comcm programs. Jisturv@('OP'ndl.tdu, Chiclt;, ~·fujcr 1.. ·liSt· particularly from the Native stations, proc@lmrinet.gsc.ucsb.cd!f, Rata Net. t\IROSlinks most of the 25tribal sla· tions located in Native communities in 10 states, many on reservations where ·our 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. 8, no. 4 (Winter 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 American Indian Satellite Network Makes History 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 Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title American Indian Satellite Network Makes History Item Type Journal Article Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 35 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note The American Indian Radio on Satellite (AIROS) is a new radio network in the United States that broadcasts content from Native-owned public radio stations across the country. Attachment Title American_indian_satellite_network.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] American Indian Radio on Satellite Native American Reservations radio http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/130e8818509ce403db20fc43c9a5f443.pdf 0d93b78b48271339a8b7f4d465e36047 PDF Text Text CHIAPA S Chiapas Update: Mexican Government Launches, Then H alts, Sudden Offensive the EZL'< and undcrstand thc =sons for their dectSion to tJke up arms as the only method 10 be h<'ard. From the hean of tht moum21n 1n Gurrr~ro we declare. <'You are nOt alont"• The lndig~nous org.'\niutions who r<ccnLI)• formed Orgl1nlztltion represem· formed the Counetl of Indigenous and ing the Indigenous :onrs of Chiapas. C.'mpesino Organt.tations of Chiap.1s warned in • press release on Feb. I I . (CEOIC} in February of 199'1, have "\Ve nrc sure th:t~ nil of u.s :tre on that list divided the states prcdomiMntl)• territory in whnt he terrned a .. poHce- and can C.'l(pt':Ct lObe nrrcsted soon." On Indigenous regions uno autonomous acuon" to nrrest the EZLN lendership. Feb. 13. the General Council described terrilories. now reJ>rcsentcd by an elecl· Nonetheless. Indigenous. non.govem· the government$ offensive ns a ..genoci· ed General Council of Plur.ethnic mcntol ond hun1on righiS organizotions dal war: r<ponang that five people had Autonomous 1\reM. On Feb. II. the throughout Ch~1pos, as well as members been killed In the communaty of La Council announced u would organa:e a of tht M\IOn.:ll mtdlatton commission Estrella. and th>l mony had been march from Chaapas 10 Mcxaco Cny to (CO:-IAI) hc3dtd by Bt<hop Samuel detamtd ond tonurcd by the anny in ·mob•liu a thot~S~nd lndagenous people Rmz. were also ••rgetcd by the go"ern· three lndagenous regions and an the from the autonomous regaons." and to menl OfftMl\'C. Thousands of &O''tm- communal)' of Ocosango. bnng aucnuon to the Chaapos conOact. tmnl troops occupacd communities nnd The Councd also Sl2tcd au; lntrnuon 10 set Ull roadblocks throughout the St>te. Offensive Halted conunue organtz:ms for \'lctOt)' m the seohng orr th< mcdaa, human nghlS In a sudden chonge of strategy. coming mun•CJpal and congrcssaonal worktrs, and the geneml populauon Zcdallo halted the mllhary offensave on elections an Chinll:lS. Although the cense-farc has been from chc zones of conflict. No major Feb. 11. and asked the national congress con01cts lx:tween the two ;lrmies have lO appro,•e a lnw gronting omneSt)' to temporarily re·cotablished In Chlnpas. been reponed, though one Mexican offi- members of the EZLN who surrender the state rcnmms cxtremel> tense. • cer was kallcd by sni1>er fore. their weapons. On the same day. the nal- Indigenous organiamlons reporc that \oVhcn announcing the offensive, ing party's governor of Chiapas, the so-coiled "while gunrds." paromili· Zcdallo ouempted to discredit the EZLN Eduordo Robledo Rmcon resigned from tary forces employed by Iorge by hnking le•dcrs to terrorist acts m the office m wh3t he called :m act of peace. landowners. have acted wuh increas· laiC 1960s. and dascloscd the leaders' Both the opposluon Pany of the ing \iolencc nnd nggrdSion through· alleged Identities Subcomandante Democmuc Rtvolulion (PRO) and the out the stole . The Gcncr.