1 12 46 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/aa725b1f0134b2411cba906d9ee4de7a.pdf 86659d7631469a12e3958e7b07bba8fd PDF Text Text ·we Need to Survive!•• A Message from Davi Kopenawa Yanomami (Bnuil) Daui Kopenauxl Ymwmami visilal Ntw Yo'* in April and md with 11¥ Stadmy Gennrzl of the United Nations, the Organizaoon ofAmerican States, and tM World Bank to explain the effects geld-miners are lu:uing on his people, tM Yanomami of the state of Romima in the Brazilian Amazon. He also md with manygroups on the mst QlQSt to help raise funds for a Yanomami health project. The following aree=rpts frrmt a statement made by Daui Koptnawa Yanomami to the lnttr·Ameriam Commission on Human Rights last September in Demini, Brazil. My name is Davi Kopenawa Yanomami... I am a Yanomami Indian. I want to send my message to those who are friends and who are helping us to defend the forest. I want to talk to the people who do not know the problems of the Indians in Brazil. We Yanomami Indians have lived in this forest for a vel)' long time, for much longer than any White or non-Indian person. We used to be free and we did not have any lcind of illness. We were not sick a t all. rolled into the forest. Tiley are now all over the territory. We Yanomami Indians are vel)' worried because we do not have the authority of the President... we have to ask the government to change the situation and to take the gold miners. .. out of the area. !have asked FUNAI (the Brazilian Bureau of Indian Affairs) many times and all the authorities, including former President Samey, when he was President...to take out the gold miners. .. but the only thing they d id was to promise and to keep promising things and not do anything. Instead, they let many other gold· miners come in... and they did not take them out. Sickness also came with the gold miners. Because of the mosqui· toes that bite them and then bite us, we are now having all of this sickness. Tile sickness called malaria is very Slrong, and I think at least !<XX> Yanomami have died already. Even more than !<XX>. 111at is what I think. Now our rivers.. our streams. .. During that are dirty. The time there were no nonDavi YOII()mami on his visit to North America. Yanomamldo not know about mercury... Indians around here. Tiley were far away. We Indians did not know that the non-Indians would give us so many Mercury is used by gold miners to clean the gold ... It goes problems... I am talking about the gold miners who come back to the river and the fish that the Yanomami eat and the here and take out our fish, the animal$. .. and devastate the water that the Yanomami drink is mixed with mercury. forest. 111at is what I am tallcing about. .. They have invaded When they cat and drink that they get sick. our territory.Tiley first came in 1987.11lcy killed four Those gold miners arc also poor people. Like us, Yanomami at Paapiu. From there they spread out into the they are not rich. I feel pity for them because they come territory with small airplanes and helicopters... and they here, because their boSSC$ send them here, and they just 20 SAIIC Newsle tter �obey them. Around Sururucus, there arc a lot of goldminers. The federal polke have not taken them out. They tried, but what they did was to get the nice gold-miners out, not the bad and mean ones. I am a Yanomami Indian who understands the non-Indian world. I keep asking President Collor to expel the gold miners from our territory. President Collor has been to Surururus, but. .. on ly to a military base... That is the only thing he saw. President Collor knows that the situation is not good. So I am asking o ther people to con tin ue pressuring the Brazilian government to help expel the goldminers. I spoke to the United Nations, which gave me an award. I told them that the prize did not help my people. So I am asking the UN to help the Yanomami people to pressure the Brazilian government to remove the goldminers from our area. Also, we want the Organization of American States. .. to help us as friends. I don't think it is just the Brazilian government. You should pressure every government in the world b«ause they arc all alike, and they should help us. .. Protect the Indians, protect the rivers, the mountai.n s, the forest. We need to survive. It is very important for them too. It is not only the Yanomami but also the non-Indians. We all depend on the land. So if they do not protect the land, all of humanity will die. To you whom I am sending this message, what I am asking is to do something to help the Brazilian Ind ians, and also all the Ind ians of the world, because the Indians want to live in peace. Not only the Indians who live in the forest but also the Indians who live in the dty and the nonIndians who arc living in the dty arc suffering because the government should pay attention to all of us and do something to help us. I am going to say something else... about the 19 islands of Yanomami land that former President Samey demarcated. We Yanomami Indians do not want to live in islands. We want to be safe. The gold miners arc going to enter our islands... We need a con tin uous area and a big area in order to be able to fiSh and hunt and live well. We want all of our land united. In regards to the government operation that is supposed to take out the gold miners... they have not taken out all of the gold miners. The operation has stopped because the government says that they do not have money... ! know the government authorities, the Brazilian au thorities, and I know the politicians and I know the way they work. My feeling is that they do not want to take the gold miners out... What they really want is to be here and exploit our resources. That is why they do not want to solve our problems. (Su Davi.p . 45) Vol6 Nos 1&2 Some Ground is Made in the Struggle for the Construction of a Yanomami Park President Collor finally obeyed the Brazilian court dedsion and revok ed former President Samcy's illegal dccrccs dividing Yanomami territory into 19 'islands' and create three illegal mining reserves. But optimism about a decisio n on a Yanomami Pari< soon diminished when Collor announecd he was setting up a group to study Yanomami boundaries. On April19, National Day of the Indian, he signed a decree calling for a proposal for the demarcation of the Yanomami territory to be presented to him wlthi.n six months. During Presid ent Collor's visit to the Un ited States in June, environmental and Indian support grou ps informed him that the evacuation of the gold-miners in the Yanomami area had been paralyzed and the gold-miners had again invaded an extensive part of the Yanomami territory. Upon returning to Brazil, Collor fired FUNAI prosldent Cantidio Guerrciro Guimaracs. Meanwhile, the government pla.n ned to begin on July 19, the third operation to expel the gold-miners from the Yanomami territory using a sum of $1.8 million. The government's plans for the gold-mi ncrs Is being questioned. It was reported that the intcnton is to incorporate several thousand expelled gold-miners i.n to agricultural projects. If the projects are set up near the Yanomami area, it is certain that they will re-invade the territory. Sydney Possuelo, the new prosidcnt of FUNAI published a resolution on July 22, 1991, calling for the demarcation of the Yanomami territory as a contiguous area of9,419,108 hectares, located in thcstatesof Roraima and Am.uonas. This was signed by President Collor. The government is estimating that it will cost $6 millio n to demarcate the territory. Last Minute News Ill On November 14, President Collar de Mello granted "pennanent rights" over 36,358 squa re miles to the Yanomamilll �Atendo (continued from p. 26) n.cy a.r e a strong force in the economic survival of our communities. This is because of their involvement in the production of "molas," which is the art of the Kuna. Because the "molas" are being sold at natio nal levels and exported to the US and Europe, they are achieving economic success at international levels. In many tespects, the women have a greater capacity to organize them.sclves in cooperatives and to conbibute to the economic survival of the Kuna family than the men do. This is why, when we speak of the Kuna economy, we spea.k of men and women as equals. Davi (continued from p. 21) 1hcre are many people who are powerful. There are powerful gold miners... and authorities too, like Romero Juca, former president of FUNAI. He is responsible for letting the gold miners invade our territory and ... for lots of killings of Yanomami ... Something must be done to solve our problem because Romero Juca will not solve it. He docs not like us. .. Do the international authorities and people from the United States think it is true what they always say that the demarcation of Yanomami land is a matter of money, that they do not have money to do it?... I am very worried about people abroad who.. : are giving money to Brazil. .. but ll21 to help the Indians. This money that comes from abroad is helping the Brazilian government to oppress Indians. I am very worried about that. Non-Indians are like ants. I know that non-Indians like our reso= n.cy say that we have gold, we have lumber, and they say that they need that to help the people who live in the city. Well, we do not want them, and we do not want them here. What we wa. t is tespect for our rights. We want n them to leave us alone. We need help with regard to the health situation. In the beginning we did not need any help. We did not need any doctors, any medical doctors, any nurses or any medicine. But now we need doctors and nurses to help the Yanomami who are sick. We also need medicines because we used to cure ourselves only with 'shabori' [shamanism) ... But that is not enough anymore, And we need medical doctors and medicines and help from non-Indian people. We are worried because the non-Indians are