2 12 26 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/3c576cbd8f68f6e913fc9b00f6eea014.pdf 46733ff34e58b6efb1c9738a103c5ed8 PDF Text Text B RAZ I L Decree 177S:An Attack on Indian Lands in Brazil "Decree 1775 is more than a setback: it's a death sentence for many Indigenous groups . .._ GOlAB (Council of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of Brazil) ndigenous organizations tmd their allies initialed a major c~mp~ign of resistance ofler Brn<illan President Fernando Henrique Cardoso signed Dtaee 1775, responsible for t"" demarc:nion of lnd1a.n lands. on j~nuary &h. 1996. As the cherished baby of Minister of justice Nelson jobim, Decree 1775 oiTers a 90-dly ptriod for "Slates and I mumdpaliuu containing the :uea to be demarcated, and Ol""r inter61ed panies" to exercise the ctmmu!irorio, or legally comes1 the process. Addiuonlllly. it sub· jects 344 of the 554 Indian Areas in '""Y Brazil to rtVISion btcause ha\"e )'CliO be entered into'"" country$ official land registry. Armed with such legal backing. contenders of indian lands have already staned invading and stak1ng their claims ms1de !nd1genous 1erri1ones. Indigenous organi.a110ns and NGOs m BrutI. tn sol· idarity with interna<ional forces, are worki.ng 10 pressure the Brazil ion state to revoke the new decree. What's Wrong with Decree 17751 indigenous forces and mdigenist NGOs have been unanimous in their protest of the new decree. After the passIng of Decree 22/91, which tn fact allowed for the demarcation o( se--eral Indigenous Arc3.S, many Indigenous nations fought espteially hord 10 demarcate their land. The Macuxl in Raposa Serra do Sol, for example, ha,·e been lroding an tntemallonol campaign for demarcaoon. to S«Ure thm territory 18 from gold miners and ranchers (see ano- equtpptd 10 deal with the eminent clc page 2()). Now, with Decree 1775. onslaught of legal claims against those eiTons appeor 10 have been m vain. Indigenous areas. Indigenous organi<ations point out In addition. CAPOIB claims that that one of the major problcms "ith ~ 1775 will cr<att an "IndUStry of Decree 1775 IS 1hat it was dev!S<d in indemmues: since It c:tlls lor the comabsence of open debate. Mony ptnsatlon of panics cl1tmmg a loss of Indigenous and indlgenist enuues had land due 10 demarcation, with titles to requested meetings 10 discuss the show for it. All cblms ollndenmity made imi>•cts of the decree. CAPOIB, an on lndlgti\OUSareasnot )'<I r(81Sitred are indtg<nous umbrdla organizauon based ''tlhd. The agnbustness compan)' m Brnsilia acttvc m the fight agatnst Colon1z.1dorn. Terranont Ltda. altead)' Decree 1775. point$ ou11ha1 on August solicited comptnsation for lands belong15th, 199.5. Presirlr.n1 Cardoso assured ing to the Enawene-Nawc Indigenous :trea in MAt() Grosso s1a1e; • sum to the 1une or 7.6 milhon Brazilian real$ (US$7.9 million). In Pam stalt them that he would not 1113ke any d«i· alone, the summed tndemmties for all SIOn wuhout discussing the mauer m romes1ed lnd•geriOUS ""'"' would reach detail with Indigenous organizations. approximately US$1.4 billion. Even after the signing of Decree 1775, Indigenous voices say Decree 1775 MtmSier jobim was quoted as saying. "nsks the lives of lndtgenous ptople, • refemng lo B111Zi\13n NGOs ltodmg the and add IMI im-as;oriS and '"" proliftra· tnlernalional Cllmpatgn against the lion of d~SaSCS in mdlgenous are.u will decree. "These groups are no1 tnterested increast Rtttnl news lront Braztl prove in solving the mdigcnous problem. They this aMlysis 10 be comet. According 10 are interested In creating problems and confirmed and unconfirmed reports. we 'viii ha"e no dialogue "''h those who in,'lSions are presently occurring in a cause problems" (follta ik54D Paulo, Feb. host o! h\digenous areas, including Barto de Antonina (Kaingang). the Mundurucd 6). In a clever fnshton, Decree 1775 area In Amazonas. R10 Guamd (Tembt) In effwivcly paralyzes land demarca11on by Par.\, Panmnbizn1hno ond Sete Cerros subjecth)g the process to the inter· (Guarnni-Kaiowa). both In Malo Grosso. mtnable bureaucracy of legal eoun bat· Coroa Vermelha (Pat3X6) in Bahia, Surul ties 0\'tr bnd FUNAI (National Indian and the area o( the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau in Foundation). whtch h3.S historical!)' Rondonhla. Other threatened •~ con· locked anthropologists and Ja,V)crs. "111 tested by the government and the mtllbe responsible for ~arrying out required tary for their "strategic value· are Kricatl legal, geographical. and ethnographic (Marn.nhM). Bau (Pnr.t), Mar.\iuapsede work prior 10 an)' deman:ation or as part (Mato Grosso), ond Rapos:.1 Serra do Sol of any revision FUNAI. hO\\'e\'er, IS til· near the border with Guyana. Abya Yala News �B RAZ I L Indigenous Peoples and NGOs According to jobmt, the new decree abides hy the constitution (section 55 of React article 5) because it guamntces a thi(d A well articulated number of forces, party the right to contest a judicial from Indigenous organizations :1nd process through the conrradlrorio. a NGOs an Brnzilto human right.s. environ'bost< tltment of democracy•, says mcnt, church groups, and t\'Cn SOm<o jobam. He also argues thot the court govcmmmts around the world fomted an C25CS agaanst Decree 22191 Slalled an the response to the re,•ersal of pohcy on Fedeml Supreme Court w1ll no longer Indigenous lands in Brazil. Samteg1es for have a base now thai the new decree revoking the decree have varied, hut the con~nins this clause: otherwise, all the mn;ority center on directly prcssuring the areas demarcated under decree 2219 I 6nu11ian stnte through leuers, the press. could ha"e been declared unconstitu- faxes, and other similar ntcans. tlon•l. For jobim, the Bnuallan gO\'<:rnintereSIIng. too. has been the route mcnt's •mage will imp!O\-e because they taken by CAPOIS-representing more ~~o,.., ftxed a legal · error· th~t "ill final- than 100 Indigenous groups 1n ly put a stop to the endle.<S demarcauon Bmztl-wluch sent a letter to the World procedures. &nk and the nmbas..<adors of the G-7 However. one of the strongest orgu- coum rl~s ond the European Union merns asainst the new decree, and one requesting the "temporary suspension or ~dopted by a number of leftist politicru resources dCSiined for projecu which ludcrs 1n Brazil, is that h goes :lg.1inst ha,·c among other priorities the demareathe sparit of the Brazil ~an constitution. tion of lndi~nous lands. such os Projelto The Brazilian constnuuon st3!rs that, Terras lndlgtnas. Planaforo, and wnh reg.1rds to tradition3l Indian lands. Prodeagro." Since those funds would hke· 111$lhe duty of the "Umon to dcmnrcate ly fall prey 10 the legal quagm1re winch them. pro· teet lhtm, .m<I nssure counts amongst us members most of 1he we11 known US environmental and pro· Indigenous o rganizations such as National Wildli(e Fedcmtlon. Environmental Defense Fund. Saerrn Club. International Rivers Network, Ratn Forest ACtion Network, Amanalcaa, and SAIIC. The CoalitiOn plans to support the efforts of Broztli•n ind1genous ~nd human rights org.onizations and will ells· cuss funding de\'elopment i>rojects linked to Indigenous areas in Brull "~th multinational agencies. Decree 1775 mUSI be \iewed "ithin the lnrgu conltxt of the long 1em1 plans held by a consonium of gO\-rmmental and pm'!ltt intereSI$ to develop large areas of the Amnzon bosin and other nnt· Art 9 " Nou ckM.-t'QQOics rm cun.o. C\.90 4ecftto bornolopa6tfo o.10 lCTIU ridG objftC) dO ~tuO en;a an4tlo 4rnof:llltjrio ou ~ Soc•noria do Patrimc)nlo ct. IJnliO 4o Mml.dtelo u.m f'nA'Od.it- o. locc~ 1 , .., ot.On•fc:.LUooM, oo. •........._do f .. cto .,. t'". 110 ~ • ~ ....._ • da.'-- 4.a pue,u ;• .s-. ~o. the respeCt of oll of thm resources." Mony atgue that tht new Decree prt\'Cnts thiS basic duty from being fulfilled. "II fnghtens us to ,.,. that the go\'crnmenl intends lO revnaUz.e, wnh 1hc new decree. titles to land tim the consthmion regards as 'null and void,' since they were created centuries ago when the land was clearly Indigenous: says Congressman :olilmarto Miranda (I'TCS1dcnt of the Comm111ce for Human Raghts of rhe Chamber of Depuues). Jobam 1S wasting no ume tn implementing Decree 1775. Soon after the J~1sslng or the decree, he scm lc!!ers to S<:\'cral go,·ernors primarily in the Amoton reg1on listing (or them the areas 10 bt revised in their n:speeti\"t Sl3tts. For tXllmple. In a leuer to the go\'crnor or ParA state dated the lith or January, he liSied 14 lndtgenous are.'\5 up for revision. mcluding two whose combined arc~ is only 58 hect~res. Vol. 10 No.1 Pany and a strongly worded protest leuer signed by 80 environmental and human rights groups scm to President C.rdO!IO from the Coaliuon in Suppon of Amazonian Ptoples and Theu Emironmcnt. • coordinating body b.1sed in Washmgton DC. The leuer exhorts him to r.-'0~ the Decree. The Coahuon promlSCS to ensue from the 1'(\'1$1011 or do:ens of exiotmg Indigenous a!t3$ The CAPOIB documem claims th.1t "SJn<:e it took office over a )'<Or ago. the g<)\'emmcnt or Fernando Hennquc C.rdi>SO has been 1>1111ing In place a delibenue policy or reducuon of indigenous tcrrilorks.• Indigenous organizations are also calling for the cancelation of Gcrm:m funds (S22 million) don:ued to Brazil aftrr tht 1992 Earth Summit for the protcetaon of tropical ramforests (P1Iot Progmm lor the Pro<e<:uon of Trop1cal R.1inforests). Pan of that effort included funds spcciOcally destined for the demar· cmlon ' of Indian Areas. Indigenous groups pomt out that Decree 1775 does not comply \\1th the objecti\'.S or thc grant and they fear that some of lhc fund· ing from Gcrmany could be dl\'t!rted to the te\'151011 of CXtsting areas. Other major efforts agamst the decree include '' motion of unconstilutlonalily put forward by the Brnzllinn Workers ural :1rcas. M wuh thr m3mmoth Hid!0\13 proJ«t (see page 28). and progressi"<l)• mtegr:ue lhc entire reg10n mto the nauorml and mlernational econom1c system. In deOancc of the lnttmatlonnl Decade or Indigenous Peoples declared by the United Nations in 1993. the new decree sets down the foundations for a future of large scale de\'t.lopment ummpeded by Indigenous groups stllking claims to thttr ttaditlonal lands and resources. ..., You can support rhe rfforts of Indigenous !>«>plrs Bra~il b.)' s<ndlng. Ja.<!ng. or· ematllng .)'0<" lmers of procat 11> the jolluwir.g add,.'$$1$. in Frmaru!D Htnrlqut Cardoso. I'Tdldttll of 1M Rtpubltt. Pal<ldo do PlaJ:G.ho, Brwtlia • DF • 70. 160-900. Fax; SS-61-226-i$66. tnuld: pr@cr·df.rnp.br; Nd$0n )obim, Mintsfcr cJ )usll<e, ~!$planada dos Mmisrerios·Bioco T. Bra.<ilia • OF • 70.06-1-900, Fax: 55·61 ·22•1· 2448, errwll: l\)oblm@ax.ap<.org � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Decree 1775: An Attack on Indian Lands in Brazil Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Decree 177S:An Attack onIndian Lands in Brazil Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 18-19 Publication Title Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note The Council of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of Brazil discuss how Decree 1775 is more than a setback; it 's a death sentence for many Indigenous groups. Attachment Title Pages from Abyayala_v10_n1_p18-19.