~l Couneal or M•reos was ldenufied os Rafael EZLN had detn(lndcd Robledo$ ~gna­ Pluritthnac A\ltonomous Areas m3d< $ebastljn Gullltn Vicente, a professor of uon following fraudulent tl<elions last the following call for help In thtar last commun1eauons from T2basco Slate Dettmber Ounng Robltdos mougurn- press rele3SC; Marcos tseJptd capturt when the army uon. PRO gubernotonal candtdate swcp1 amo the Z3p.111Sl3 capital of San Amado Mend3no fonncd a p.1mllel go,._ Und<r rhtS<: condutons, "t arr l<llling Pedro de Maeh<»Clln RtsadeniS of this emmcnt supported by many Indigenous out w rhe resr of rht ""dd ro !urn rhear eyes and 01hcr communities In Z:lp>lista ter- Orgl1niz.1110ns ~nd the E~LN. Avedafto toward Chlap<~s. IVt a•< In •teed of disuib· ritory ned I hear houses before the annys responded to Robledo's resignation by ulion of injomaallon 10 nmiontd and fnt<rasking PRO mllil~nts 10 surrender the narional sphcm; lmcrnatlonal obsen·ers; :trrL''ol. govcmmcnt buildings which they have letters to tht Mt>.iam .~ovcrnmcnt; firum· Generalized Repression occupied in the region. dal assistance; hucrnallnnol orgcmizing In launclung the offensive. the ami protests. p11rtlcularly In front of Mexican governmem dcclarul its imen- Indigenous Organizing: "You MeXican emb<lsslrs and cOil$t<I<Uts; 1md uon to arrest a list of over 2. 000 indl- are not alone" cara•·ans. IVt ore also <ISinngfor supp<1rt In vacluals p.utlclp;oling on the state$ social Over 1,000 Indigenous represent:l- rht ltgal rc«>smtlon of the aa.ronomous movemencs The offices of CON PAZ. the ti\'CS from throughout the country met regions. Our lncentlon ts to $11(11gth<n tht largest human nghlS organualion in in Guemro state from Ott. 16-18 to so/idoriry btt~<ctn all O!•P·~d ~<. an Cha•pos. wert lOOted by tht militol)' on form the ~•uonal lndagenous the midst of a crudal n101ncn1 in lht 5lrugCom'tnllon (CNI). The CNI declared, ~ for tht ltbtratwn of the lndrgenous pa>Feb 10. The General Council of Plunethnae Autonomous Areas. the · we takc >Sour own the 13 positions of ple of Chwpas. 0 n Pebruory 9. Me.xican Presidem Emesto Zcdillo broke the censc·flre in Chiopas. ordering n surprise ilwosion of Zapatista-held 32 Abya Yala News � 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, no. 4 (Winter 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 Chiapas Update: Mexican Government Launches, Then Halts, Sudden Offensive 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 Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Chiapas Update: Mexican Government Launches, Then Halts, Sudden Offensive Item Type Journal Article Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 32-33 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note The Mexican Government launched a recent, short-lived offensive in Zapatista-held territory in Chiapas. Attachment Title Chiapas_update.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Cease-fire Chiapas CONAI EZLN National Indigenous Convention (CNI) http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/cfb786cadb866a1e3b2a9b2187e47dc1.pdf af83d7af2adce2784107bce0c5479828 PDF Text Text ORGANIZATION - - --=- Coalition in Support of Indigenous Peoples and Their Environment Founded lndigenous organizations. Panicipants di.scussecl1he struggle for autonomy and self.detcnnination. how to create mech· anisms to assure respect for Indigenous he Coalition in Support of Amazonian Peoples and Their rights. and how to strengthen access to decision·making on Em·lronment opened an ofric:e in government T Washington DC in Nov. 1994 to Indigenous rights. The intent of the con· impro,·e communication and coordina· ference was to develop clear definitions of autonomy and self·detemlination. tion among US-based NGOs working with Amazonian peoples. The Coalition was born from an alliance between Indigenous peoples of the Amazon and groups and individuals concerned with the fu ture of the Amazon and its peo· pies. Coalition Members suppon Indigenous territorial rights and sustain~ nblc development ahemath·es. and share the belief that people are an integral pan or the ecosystem. The Coalition will hold an annu.