not very much worried about us. They think that we are a different race. 1hcrefore, they want to isolate us. They think we are bothering their work. We are preventing them from working here, so they would rather have us isolated. They do not wony very much about what is going on with us. 44 We have strongly safeguarded our spirituality and traditions. For example, we hold the Gc1U!ml Congress of Kuna Culture, which unites the spiritual guides of all of our communities. They are highly respected by all Kuna people. n.cy promote teaching and learning amongst the youth so that our rich traditions are not lost. We, of Kuna Yala, are confronting serious problems along the Colombian border, where gold prospectors are invading our lands. We are also indirect victims of the confrontations which take place in Colombia between the guerrillas and the army. Violating all laws, both sides invade our region while the Panamanian authorities do nothing to stop them. The same thing occurs with the Yanqui {United States) army which often crosses our territory to go to the Panamanian border with the excuse of filling the vacuum created by the dissolution of the Pana· man ian army in 1989, following the invasion. Ampan (continued from p. 11) domination. everybody is af'Taid that we will take a racist stand and that this will lead to a racial confrontation. For this reason. there has not been enough dialogue amongst the poor dass. In meetings with laborer$, peasants and intellectuals, it is important for us to talk so that we feel equal. We must, if we are from the same cla.ss, talk so that we can find a solution... Plurinationality will only be possible with the total transformation of society. This is possible if, as in Switzer· land, there are well-defined and recognized sectors. We understand that the problem is not exclusively Indigenous. It is a problem which concerns aU of us. In order to form such a state we must think carefully what it would be like. How would it be governed at the political, economic, social and cultural levels? U we find that the workers are on one side, the indigenous on another and other sectors on other sides, then it will not be possible... We must continually reconsider our struggle and include long-term goals in our strategy. We must work together and make compromises. We must coordinate our endeavors in this way or we will not succeed, even if we are united. SAIIC Newsletter � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "We Need to Survive!": A Message from Davi Kopenawa Yanomami Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Yanomami, David Kopenawa Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title "We Need to Survive!": A Message from Davi Kopenawa Yanomami Item Type Journal Article Author Yanomami, David Kopenawa Volume 6 Issue 1,2 Pages 20-21, 44 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Abstract Note An excerpt from a speech given by David Kopenawa Yanomami. Attachment Title We_Need_To_Survive.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Brazil Collor de Mello Fernando FUNAI Yanomami David Kopenawa https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/09d9e14e5bfca58697c46e710e407521.pdf d6a25b1d5d27cf060042a5433b5aa6a0 PDF Text Text 1000 INDIANS MARCH TO PROTEST ARMY'S KILLING OF COMMUNITY LEADERS (Colombia) last November the principal Indian leader of the Arhuaoo lndlans, Luis Napolc6n Torres, his brother, Angel Maria Torres, and another Arhuaoo, Hugues Chaparro were travelling by bus from the local city ol Valleclupar, the Colombian capital of Bogotll. They were going to protest to government authorities about anny and police harassment of their communities. At a stop along the way, ncar the town of Curumani, soldiers forced the three off the bus and took them away. The bus driver reported this to the local police but they appear to have done little o r nothing. Two weeks later the Indians' bodies were discovered in three different places- all had been severely tortured. About a thousand Indians later marched to Valleclupar in protest and to take the bodies bad< to the mountains for traditional funeral rites. Two of the dead were traditionalmmno (shamans) and all were highly respected Indian leaders. On the same day as the three leaders disappeared, another Arhuaoo, Vicente Villafafle, and his brother had their house searched for anns- none were found. They were taken to the army base in Valledupar where they were beaten and tortured. Two days later, November 30th, one of Gran Chaco Indigenous Peoples Call for Land Commission (Bolivia) Indigenous peoples of the Gran Chaco region of the Bolivian Amazon have requested the Bolivian government to establish a commission to deman:ate their territory. In an open letter to President Jaime Paz Zamora, the Mataoo and Tapiet~ peoples, who live on the banks of the Plloornayu River, Informed the President that they conducted a general assembly last November (1990) in Villamontes. At the end of the gathering. they issued a resolution calling on the President to take immediate measures to halt the injustices and abuses they are suffering at the hands of colonists. The resolution denounces the " ... total paralysis of our attempts to acquine property rights and land tiUes, a process that has been dctained by the National Agrarian Reform. We demand to be treated the same way as our Sirion6 brothels and sisters at lbiato. The Sirion6 have been able to press for the approval ol Supreme Decree# 22609 which declares as 'indigenous territory' the lands they inhabit." Indigenous peoples of the Gran Chaco explain Vol6 Nos 1&2 them was taken by army helicopter to the Indian community of Vlndivameina (Santo Domingo) where soldjers searched houses, shot their rilles into the air, and stole food from the school and equipment from the health post. The Colombian army views all peasant and Indian communities as potential guerrilla collaborators. In other areas of Colo mbia, guerrillas themselves have killed Indian leaders who refuse to affiliate with their particular antigovernment group of which there are several. In many areas the Indians suffer at the hands of both the rebel and government forces. A Colombian court has begun an investigation into the killings but this is unlikely to bring any results without a show of support for the Indians and protests at the violations of their rights. Please write to the President of Colombia, protesting the army's killing and torture of lndlan people. Senor Presidente Dr Cesar Goviria, Presidente de lo Republica Coso de Noriiio, Carrero 8 No 7-26 Bogot6, COlOMBIA \,~·-:........ -' . that the agrarian reform paper work has been suspended. They arc accusing the government of stalling the approval of previous documents. The Mataco and Tapiet~ said that in July of 1980, agrarian reform officers instructed them to proceed with the land tiUe paper work and that native authorities visited the Indian commu.nities to explain the objectives. With economic aid from the Swedish Mission in Bolivia, along with the approval ol the agrarian reform officers, they Initiated the paper work along legal path$. They paid the required fees to the local judge Hilda Palavlsino, a SECretary, and a land surveyor. The local judge is now advising cattle ra.nchers and pits them against the Indians. She has been responsible for the legal curtailment of paper worlc that was to benefit the Mataco. In the meantime, the Mataco and Tapiet~ say that the governmental commission must be formed by the Ministry of Peasant Affairs, the Indigenist Institute, CIOOB (Indigenous Confederation of Eastern Bolivia) and representatives of the Mataco and Tapict~. They warn against colonizers encroaching on their lands. They also denounce Judge Hilda Palavlsino for bias towards catUe ranchers because of her friendship and familial ties. "'four petition falls through, and is not resolved favorably and immediately, the Indigenous Peoples of the Gran Chaco will adopt other de facto measures," they warn. 19 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1000 Indians March To Protest Army's Killing of Community Leaders 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 Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title 1000 Indians March To Protest Army's Killing of Community Leaders Item Type Journal Article Volume 6 Issue 1,2 Pages 19 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Abstract Note The Colombian Army discriminates against indians and calls them possible guerilla collaborators. Attachment Title abyayala_v06n01_02_p019.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Arhuaca Colombia paramilitary attacks https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/e2627cef94a964bad8125067388e20d1.pdf 1392f6fd86b9f1d42c4b1c8f38986440 PDF Text Text 500 Years of Indian Resistance and the Popular Movement (Guatemala) The "Continental Campaign: 500 Years of Indian Resistance and the Popular Movement" took place in Quetzaltcnango, Guatemala from October 7-12, 1991. More than 200 delegates partidpated of whom about 130 were non-Indian representatives from popular movements and about 70 were Indian delegates from South, Central and North America. Some of the main topics of the agenda were: dcrnocracy, human rights, Indian rights, land and life, nroc:olonialism and self.