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Amazonian Peoples Brazil Council of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of Brazil) Decree 1775 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/376369e9c13eb1c09a92de5c8dcc811f.pdf beb1190f48133fc690232bdb8a669e14 PDF Text Text BR AZIL "Um Jeito de Ve-IQs:"• Old and New Representations of Indian Peoples in Brazil by G/lton Mendes his brief :miclc does not seek to trent " new set or informative. facts on Indigenous peoples in Brazil. nor even to undenake an exhaustive onalys•s of unknown aspects of the sodol hves of lndtgenous people. Nor do I rep~nt the \'Otce and poh· llcs of lndl3n people. I wish to problemati=e two ospects that I consider tmpona.nt; one, the politiCil suatcgies adopt.ed by lndtgenous orgamza<ions to confront the new challenges In contemporary Bm:il. the Other. • brief frame of the actual economic rtalities by which they are nffecttd. T Background There ex1sts In llmzU. approximately 200 Indigenous peoples and e.1ch pre· sents a set of p;lrtlculnrities with respect to its customs. L1nguage, and sod<>-polit· ical SIY\Icturcs. They vary In population; The maJOrity are munericnlly small sod· eties (almost :llwa)'$ COI\Sldered. indr.idually. to have been more populous m the jXISI). reduced to a few hundred or at times hardly • few doun pen;ons. The at'C35 they inhabit v.ll')' m stu and. in some cases. have already been officially demarcated. The v.1SI majority, hov.-ever. rem.1in barely deUneated and many more hllve nOt even been identified or recognized by the federnl government. This means that Indigenous peoples in Bmz\1 live In <-onstnnt lnse<-urity in relation to one of the mOSt essential resources thllt they h.we ahva)'$ possessed; the land! Gillem MMdts is an agronomist in Mato Grosso, Brazil. He has worked cxl<nsivdy "'lh tht Enaw<nc·Nawc and rcantly compltttd a two-month tnremsktp "itlt SAIIC. Indian peoples Inhabit cm;ronments where they have nlwnys existed in singular ways. set!tng and interpreting the world in wa)'$ that an: spectOc to each. They have CS~abllshed a very intimate and COntinuous re.lntion with their surroundin&-. which lt'.1ds us (or should lead us} to qutSitOn the rational. dichotomous. ond genenc vision of mankind ond ruuurc. d1:lrnctCnSIIC of 'Western socoety•: on one side humankind and itS lntereSIS, on the o<her. n>~urc, stnUc, rt\'taling itself through phenomena... Indigenous peoples are seen and represented In a fom1 that is almost always ne~ive, both in the elnbomtion of dis· courses-which nre n1so pmclicc5-{l5 i_ n people's consciousness. as a consequence of the fonner. State policies ne.1rly alwnys fall with· in 1he realm of '\,-etfare." envisioning nati\'e communities as dependent on their protection and intti:uives. From this point of ,;ew. Indian people are seen as in a proc:= or prog~ve lntegrauon into nauonal socl<:ty, components of a claimed -unitary n.>~ion." The chun:h ,.;s;on. like that of many non-gO\..,m· mentol org.1nlzations (NG0s). is 001100 distom from this continuous provision of welfare nnd protection. :ll'vays in a way that fulfills its own interests. All this would tend towards another level of representnuon: the intemali%3tion of the national society~ cultuml values by native peoples theonsel\'f:S, often taking on the role of the •prote<:ted," subject to state politics and programs and actions originating from civil and religious enlillts. Yet ohis in no way impltes thm lndlm peoples do not consider themseh·es tndl\iduals belonging to a different society New Strategies of Organization? With completely different cultural realities from nationnl society and with low population numbtrs. Indigenous peoples in Braztl nrc foct-d with huge adversities in the realm of nnuonal poli· tics. For this ICilSOn, thnt they ha'" COn· mntly refonnulated tht fom\S of 1\lSistanee and stTllt•g•es to ,.,lonu thcor rights. theor mtei'CSIS.. theor demands. Here. 1t lS now l"lC«$531)' co mentton the fight againSI the revision of Decree 22191. whi<h reguloted the process of demarmtion of lndtgenous nnd 01hcr special lands. Presently. the stgnmg of Decree 1.77!> by president Fernando Henrique C:trdoso has unleashed a new national mobilization. 1 x:rhaps the largest ever, of entities devoted to the Indigenous c:ausc. This mobili:~'lion is calling for the revocation of this Decree. itself a fundamentally altered version of its predecessor as far os the secunty of lndian lmds are concerned. This SJtua· tion shows a C3p;lCity for pohncal catal· }-sis. including one wnh "mtcmanonal effectS." It is necessary to draw Bll<ntlon to one of the most relevant ospect.s of the Bmzilian reality which Is the conduct of many organizmions working In suppon of Indigenous peoples. These, in general, have taken on the role of mobilization and dissennnatlon of lnfomlmion on communities that are "dis.1dvantaged" in rdntion to the st:otc nnd distant from the urixln eemers nnd the political decisions. and those with limited contact 'vith national society. In many cases. these organizations imegrotc themselves thus creating a third coalition phase in which lndig<nous and non-lndtgcnous combme for a Stngle cause Md l'tpresentation. �BRAZIL Til.. cthmc dwet:Suy of lndion peoples m Bmal hos pert.lps been one of the mam fliClors for the generation of reststancc •mn::tll\"e:S because it has produced a dm-ct r<lauon of multiple loc:~l forces c-•pable or mobalizlng, internally and amcnsavcly as well, each panic-ular socacty. On tho other t.lnd. it's also 1mponant to note th:l1 the new stnue· gies adopted have been similar to those used by the different social groups of national socict)'· Stmtcgics that, often, result m imcrnnl conOlcts and difficulues, and arc capable of clashing with the more trndiuonal expressions or the different natwc societies (sec Interview with jacar J~ dc Souza). A Brief layout of t he Economic Relations If cultuml dwersuy as reflected in the search for new possibilities for politacal organizauon of Indigenous people. an the eonfrommion ngJ~inst the interests of grou1>s or pet:SOns belonging to national society, the ~me i.s true leodmg Into the lntenor. supponed by federal intthuvu (along with scandalous conupuon). ~ c-ut thi'O<lgh tens or thowands of males of Cores~ and savanna. wathout the sllghltst prcocc-upauon for the dcstruC'lion they email. both for native peoples :md,their environment. In the end, nntuml rcsour<:es have been WMted, p.1nlcularly timber. and massive deforcstmlon hns followed the installation of rum! induStries. Many Indigenous groups. in the face of this stampede, were removed from trodiuonol orcas where natuml resources abounded and relocated in rcgaons completely unknown to lhem or alrtady dmlncd of thc same t J in the economic arena. Each panacular society presents a different history or economic rclotions with surro1mding societies. At the same time that some lndagcnous peoples ore cng.~ged m antense rommcrti:ll tmde, there are others tt.lt t.l'-c t.ld minimal contact "vnh ttn)' m~ke:t. Bel''-'ttn these two txucmes. there are those who arc eng;Jged an scasoml commercial tmde. Th.. decade of thc 1970s deeply marked the h\·es of Indigenous people an Bmztl m that. through the elaborauon of gigantic "development" projects and an the "interest of national security." the authorhminn state staked out a policy of occupying the Amazon . This opened two bloody wounds: the violem contact wnh peoples previously isolated. leading to partial or total e:xtemli· nation. nnd the IrresiStible incentive for milhons of persons to migrate \vith aim to sculc the "terms in.1bitadns" of the rcsouras. Thas t.ls resulted an untold hardship, :IS evidenced by the high rate of suicide tXJsttnt m groups like til.. Guamni-Kolowa Mony other peoples continue to suffer the consequences or these largescale projectS (doms, umber extmction. mines. roads, fnctories, fisheries. ngro· industries, etc.) estnblishcd around or even inside their territories. For many. Lhe only option left open is sc<lSOnal labor outSide or their indigenous arc•. selling their labor for ranches or in regional markets ot derisory rates. or migrntion to chaos. where they live in conditions of extreme poveny. Amazon. Diverse ev:lluations made of the ~lundrtds of panacular undenakang.s m til.. Amazon t.lvc followed ond Indigenous Sllll3110n tn Brll%11 a.rc pracconnnue <o follow the maJOr roads tically urommous an tt.lt these trends Vol. 10 NO -:-f t.lve m.1de tlung.s much worse: destroying tmduion:tl forms o( production, st.lrpcning "dependence· on outside aid. and !coding to environmental collapse. in thas context, today, perhaps more then ever. the question of Indigenous peoples' relation to the mnrkct (the genemlion of income, the management of natuml resources. nnd the mainte· nancc or 311 imcgml. mtional, balanced liJe in relation to the environment) ls more complex 1han ever. Contemporary Initiatives In the field of the indigenous economy have followed the trend of ancreascd sm.~ll-scale projects. Governmental programs (M imposed by mtemotional finance banks) ha,·e encoumge<! undertakings bclongmg LO the category of "SUS!ainable development" proJectS lndagenous organizauons themselves and suppon organizauons arc anell ned to favor economic activities tluu lncrcmcm production within l11digcnous areas: O<'tivilies Lhat seck to add value to products destined for specific markets; activities centered around the rntionaliz:nion and exploration or determined natural resources for a greater p.•rtlcipation of native communities In the production and organlz.11ion of work for commerce. The positive side or these decisions cannot be dtnied. just os the results art noL gnmdiosc and tmmedt3le. Time is being bought to be able, more cle:arly and dcodedl)\ 10 find CXI5lS tt.lt 3re proper and "mdependcnt." On the other t.lnd, one musl also lnquare if Lhis doesn\ COOSltlUtC a new politiCOll stmteg)• utilized by nationol society. geared lO\\'llrds itS own CC'Onomic imcrcsts, aiming at the incorporation or new markets. especially those held as "alternative." In the end. one must Onnlly nsk, to wt.lt extent these Initiatives constitme de fa.ao something new, or are they leading Indigenous people, once ag;Jin, into "modern· and sophisticated schemes of economic explouotion. 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. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Um Jeito de Ve-los:" Old and New Representations of Indian Peoples in Brazil Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Gllton Mendes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title "Um Jeito de Ve-los:" Old and New Representations of Indian Peoples in Brazil Item Type Journal Article Author Gllton Mendes Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 16-17 Publication Title Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note Indigenous organizations confront the new challenges in contemporary Brazil the and a brief frame of the actual economic realities by which they are affected are discussed Attachment Title Pages from Abyayala_v10_n1_p16-17.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Brazil Indigenous Politics Non-Governmental organizations https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/9af637c41ac47039ba3b0196d8ce7e0e.pdf c87248c75f2a74b0af2583a708f4d036 PDF Text Text E NVIRONMENT Biobio River: Chilean Government Renews Ralco Dam Concession In the Spring 1995 issue of Abya Yala News we reported that END£$A. the largest private company in Chile. is planning to construct six hydroelectric dams on the Biobio river In southem Chile. The first of these. Pangue. is already 70% completed. ENDESA now says it will move ahead with construction of the largest of the Biobfo dam. called Ralco. Ralco threatens to displace 700 people. including 400 Pehuenche Indians. Since our last article. the struggle to save Biobio and the lands of the Pehuenche has been intense. Now. the Chilean state has broken down s barrier for the construction of Ralco. n january 12, 1995. ENDESA announced th:u d<Sput OPJ'O"• tion by <-1titen groups nnd lndigenollS people, membcl'> of the Chilean Cong~Y:SS, and ev.:n some gov· crnmcnt agencies. the office of the lnspe.:tor General of Chile had approved the renewnl ofENOESA\ piOVISion:ll eoncession for surve)'ing In the Rolco area of the Up1>er Bioblo. The oppo5nion to the ~"""'1\1 had callSCd the normally auton>~tic renewal pi'O<less to be ddnyed for neorl)' a year. The groups opp(>SM the renewnl booiW<' of the ncg.1tivc impact of the sur''cying work on the ecology of the Upper Btobio nnd the Pehuenche lndtgenollS c-ommunh1es who live in the ~u\."n. lt1lco would be a 155 meter·hlgjl d.1m with a 3:100 hectare reservoir, which would Oood over 70 km of the rh'Cr vrtlle)' and displa(t': over 700 people. including 100 Pchuenche Indians. Environmental and lndigenollS righ.s groups oppose the project not only because ofthe Wide S(ll]e destruction '' would cause, but also because projections or Chtl~~ future energy requitetl'lcms indi<'att that the energy It would produce will not be need<'<! ENDESA hos been continuously con· ducting surveying activhies in the are:o, despite the L'lC1 that tbctr ongm~l proVt· soonal «>ncesston exptn.'