~l Fomm !or NGOs to meet, receive guidance !rom Indigenous leaders of the Amazon. discuss current issues, and develop politic~l action su·atcgies. Topics at next years !omm (May I O-l2 1995 in Washington. DC) will include: Free trade and De\'elopmem, Intellectual Property Rights. the Timber Industry. At present the Coalition has three working groups: U.S. Policy and Hl.lntan Rights. Defense of Territories. and Financial Resources. It is helping to coordinate a number of cmnpaigns such as the Ecuador oil campaign. In an e!fon to promote communications among interested organizations. the Coalition: distributes a monthly Am~ort Update with news from Co..1lition members. F()r mor~ inj()rm,uion, p/(6$(. ccncac1: CoalitiOIJ Coordinmo,. Melina Sel\'Cl:Ston. 1$1/ I< St. N\V Suit< 10+1, 1\~ irtgton . DC 2()()()$. Te/;(202) 637-97 I8.jax;(202)63i· 9719. emaiJ: am«Z:om:ool@fgc.apc.oJi. Self-determination Seminar in Mexico T he Second Seminar on Sclf-determi· nation in Mexico held on Jan. 20·21 was organized b)1 the Colegio de Mexico under the direction of Rudol!o Stavenhagen and hosted by Oax.1can Vol. a No.4 American Indian Satellite Network Makes History or the first time. Native.owned and F public radio stations across the country have access to regular program· ming for and about Natjvc Americans. thanks to the new t\IROS (American Indian Radio on Satellite) network. Since Oct. 31. tl1is history-making ser· ,;ce has offered a daily one-hour feed or dramas. documentaries. litcrmure, self. help programs and heritage pieces, all related to Native Americans. The AIROS network, initially funded b)• the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is developing and establishing what will eventually be a 2+ hour distribmion system of radio pro~ grnmming by, for and about Native Americans. The AIROS feed includes a storyudling series, interviews with various Native American personalities. historical specials and a multi-pan series on breaking the C)'cle of child abuse. as well as a ' 'ariety of other specials and series. Nalivt America Calli11g will premiere at the end of February as a daily. hour-long. live call-in talk show focus· AND COMMUNICAT I ON most of whom operate on inadequate funds; says Susan Braine, AI~OS Manager. "We're working closely with the tribal stations to detem1ine program~ ming needs and to address those needs through tl1e radio programs that AIROS is able to acquire. Our goal is to encour· age and facilitate their own production of these programs. This is their network. It will be as successful and relcvnm as they. the stations, collectively make it: Braine said. AIROS also has plans to acquire ponable uplinks in order to broadcast conferences. po'"'vows. and oLhcr cui· tur:d events from reservations. This would allow tribes to share limited resources while learning from each other. For more information on the t\IROS schedule. contaCt your local public or Native.owned rndio station. Stations interested in becoming affiliated with AIROS should contact Susan Braine at 402-472·0484. Internet for Native Peoples Conference ndigenous activists !rom throughout California gathered at U.C. llerkelcy on Nov. l9 to learn new techniques and I discuss the opportunities for network· ing and alliance building on the in!or· tnation highway. Marc Uecker led a workshop using the Mosaic program to explore the Internet. This prompted both ideas and concerns about using the lmernet as a tool for funhering the causes of Indigenous peoples world wide. 01scussion that followed pointed to the ing on currem issues a.nd topics affecting demand for a larger and more in·depth conference in the future. Man)' who Native Americans. attended questtoned the use of this tech· nology !or people living on resen'l!tions and other third-world conditions who radio is the sole telecommunicmiot\S