<fetcnnination, and women and youth. For more infonnotion, contod: Secretoria Opetativa, Apdo Postol·7·8 Sucursol el Trebol, 01903 Guatemala, GUATEMAlA C.A. Phone:28932 TRADITIONAL O'ODHAM OF MEXICO DEMAND RECOGNITION (Mexico) The O'Odham of Sonora, Mexico and the Tohono O'Odham Nation of southern Arizona are all one people, however they have yet to be fully terogllized and respected as one sovereign nation by both the United Statesa.n d Mexico. The Traditional O'Odham Leaders of Mexico are petitioning to the O'Odham Nation of Arizona, to terogllizc the O'Odham of Mexico as part of their nation, and the lands in Mexico as part of the ancestral lands of the Tohono O'Odham Nation. The Traditional O'Odham Leaders of Mexico are prc$CI'Itly eXA!rting a major effort to recover or reclaim ancestral lands for the O'Odham during this six-year term of President Salinas de Gortari in Mexico. They arc petitioning the Federal and State government agencies of Sonora and the Tohono O'Odham Council in Sells, Arizona that any dealings with the O'Odham of Mexico be presented to the Traditional O'Odham of Mexico first for their review and action on it. In this way, the traditions, culture, language and sacred sites can be protected. For the past 100 years, the O'Odham of Mexico have protested the conditions in which they live under the Mexican government, the violation of their human rights and the invasion of their ancestral land rights. The National tndigenist Institute ONO has collaborated more likely than not with the ranchers and drug traffickers who continue to usurp even more lands from the O'Odham of Mexico. The Traditional O'Odham Leaders of Mexico were organized to face the problem of INI appointing hand-picked O'Odham and non-O'Odham to serve in official positions. There are inherent problems with this select few who have maintained an absolute control over the internal govema.n ce and over funds designated to benefit the O'Odham of Mexico's small economic development projects. These people have been dedicated to their own interests and those of the lNl offidals and not to the needs of the Traditional O'Odham. The Traditional O'Odham of Mexico are now developing the "O'Odham in Mexico Program" which focuses on different areas such as community development assessment, land development assessment and legal intervention. They have entered the international arena with two petitions to the United Nation's Working Group for Indigenous Populations in Geneva. For more infonnotion and how you can be supportive ol the O'Odham in Mexico Progrom, you may conlad: George Ignacio or Fronk Mariana in Arizona at (602) 383-2249. 34 SAIIC Newsletter � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 500 Years of Indian Resistance and the Popular Movement 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 Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title 500 Years of Indian Resistance and the Popular Movemenet Item Type Journal Article Volume 6 Issue 1,2 Pages 34 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Abstract Note Notes on the "Continental Campaign." Attachment Title abyayala_v06n01_02_p034.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Guatemala https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/f48c70285bc4bba85907f2e978cc214b.pdf 07f84433b6d59cd94dff1c4f294e909a PDF Text Text A MESSAGE FROM THE HUAORANI ¥ (Ecuador) Under increasing pressure from indigenous peoples uf the Ecuadorian Amazon and tnVironmenllll organizations within and outside Ecuador, C = Oil Comparty announad on October 11 that it tooS withdrawing from all oil develqpment in the regicn of the Amazon that comprises the traditional territory of the Huaorn11i lndums. Conoco's decision came thrre w«ks after the Inter·Amerialn Commission on Hurnan Rights hmrd arguments by SAIIC coordinAtor, Nilo Cayuquro and IAuri Adams of the Sieml Club Legal Defense Fund. They argued that actions by the government uf Ecuador apprwing Conoco's massive oil deve/qpmenl project in the hMrl uf the HIIQOnmi's traditionallllnds violates the Indians' a.sic human rights to life, hMith, hame, family, and cullurt. The following Idler wzs sent to Canoco by the Huaomni organiz.aticn in the Ecuadorian Amazon (ONHAE). See issues Vo/5 Nos 3&4 of the SAIIC NttDSldter far more information on theUmoc:o • Huaomni case. General Manager DuPont - Conoeo Company Un ited State8 of America Dear Sir: The Orqaniution o! the Huaorani Nation.>lity of the Ec\l.odorian 1\mozon Region (ONHAE) , in a.n extraordinary meeting held on the lOth and 11th of January, 1991, adopted the following re301utions: 1. 'n\at oil exploitation in the ftuaora.ni territory rrust be provontod, because the pollution hao killed """Y anift.lo, tiohos and plants, and haa produoed many diaeasea. 'n\at is what we have a.oen, and it is th.reat6t\i.ng the life of th4l Hua.oranie. 2 . 'll\o.t tho oil OOCTpa.nies enter ovr territory without t akinq ue into acoount. '11\at thoy como in a.nd do thoir work doepito tho fe.ct that thoy know wo have the proporty ri9hte over this land., disrupting our orga.niz.ational process; tho Co.nooo ~y wants to work by itself, uei.nc), in an iaolat«:l fashion, Hua.ora.nis from Cononaoo and Yasuni . 3. That the Ccnooo ~ is discussing the fate of the Huaora.nia in fn60ting-s in whidl tho Hua.ora.nis are not preet~nt and that we a.re t~t.cl as it we are gue.st~. We mJet not be treated as questa when the dia.cussion is about our lives . We rrust eorr.ct this situation, because our liv<ts au on the liM. 4 . 'Ibat we, tho ONHAE, ratify our opposition to the construction ot any roads in Hua.ora.ni tor-rito.ry. S. Thot th• drillin9 of oil wolls pollut•a tho rivers. 6. That the Huaorani culture sunrive and prosper. We do not want nie.s to oocro a.nd civiliu us. OOftt)O.- 7. 'Ihet vo do not want to be doc::eivod by the oil <XX'fl)41\iea. 8. !bot vo aro aware of the problems of the world. Despite thea.o, wo will oontinue to defend our land. Awaiting your respo.nse to caja Postal 17-21-166, Quito, Ecuador, we rotn11in sincerely, Ro.m' n Hua.noni COb&, Moi Enoman9a Na.ntohua, President, antA& Vioe Vol6 Nos 1&2 President,~ Eugenio Qu-ri C. Secretary, ONKAE 17 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A Message From the Huaorani 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 Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title A Message From the Huaorani Item Type Journal Article Volume 6 Issue 1,2 Pages 17 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Abstract Note Conoco Oil withdraws from Huarorani territory, in part from a letter explaining why oil exploitation must be prevented. Attachment Title abyayala_v06n01_02_p017.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Ecuador Huaorani https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/8bdd980f2899d77a631a2c0694d461d9.pdf 28da3b3b35c7ca692929ddb89b6697f1 PDF Text Text Ph«o by Dap!w Wysham The KUNJ have a Ullique 1~1 of OUUJnomy due w a long hiJtory ofrtsisuw:t. A Message from the Kunas United for Mother Earth (Panama) My name is Atendo Lopez Martinez, and I belong to the I<una nation of the I<una Yala region of Panama. I am here in North America to find out more about the work of our northern brothers and sisters and to investigate ways we might be able to coordinate our actions.! would like to share with you an account of what is happening to our people in Panama, in particular the I<una people. 1hereareapproximately40,000 I<Wla living on the islands in the I<una Yala Region, in the northeast of Panama on the Colombian border. The region of !<una Yala comprises more than 3W islands, of which 52 are inhabited. 1here is a very small percentage of Kuna who reside in the jungle outside of the jurisdiction of Kuna Yala, in the province of Panama. They also are struggling to have their territory (known as the KIUla Region of Madungandi) demarcated. Those of us who live on the islands or in the coastal areas of the Caribbean have a certain autonomy with respect to other indigenous groups and state policy. We obtained a level of autonomy, which is unique among indigenous peoples, by fighting against the police and the colonial army of Panama in 1925. Many of our grandfathers lost their lives to the white invaders, who wanted to keep the I<una people as their slaves. Among others, Nele I<antule and Coman led this uprising. They proclaimed the establishment of the Republic of Tule, which was never actually formed, but we obtained the autonomy we rontinue to exercise today, albeit with many problems. We do not assess national taxes amongst our own peoples, and what we assess from non-I<una people goes toward the development of our communities. With tespcct to our internal governance, we strongly enforce tcspect for traditions and customs within our rommunities. In the political realm, we have the General I<una Congress, which Vol6 Nos 1&2 25 �unites all Kuna people and organizations. EveJy six months the problems of our people arc reviewed in this rongress. Du.ring the rest of the year our rornrnunities and organizations work independently. Distinct political and even ideological positions are respected. What unites us is the defense of our region. our Mother Earth, and our culture. 'The Kuna Region of Madungandi is being threatened by the invasion of non·indigenous colonists. TI>ose who liw in the jungle region are on mountainous lands which are less productive, the result of a forced relocation in 1974 and 1975 by the fonncr government of General Omar Torrijos. The government decided to build a hydroelectric dam in the region in order to supply electridty to the republic. Ironically, today, our brothers still do not have electricity. They do not enjoy any of the benefits of this socalled "technological development." They live in the province of Panama, under the direct administration of the authorities of that province. Their situation worsened in 1974 and 1975 when the government of Omar Torrijos nooded their territories and turned them into an artificial lake. Now the lake generates approximately 45% of the country's elcctridty. The cultivated lands of the Kuna were nooded, the people were displaaxl to inhospitable a.nd less productive areas, and they received little rompensation for their losses. In contrast, the colonists or invaders were relocated to better parts and given rompcnsation for the loss of land and cultivated areas. Since the origins of this problem nearly 20 years ago, the stealing of lands from the Kuna has rontinued. Today, it is lead by wealthy landowners and cattle ranchers who manipulate disputes between poor people and our brothers in order to eventually take over the land themselves. These invasions have increased since the US invasion of Panama, as a result of the ronfusion and lad< of applied justice. On the 10th of july, 1991, the Kuna of Madungandi began a series of peaceful protests, an uprising. The Panamanian authorities immediately stated that the "'Kuna indigenous people, using heavy weapons, have risen up_. to destabilize the present government." This became the pretext for the governor of the province to request the police intervention in order to repress the Kuna. Fortunately, their false daims were disregarded and ronfronted with rourage by our brot.hers, with the support of the Kuna Yala. 