<l m 1993. and their activities have c;onsistcml)' been camed om \Vttltout the collS<'nt of the land owners. The opPQ$ition groups O 30 hold d.at while R:llcos impac.s ~~a_,-e not been evsluated or appl'O\'ed by the \\'el'C misled by ('fldesa Into selhng their Lmds. Others have n:slsled actt\'cly, ask· appropriAte government agencies. lngEndesa engineers I OV.Icate their com· ENOESA should not be permiued to munili~ unmedi:u.ely 'Since It has not conunue to bring dC$lructrvc clements to been pol'Sible to discuss things with ENOESt\ , and due to the ossaultth:!t our the R.•lco area. Under Chilean Lnw (l.nw of Mopuche Pehuenehe people nre being Protection, Suppon, ond Development of subjected to, we feel forced to take the lndlg~nous Peopll:). the f'ehuenche dccisron to ask them to lcn\'e Pchuenche Indians :w not n.'<jutred to lea"e their lCnitOr)'. Out of the commulllUCS o! lands again.<t their will nor to accept nny Quepttcn-Ralco, Palmucho, Quepuca, reloauion package offered by ENDESA. Ralco-Li:poy. l.epoy, l.:t Veta, The Pehuenche h:!w made d<nr their Cbenqucco..: (IV<rMn (chtcfs) or opposition to the R.~lco PR\icct and the Quepucn-R.1lco tond R;Jico l.epoy). 'II' presenc.: of ENDESt\ repii!Semmi•·<'S in thetr temtory, but the «>tlctSS!on \\ill Wntt rQ the Ptmdcnt Oulc. Ed11anlo Fr<l ennble ENDESA representanves to move mtd 10 rite diplonwtic rcpr!!smtatfl•ts of Chllc through the Pehucnche Indians' temtory in your "''"' coun.try. <Uki•g th<m to r<:ij>(ct agatnst their wish~ the righiS of lndogtrwu.< l'toplt$ tn Chile In Oppo5tuon to the gr.tmlng of the per- accordtmce •·.illt tltt Cltllean lndigcno.u mit h:!s been widespl'l:<ld. Onjanu.vy 19, Ptdpla I.D.- and lm<nutfll)rtal Tr<'<ll~ a p~ conference was held to crillclze the decision to l'Cncw tbec!n•m. A decla- lidU<~rdo Frd, Prrsidcnt< d< Ia Rtl"lblfca do· rolion \\':IS signed there b)' the major Olilc: Fox: -+S6-2·690·4020 or • 56·2-®0environmental groups and by youth ~329: ll!tp:ll"""'l""srdtnaa.cU; j/Jhn Biehl. org.•mzatlons o{ the politlrol panle.s in Chll«tn Amba,><U/Qr to tilt United Storts: the &0\'Cming C<JQihlon <>f Chile. Also. Fax; 202-887-5579 the Chile.tn Bureau or Indian Alfatrs (Corporation Nadonal de Oesarollo Ccmplltd from Corri<ntcs, MW$/cllcr of the lndl!;<na- CON:AOI). re(<'fltly =.ated to Bll#o Action Gn~Up (GABB), and 81oblo impl~mcnt Ch ile~ new Indigenous updmc. (transloucd by IR.'?· fo>' More Pt<iples Lnw, intervened against ENDE- lnjonn<Jtion, contatc Gro.po de Atdon por d S,.\.. Bioblo, !!• II<'Sto The Pehuenche comm1.milies m the path of Endcsali project have had to contend with a well-<>tt.hestrated cmnp.11gn of mis-information and btibcl)\ Some R;xcltw. Santwgo de Odie: Te/:+56-!2·737· H20: Fa.r. •56-2-777-6'11-1. tmall· gabb@hucl<n.rcuna.d l'l!ltO I.Dgantguc l J2, � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Biobio River: Chilean Government Renews Ralco Dam Concession Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Bioblo River: Chilean Government Renews Ralco Dam Concession Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 30 Publication Title Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note ENDESA. the largest private company in Chile is planning to construct six hydroelectric dams on the Biobio river in southern Chile. ENDESA now says it will move ahead with construction of the largest of the Biobfo dam called Ralco. Ralco threatens to displace 700 people. including 400 Pehuenche Indians. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p30.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Biobio River Dam Chile ENDESA Pehuenche Indians https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/0864d4f5306b88e3a9e8f3f5c32cbbae.pdf 6005e82fd10d836f965882cfcb8a15cf PDF Text Text B RAZIL Fighting for a Macuxi Homeland Macuxi leader Jacir Jose de Souza is a well known Indigenous activist from the Raposa Serra do Sol Indian area. Brazil. After 25 grueling years of work, this area has yet to be demarcated and has been the site of numerous killings and human rights violations (see Noticias de Abya Yala. Vol. 9 No. 1), Now. the revocation of Decree 22191 puts a cloud over the prospects of official demarcation. In this interview. not yet knowing the outcome of the revision of Decree 22/91. Jacir confides in SAIIC the hardships faced by the Macuxi people and the often conflicting process of organization and representation that occurs in a common struggle. f~~ .w~ Jacir Jose De Souza Why and bow d. d you st.~rt fighting for i the Macu.'<i people? 'm from the mal0«1 (village) of Mamruca, in the Stllte of R oraima, Brazil. Our land had been invaded, but the ruxaua (chieO of our Maloca wasn\ responding. On April 27. 1987. we had a meeting and I was chosen to lead the effort to defend our community, to replace the Tuxaua of the maloca. Our first Step was ending alcoholism. which the garimpdros (gold prospectors) were bringing into our community. Then, we Started to organize other communities and work with the other Tuxauas. Still, they thought I was new, and lacked experience. I argued that, for the future. we had 10 take action on our own behalf. The government was never goi.ng to do any· thing. FUNAI wouldn\ help us. Our effons continued: communities Started helping each other, clearing fields, building houses. !took this experience of working with the Tuxauas to the annual general assem· bly. 1chose four people in my maloca (village), went 10 the assembly, and told all the 1i<Xauas about the village council we had fonned. The reaction was pretty neg· alive: They said, "What, you won\ respect the Tuxaua any more. and there won\ be a legitimate authority?" But, when they saw the results of our work, they agreed 10 unite and work together. I 20 In 1987. we decided to extend our organization to the city to work for the demarcation of our land. I suggested 12 people, from all the communiti. s, e 10 start. In April, 1987, we went 10 all the malocas. explaining what we wanted to do. that in Maturuca we already had a council, and that this was for the future of our children. The people agreed. After one month we wem to the city. We had no house or anything. FUNA! didn't want to help us. So. we went to talk with a bishop, Don Aldo Mongiano. and he said he could provide a house we could use. We divided up the work. Three people stayed in the cit)'. and the others returned to the malocas. After a while, the process was reversed. We set up a place where people could go for help. After two years, everyone was with us. 1 was in the middle of everything. We bought another house for an off\ce in Boa Vista. People brought food from the villages. We put together a small project that rec~ived support. In 1988. we had a meeting in Manaus with COlAS (Brazilian Indigenous Peoples and Organizations Articulating Council). There was an election. and six people were chosen including me. l told them l didn't have enough experience, and that this is a very big city. But , they convinced me and tOld me it would. be fine. By 1990, we were doing well. Then, there. was an outbreak of malaria in my maloca. Many people fell sick. My ,vifc \\'$one of them, and she died. When I got back to Boa Vista, they wanted me to work for the Council. but l said I had to take care of my children. When I got back to the maloca, they said you can\ leave. A 1itxaua is a Tuxaua. After four months. they chose me to coordinate the region. where there are 5,000 people in 48 villages. 1 agreed to coordinate thi.ngs from my home. Our organization. the Indigenous Council of Roralma (OR). now has diverse personnel, including a lawyer and an agronomist. Since we divided up imo eight regions, some Stay in their areas while others work in the cit)• Now, we are even trave1ling to other countries. In September, the vice-coordinator wem to Italy where he met with other organizations. Today, I am here. Our work to defend our rights continues. What are the principal problems faced by Macux.i communities? At the beginning of 1995, the state government wanted to build a dam on the Cotingo River. \vithin the Indian area Raposa Serra do Sol. They sent the miliAbya Yala News �B RAZIL tary police who destroyed a house, beat up the Rtxaua, and kicked people out and burned a house. We resisted. We held that it was illegal to do this in an Indigenous area. We contacted the attorney general and FUNAI. We explained how they had beaten many people. later, the federal government decided to bring in energy from Venez\tela. so things calmed down. The s(ate government was doing this to hold up the demarcation lof our ~'nd). The arn1y came into the area, also destroying houses. Vole had a meeting and called the military and little by little they left. Then in October. they proposed creating a town, a nmnicipality within Raposa Serra do Sol. How could they get away with this? The)• called for a plebiscite and scheduled a day to hold it. Jacir Jose de Souza (right) during Amazon Week VI, 1995, during a panel on They brought electronic voting Indigenous Rights. machines. The ranchers and miners Vole built a blockade and st.~yed there helping us: But this is in the city of Boa voted. as well as the Indians. In another plebiscite a year ago the months, not letting anyone or any vehi- Vista, where many lndiallS are suffering, results were annulled because the cles pass. Then. FUNAI sent the federal and can\ go back to their village. Indians !.:new about it, and being well- police in 1992 to expel everyone. We organized, boycotted it. Now they managed to kick out 600 garimpeiros. Have you received the support from po pu1atious in pulled a new maneuver. announcing the The ranchers inside the area also began non·lndigcnous plebiscite with onl)• two days o£ advance to leave. One o£ the meanest, named Jai, Rorai.ma? notice. The Indians didn\ have a chance left after destro)<ing many o£ our houses. In any city in Bmzil, there are people to organize. They brought computers, Now. this area is clean. and the forest is defending our rights. There are journalwhich people had not seen before. beginning to grow. ists who help us. The church also SUI>So. today, there are very few cattle pons us. FUNAI also scm a decree to the Needing assistance, they could not vote in privacy. Now, they say they will build inside. But, \vith the suppon o£ the state min.ister recognizing our tenitorial lim· a city near M:uuruca. \Ve. believe th.is is government. son1e remained. Now. there its. And, there are many organizato destabilize the Indian movement. and is a lot o£ pressure to establish a munici- lions-CIMI (lndigenist Missionary pality. The fight is getting seriotts. and Council), that organization in 5.