might not ll.we access to telephone lines service. AIROS directors see the net- or even electricity. work as a first-step towM<I an ambitious Ifyou have acc:t:SS lo a computer and modem. goal: building and linking stations on you mighc be inten-..ste(l in the following liscs the 250 Indian reservations in the rdatcd to Indigenous issues: Indigenous United States. greatest challenge is Knowlt:dg(. NaJive Netin obtaining Native comcm programs. Jisturv@('OP'ndl.tdu, Chiclt;, ~·fujcr 1.. ·liSt· particularly from the Native stations, proc@lmrinet.gsc.ucsb.cd!f, Rata Net. t\IROSlinks most of the 25tribal sla· tions located in Native communities in 10 states, many on reservations where ·our 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. 8, no. 4 (Winter 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 Coalition in Support of Indigenous Peoples and Their Environment Founded 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 Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Coalition in Support of Indigenous Peoples and Their Environment Founded Item Type Journal Article Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 35 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note The Coalition in Support of Indigenous Peoples and Their Environment, made up of US-based NGOs in Washington, D.C. is established. Attachment Title Coalition_in_support_of_indigenous_peoples.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Amazon Coalition in Support of Indigenous Peoples and Their Environment Human Rights Reservations Washington D.C. http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/5a7c5463c9bd73f4605bf0d39ccec6d7.pdf af1392e16242952dd21b0491dc9beb8d PDF Text Text HUMAN --- - R IGHTS At on• a.m on Dtc. S. 3 group of from prosecuuoll) 111 Septtmber b)' masked. anned men forced thctr way Federal Justlet Avchna Mor:1les into Gernrdo Estrada~ house and Guzman of the thtrd distnct, forcibly abduct<d hom. Despnc all Ch1huohun. despite sixty-three out· ouempts to locate hom, his whereabouts Slnndmg fedeml and state indiCtments. remam unknown. Ills ~dls..'lppearnnce.. Documents obt:uned fro1n che auorney has been denounced tO the National : gcncrnl~ office and former National Human Rights OrnsbudsmnnS office lndigemst3 lnsmute employees indicate and to the Jn1Cr1or MllllSitr, and a writ that no less than thtrty SC\'en people or hnbtas corpus \W$ presented on hiS ha-"' been killed by Fontes' :ISSOCi:ltes behalf Gerardo Estrada IS a member of the O\'Cr the past three years. goverrung commlllCC Of the JndtgtnOUS Authontits of Colombl3 mo-·emem. and For """' lliformar""'- ( OfttCI(t· Randall Gir.gndl, ~<S< GIIGtdWil<, .)l<n'CI M<r<IJ< had n:eently been elected to the depanl'>ogram Dtr<aor ttl/FAX· (602}-.J26-2.511. mcm's mun10pal assembly In common \\1lh other lndtan c:ommumues.. the arnnl· ..U...."""g' op<.Otg lnd1ans 111 the rn.to regton >rt work1ng Nicaragua: Recontras 10 reco'·er th<tr trnduoonallands In the process, they ha"c come mto conflict Massacre Miskitu s t lci\St 20 Miskuu lnd1ans were ""th local landowners who. ""'h the kolled In Nov. when I00 recomru cooperation of military and p.1rnnnlilnry auacked the villages of Nucv:t Espcranza fon:;ts, have conumtted human ngl11s and Kant:tW$ 1n the area of S3n Andres violations again>t them. In Mny. the de Bocay. The O 'CCOntms mny be part or body of regional Indigenous leader, a group that broke awn)' from the Freme Laureano ln~mpue was found two dn)"S None 3-80. the l.bt recontm group to o.fier hos ,tbducuon by men who stated dls;tnn. that they wen: scm by the local military Anny Capt Milton S.1ndoval sa1d the commander recontms were mOSt hktl)' loolang for boots or food Sond0\'31 s:t1d se-·eral l'ltasc w-.41<11<'> .,.Jaxts .-.pl<>SI"S con.ccm hundred ann)' troops had been jo.-IN "'frtyojlr.d~ kod<rwrardD depiO)..,d. but could not reach the 31'<.0 &trodo ar.d "'8'"S ''"" <tfl po<stblc mcasurn beduse of l~ck or roods and heavy rains. be token to'""'"' IN It•<> of lttdlgtrt<JUS kadm In 1~ conrcxr of rtunr hi/lin~. 