'The Kuna who liw on the isla.n dsengage in subsistence production. The men generally work in fishing the seas and agricultural production, in particular the production of eoronut. which is our main source of cash income. We sell eoronuts to Colombian ships, and many of us exchange it for food products. The Panamanian government has done little or nothing to purchase eoronut from us and to look for a solution to the deep cronornic crisis affecting our regions. Amongst our people, we continue to barter for food products, which contributes slightly toward alleviating the crisis. The women, in tum., dedicate themselves primarily to the home and to the care of children. (Su At~ncio, p. 45) 26 The Kuna Speak about 500 Years of Resistance (Panama) Our organization, along with other Indigenous organizations in Panama have coordinated the 500yearscampaign ina united way. We see 1992asa time to commemorate not only 500 years of resistance, but also to reinforce ties of unity amongst ourselves. This will enable us to better ronfront our enemies who tty to divide us and deny our existence. It is for this reason that we recognize the struggle of other poor and marginalized sec:~ors of our countty. Ukc us, they fight for their survival and for rcspe<t of their rights. However, we do not tolerate those nonindigenous organizations that want to capitalize on the 500 years campaign for political purposes. They want to use indigenous peoples without understanding and recogniz.. ing the nature of our struggles. We do not deny the struggle of other sec:~ors of Abya Yala (rontinent, In the Kuna la.nguage). On the contrary, our rontinent will be free only when all sec:~ors. .. arc free. However, there are attempts to undermine the u.nity among indigenous peoples by using us when we arc in the limelight. and simultaneously giving priority to other struggles. I believe that 1992 should not be seen as the end of the indigenous struggle.lnstead, we must realize that our struggle will continue beyond 1992, until there is recognition of all of our rights of self-dctcnnination for our territ<>ries. This must be understood by those popular groups who support us. They should not see in the struggle of indigenous people, the opportunity to achieve their own aspirations. We are in solidarity with them, and we thank them for their solidarity. And we recognize that there are divisionsamongst indigenous peoples, but in spite of all of these, 1992 should be a year for monumental unity, in order to challenge our enemies. Our Mother Earth is being beaten. and her children should be united to defend her. In Panama we have a 500 Years National Commit• tee composed of indigenous and non·indigenous groups. The indigenous peoples include the Kuna, Guayrnie, and Embera. We want the Committee to be romposcd not solely of people from the capital and big dties, but rather people from the communities of our regions. We are proposing a National Gathering to deal with many issues, including that of greater unity in order to defend our rights and demands to the national government. I would like to call on all of our brothers and sisters of the rontincnt to keep our fists high- together we will advance along a path of unity and liberation of our peoples. SAIIC Newsletter �Atendo (continued from p. 26) n.cy a.r e a strong force in the economic survival of our communities. This is because of their involvement in the production of "molas," which is the art of the Kuna. Because the "molas" are being sold at natio nal levels and exported to the US and Europe, they are achieving economic success at international levels. In many tespects, the women have a greater capacity to organize them.sclves in cooperatives and to conbibute to the economic survival of the Kuna family than the men do. This is why, when we speak of the Kuna economy, we spea.k of men and women as equals. Davi (continued from p. 21) 1hcre are many people who are powerful. There are powerful gold miners... and authorities too, like Romero Juca, former president of FUNAI. He is responsible for letting the gold miners invade our territory and ... for lots of killings of Yanomami ... Something must be done to solve our problem because Romero Juca will not solve it. He docs not like us. .. Do the international authorities and people from the United States think it is true what they always say that the demarcation of Yanomami land is a matter of money, that they do not have money to do it?... I am very worried about people abroad who.. : are giving money to Brazil. .. but ll21 to help the Indians. This money that comes from abroad is helping the Brazilian government to oppress Indians. I am very worried about that. Non-Indians are like ants. I know that non-Indians like our reso= n.cy say that we have gold, we have lumber, and they say that they need that to help the people who live in the city. Well, we do not want them, and we do not want them here. What we wa. t is tespect for our rights. We want n them to leave us alone. We need help with regard to the health situation. In the beginning we did not need any help. We did not need any doctors, any medical doctors, any nurses or any medicine. But now we need doctors and nurses to help the Yanomami who are sick. We also need medicines because we used to cure ourselves only with 'shabori' [shamanism) ... But that is not enough anymore, And we need medical doctors and medicines and help from non-Indian people. We are worried because the non-Indians are not very much worried about us. They think that we are a different race. 1hcrefore, they want to isolate us. They think we are bothering their work. We are preventing them from working here, so they would rather have us isolated. They do not wony very much about what is going on with us. 44 We have strongly safeguarded our spirituality and traditions. For example, we hold the Gc1U!ml Congress of Kuna Culture, which unites the spiritual guides of all of our communities. They are highly respected by all Kuna people. n.cy promote teaching and learning amongst the youth so that our rich traditions are not lost. We, of Kuna Yala, are confronting serious problems along the Colombian border, where gold prospectors are invading our lands. We are also indirect victims of the confrontations which take place in Colombia between the guerrillas and the army. Violating all laws, both sides invade our region while the Panamanian authorities do nothing to stop them. The same thing occurs with the Yanqui {United States) army which often crosses our territory to go to the Panamanian border with the excuse of filling the vacuum created by the dissolution of the Pana· man ian army in 1989, following the invasion. Ampan (continued from p. 11) domination. everybody is af'Taid that we will take a racist stand and that this will lead to a racial confrontation. For this reason. there has not been enough dialogue amongst the poor dass. In meetings with laborer$, peasants and intellectuals, it is important for us to talk so that we feel equal. We must, if we are from the same cla.ss, talk so that we can find a solution... Plurinationality will only be possible with the total transformation of society. This is possible if, as in Switzer· land, there are well-defined and recognized sectors. We understand that the problem is not exclusively Indigenous. It is a problem which concerns aU of us. In order to form such a state we must think carefully what it would be like. How would it be governed at the political, economic, social and cultural levels? U we find that the workers are on one side, the indigenous on another and other sectors on other sides, then it will not be possible... We must continually reconsider our struggle and include long-term goals in our strategy. We must work together and make compromises. We must coordinate our endeavors in this way or we will not succeed, even if we are united. SAIIC Newsletter � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A Message from the Kunas United for Mother Earth 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 Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title A Message from the Kunas United for Mother Earth Item Type Journal Article Volume 6 Issue 1&2 Pages 25-26, 44 Publication Title Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Attachment Title A_Message_From_The_Kunas_United_For_Mother_Earth.