\o Paulo, to prevent the demarcation o£ the area. we can't give in. the CPI (Pro-lndian Commission), in So, I'm very concerned. Its a very serious problem. Rio de janeiro. Oid you s peak with Minister Jobim? So, we're working togelher. Any How many years have garimpeiros It's difficult. We've tried three times place we go, we find allies. But, powerto schedule a meeting. We tried to speak ful people \vith more money stay on top. been inside the area? Its been about 25 years. They staned tO the president in New York, but we working manually. Then. machinery 'vas couldn\. Some of our members have What can people here do to help the brought in. In the last seven years, they spoken with the minister. but hear that Macux_i people? On this trip, I've met other Orgatli.zabrought in dredging equipment. he is going to sign the decree !decree tions like RAN (Rainforest Action destroying the rivers. polluting them 1.775). Network). and asked for their help to with mercury, leaving them filthy. When the fedeml government took ...and the s tate government? speak \vith the government here. People the miners out o( the Yanomami area in The state government, through buy- can send letters asking our government 1989-90, many came to the Macuxi area. ing ofT some of ottr people and giving to respect Indian people. Everyone can This was when fakipanan malaria-the them small presents like clothes, got the pressure the us government here ruso. most serious kind-became rampant. Indians to S<'\Y that "the government is Continued on page 36 Vol. 10 No.1 21 �OR G ANI Z AT I ON AND C O MM UNICA T IO N Corot/nucd from pasc 21 ru.s \\'Jut bctn tht rt<~ of poopk in 1M dties of Bra:il? AI"( th<y a""'"' of the situa:don? ABYA YALA NEWS BACK ISSUES! <Back Issues are availabl e in both Spanish and English for $3 each plus shipping. Be fore 1993, the journal wa s called SAIIC N e w s l e tter.) .:l State Frontiers and Indian '3 II Continental Encounter of N atlone Vol 9 No.I. Spnng 1995: Includes lndigenoue People• Vol. 7. Nos. 3 & 4. w.nter 1993 <not av8llable 1n Spanishl. Also inCludes • Oot Compan•es Take Over the Ecuadorian Am4zon • Ecu.cjo<Peru 8ocde< WM • lnteMOW leona<do V.ten • MelUCO's Domestic and lnterMI'Onal Borders J Confronti ng B loc:olonlallem Vol. 8. No. 4. Winter 1994: Includes • Tho Human Genome Diversity Pro)oot • Sofoguardlng Indigenous Knowtedgo • Tho Guoym1 Potent • Blodivors•ty ond Community lntognty .J Indian Movements and The Electoral Proce . . Vol. 8. No. 3. Fall 1994: Includes· • Me>c>co lndogenous Suffrege Undet Protest • BoiMO. Reconstructing the Aytlu • Guatemala· Maya Poloucal Crossroads • Colombia: Special Indian 0. str1<: 111'9 .l Chlapae: lndlgenoue Uprlelng with Campealno Demande? Vol 8. Nos 1 & 2. Summer 1994: Includes: • Moyo Identity end the Zapatista UpriS•ng • Cho onology of Events • lndogenous and Cemposono P~ Proposels • lnteMOW With Ant<nO Hemondez Cruz of CIOAC 36 • Free Trado's Assault on IndigenouS Roghts .J 19113 Year of the World'• Indigenous P eople• Vol 7. Nos. 1 & 2. Wintcr/Spnng 1993: Includes: • UN DecleroUon of Indigenous Rights • Stotorne<lt ollndtgenous Ne110ns at tho UN 0 Excluelve Inte rviews w ith Fo ur Indian Leaders Vol 6. No. 4. Fel 1992: lnteMeWS • M.queas Mollercs. AIOESEP CPerv> • Mateo Chumore Guarano <BoiMa> • Marganto Aull. API C Mexoco> • Caloxta Gobtlel. Kaqchokel Maya CGu.1temelal :J March on Qulto o Amazon lndlane Demand to be Heard Vol 6. No. 3. SpOng & Summer 1992 <not aveiloble '" Spanosh> Also Includes: • lntcrlilew with President of ONIC {Colomboal •(X)IC~n r<.re YOO P.nmll 0 Newe from Around the Continent Vol 6. Nos. I & 2. Spnng & Summer 1991. Includes: • Pehuenche Organ•z•ng Pays Off CChoiel • South end Cent<lll Amencan Women's Gathcnng <Peru> lthmk tlut t~l"( IS <Om< actl\11)! ~n: os ullk of org;mwn~ 2 protNt 1n 8rasllu When t~rc ~~ mont)' to bnng 300-400 Ind"1ns to 6msiha. t~rc 1> ol\\,1 little time )"' to plan. Whnt is the situation regnrdlng the co11· struction of the go<•cn>mtnt dam o n the Cotingo River? The t'OIIStniCtlon of the d:uu was sus· pend.'<!, and cltctncny Will b< brought 1n from \'tne%Ud>tAAad But, \\C don\ know what \\111 h.1ppen lat<r un Is the bordu area h<a<i ly miht•rizall ~ m1htary tS 1n :-onnand~:~ :md 8-8. They want 10 bUild .1 town. and tile)' k~p <'OIIllniJ through t~ am. htlpmg the ranchers, bum1ngan lndo.tn hom< here and thtre. How about in Indigenous areas? Calha None mcluded n lxt<c <whm Rapos:l/Scrm do Sol. but they don\ have """"'>' to btnld It )<1 The nulttary ll3> declared ll~lf ag1llMI demarcation of lndmn lands. nnd supports loc11l interests They bwlt n blcxlodt oro t~ Ml)· rood tlut links the CillO <mh thr m.1loca,, and ....,ned the nght to -rch cmcnng Ind1:1ns to mumtdate t~m Arc Indian lands •ubj«t to OrgAAized iowasions by large companirs, o r small bndltss farmtrs and miners? ~ b~r «OROrniC IIIICI"(StS ha<·t plans to get mto the nrca. Tht)' want to j\Ct the rn1ntrs out. so t~y cnn (Ollie 111. Bill. we don\ want anyont to come m .., S<otd foxes to l'rrsltla ll l'cmamlo Hcrrrlq• < CllrJooo ~~ him I<> f,lld<~nl« th< d<matal· '""' of lnchg<nc>US ""'" In Roatrl. and c r«-ol:< o D«•« 1775: l'rmJrldo Htnn<jl>t C..o.i>w. PI'Ouklll of the RrpoblK. Pa/cllld do l'liVIollro, Braulia • DF • 10 !60-900. frl< SS-6!·121>-7566. (?lloUI. .... ,...~ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Fighting for a Macuxi Homeland Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Fighting for a Macuxi Homeland Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 20-21, 36 Publication Title Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note Macuxi leader Jacir Jose de Souza is a well known Indigenous activist from the Raposa Serra do Sol Indian area. Jacir confides in SAIIC to explain the hardships faced by the Macuxi people and the often conflicting process of organization and representation that occurs in a common struggle. Attachment Title Pages from Abyayala_v10_n1_p20-21,36.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Brazil Brazilian Indigenous Peoples and Organizations Articulating Council De Souza Jacir Jose Raposa Serra do Sol https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/0fe129d41ced5876dccef25e68d4deea.pdf 1328ab8358dedac4e580615032154e17 PDF Text Text SELF DE TERM I NATION AH O T ERRITORY Reflections on a M CONAIE, Grassroots, and a Vision for the Future (~~ .w~ Jose Maria Cabascanao Jose Maria Cabascango is a Quichua activist of the Pijal Community. Gonzalez Suarez Parish. province of lmbabura. Pijel has some seven thousand inhabitants and only 600 hectares of land. With intimete knowledge of that community, Jose Maria Cabascango. an activist since the 70s. reached a position of prominence In CONAIE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador). As Secreta/}' of International Relations. he hes traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Americas. In this inteNiew, he reflects upon the accomplishments and the future of the continental Indigenous movement from the perspective of Ecuador. What are the l>rincipal accomplish· mcnls of CONA tE and other commu~ nal o•·ganizatiOns Ihat you huve seen in your years of work? tnce th< 1940s ~nd 1950s. o.g.•m· :ntlons were born nil o'·er S t\'Cn Ecuador: pcasam or gnniz.:Jtions, Indigenous O'l\"ni:<ltiorb such a.s the fedcracion Ecua~ori:lll3 de lndtO$ (Ecuadorian federation or Indians), headed by Dolores C. cunngo. n woman 1 of struAAlt in those d3ys. Unfonunately. those organizauons were controlled by polotK';Il panics (hkc the Coznmumst and Soc1ahst pa~ty), the Catholic and E\';lngcloc:~l <hurchcs, .ond by th< labor mo,• emcnt. Therefore. they deOnltCI)• were not autonorno\b ~nd independent organiznuOrh. In the years of 1972. 19H. IZCUARUNARI began orgamzmg Itself with force and with many problem~ ~nd conO.kts with the Church. Then 11 became tndependent, onuiaung the rcconstnll'tlon of Indigenous peoples' collective Identity. In those ye.~rs th<re were three main points ol focus; the Mruggle .lj;.llnSI mdsm. because masm wns ,.tl)' •trong; the stnoggle lor the recuperation and lcgahznuon or the tcr- ntoncs. one of the most lmponant points; and the struggle for :on indige· nous educ:.ttion Uere. two primal)· d<mands were JniCUlated· on the one hand, that (tndtgenousl longuag¢S be recognized officmlly by the E!cuador!an state, and th.1t ~ducation be admin•.r ttred m our own Unguog<s Th<se are n!'l")' tmponant txpe.rienc:es lhat wtrt initiated in those times. Today, mcism has not ended. R:lcl"" appears m <eonomte ~loua· uon and the \10l.tnon ol human rights. Racosm exists m the behavior of ci\•11 SOCiety. 8ut il Is not as visible 3S before. �S Uttle by liule we have m.~n.'lged to make the non-lnd1gcnous society undeTStand tlut 11 too has lnd1genous blood and th3l we definitely ore dyn.,mic peoples. wnh • m1llMnial history. and our own ttrritories. I indeed would like to emphasize this aspect of the Struggle agninst mcism that 1s one of the principal nccompllshments; the President of the Republic himself is speaking of n ·multi-ethnic Ecuador.· V.~th reg.1rd to the Indigenous territories, I ~lievc there nre ndvnnccments. We were able to recuperate some lands although often under. veritable State or Stege. There are compahtros that were assossmated and pe~cuted. But 've monagcd to consolidate, at lta.St in p:ut, our temton:d spae< In the same way. lnd1gmous peoples 111 the Arnau>n and Co:>sl wenl oble to lcl)illtze their own ttnitones, whtch is an important aspect. Therefore, despite powerful tntCrestS such as those of the mulhna• uonal, oil, mmeml, nnd Other mdustries, nnd those of the Ecuadorian state. we managed to legalize. nt least in pan, those territories. In 1988 we mnnnged to get bilingual inter-Ctlltuml cduc(l(ion institu· tionalized. Yes, there are m.my prob· lcms. mony admmiStmuve, technical. and pedago&~cal difficulues, but ne,·ertheless 11 IS a mo''< forward. Toda)' for ex:~mple. there art plans to create, in h1gher cducauon, an lndigtnous uni\'trstt}\ I behc,·c thiS is an ad'-ancemmt. What has been the experi<'-nce or the communities l hting in lhis Lime of change? All of these occomplishments, evident in todny's dally life, have rcpercus· slons and nrc felt In the communities. For example, In the case of ffi)' community, nascent conOicts nrc no longer referred tO the ntuhoritleS Comprised of political entitles, couns. JUdges, and county ond provmcial nmhorities. They are resolved w11hin the some community. This IS a n.-al control w1elded by E l f DETERMINATION A N 0 TERRITORY peoples and pea..<ant O'l/,3nl:atlons of the country also worked 0\ll • proposal count ry a nd take up Indige nous for agranan reform. In june of '93. we ""legaJ.. traditions to c reate oU presented thtM ~fore the indigenous legal s tructures io Ecuadorian parliament. There were E uador. Do )'Ou see n contradiction three proposals: one from the go"ernc between this ambitious 1noject and ment, one from the landowner and wantiog. to rclurn to workrng direct- agro-industri:IILSt sector, and onothcr ly with the communities? from the lndigcnOu$ nnd peasom orgaWe have alwnys soid t hot u is nizations united In the National imponnm to work on all fronts. The Agrarian Coordination (Coordirwdor·<t political, juridical, economic, social, Agra,;a Nadorwl). In the end CONAIE's and cultuml projects that we have inhl· proposol was Slollcd or e-·cn thrown ated have to continue forward, because out, I don\ remcm~r exactly whm these have an effect at the commumty happened. level. I ~lie,·e that tnd1genous peoples In 1994, the !DB (lnter-<lmencon in Ecwdor hove ~n the orig>nators of Development B.1nk) demanded that many muL~tlv.,, :md there e.'