10: From: \\~tkly Net<'$ Up<lare on'"' Amaic.._ Senor Pn$ldtntt .Er'llt$1<1 S<Jmpu ""':ano, P":sldcntc de Ia Rtpubll<u. Palacio dt f'.'arlM. Colombia: Indigenous Leader Sanrofc de Bogota. Coloml>l<t. Fa.v: Oil 57 I 286 N311287 7939. Disappeared A rmed men abducted Indigenous .ll.Jeadcr Gemrdo Estrada from his Wuh <opla 1o: home 111 the 1\lquems municip.1lity Amh<l:lsad<>r Gabrltl Slh'd, Embcwy of Narino department on O.:c. :;_ His Colombia. 21181.£roy 1'1 NIV, 1\'cl,hlngrc>ll. whereabou<> ""' not known and there is DC 2000'1. and QNEP. M 2$916. Bogool. serious concern for h1s safety, <Speciall>• Co/Dmb!a. as lnd1genous leaders obducttd under similar on:umSt2ned: h,a,•c o£t.en bet:n an mddin1le ·:-unp.1ro· (c)r tmmunit)' Mexico: Sierra Madre Appeal he Consejo Asesor Slerm Madre (CASMAC) nnd Indigenous communiues throughout the Chihuahua T Mount~ms h:wc requested urgenl inte r- nauonal suppon to their demands for pc11CC and ;u.tlc.: 111 muluple assossinations •nd Other brut~l abuses of lndogcnOU5 Tornhum;trn, TeJXhuan. and tnv1ronmencal leaders in nonhem Mvnco\ Sterm Madr<. mountoon range_ In 2 kuer to Mtxtcan President EmrStO Zedtllo. CASMAC descnbes onc~d violenct 3g;>oi\SI Indigenous leaders ond env1ronmenU1hstS in the Slerm Madr<. of Chohunhua. Drug trafOckors working with local caciques (poliucal bo.~) nrc reponrdly responsible for many ossassinalions. beatings and other actS of violence Stme authorities have reportedly refused to investigate the maJOrity of these c~ and f«ieral mvesugouon~ have been hindered by dl\'trston of resources tO Other prio.rIU<S and by corrupuon in the judicial S)'S<cm Aecordmg to the feder.>l attorney scneml. one of the most ''IOiem CXI<JUCS. Anem1o Fontes. was granted 34 A lallcd. � 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, no. 4 (Winter 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 Columbia: Indigenous Leader Disappeared 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 Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Columbia: Indigenous Leader Disappeared Item Type Journal Article Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 34 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note A group of armed men abducted one of Columbia's key indigenous leaders who helped to lead efforts to recover traditional indigenous lands in the Pasto region. Attachment Title Columbia_indigenous_leader_disappeared.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Gerardo Estrada Indigenous Authorities of Columbia land rights Pasto http://saiic.nativeweb.org/ayn/files/original/68b1cbccc6c44ced106b959f97b60640.pdf 28432a89ade07190c2e0a9bb406311ee PDF Text Text PERSPECTIVES ON BIODIVERSITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY "Development" Crop Diversity and Indigenous People in the Andes Indigenous farmers show over 3;000 varieties of seeds at a regional Hseed fair" in the Andes. by Tirso Gonzales T he northern countries have recently become concerned with losses in biodiversit)'· Among other things. this has included concern for the loss of native crop seed diversity. private industry in the North, if not for the fam1ers and Indigenous people of the ' Third World: Presently, Northern and Southern governments. U':lnsnational corpora· The main causes of this loss a.re external tions. and international developrnent to Indigenous populations, who have always considered the seeds of native plants part of their survi""l strategy and diet. These plants. which are described by scholars in the North as "under· exploited tropical plants with p romising economic value" or the "lost crops of the Incas," have through the growth of biotechnology industries been com·en· ed into a promising source of profi1s for and llnancial agencies link biodiversity in an almost natural way to biotechnol· ogy. and ignore the Indigenous peoples who inhabit the majority of the planet's regions richest in biodiversity. This absence of real interest in lndigenous peoples is consistent with the dominant practices of "'development"' and as well as lhose of conservation. Development Institutions and the Loss of Biodiversity n~ Gonz_alt'$ is completing a dL~I'lalion on Indigenous Knowledge and Biadh'trsuy in IIJ< Unfortunately, t11e Global Str:uegy Puuvfan Andes and Mc.xic.o bt the department for Biodiversity (G$8), one of the most of Rural Sociology at rhc Unh'usily of inOucmial recem policy frameworks Wisconsin . relating 10 conservation or biological Vol. 8 No.4 diversity. continues within the s..