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Abstract Note A member of the Kuna people describes their tribes achievements and the 500 years of resistance. Kunas https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/1f98971c041129de869b0d074ae2eef8.pdf 44a2446fac7c189be286b2337f23eb53 PDF Text Text A Silent Strategy "The Clothes that We Wear" The following is~ and tnmsWtd from IM book. La Ropl Que l.lsamos, by Daniel EdUArdoMI>tul Momles,and published by Uga Maylllnlmladonal, Apdo. Postal 584 Oldigo 1100, San ]UAn de Tibas, CAsta Rica. "Our Maya humanity has a beginning, a start, an origin. We havea history.n Aj Pop For us, the Maya people of Guatemala, the c.lothcs we weave and wear are an eloquent representation of our historic continuity. Within them. we record abstract and cosmic principles in mathematical and geometric figures, some simple, others so complex as to be unidentifiable, all presented in extraordinary colors. The ideas represented in our clothes, beyond their aesthetic sense, carry a central theme which corresponds to the <:osmos, which brings us to the basic source of Maya thought. It gives us a formula to Interpret humankind, our relationship with nature, a.n d with God. We usc this formula for connecting the present and the past, and to remind us of our uncompromising decision to be free and original, like our ancestors. Our dothcs are genuine, well-defined, and revealing of our philosophy, customs, value system and collective consciousness. The fact that we wear them daily makes them an instrument for historic projection; it is a powerful social discipline. The main idea behind the clothes we wear has its roots in the original reflections of our civilization which can be traced back five to six-thousand years ago. The idea is that when a human is born, s/he is completely integrated into the Cosmos. Humankind and nature only make up tiny 30 parts of the total Cosmos. While conserving this cosmovision in our clothes, we are complying with our people's mandate. So the beauty and colorfulness of our weavings arc not merely aesthetically pleasing. but a brilliant way of keeping our writings and fundamental symbols alive. However, there is also a desire to protect these symbols from the greed of outsiders. Thus, in our wcavings we often present these symbols for the world to sec, but they go undccipheml and overlooked. They remain mute for those who don't Wlderstand their meaning. but they arc evocative elements when you know how to interpret them. Often, their main message remains hidden to those whose narrow vision impedes them from tuning into t.h e ancient expression of our collective art. It must also be mentioned that our art is not "art for art's sake," which would be absurd. Our woven messages are a silent strategy, within which is found a deep and fruitful knowledge which promotes respect Ph«o by Jmoe MinJr. and searches for equilibrium among people and nature. This equilibrium guarantees human survival. Thus, with our colors and designs, we have been struggling for five centuries against the destruction of our historical, social, psychological and mythological concepts. With plants, flowers and vegetables, we attempt to fonn consciousness of, and appreciation for the natural environment, in which everything has great value. It was nature's interaction with humankind which gave birth to our civilization. Our weaving is our way of admiring the world, but at the same time, we are transformed each day, SAIIC Newsletter �as the entire world is, even though it appears the same each dawn. Ourdothescanysymbolsthat teach one to 1espect one's place or origin, social status, and mythology. Some symbols, like those or Coban, tell or the romance between the Sun and the Moon in the framework or a magic scene or leaves, birds and day pots. In this legend, the Moon wove for the Sun, a gift which told or the day's events. In this way, we learn that life Is nothing more than the weaving or time. We have suffered since 1524, when the Invaders arrived. Our clothes have served as an expression or our solidarity and identification wherever we go. This is why we have kept our Native dress. For a very long time, the colors and figures we use have been chosen careruny without arbitrariness. They arc the result or systematic observa· tions. The four cardinal points illustrate this well. North is represented by white, because the clouds arc believed to come from there. The moon is also symbolized by white and the North. The South is symbolized by yellow, in tribute to the fertility or com and the legend or the Cosmic Tree which bore fruit in the union between the Sky and the Earth. The cross, in our ancient tradition, represents the four winds, the direction or the heavens, the four sides of our com fields, and the four cardinal points. When the cross has leaves on i~ this symbollz.es a very tall tree which, according to the Pop Wuj (Popol Yuh· the sacred book of the Quiche Maya), bore the fruits of life. "This cross is dearly visible in the sky on starry nights in the South. The East is ,ymbolized by red, the color or hope. It represents sunrise and eternity. West is symbolized by black, the death or light and the restive period begun at day's end. So we sec it is no coincidence that in our lives today, the link between people and their clothes remains ever strong, prevailing in Maya though~ because they bring us physlcal comfort and spiritual satisfaction. Archeology confinns the development of our garments. The murals or ancient Maya cemnonies in Bonampak provide testimony or how leaders, priests, chiefs and others of historical standing wore many kinds or precious jewelry, deerskin sandals, and woven clothes. The lower body was covered by an apron-like garment embel· llshed with brocade, embroidery, feathers and jewels. The upper body was covered with a huipll, shells, necklaces, beads, jade, metal and gems. Today, the huipils or Olimaltenango, San Pedro Sacatep6tuez, and San Pedro Ayampuc display a design Vol6 Nos 1&2 called "rush mat," which is the same as the one which appears In the sculpted figures of Stele 'H' or Quirigu<i.ln most huipils, the square is brocaded in a diamond position. "This can be seen in Untel24 at Yaxchil<in. Similarly, the jacket which appears in the woman's outfit at Yaxchil<1n is found stylized on many of the weavingsof the Western and Central Highlands. figure 54 or Codex Trocortesla.no clearly shows lxchel, the goddess of the Moon, weaving at her loom. The loom Is tied around her waist and to a tree, exactly like Mayan women today. Weaving has always been a sacred task. Usually, when a new piece is begun, a prayer is offered to the heart of the sky. And still, as before, our people value the role or the Maya woman as a historical thread that carries our deepest cultural roots. Our mythology states that Itz.amna, founder of Uxmal and Chichtm Itz<l, had lxchel as a consort. lxchcl was the one who taught us to weave, and also taught embroidery to her daughter, lxchebcl Yax. Spanish colonists gave vague, foggy descriptions or our dothes. Of course, this had to be the case; how could they understand a culture they ridiculed and discriminated against? We are sure that U we had abandoned wearing our clothes, they'd have been instantly hoarded away in museums. Today, wearing our cher· ishcd clothes makes us the focus or discrimination, humiliation, scorn and persecution in our country. The children of the invaders want to destroy the Maya culture. Ourdu1dren arc prohibited from wearing their own dress to school, yet the invade< portrays as quaint our abstract vision or the world and or life. The selling or our clothes is a very big international business today. The majority or the merchants arc ruthless non-Indian people who do not understand, nor care to understand the ancient symbolism. However, after 500 years of oppn$Sion, our custom or weaving our dothcs is s1ill going strong. As time goes on, we find our designs and colors more beautiful, and they introduce us to a vast universe or composition which reveals the dvoniclcs or Maya ure, from the earliest times to the brilliant future. They arc the testimony or our legiti· mate right to exist as a civilization, as a culture, and as a people. 31 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A Silent Strategy: "The Clothes that We Wear" Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Daniel Eduardo Matul Morales Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title A Silent Strategy: "The Clothes that We Wear" Item Type Journal Article Author Daniel Eduardo Matul Morales Volume 6 Issue 1,2 Pages 30-31 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Abstract Note The Importance of Native Clothing and Patterns Attachment Title A_Silent_Strategy_The_Clothes_That_We_Wear.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] art clothing Guatemala Maya https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/da339a4a16357da7208d2df9b5df63dd.pdf fbcf5bb54385425345cc3980023360d2 PDF Text Text A VICTORY FORTH E PEOPLE OF THE PERUVIAN AMAZON (Peru) On September 19th, the Peruvian Minister of Energy and Mines publicly announced that Texas Crude had decided not to sign a contract to explore for oil in Lot 61, home to some 180 Amaz.onian indigenous and nonindigenous river communities for whom the park and its resources constitute their sole means of survival. One year ago, newly~lected President Alberto Fujimori signed a landmark environmental code prohibiting the exploitation of non-renewable natural resources and banning oil drilling in the nation's parks and reserves. In April of 1991, under pressure from powerful economic interests, Fujirnori reversed his position and granted the Houston-based Texas Crude Incorporated a vast tract of rainforest, known as Lot 61. Opposition to the Corporation's plans to begin oil exploration developed immediately as national environmental and indigenous groups discovered that over three-quarters of Lot 61 lay within the Pacaya Sarniria reserve in Peru's northern Amazon jungle. It is the oldest and largest protected area in Peru's national park system. The ptospect that Pacaya Sarniria- already contaminated by the activities of petroleum companies allowed to operate in the reserve prior to the passing of the environmental code- could be further jeopardized galvanized local, national and international opposition. l.n june, a local priest, along with AIDESEP {Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Peruvian Amazon) organized a general strike in the jungle town of Jquitos, and