<JSIS • pop- S80 milhon be tmnsrerred to the agrarul3t boekmg across Ecuadonan society ian sector, which 11 sow ns archaic. for our work, theoc arc 1101 proposmons Then 11 demanded a change m the that are Only Ill the IntereSt Of agrarian law. Wol'lied, the government Indigenous peoples, but rather proposi- urgent!)' sent a projec:t to the Nnuonnl tions to inaugurate 1\ new SOCiety :md Congress so that In fifteen days they auempt 10 resol,·e the huge problems of could approve that law. When we reviewed it. we S3w that it wns the social cr1s1s, hunger. and poveny. From the moment we inufnted the shortened version of what the struggle until 1993, there was general- landowners had presented in 1993. ized state repression. Then, thanks to Nevenheless, It was pushed fol'\vord the struggle that ro:;e In nntionol and and approved. international solidarity, liule by liule The Indigenous movement reacted the military prcsence in the comnmni- very quickly. The entire country mobi· ties diminished. 1 believe th1s is an lized-organizauons :~llied with extrcmcl)• lmponnm achievement. CONAIE. popular org.tn1zauons In the case or my community. all are in,·oh'Cd and not involved in the agrarworking dihgently to aC(\Uirt new mfrn- ian issue. Now, wh)' ? On the one h.1nd. Struc:tunl. to develop water works. and the law proposed the pn\';lllz.ttion or the like. We, like CONAIE, are womed community lands and natural obout how to provtde training tn resoucces, especi.11ly of wttter. h thre:tt· administrative matttts. ened to do away with pcas3lll org.m1Zo· lion. h was • retrograde l~w: what they CONAIE surprised the world with its project tO ronn 0 multinational Two events in Ecuador where. the Indigenous ' orgmliznlions and CONA!E have had :m important role: the Indigenous mobllizntion against the Agrari.an Reform Law (Ley de wanted was to return tO the hacu:nda system, gam ownership or all our resources. and deOnitcly 1 rnplam an ideology of individunlisnt, of mnrket competition. Reforma Agrmia) In June of 1994, aod the border wnr with Peru. Did the effectiveness of CONAIE con· Historically. it was n '1cry imponant moment. For the first time, Indigenous organizations demanded from the govt.ra.st strongly in tbcse two events? ernment the revocation or a law that To Sllmmanze, around 1993 the wem agamst the maJOrH y or the mdUStnal sectors like the big agro- Ecuadorian people-not j\ISt Indigenous our own ~unhoriuts wh1ch h.·we the indUStrial companies worked out a pro- people. Also. for the first time in L1M capndty to crr.tte a ·)egislollon" proper J<Cl for an :tgr.arl.1n reform 13w (Ley de Amei'IC3n histor)'. • president >.1t at the Dt:samlllo Agrarw). We as lnd1genous negOiiation tabk wnh Jn lndtgenous to the communuy. vo1:-1o No. 1 - 23 �S E L F DE T ERM IN AT I ON AND TERR IT _,'-"'-'-_ __ O R Y ti')Ong to neg0ll3tc " "h 111<! oal compa· nics. The na1ion~l go,~rnmcnl would say, "Not one step backward' We're going to defend the ltmtory. our soven:agnty!" But n1 the some time they were handmg over thiS ·so,·eretgmy· to the o al compant~s! \Vhat arf' we sup· posed to mnke of thnt> In the Ecuadorian parliament they were approving measures tO privatize petro· lcum resources, electricn1 energy. tclc· phone Industries, nnd the social sccuri· t)' system of 1hc country. the Ecuadorian lnStnutc of Social Sccunty (lESS)! So. wh~t •soverel~llt)'" do they speak of? organorauon for fifteen days of work, day and mght We managed to paralyze the enure country, block roads. ond prcvem the del"•ery of ngnculturnl products to the clly. Now, in regards to the war, CQN,\I E held some reunions \loth the Shunr.t\chunr Fcdcm11on and the 1\chunr t.'nmt'l'lilcft)s. Bm we have 10 consider thAt, on the one hand. there was • total suppon from the Ecuadorian people, includmg suppon from lndtgcnous peoples and camp<Stno -tor For el<3mple, m my communi!)· th<!rc "rre 14 Cllnlpaittros in the line of Rrt. So. the panicipation of almost ~u the people was a very tmponont aspect But I rellcrntt that CONAIE, the Shunr-Achuar Federnuon, and other argan1z~tlons met and came up with very Important resolutions. demanding of 1he governmcm rctribullon for all of the lml>acts. both environmental and cultural, resulting from the war. There were very 1tti'Jtt communities that were disploocd Nevenhcless. as of yet there is no response (rom the go,·cmmem. You sold that the Shuor and Indigenous people in other regions supported the armed forces. That con1rndic1s the statt.mt.nl.S of organi- 24 The U.N. declared 1993 a> the "Yur of Lhe lndigenollS Peoples" and in 1994 they declared n Decade of Indigenous Peoples. ~ll\S this been zations such ns CONFENIAE and beneficial for Indigenous peoples? CONi\ IE, that s~id 1h:n tho war \v:ISWell I bchevc that at 1he lntema· n't of Indigenous people but of gov· uonal kvcl, we have progres.sed a bit ernmen ts nnd that those border with regard to our nght>, In 1992, areas definitively belong 10 the Rlgoberta Menchll rccel\•cd the Nobel Indigenous people living there. How Peace i>rizc. Bul, we hlwt: S.'lid that if would you clnrlfy this? we. as Indigenous peopl•·s. don't truly hS that, yes, there w~s supJ>Ort from take ad\<an!ltge of these conJunctures. the people, but unfortunately societies nothing will hnppen during the ten in general nre 100 nnpassioncd by years. or twenty years e\ocn. I believe e'·ems like this, be it war, or soccer, to thaL the idea IS 1h>t, lor example, m mention just • rew So IM people nse regard to the Decade, we as org.1niza· and w11h theor tmp.'IS>Ioncd atutude Lions appropnatc and seek change begin 10 bock a ~ilion Imposed by through the rcsoluuons dm(tcd by the 1hc go\'cmmem, \\llh 1\.lllonahsrn and UN. a false sense: of partlstnshlp. We should nghl m til<! framework We must tJk< tnto consideration of til<! United Nauons nnd participate that CONiiiE produced many press in forums \\1th cle>r proposals. Many releasts cbrtfymg thai, truly. at was not Indigenous people have traveled and m our mtcrest tO support hhe warl, or parttctp.1ted, but ol1en to pro,•ide a ~ven the government (~md much less folkloric or cultural presence and not a 1he am1ed forces), bccnusc in the end. politically actiw o ne . In the the war was not one of Indigenous peo- Ecuadorian cnse. we have n process of ples. On top of I hi>, In the bordcrl•nds unincation between Indigenous. peasthere Were clo~ly related lndagenous am, and Afro-Ecu:ld,>rlan o rganiza· groups 1hnt "'ere clashing: people wilh tions. There exlSlS :\ nntiona1 commit· the same histoncal roots. the same lee for the Decade whert!in we are blood, and the s.•me econom1c prob· workmg wilh many proposals-eon· lems. crtte plans of action. We need to act. The amport:u11 tlung to remember is because rnony NGOs, and 111<! church, thai an the de\'clopmcn1 of the war. are qune prtpared !0 rteci\C all of Lhc wh<!n 1he people wen: up •n arms. sup- resoun:es filtering an lor the pomng 1hc go,<rnment, 11 in tum w.>S lntcmauonal Decade. ... A'oia 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. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Reflections on a Movement: CONAIE, Grassroots, and a Vision for the Future Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Reflections on a Movement: CONAIE, Grassroots, and a Vision for the Future Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 22-24 Publication Title Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note Jose Marfa Cabascango is a Quichua activist of the Pijal Community. Jose Marfa Cabascango, an activist since the 70's, reached a position of prominence in CONAIE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador). In this interview. he reflects upon the accomplishments and the future of the continental Indigenous movement from the perspective of Ecuador. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p22-24.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] CONAIE CONFENIAE Quichua https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/39300a95629b49eb8cfdf1c592287e53.pdf 20218641ff05d77754ce6b8e0d6461fc PDF Text Text S A I I C News from SAIIC••• incc: our last journal in November of 1995, SAIIC passed through a difficult period, which has slowed the publication of Abya Yala News. We apologize to our readers for S this inconvenience. In spite of many difficulties. our work with Indigenous peoples has com inued on st ronger than ever. \ 1.,.fe, had numerous visitors. :ampaigns, worked on many different < and stayed long hours to do it all. \Ne are ver)' pleased to a•mounce that Amalia Dixon is now Director of SAliC. Amalia's experiences as a Miskita woman in the autonomous Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua have prepl\red her well for the rigors of the SA \IC directorship. It is a pleasure tO work with her. SAIIC is pleased to announce that Mariana Chuquin, a Quichua woman from Ecuador has joined us as member of the board of directors. Mariana is from the communily of Mariano Acosta in the province of lmbabura. Mariana attended the Universidad del Norte in Ecuador as a single mother. She moved to the US in 1984, and now works in Social Services for the community of San Francisco's Tenderloin district, providing health, food, free shelter, clothing. counseling, and information resources. She has remained active m the Indigenous Movement through it all. Welcome, ·Mariana. Laura Soriano Morales. a Mixtec~ Zapotec woman from Oaxaca, Mexico. has joined SAIIC to coordinate and pl·oduce $A11C's radio program. Laura is pan of the Binational Oaxacan Indigenous Front, and has a long hisVol. 10 No.1 tory of working in the Indigenous to area activists. It was a pleasure hav- ing Gilton hero working with us. taped a program on Biodiversity and SA IIC also received the visit of a Biopiracy for the purposes of inform- Sami delegation (the Sami people are ing Indigenous peoples of this new indigenOl.IS to what is today Norway. form of colonialism. The radio pro- Finland, Sweden, and parts or northgram also consists or a segment of ern Russia). During their visit. we news entitled "Indigenous Voices." exchanged common experiences of Radio programs arc taped and distrib- fighting for tcrritoriol rights. issues of uted to over seventy different representation. and the struggle to Indigenous radio stations and organi- preserve and manage the earths naturzations in Latin America. al resources. We thank them for comSAIIC welcomes David Rothschild ing to see us. as lhc new Adminisuation and Project Lastly, we were lucky enough to Coordinator. David graduated from receive the visit of Francisco the University of California, Santa Campbell. who is Vice-l'resiclem of Cruz. with a Major in L·uin American URACCAN, the University of the Studies. David has worked with vari- Autonomous Region of the Caribbean ous Indigenous organizations in Coast of Nicaragua. Francisco talked Ecuador including CONA IE. He is to SAIIC about this brand new initiapresent!)' working on a book focusing tive to provide Indigenous education Oll Biodiversity and Indigenous and training to the Sumu. Miskito. Intellectual Property Rights, to be Rama , and Garffuna peoples in published in English and Spanish. Nicaragua. Several people have left SAIIC In late October. we received the visit ofjose jacir de Souza. long-time since our last journal: Leticia Valdez. Macuxi actlvist in Brazil. jacir extend- Andre w Banle u . Marc Becker, and ed his speaking tour from the East Cheryl Musch.We take this opportuCoast to the West, and had great suc- nity to thank them for their warm ded· cess here in the Ba}' Area. We had the ication to SAIIC and wish them the privilege or conducting an imervicw best in all their future endeavors. with him with the help of Leda Martins and Glenn Switkes. Between November and january, movemcm. Up to this point. we have GUton Mendes. an intern from Brazil, worked with Si\IIC in developing closer solidarity ties with Indigenous organizations in the Brazilian Amazon. Gilton compiled key information on the changes in the Brazilia11 Indian land legal structures a11d also networked with and presented his work ABVA VALA NEWS 39 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource News from SAIIC... Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title 'News from SAIIC... Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 39 Publication Title Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note SAIIC discusses the events that they have taken part in and introduces many outstanding people from the indigenous community. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p39.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] De Souza Jacir Jose Dixon Amalia Mariana Chuquin Rothschild David https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/452deb7b60e4489040d8d7c20ccd4124.pdf f257d6c5f9c8a8d15ca4e85ef164fa9b PDF Text Text OR G ANIZ A T I ON AND COMM U NICA T I ON • URACCAN Offers Degree 1n Indigenous Rights ''For more than five centuries others have spoken for us. Today we want to begin to speak with our own voices on this October 12. when we commemorate once more the histof}' of resistance of Indigenous peoples of the American Continent and as we launch a Degree Course in Indigenous Rights in our own university ..- URACCAN, the University of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua th that invocation 10 the more than 500 )'Cars of ndig-enous resistance on the W: American Continent, Dr. Mirna Cunningham, Rector of the new univer· sity URACCAN, began her address inau· gurating a degree course in Indigenous Rights-a speech that showed that this new post-secondary educational institution in Nicaragua is dedicated to take the forefront of the struggle to defend and extend the lights of the Caribbean Coast peoples. Above all. URACCAN wi1t be innovative and open to serve the real needs of the Caribbean Coa.~t mosa· ic of minority peoples-Miskito, Sumu, Rama, Gar!funa. Blacks-who have been historically marginalized and oppressed by the Nicaraguan state. It will also rein· force the autonomous status of the Caribbean Coast area of Nicaragtta by fo1m1nglocal cxpens in the fields of nat· ural resource management who can prevent the exploitation of coastal resources by outside forces. The degree course in Indigenous RightS. inaugurated in Bilwi {Puerto Cabezas), capital of the RAAN (North Atlantic Autonomous Region), is sup· poned and financed by a coalition com· posed of the internal budget of URAC· CAN, the Nicaraguan state. and International NGOs. It is a Bachelor level diploma that will be recognized as a basis to enter Master or Doctoral level degree courses in Nicaragua. The URACCAN Depanmem supervising this course is headed by Yuri Zapata; cours· es will be taught by Dr. Hazell.au1 3 well known Miskito leader and lawyer. · we are merely demanding," Cunningham assened, ·a fundamental Vol. 10 No.1 right for Indigenous peoples and ethnic communllles of the Caribbean Coast...our systematic and effective par· ticipation in the development of our own educational program." The national educational system and national uni· versities, she says. have ""no roots in our culture and thus kannotl respond to the urgem problems of our communi· ties." Mirna Cunningham is well known as a continental Indigenous leader. In 1992 she presided the work of convok· ing and assembling the Third Cominemal Encounter of Indigenous. Black. and Grassroots Resistance. held in Managua. She is a member of the Nicaraguan Parliament representing the Pucno C•bezas (Bilwi) region. She is also one of the principal architects of the autonomy process that led the Sandinista government in l987 10 enact the Autonomy law, a Constitutional provision that recognized autonomous status for the north and south Caribbean Coast regions. Indigenous peoples on the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast face severe marginaliz.11ion. Unemployment in the RAAN is now around 90%. and for the RAAS (South Atlamic Autonomous Region) it is 70%. The Atlantic Coast area has the highest levels of monaUty for early matemit)< Three out of every four unemployed persons are women, and there is an increase in rape and abuse brought about by social decom· position and drug consumption. Francisco Cambell. who rccemly travelled to the US in search of funher support for the program. spoke eloquently of URACCANs historical place in the lives of the Black and Indigenous peoples of the coast. "The Autonomy Process was the greatest historical shift from the liberal. nationalist ideology that to be Mestizo and Catholic is the only legitimate fom1 of belonging and ident it l' Now. the peoples of the region 5a)'. 'We will bttild our university." The establishment of an Indigenous Rights curriculum will further the autonomy process in the Atlantic Coast region by giving local peoples the educational training necessary to build the juridical framework for the reclaiming of the native economy and political system. In addition, the progrnm will do this in a way that respects the various cullllral expressions present on the Caribbean coast Uilit)' in diversity."' which must also integrate the cosmovi· sion of the Black Caribbean community. 1t will also decentralize the whole prcx:ess of education, taking smdents into coast~l communities for work~ shops, seminars, and open-ended, participatory sessions. The course, howev· er, is offered only on the Bil" ; campus, which will favor Miskilos over Sumus because of its location. Hence the need 10 open another program in the Bonanza region to the benefit of the Sunm communities. , . 11 Jlcfapted from a Glumeytur l. .XI f by felipe Swarr For infomtacion abouc URACCAN contact: URACCAN, &lljlcio E/ Cannen del Ctuutl 4 112c. al sur, Mar~agua. Nicaragua; Tel: 505· 2-682-HJ; Fax: 505·2·682-H5; or jsll<· arc@uugate.ulli.rain.ni; l.'ax 505·2-682145 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. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource URACCAN Offers Degree In Indigenous Rights Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title URACCAN Offers Degree Indigenous Rights Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 10 Issue 1 1 Pages 37 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English, Spanish English Abstract Note Dr. Mlrna Cunningham, director of the new university URACCAN, began her address inaugurating a degree course in Indigenous rights. The new post-secondary educational institution in Nicaragua is dedicated to take the forefront of the struggle to defend and extend the rights of the Caribbean Coast peoples. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p37.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Caribbean Coast peoples. Cunningham Mlrna Nicaragua URACCAN https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/c4a4d8f53647e8e2bd64870662a2a9af.pdf 34b0cab19aaae786aa3cda6e457e8c9c PDF Text Text INDI GENOUS WOMEN ORGANIZING _ _ _ _ __ ,_ The Right to Love and Politics: An Indigenous Activist's Perspective Eulalia Yagari Gonzalez. a Chami woman activist In Colombia. was elected as a member of the regional parliament of Antioquia on Marcil 8. I 992 (/ntemational Women's Day). In this interview, she speaks to us of her life and hardships as an Indian woman activist. Eulalia is convinced that the struggle of Indians in Colombia for land. culture. and autonomy must be conducted on many different fronts simultaneously. Her struggle is not only relevant to Indigenous communities but to all oppressed people in Colombia. particularly women. (~~ w~ Eulalia Yagari Gonzalez Why did you agree 10 be an Indian candidate for the senate elections? eforc I ar\Swcr your question. let me just say thnt the political par· B lidpntion or Indian women is nothing new. We ha-·e always been in,·olved in pollucs rn the sense that we\-. always defended our interestS, our rradrtron, our culture. our fellow men as wdl as our whole people and our land We fought for 500 )UIS until our valetS wen: nnally heard. Now Colombia has a new constitution. A cenain sector or the lndran population, Blacks, and other ethnic groups have united in a political alliance, which will not only defend Indian interests and nghts. but also those of Black people. the lower classes--in fact all marginalized groups. When they were looking for c:andidatcs and they noticed that I'd been politlc:ally active for tweh·c years and was <:<>mmlttcd 10 the rights of women. children and our entire people. they c"- me. Actually I only agreed 10 the candrdatun: after they opproaehed me for the rhrrd ume But as an Indian woman I don' just wnntto fight for the interests of Indian women. I also want 10 fight for the rights of all women in this society, the workers. the campesinas, the Black women who have always been discrimmated against umU now, the women of other ethnrc groups like the Gypsies-l»sically all women who an: pohurnlly ond SOCt311y active m this counrry. But when I demand their rights I don\ jusc wont to make supem· cia! political spoechcs. No. If I get elect· ed to the Stnote, I'll fight for quite specific proposals and proJetiS promoting the social development of women: the right 10 prenatal c:are, ror recognition of womens panlclpauon. and power for women to achieve their right to work and decem jobs. not Just jobs that are almost ~yond physical endurance. What could Indigenous women achieve in tht Stnate if they wtre elected? We could Stan by tmplementmg evetythmg the new <:<>RSIIIULion has assured us ol. We must form alliances with othtr progressrvc forces. with spe· dfic groups on the left, but also on the right. We'll see what the politicians will actually do. Of course, In the election campaign, they pz-omised all sons of things. Personally I don' have any rllusions about what I can do for the Colombran people, firstly brcausc I'm awan: of my limtlatlons and secondly brcause we don\ l!.tve the finanoal means. We havr lllr 100 little power in the state to n:ally chong< 50Ctety. All I can do is simply devote oil my Slrtngth and intelligence 10 the wk in h:tnd. I'll also use my feminine cunning. becnuse in all honesty, we women are very cunning. Women nn: capable of n grcot deal. its just thnt we' vc always been undermined. Our rights were taken away from us and we were underv~1l~ ued. Women were there for sex. childrearing and maybe the odd bit of poll· tics. We never had nny more space than that- So we're well-placed 10 flin with our bodfes, but also with our lnttlli· gence, our dtSCtmzng noture and with our cunnmg. We have m:tn)' abrlities we can use 10 change thiS sociel)\ As an Indian woman, I can\ spcok such high I'J:t(a Yala News �INDIGEN O US W 0 MEN ORGANIZING along the street together. And there$ no time to keep the family together or bring up the children properly. Who are your children growing up with? class Spanish as a big politician. but that docsn\ mean I have no right to be heard. Despite all my limitations, I imend to fight in the senate-albeit cautious1y, because the senate is a completely new ball game for us. I ha,,c a difficult relationship with him. We love each other but o~tr political struggle in this quagmire of violence and war makes it impossible for couples to live in peace with one another. We' re not the only ones in this position in Colombia. Hundreds or us women. You just said you only let yourself be nominated as a candidate after the third invitation. Why were you so hesitant initially and why did you accept in the end? Basically I never wanted to get imo big politics. I've been pushed imo it. The work in the senate seemed to me like the struggle of a little fish r.1ced with a shark. And besides. this work means giving both In)' daughters to someone else to look after. I've also got a partner whos politically active as well . Vol. 10 