··nne modemizmionist vein. The GS6 \vas prepared by the World Resources lnstitme. the World Conservation Union. and the UN Environment Program in const~tation with the UN Food and AgricultUre O rganization. and included the work of more than 500 individuals O\'tr three years. It was designed for adoption by scientists, politicians. and governmental and nongovernmental organizations in both lhe Nonh and South. After three years of debate. only four of its 85 actions emphasize the role of Indigenous com· munities a.nd campcsinos in the protec· 11on of biodiversity. Many international agricultural insti· tutions also continue in the same mod· cmizationist tendency. T examples wo with panicular impact on Indigenous agriculture are the International Centers 21 �f'ERSPECTIV~S ON B IODIVERSI TY AND I NTELLECTUAL PROPERTY for Corn and \\'heat in Mexico. and the Jntcmalional Center for PotalO Research in Pen1. The so-called Green Re\•olution , associated with 18 such nuemational centers of agricltltural research and The culture or each and every one or these peoples -that is, the way they know things, their modes of being. and their modes or understanding the world MOUI'Id them-is shown in their rehuion backed by imemational de,·elopmem and Onance organizations like the \Vorld to crops. plants and other li'ong beings. Bank, the IMF and US AID. promoted a fom1 of agriculture very different from that of Indigenous campcsinos. The "'re\'Oiution" W;)S designed to use high inputs or chemicals and heavy machin· ery. and offers little of substance to Indigenous farn>ers. To the contrary, it An Alternative Project For the last two years, the Asociacion Bartolome Aripaylla (ABA), one of more than 20 groups associated with the Lima-based NGO Andean Project for Campesino Technologies (PRATEC). has btcn working to revive traditional has tried to transfonn them into modem Andean techniques and crops in the ramters. dependent not only on seeds Quechua comm\mity of Quispillacta, but also knowledge, tools. money and A)r acucho. The community's territory food. The. green revolution is a principal includes over 20.000 hectares of which cause of the loss of cultural and biologi- less than five percent have been brought cal diversity in the countryside. under cultivation . Uke man}' Andean Chemicals used in the "revolution.. ha\'e communities. Quispillacta is organized also COntributed tO contamination or air, at three levels: the Ayllu. the neighborwater. soils :.tnd living things in general. hood. and the community. Nuclear fam· ilies are brought together in the Ayllu Diversity in the Andes and strengthened through collective The Andes form a mountain chain work and ritual fiestas. The ABA is made that crosses territorie-s no\v known as up of community member$ who left to Colombi~. Ecu~dor, Peru and Bolivia. study in the city and fonncd an NGO The great diversity of Andean cultures there. This has converted them, as they developed close connections wilh the thetnselves recognize. into "'visitors" in eanh, the Pachamama. and the rest or the community. They had stopped fannthe living beings such as hills, water. ing their own plots for over thin.een animals. sun and moon. This regionS years, and depended on the city. After extraordinary abundance of crops. med- rcnecting on this problem . the members icinal plams. rnait lrees. animals and of the ABA decided to return to the commicro-organisms has eamed it designa- munity. "Correcting our errors. we tried tion as a. global ..meg:Hiiversi\y'"' center. to intensify our actions of strengthening As several scholars have noted. this the