succeeded in brieOy paralyzing the community. Two months later, AIOESEP issued a declaration denouncing the Peruvian government's manipulation of environmental codes and its willingness to grant transnational corporations a dcgrcc of security never 16 acoorded to Peru's own citizens. A document prepared at AIDESEI"s 15th General Assembly stated that "neither the people nor the environment bear the responsibility for the extreme poverty our country faces. White this poverty may indeed require urgent remedies, actions which threaten to irreversibly destroy food and natural resources cannot be justified, particularly since the presumed wealth which will be generated will never be seen by the people." Internationally, San Francisco's Rainforest Action Network launched a joint campaign with Global Response to bornbard Texas Crude headquarters with !etten protesting the proposed project. The President of Texas Crude cited numerous reasons for the corporation's decision, including: the threat of legal action by the Peruvian Environmental Law Society (SPOA); the "substantial number of letters endeavoring to discourage exploration for environmental reasons" (over 1000 !etten were sent!); and the recent letter sent to President Fujimori by 54 Peruvian house representatives and senators showing their disapproval of the contract. In early October the Peruvian Ministry of Enetgy and Mines began negotiations with the U$-based Santa Fe Energy Rcsourccs Company for two other oil exploration tots, both outside of Pacaya Samiria. Although the contract has yet to be signed, and must be approved by the full Peruvian cabinet, it is considered likely that the project will be given the go-ahead given the extreme economic situation Peru is confronting. It is important to note, however, that Santa Fe Energy and Resources specifically opposed any contract involving areas within national reserves or parks, stating that the environmental concerns were too great. SAIIC Newsletter � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A Victory for the People of the Peruvian Amazon 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 Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title A Victory for the People of the Peruvian Amazon Item Type Journal Article Volume 6 Issue 1,2 Pages 16 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Abstract Note President Fujimori denies oil tycoon request for land. Attachment Title abyayala_v06n01_02_p016.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Fujimori Alberto Peru Peruvian Amazon https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/479696a2773ea32678938b13f3a09ad0.pdf 7647e0e0551d6b7a6199a55b5fe29b47 PDF Text Text AN URGENT PLEA FROM THE SURUi (Brazil) The Surul Indian people of Rond6nia, conflicts and marry aiSU41/Us among both colonists and Indians, we sucatded in expelling the colonists from our resm>es without represented by the Metareili Organization of the Surul lndigmous People, sent SAJJC the following comuniqu~ to publicize their current situation. govmrmental support. Weare... located at ki/Qmeter 50 in the municipality of Cacoal and live on our traditional lands in six villages. Our population is esli11U1ted to be 511 and we/rave been in coniACI with the national sodety for over 20 ytt~rsand have adApted marryofthecustoms of thissodety. The majority of us wtar western clothes, know the value of mmuy, and 1!111 foods that are different from our traditional did. In 1978, the Suruf lands were invaded by colonists. After marry CurrenJiy, weare collt%med about S«Urity. The Surufs of Rond6nia are suffering marry thrl!llts and tvtn murders. Rtctnlly a Suruf Indian was killed by gunmen hired by ranchers who had invaded the indigenous rescve of the Zor6Indians (The Surufs allied themselves with the Zor61ndians in order to expel the colonizing ranchers). The Surufs of Rondonia have suffered much persecution at the hands of the ranchers, politicians and policeoftheMunici· polity of Caecal. The government has not taken a single measure regarding these persecutions. Ml!llnwhile, the Surufs live with dangerandanxidy,ftrJring moremasstU:Ttsas long as there is no justice. Jm 'rrrrW....-~~. Suicides Plague the Guarani-Kaiowa (Brazil) Suidde, almost unheard of among Indians in the past, Is a disturbing new phenomenon among the Guarani-Kaiowa people in Brazil's western state of Mato Grosso do Sui. Early this year Maura Ramirez, a 15 yearold, hung herself from a tree on the reservation. Her sister, Helena, one year older, had done the same a few months earlier. Since last year, 25 Guarani-Kaiowa have committed suidde and 37 others have attempted it according to statistics from FUNAI (the government's National indian Institute). Anthropologists blame this on the loss of land and OJitural identity in the face of an invasion by ranche!s and farmetS. More than half of the traditional lands claimed by the Guarani-Kaiowas have been settled by outsiders. "What we are seeing is a 01lture in agony, pleading for help/ said anthropologist Maria Aparecida de Costa Pereira, who recently completed a study of the tribe. Violence and disease have dedmated Indian people since Pedro Alvares Cabral and the Portuguese arrived In Brazil in the 16th century. A native population estimated at 5 million in 1500 has been reduced to 220,000 today. The 7200 Guarani-Kaiowa who live on an 8,000 acre reservation have been experiencing increasing pressures In the past few years. Currently the land they have is not enough to sustain their subsistenoe farming. Judges are hostile to indigmousclaims, and readily accept white landowners' property deeds, which are often obtained fraudulcnUy. Ambrosio, a Guarani-Kaiowa leader asks: "What documents do they want from us beyond our nesh and blood? We were born here, as were our mothers, 24 fathers and grandparents, who are buried on this land." The current situation makes the young men leave In search of work as migrant farmers, to cut sugar cane for one of the alcohol distilleries that dot the region, or to migrate to the cities. Sin<:e eligible mates are scarce many Guarani-Kaiowa young women seek work in Dourados, a city of 80,000 near the reservation. Many of them work as maids or prostitutes, only to be rejected after returning to their people. Many of those who have committed suidde did so shortly aftes- returning to the reservation from outside work- or while drunk. Some Guarani-Kaiowa are abandoning traditional faiths and joining Pentecostal sects in the area. Eduardo Leao, an offidai with the Roman Catholic-linl<ed Indig· enous Missionary Council (CJMI), claims that the GuaraniKaiowa believe that they will go to their father's house after they die, where they will be able to live in the traditional manner. "So suicide is not a negation of life but a way of prolonging it." FUNAI officials say they cannot legally set aside more land for the Guarani-Kaiowa, but leao criticizes the government for ignoring the constitutional guarantees of protection for indigmous lands and cultures. "Defending the tribe doesn't require anything extraordinary, but simply obeying the law.lf the federal government doesn't do something soon, theGuarani-Kaiowa are going to disappear." Soomot: S.• Frvr<isa> ~.by KDt Silomi<Vc SAIIC Newsletter � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource An Urgent Plea from the Surui 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 Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title An Urgent Plea from the Surui Item Type Journal Article Volume 6 Issue 1,2 Pages 24 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Abstract Note The Surui ask for help with security. Attachment Title abyayala_v06n01_02_p024.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Brazil rondonia Surui https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/5f841f6645ec63267f859b50c27f8ae0.pdf c7181567d650614ef2215f6d7ddfbda0 PDF Text Text APACHE DEMAND HALT TO TELESCOPE PROJECT Claim Violation of Cultural and Religious Rights (USA) All nine members of the San Carlos Tribal Council signed a letter addressed to the US Forest Service demanding an immediate halt to the Columbus Project, the construction of telescopes on Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona. "The Apache cited violations of four federal laws protecting human, cultural and religious rights and freedoms. The list of law violators receiving the letter included the US Forest Service, the Arizona Board of Regents, the University of Arizona, the Vatican, the German and Italian governments, and Ohio State University. The Vatican and German astronomers have already constructed a road, leveled trees and earth on the sacred Apache mountain and more desecration is planned. Dzil IIChaa sian is the birthplace of San Carlos Apache culture. Mount Graham is identified by Apache traditionals as the home of the Mountain Spirit Dancers who taught early Apaches their sacred songs and dances and where healing herbs and water are to be gathered. "There are numerous religious shrines on the peaks of Mount Graham that date back over a thousand yca.rs. The Columbus Project threatens to destroy the home of the Crown Dancers and the sacred power of the mountain. Apaches and members of Zuni religious societies continue to voice their concern that sacred sites will be desecrated, interfering with the conduct of their religious ceremonies. An earlier Tribal Council resolution stated that the project was: • •. A display of profound disrespect for a cherished ft11ture of the Apache's original homtland as well as a serious violatWn of Apache tmditional religious bdief....for gtntn~tWns our elders have instructed us on the sacredness of Dzil nchoa sian (Big St1lted Mountain, akA Mount Gmham) and its vital importancefor maintaining the integrity ofour Apache cultun: and traditWn. .. Graham is essential to the continued prrlCiia ofphysicAl and spiritual halling by Apache Medici~~~:-men/women, and to their apprentiaship as compdenl lrrlditianal religious sp«ialists...• The Tribal Council now states: • ... massive amounts of ethnographic and scholarly material denronstmte the ApacMs tmditional and contempomry use of Dzil nchaa sian. Much of thot material has bten rt11dily tWailable to the Forest Service or has l>een in the possession of the University of Arizona. The fact that this important information was disregarded during the public review of tire proposed project is disturbing. 1M University of Arizona and the Department of Agriculture have proceeded illegally and in bad faith in their construction of the telescope facility on Dzil nchaa sian (Mount Gmham)." Ola Cassadorc Davis, Apache Survival Coalition chairperson, asks "Why do the University of Arizona, German and Vatican astronomers violate the rights of Indian people?... When Pope John Paul came to Arizona (in 1987) he told us to preserve our culture•. They would crush what is most sacred to us and our traditional ways.. Why do they now destroy the foundation of our spiritual heritage?" 36 SAIIC Newsletter �Franklin Stanly, Apache Medidne man, Wl'Ote "if the Vatican telescope is built, the Vatican will celebrate its telescope's completion next year and mark the shameful continuation of 500 years of cultural genocide against Native Americans. Tile Columbus project is a collaboration between Tile University of Arizona, the Ohio State UnivCTSity and the Arcetri Astrophysical Olservatory in Aorcncc, Italy. At present, the participating institutions arc completing plans and technological development for the telescope. Construction is expected to be well ~ay by 1992, and to be complcted by 1996. Tile site, which was approved by Congress in 1988, provides first-rate observing conditions and is relatively close to the astronomical research center located in Thcson, Arit.ona. Tile Columbus Project telescope and instrumentation budget is$60million. Tile costs and the observing time will be shared equally among the partners. Tile construction funds will be provided by the Italian government and from private fund-raising efforts being coordinated by the two univCTSities. Native Pacific Islander Women Writing ari Anthology Tile following message was sent to SAne just in time to make it into the Newsletter! Native movements for sovereignty and dccolonization are current issues throughout the Padflc from Hawai~ to Guam, Belau (New Caledonia), I<anaky, Tahiti, Fiji and Aetearoa (New Zealand). Tilere are more Native Hawai~, Samoans, and Chamorros in the United States than in Hawai'i, Samoa and Guam. This movement away from our Native islands does not mean we no longer identify as Padflc Islanders. We are women voyagers who have traveled across the ocean to Turtle Island, bringing our culture and tradition with us like our ancestors who sailed the oceans centuries ago. We are now writing an anthology of PaciAc Island Native women. Join us! . For more information contact Hinono K. Campton (408) 338·4678, or Teresia Teaiwo (408) 457·2581. Doughten of the First Peaple PO Box 138, Boulder C.r eek, CA 95006 Tile San Carlos Apache Tribe states its Arm and total opposition to the construction of a telescope on the top of Mount Graham and the Tribe stands ready to defe.n d its constitutional rights if this project Is allowed to continue. To support or request more informotion contact: Apoche Survival Coalition P.O. Box 1181 4 Tucson, Arizono 85734 MILLIONS OF $$$ FOR GENETIC SURVIVAL??? A group of prominent North American scientists, part of the Human Genome Organization (HUGO), has set up a committee to study a plan to collect genetic material from 100 endangered peoples, induding the Yanomami of Brazil. They estimate it will cost $10 million to $2() million over the next Ave to ten years. They say that the effort should start immediately, because Hin another 10 years, it may be too late for tribes like the Yanomami, who are dying in large numbers from disease and environmental damage caused by gold mining In the Amazon forests. H We at SATIC feel that there is much more to be learned from Jiving indigenous peoples than can ever be learned from genetic samples. These enormous Anandal and academic resources should be used to assist the survival of indigenous peoples and their environments. Vol6 Nos 1&2 37 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Apache Demand Halt to Telescope Project 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 Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Apache Demand Halt to Telescope Project Item Type Journal Article Volume 6 Issue 1,2 Pages 36-37 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Abstract Note Apache leaders plea to stop destruction of sacred places. Attachment Title Apache_Demand_Halt_To_Telescope_Project.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Apache land rights https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/1309161250b756654d84c998a0ac3589.pdf c8c23b7a70c77de5aa6d6cfbf5c2e102 PDF Text Text ASSASSINATION OF INDIAN LEADERS IN HONDURAS (Honduras) Vicente Motute and his colleague Francisco Guevara were killed September 30. They were both leaders of the Xicoque people and Vicente Motute was president of the Federation of the Xicoque Tribe (FETRIXI), the president of the Honduran Advisory Council for the Development of Autochthonous Ethnic People (CAHDEA), and the general coordinator of the Commission for the Confederation of Ethnic People of Honduras. The tribe has been developing legal claims to the government and landowners who hove been increasingly encroaching on Indian lands to cut timber. lawsuits were sucoessful in providing legal rulings and precedents for retention of indigenous control over their lands. The news was reoeived by the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH) and the Committee of Relatives of the Disappeared People of Honduras (COFADEH). On September 30, 1991, of about 5:00 AM in Plan Grande Village, in the Deportment of Yoro, the two leaders of the indigenous peoples of Tolupon (Xicoque) were executed while travelling in o truck. They were both • riddled with bullets when they deoeloroted in order to cross o narrow pass. The perpetrators were stoked out nearby, in the shrubs of the pass." The assassinations ore evidently the result of declarations mode by the two leaders at o press conference lost September 18th, in which they drew attention to death threats by landowners Eugenio Chavez, Nondo Murillo and the mayor of Duloe Nombre de Culmi, Silvio Morin Juarez, against 130 families of the Pech Tribe, located in the Municipality of Duloe Nombre of Culmi, Olancha Province. At this conferenoe, Motute declared that the Xicoque Tribe of the Yoro deportment fooe similar problems, adding that one of FETRIXI's members, Marcelino Polonce, was wounded by Source: AFSC two men dressed in civilian clothing. Please urge the Honduran Government: 1) To defend and guarantee the right to life of the inhobitonb of Honduras, as provided few in the Inter American Convention on Humon Rights, 2) To investigate and clarify these extrajudicial execvtions and to punish the parties found responsible. Send your pleas to: Rafael Callejas, Presidente de Ia Republica Palacio Nocionol, T egucigalpa, Honduras Phone: 011·504·22·82087, Fox: 011-504-37·96-56. 32 First National Encounter of Indigenous People and Campesinos Held in EJ Salvador (EI Salvador) The First National Encounter of Indigenous People and Campesinos was held in Sonsonate on September 6-8, and organized by the National Association of Indigenous Peoples (ANIS), the Anthropological Center of El Salvador (ClADES), and the Ecumenical Ministry for Development and Peace (MEDEPAZ). The main themes were: appropriate technology, indigenous legislation, ecology and culture. Among the participants were international organizations, government representatives and the national press. The goal of the meeting was to recuperate indigenous cultural values such as language, history and overall culture, in order to promote development on education, ecology and appropriate technologies which can apply to indigenous cultures as welt as to the rest of the nation. This was an effort initiated by the indigenous peoples and the campesinos of El Salvador. Among the activities were the inauguration of an indigenous school, workshops on human rights, indigenous rights, and indigenous legislation, and appropriate technologies and natural resources. SAIIC Newsletter � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Assassination of Indian Leaders in Honduras 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 Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Assassination of Indian Leaders in Honduras Item Type Journal Article Volume 6 Issue 1,2 Pages 32 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Abstract Note Indian leaders are attacked for speaking out against government encroachments onto their land. Attachment Title abyayala_v06n01_02_p032.