community. \Ve formed another diversity in itself is not so notable as the group in the communhy. grew plants manner in which it has occurred. The and worked in the fields like the other questions are: Why is there such high members of the Ayllus, and became pan biological diversity in the Andes? Who of the agricultural cycle of the commucreates. reproduces and cares for biodi· nity.'" vcrshy? How is 1his done? \Vhy is it The ABA works in the collection and done? inventory of local and regional seeds. The answer to these questions is communal and group planting. found in the imernction between the exchange of experiences. infonnation Quechuas, Aymams. Jibaros. :1nd seeds, and Andean pra.ctices for Chichimccas, Chinantecos. Chontal. exchanging and maimaining seeds. Aushiri, Quichua. Shuar. liuitotos. Aher these two years of work and Chichas, dozens of other Indigenous Sludy of genetic conscnrntion and ero· peoples. and the namral environment. sion. the enormO\lS differences between 22 the western and the Indigenous vision have become C\•idem. They have denominated these as "'the culture or hybrid seeds"' and the "culture of native seeds.· ABA held "Seed Fairs" in 1991 and 1993. These fairs have 1>rovided incen- tives to cullivate tlative seeds of many varieties, in comra.c;t to agricultur7tl fairs organized by the Ministry of Agriculture which promote "improved seeds: Among the objectives of the II Exposition of Andean Seeds were: to show the potential of native seeds that are raised in Quipillacta, to e..xchange seeds and knowledge. to demonstr.ue the role of subsistence fanners and increase phytogenctic variety, to promote and amplify the growth or diverse Andean seeds. and to show the. nutri· tiona! richness and the diversit)' of dish- es that can be made from Andean crops. Nearly half of the area's t\yllus partic- ipated in the second seed fair, presen,ing over 3.000 samples of twelve Andean crops. When crop diversity wns charted by region. it became evident that the greatest crop diversity was found in the Rio Papas watershed-especially in the areas of Pirhuamarca and Llaqtahuaran-whcre the development institutions have the least presence. This confinns-according to ABA-that crop diversity is greatly affected by projects that promote seed improvcmem. since they carry with them an established technological packet which tends tO dis- place the t'lative ecotypes and knowledge. Cases such as th" of the Asociacion Bartolome ;lripaylla sug,~est that the con- servation of seed diversity depends more than any~.hing on the conservation and strengthening of Andean cultures. Tnoe development in the Andes will never come. in the form of modernization. par· ticularly when this means--.s often stated in the past-the replacing of everything lndiar• with - modern," 'Western tech ~ niques. Rather, Indigenous agriculture will pia}' a critical role in any authentic process of Andean development. Abya Yala News � 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, no. 4 (Winter 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 "Development" Crop Diversity and Indigenous People in the Andes Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tirso Gonzales Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Winter 1994 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title "Development" Crop Diversity and Indigenous People in the Andes Item Type Journal Article Author Tirso Gonzales Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 21-22 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Winter 1994 Language English Abstract Note There is emerging global concern for the loss of native crop seed diversity. Unfortunately, current efforts by prominent international organizations like the UN and World Bank ignore the role of Indigenous communities and campesinos in the protection of biodiversity. Attachment Title Development_crop_diversity.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Andes Asociacion Bartolome Aripaylla Biodiversity Conservationism Global Strategy for Biodiversity (GSB)