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Honduras paramilitary attacks https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/1fc34befc3453ff05f13ff10b9df533e.pdf 49edfbab12131b4adc0ec8c2ab8ea642 PDF Text Text other problems, in the same way. And that's what is important for our people." He remains cautious, waiting for the national park to be officially sanctioned by Congress. "Quinquen is a symbol of the struggle of the Indians, of our people. So that's what we're struggling for. I can only hope that Oillean society would realize once and for all, that the authorities, who have always discriminated against us, would realize that this must not happen again... Pleose write today to encourage President Aylwin k.. continue pushing for this important legis lotion President Patricio Aylwin President of Chile Polocio de lo Monedo Sontiogo, CHILE Phone: 56-2· 714· 103 or 56·2·717·054 810-810 DAMS THREATEN PEHUENCHE (Chile) 1he mountainous river basin of the Bio-Bio is the ancestral land of the Pehuenche Indians. Their right to cultural and economic survival is now being seriously threatened by the proposal of Oille'selectric company, ENDESA, to build a series of six dams on the Bio-Bio. Approval for the first of the dams has already been obtained, but full-scale construction has been delayed pending a decision by the International Finance Corporation (the private sector wing of the World Bank) on whether to provide 25% of the Pangue Dam's funding. Chilean and international environmental and indigenous organizations have sounded a warning that the social and ecological costs of the project far outweigh any potential benefits. Perhaps the greatest indictment of the project is the fact that the Pehuenche, whose subsistence is directly tied to the river and its banks, have been almost entirely left out of the planning, assessment and decision-making process. At the eleventh hour, they have been told that their future is in perilous danger. If approved, the IFC loan will be the beginning of the end for the 5,000 Pehuenche inhabiting the region. Part of the Mapuche indigenous society that once inhabited much of southern Chile and Argentina, the Pehuenche are still living traditionally. 1he subsistence activities of the Pehuenche are carried out along the banks of the river and its tributaries where they live, cultivate, raise livestock, and celebrate their religious ceremonies. 1he proposed Pangue darn would have multiple "The flood.i ng, which is projected to be 14 kilometers in length, would directly result in the relocation of 600 indig· enouspeoples and 300 non-native Oillean peasants. Roadbuilding and excavation for construction materials would displace another 400 Pehuenches. Three of the six proposed dams would irreversibly destroy over one-half of Pehuenche territory. It's estimated that the flooding of the scarce flat and arable fields on the banks of the river will do away with almost all of the subsistence agriculture practiced in the region. 1he construction of roads and other structures is already having major effects on the physical landscape, and is causing culture shock in this formerly isolated region. Major tourist development of the reservoirs created by the hydroscheme is likely. Around the world, this type of development has been accompanied by environmental contamination and degradation, the loss of land ownership by poor and indigenous people, and dramatic changes in local subsistence economies. Already there is evidence that local landowners are using bribery and corruption to take advantage of the need to prove legal title to the land and claim traditional indigenous lands as their own. Human and cultural rights are guaranteed by international laws by which the new government in Chile portends to abide. The social and economic co~dl of the United Nations has prepared a Universal Declaration on Indigenous Rights which affirms the collective right of indigenous peoples to exist without being forced to assimilate, the right to their traditional property and lands, the right to indemnization, and protection against discrimination. 1he International Labor Organization has issued a similar document, signed by many heads of state including Chile's President Aylwin, manifesting their intention to 1espect the rights of indigenous peoples. Moreover, Chile's proposed new indigenous legislation reaffirms the right of Native people to maintain their ethnic identity, cultural customs, and the right to live on their ancestral land. In compliance with the most fundamental human rights principles, the government of President Aylwin and the IFC must reject any project which could adversely affect the traditional way of life of the Pehuenche and Mapuche people. Because ENDESA is privatized and the Pangue Dam project has already been approved, there are limited avenues for Oillean organizations to apply domestic pressure. Still, they are hopeful that coordinated international pressure applied to the World Bank, ENDESA and President Aylwin, will give them leverage to convince the government to re-evaluate the project. Please toke action todaylll Write to the World Bank, encouraging them not to fund the Pangue Dam project: BarberConable, World Bank, 1818 H Street NW Washington, DC 20433, Fox: 202·477·6391 direct and indirect consequences for the Pehuenche people. Vol6 Nos 1&2 5 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bio-Bio Dams Threaten Pehuenche 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 Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Bio-Bio Dams Threaten Pehuenche Item Type Journal Article Volume 6 Issue 1&2 Pages 5 Publication Title Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Abstract Note Part of the Mapuche, the Pehuenche's way of life would be terminated if the delayed project to build dams for electric power goes through and the river ends up being dammed. Attachment Title Bio-Bio_Dams_Threaten_Pehuenche.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Biobio River Dam Chile Environmental Protection Pehuenche https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/99435649324af3e5b2e7dff9ada49a9d.pdf 90d2dfba11ba826e7e26db6ed39336fb PDF Text Text Brazilian Army Recruits Yanomami Indians Several Yanouwni Indians are "serving" in the Brazilian Army at the Maturaca poet. located in the Slate of Amazonas. The one-year enlistment oi the Yanomami is part oi a strategy by the Brazilian Armed ~ to "integrate" indigenous populations into the "national community." The military rommandf!IS' Sbategy is based on the idees oi •national sovereignty" and "national security.• They rear that Indian groupe will form their own nation inside the Brazilian territory. ln July, Roraima governor and former brigadier general Ottomar de Souza Pinto, rompared the Yanomami situation to the Kurds in inlq. The relationship between the Yanomami and the military in the Maturaca region is similar to that oi the Yanomami and the gold-miners. The anny wants to Increase its presence in Maturaca. That is why soldiers are building an UJegal road between the city oi Sio Gabriel da Cachoeira and the post in Maturaca. Five Jcilometers oi the road have already beEn completed. The road is UJegal because it cui$ through the Pico da Neblina National Park and the military has not even presented an Bnvironmental Impact Report to the government environmental nkuna Massacre Update (Brazil) March 28th marked three years since the Tlkuna massacre, when 14 Tikuna men, women and children were shot to death at the command of logger, Oscar Castello Branco, near the city of Benjamin Constant in the state of Amazonas, in the Brazilian Amazon. This was the most serious documented massacre of Brazilian Indians in the last twenty years. The 15.000 Tlkuna on the upper SolimOes River form the largest Indian nationality in Brazil. In recent years, they have suffered increasing incursions by loggers, commercial fisheries, and local elites on their lands. At the same time, their organizing in defense of their traditional lands has grown stronger. Since 1988, legal investigation of the crime has slowly proceeded in Benjamin Constant. At the end of last year, the judge responsible for the case indicted aU of the accused, who are now to stand trial before a local jury, chosen from the residents of the city. The general opinion in the city, however, leads us to believe that this will not be an impartial bia1 Most of the local people have shown support for the logger, who is well-known in the region. In general, there is hostility towards the Indians and their presence in the area. Consequently, the Tikuna and their support organizations are requesting that the judge and the pubtic prosecutor ask the Tribunal of Justice of the state of Amazonas for a change of venue. It is hoped that the trial will be held in the state capital of Manaus. The local judge and prosecutor- the only authorities who can legally make the request- are reluctant to do so. If this situation continues, the likely • outcome is impunity for the defendants, who would be tried in Bcn~1min Constant. and very tikely, be absolved. We request that concerned individuals and organizations send letters or telegrams to the authorities noted below, requesting that the Tribunal reexamine the Tlkuna massacre case, keeping in mind the hostile atti.tudes towards Indian people in the city of Benjamin Constant and th.1t a change of venue be granted. Please send these letters to: Exmo. Sr. Dr. luis Henrique Braz Juiz de Direito do Comorco de Benjamin Constont F orum de Benjamin Constont, 69630 Benjamin Constont, AM, BRAZIL Exmo. Sr. Dr. Sergio Medeiros Promotoo de Justico do Comorco de Benjamin Constont Forum de Benjamin Constant, 69630 Benjamin Constant, AM, BAAZIL agency. Exmo. Sr. Dr. Gaspar Cotundo de Sousa Desemborgador Presidente do Tribunal de Justico do Amozonas Ruo 10 de julho, no. 833 Centro, 69007 Monaus, AM, BRAZIL Send copies ol onconespondence to: mbassy Ambassador Morcilio Marques Moreiro, Brazilian E 3006 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA Fox: 202-745-2728 SAIIC Newsletter � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 6, nos. 1&amp;2 (spring/summer 1991) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Brazilian Army Recruits Yanomami Indians 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 Summer 1991 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Brazilian Army Recruits Yanomami Indians Item Type Journal Article Volume 6 Issue 1,2 Pages 22 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1991 Language English Attachment Title abyayala_v06n01_02_p022.pdf abyayala_v06n01_02_p022.pdf abyayala_v06n01_02_p022.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] [No URL] [No URL]