No. 1 lnditm women, campesinas. women from the popular moven1ems. workers and trade unionists aren't able to have happy relationships with their partners. Conunitment to the cause takes away the ability and time for love. R elationships often break ''P· because there$ a lack of opponunity for the joys and pleasures of love. affection and togetherness. Sometimes we're only at home for one or two days and often only for one night . There's no time to sleep with each other or even just stroll With relatives. But of course an aunt or granny can'o replace a mooher. You can't just switch ernotional tics. Traditionally, we Indian woman always have our children with us. Indian children grow up differently from other children. From binh we carry children around with us. In many communities they're only weaned when they're fo1 ·e or six. I suckled Marcela for four years. Because of my work I had to wean Patricia after two years. I think this long and close relationship early on helps Indian communities to develop a strong sense of solidarity. We may well have political differences, but we still feel ourselves to be Indigenous people. Today our children. the children of the popular leaders, are growing up with traumas and psychological problems -as a result or the perrnanent state of war. They have no home. no parents who love each other, they don't feel protected ao\d they don't have a good education. Lots of children are constantly in day-nurseries. We leaders and women at the head of the popular movemems sometimes find ourselves on our own in the end. not because of the political work in itself, but because itS being conducted in;\ war situation. You're a membe r of 1he Antioquia Organization of Indigenous Peoples (OIA). What type of women 's l>rogram do you have in the OlA? 'vVe don\ have a specific womenS program which renects the fact that very few women are in leadership positions. Crlstiania is an Indian community where many politicians like to have a finger in the pie. Women have achieved a lol of political space but many arc nol in a position to take on politic.~! functions. In n1y opinion we need a new policy for liberating women. but I don't mean a policy like the ones introduced here from Europe and Nonh America. 11 �IND I GENO U S WO ME N The cultures and societies arc totally different there. My positive image of women is not just limited to Indian women. I feel that women in general are amazing. lovely creatures. Women-Indian and black women. French, Cubans. Soviet Ctli· zens, Chinese women-all women are the most beautiful people in the world. On the other hand, some women who used to suffer and were repressed and put up with being beaten. have managed to liberate themselves. But what happened? They now act like they're on another planet and behave just like men. I know its great to feel free at last. But do we really want this type of freedom? I don't think so. I want liberated women to strive for something different. Women must change the course of this universe. But to do this we're going to need all our willpower. How do yo u defend yourself agains t machismo? Well, I've had to put up with all kinds of stuff. There are foolish, uncouth types who shout at you and don't let you Gnish speaking. So you ha,•e to grit your teeth and 5a)' to them: 12 O R G ANIZ I N G "listen, you may be physically stronger, but I've got more inside my head. And if we're seriottsly fighting for the s.'me cause. then no one just gives orders and no one just obeys." On the political circuit I've put up with some difficult situations. If they're uaveling whh n woman as a meanber of a delegation. the men are right in there trying to go to bed with her. And afterwards they've got nothing better to do than talk about it and then it becomes the latest gossip. "Oh, so you went to bed with her, as well? And what was she like?" After that the woman is Ut\ished politically. A friend of mine was done for because 15 men claimed to have slept with her. And they laughed themselves stupid over it. ThatS machism.o in its purest form. As a woman involved in polirics. you still have to deal with stuff like that. But we can1 wage this struggle the husbands all their lives without even realizing it. Don' t you think that's g radually changing? Certainly there are women who thlnk the same way I do and are workIng towards a different educational policy. But its not just a question of dis· cussing things with men because men :\5 individuals and the system which represses are not one and the same thing. Men are also our lovers, our friends and our brothers. The problem is that in Colombia and in the whole of Laun America there are still far too few men who :l.Cknowledge our true worth. What \V"ill you do if you don't get into the senate? I'll work in the communities again. I have a piece of land I'll cultl\oate. I enjoy same waY. eve1ywhere. You have to go tilling the soil. sowing, harvesting. I'm about it differently when you're dealing actually a campesina. I used to grow whh women who think of themselves coffee. I worked hard at it and carried as the slave at home and nothing else. heavy loads. But with the money I In this country there are still a lot of earned. I used to buy myself nice women who believe they can't ex·peri- clothes. I'd happi.ly do that again. '1l ence any sexual pleasure because that's simply a man's prerogative. Many allow Map1e<l from OlmfW)CJ'G< Gaby (<d), themselves to be repressed by their l.<Jtrdooc I.AB mtd Montldy Re\1ew """'· 1992. KllPf""' Acya Y News ala � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Right to Love and Politics: An Indigenous Activist's Perspective Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Eulalia Yagari Gonzalez Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title The Right to Love and Politics: An Indigenous Activist's Perspective Item Type Journal Article Author Eulalia Yagari Gonzalez Volume 10 10 Issue 1 1 Pages 10-12 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English, Spanish English Abstract Note Eulalia Yagarf Gonzalez. a Chami woman activist in Colombia. was elected as a member of the regional parliament of Antioquia on March 8. 1992. In this interview she discussesf her life and hardships as an Indian woman activist. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p10-12.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Chami Colombia Indian woman activist Yagarf Gonzalez Eulalia https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/728ecbc86cf08efc6c99351cd8614054.pdf ab8763995d3925383bc78cc7a184e4b7 PDF Text Text --------------------------------~~ N DIG EN 0 U ~ S~-~ O M E~ ~~~~ N~~Q R_G A _N I~ I ~~ ~~ ~c ~ Z~ N G Absent Visions: A Commentary on the Women's Conference in Beijing year more than 28.000 women nication hampered the preparatory comi· rom 185 countries met to auend e Founh World Conference of Women, from the 4th to the 15th of September. in the city of Oeijing, China. This conference was organized by the United Nations in order to receive the input of women from all parts of the world to influence the Platform of Action, nental meeting in Ecuador where some 150 women from 24 nationalities and communities met to elabor.:~te their pro* posals to be sent to Beijing. The meeting took place later than planned, and as a result the Indigenous women's' proposals were not received in time to be submitted in the final document or the Platform of a document on womenS rights, which Action. U was on the United Nations' agenda. The limited preparation and panicipation or Indigenous women in the conference is due to many factors beyond the control of the Delegation of Lmin American Indigenous Women. Unfol1llll.1lcly, as other sources have said, the organizational Structure and the agenda of the confer· ence did not offer equal conditions of participation to lndigenous women. From the beginning. there was a lim· ited Oow of information between Indigenous and non-indigenous women. The fonner had liule access to contacts. infom1ation, and financial resources. From the level of the United Nations to the non-governmental organiuuions, space was not granted them as organized people. This was one of the biggest complaints that came out of the Meeting of Indigenous Women of the First Nations of Abya Yala, held from july 31 to August 4. l99.5. in Ecuador. The location of the conference made it hard for Indigenous women to attend. Only 30 Indigenous women arrived, an abysmal number (consider the number of Indigenous nations in the Americas). Getting funds to cover the ~'OSIS of the Oight was a great difficult)<Thus. in spite of the huge interest they expressed to aucnd this event. they were once again not able to panake in decision making processes that will affect their lives. As stated above, the same financial factors and lack of suppon and commuVol. 10 No. 1 ln spile of these lim_ itations. their pro· posals were presented in writing to the conference. Their document presented the vision of Indigenous wonwn or Abya Yala. emphtlsizing the challenges of selfdetennination and the survh'lll as a dis· tinct peoples. Among others. the Declaration of Indigenous Women in lleijing put forward the following propos· als and demands: (1) Recognize and respect our right to sclf-detemlinatton; (2) Recognize and respect our right to our territories and de.vclopm.em, e:du~ cation. and health; (3) Slop h\tma.n rights violations and all forms of violence against Indigenous worn en.: (4) Recognize and respect our cui· tural and intellectual inheritance and our right to control the biological di\oer· sity in our territories; (5) AsS<tre the political panicipation of Indigenous women and amplify their er. emphasized the economic problems that affect women, the globalization of the economy, and international womenS rights-terms and concepts that few Indigenous women h..·we experienced directly. Another issue was the Indigenous \~~men~ Delegations concern over the agreement in Beijing that an investig.uion · occur on Indigenous knowledge of health and management of naturol resources. Indigenous women want to take pan in the study and not only be its objects. They recognize the nece.<Sh)• of their panicipation so that the study include the Indigenous vision. If one analyzes the theme of "human rights· in the Beijing proposal. it becomes clear that Indigenous women envision these ' rights' differently. Indigenous women do nol see them· selves as competing with men. They have a more integral vision of them~ selves-not as individuals. but more as pan of a community. In situations where women work in the formal economy. the resulting rnemality is a competition belween women and men. for most indigenous women, work is something shared in a community. and not a competition. Thus, the right of equality between Indigenous men and women is inseparable rrorn this systen'l of production where the concept of capabilities and their a<:cess to rcsourc.;:s. . dualily predominates, meaning that Essentially. the document stressed ma_ and worn.an complement each n Indigenous tcnitory as a key for the e.xis· other in what they think. do, and say. Jndigcnous womenS lack or particitence of Indigenous peoples. it also touched on intellectual propeny rights, pation was a significant weakness in which the women felt should be respect· lleijing. It illustrates the necessity for us ed. it also called for the ratification of to devise new smucgies so that our International L.1bor Organization (ILO) vision can become an integral compocConvention 169 along \vlth other decla· nenl of lhe broader womenS mo\r rations on the rights of Indigenous peo· ment. a presence to be recognized espe· pies. The Plan of Action of the World dally during watershed encounters like Conference of Women in Beijing. howev- the Beijing conference . .., 13 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Absent Visions: A Commentary on the Women's Conference in Beijing Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Absent Visions: A Commentary on the Women's Conference in Beijing Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 10 Issue 1 1 Pages 13 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English, Spanish English Abstract Note 28.000 women from 185 countries met to attend the Fourth World Conference of Women, but there were many factors that caused the imited panicipation of Indigenous women. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p13.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Beijing Fourth World Conference of Women Indigenous women https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/3fb578e4d9fb5a6a748ff61d31d02738.pdf 609184f36d0a8172efa8135024b02776 PDF Text Text HU MAN R IG H T S Nimia Apaza, Kolla Lawyer Challenges Argentinean Health Minister Nimia Apaza, an Indigenous Kolla lawyer in northern Argentina <General Coordinator and L<Jwyer for the Ju}ciy Native Council of Organizations), challenged Argentine social welfare minister Herminio Gomez regarding his explanation of infant mortality In the S usques Province. "Infant mortality IS not a cultural p roblem. • she asserts, "it Is not true that mothers do not care for their children and that they let them die." For Apaza. it Is "the clash of cultures that is killing our people; Western culture comes overwhelmingly. bringing so called 'superior and better ideas· than our traditional culture... • How does Minister G6mez think !ha t infam morulhy rates In Susques. during the first months of 199.5, are linked to the fact that mothers do not mke Lheir d•lldren to the heahh center$? e presented an isolated case, possibly due tO special clreum~•nces In bel. the act\dcmic calendar In Susques. whoch was ontt from summer until May. was ch.111ged from March to December. The previous ca~ndar h.'ld 3 \ogle: on May, gr.uing cycles change. and Lhcrcfore amm:ds need to be token fanhcr awa)' to find fodtkr MOther.< that do not h.wc older children an: forctd to coke younger ehiidccn :dong. If chcy do no11a.ke thdr animali co gr.tze, noc only will one child die. but 1he entire famil)' will sufkr btcause they wdl llOI ha"" food for the next )oear. duces a grc:u imb.1bncc. Susqucs. llmros (mules) ""re used to tr.msport Indeed, is the s.'lt plateau of jujuy. This saltLO the lower ''alleys to trade for com. is io say that it has liule pot:tble water Nowadays. '""'I'OS arc oonsidcrcd dannnd its "egcmtion Is b:>sically " small gerous on che hlghwoys. The police forperennial bush cal~d T'ola (Batcharis bid them on the roods. so then: 1S no To/a). rola proteets chc topso~l •~?•nst bartering, nor com. On che other hand. Slrong " inds and reproduces with hule chert: are less gmzing at\!1\S and bcnsts of mlnfall. whkh once created • st.1ble burden ore dying. Prople ore aware of source of gmz< for IL1mas. The problem thl$ probltm ond thO)' ore ll')11lg 10 Sllv" I> th.11 today. soU erOSlon has decreased che llama and sheep 11\Stcad or toling the :tmO\tnt of T'o/a in !he area. them to Survlve. Ecologic<~l collapse h.'IS caused descr· Before. fomilies 115('<1 to own large tifiCII!Ion or the highlancls. T'ola h.'IS been herds of onnnJls and now they h..-..,~ used as a fuel m the school kitchen fur- 1hnn Oftccn or cwenty heads. In a ~1':1\e­ n\\Ces because there is no money avail· glc droma of survival, our people "blc for other fomu of fuel. Homdo learned I<> ll\'t under-nouriShed Under Mcrcado. an 3grunon>lsl. wamcd us cl><SC strenuous circuii\SlanttS. the lllOSI al>Out the e<»log•cnl Cl)nsequenct.~. but affected arc the children 'vho '"111not wns not hcord by the 1 0011 authot'ltics. wh~nd high altitude weather aild suf1 he rruth is that our people tmdotlonally fer from bronquittS. pneumonia, 1111d ha"= T'ola for domesuc usc. but only whooping cough. mke what~ needed. nvolding the disruption of the no.ural equilibrium. t How has the school system dcv<~.lu cd How chen do you e."pl<tln Lbc growth chc uaditions of your people! of infant monolity rncrs? C:m yo" describe for us the trndhion· Tc"ttchrrs wuh good intcmions teach It is the clash of 1'\lhurcs th~t is nl diet in Susques? our children to cat evctything avail•ble. killing our people. When I speak about Our diet tmdilionally depended on but because or the gen<rJl de\oalu:uion of cultures. I assume that there is not one rom-~d mnls, such as.. Chilean our culture, 11 is undci'Siood chat tom· supcnor culture. nor that ours is tnfen- (breakfast). ulpada, to<1adns (snacks). b.1sed foods belong to poor p•:ople. So e>r. The concept that o ur troditions and ll<dapun;a, hal<~t>i, tultX>. caldQ, majM. and when children return home. they n.o cu>torns art b.1ckward has made this plcant.:s (lunches). an<lu (desert). and longer w.mt to e;u trnduional foods. and dlsh and 011\-asion W CIIUS<' of nL,lnU• chlcha (com hecr). To chtS basic dice we p,1r<.n1S do not have the means 10 purninon and lnfnnt mortaluy. added 'P!Inod, fa••a bc.lns, and potntoes. ch3.<e processed foods. For example, supplemented occasJOilally with ch4/ona noodles arc available, but contain llulc llow has Western culture nffecl<d (llama me.") n111ntion.11 v:duc. The superior ,,.lue put on processed food is whnc is rousing the Susqucs' The p<:oplc of the cit)' don\ under- Can )'OU c..'plain che trad.itional eco- malnutrition of our people. stand that our people live \vithin' nature nomic pancn1s of exchange in tltis ond that no one is superior. Mankind is a.rc:ol (£x<upts oj on mter"'"' by .11oriona oot the king of O'l.'-'IIOn; we arc nil part Our poople obtn.oncd com through Corbctjal, '>illo pcrmJ,<fon from "~<k(r El of II, When nature is destroyed I! pro- Inter-communal barcering systems. Patriota. Ltt Paz Nov 11 -17, 1995) H 32 A'r:lta Yalo N~ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Nimia Apaza, Kolla Lawyer Challenges Argentinean Health Minister Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Nimia Apaza, Kolla Lawyer Challenges Argentinean Health Minister Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 10 Issue 1 1 Pages 32 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English, Spanish English Abstract Note Nimia Apaza, an Indigenous Kolla lawyer in northern Argentina (General Coordinator and Lawyer for the Jujuy Native Council of Organizations), challenged Argentine social welfare minister Herminio Gomez regarding his explanation of infant mortality In the Susques Province. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p32.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Argentina Infant Mortality Gomez Herminio Nimia Apaza https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/797c976c1a29f509083be0f45dd26274.pdf 3afbab296cf7a94204cd549fbae9788d PDF Text Text IHDIGE HO US W O ME N 0 RG AH I Z I H G Profile of an Indigenous Woman Organizer ,~~ .W~ "aria de Jesus Hernandez Yalderas 1 It is important to let Indigenous women speak for themselves. whether in a political context in their respective cultures and communities. or in the pages of the joumals and magazines that speak of them. In what follows next. Maria de J esus Hemtmdez Valderos. a Nahualt woman in M exico. pro· vides us with a glimpse of the activist world of Indigenous women. Surmounting the difficulties historically placed on her, Maria embodies the enduring spirit of Indigenous women across the continent. Can you ltD us your name and where you art from? y name is Marla de jesus Hern~ndez Valdems. I participate in a women~ org.1nization called Campeslna Women~ Union or jel!Cll. in San luis P010Sf. Mexico. M Art you Nahuatl? Yes. we speak N•huatl. In how many communities do you work? V\le work in nine communities in the munidpaliLy or jeha. When and how was the women'S organization born! The womens org:ullz.~tion was born when our cQmpaneros. who have an organization called Ia lgualdad de jelica (Equality ofjeliC<I), were able to see that they weren\ able LO progress. that their orgru11zaLion would not work \\ithout the suppon of women Bec:ause of this. rhey named us Lht "right arm of the Cooperatlva de In lgualdad de jelic.1 (llqualiLy of jelica Coopemtive)." From that point on. they saw thnt it was importam that women participate. and 8 The chores o( the woman. . The home has •I ways been left to us: that IS. 3ltendcd. The imponam thmg wns that to take care of the home. to gather Orewe were very motivated abom panicl- wood, wmcr, and care for the children patlng In a meeting. Before this. we also. I am finding out that this happens had never auended a meeling. It was everywhere. the Om ume that we women left 1he house. 1lll full of em01ion, ~nd carrying Do you also work in the fields? Yes. some of the women work In the our ehlldr.n. fields, nnd many of us dedicate our· Were the hus bands bo1hercd that the selves only to the f.1mily. women were holding meetings? Well, at Orst the women's meelings What do you grow in the fields? were held with compailerll$ who nlready In the fields we produce mostly were panicipating. Thnt was how the Colfee. and some vegetables o~go1nlzatlon began. later. invlt2tiOilS wen: made to the 01h~r women who Is there much that you don~ produce also w:tntcd 10 participate. because lht land is not good? The land IS good but we have Wh01 "re you a.b le to achieve through noticed that It is much be.uer for colfee. the women's organizations? Very liule of com and beans is cuhlvat· \Vc ~~nm women to be recognized; ed. that we also pantcipale and that we be heord. M•ny times when women speak Ha,·c you oil been in contact wllh the in a nlttllng. the men don\ p.1y auen· women of other communities? non. Wt wam to g;>in suppon for us, Yes. Yes. We 3"' panidpaung m a coordinating group. We are panlctpal· the women. together, org,1nired. ing jointly. men and women. There, at Whnt :trc some of the aclivhies usually the regional level. we talk nbom womens sltuntlon and special needs. done by women in yollr community? we called for the first muung. Vanous women from several commumues �I~OI G EH OUS What is the coordinati ng group's name? h ts C~lled COCI P (1.3guasteo Potosma Indigenous Org~nization Coordinating Body). And )'OU have time to wo rk in the w ome n's o rganization? Well. I don\ have a lot of ume, but l make some. My children still depend a lot on me. as well as my husband. They are all still little! Are all o f you Nahuatl in the coordinating group? No, we :ue Nahuntl and Mames also. Arc y ou working closely with women in Chinpa.s? Up until now we haven't had much eonta<:.t, no. But d o yo u think it's important to be in touch with them? Yes. we would hke to be commumcating. We don\ hear much about the work that thcy'R domg. We would lik~ to be jnfonned so our organization here can take on some of the responsibtlhy nnd show that we can help them lron1 here. Why cont:u.::t women of 01 her countries? his irnl>ortnnt because t hat way we find out how women live at the national and imerna.tional level as well. Do you have children yourself at home? Yts. I have four children. Vol. TO No.1 What is you !>OSition in the organization? The women sdcctcd me ns the Women~ Union Treasurer. So you handle a lo t of money? Well not so much but .. ! What are some projects you b.ave be:en hwoh•cd ''rith? First we managed to get o popular soup kitchen there m the mumctpality of Jilitra that is called "Fior del Caft: a small goods store thntls m one of the communities. and • nixramal (com for tonillas) mill. WOMEH 0R G AI'IIZ I ~G Do you also retoJn your R ligious practices? People arc sttll very Catholic in large pan. but we also ha'"e other ~s in which people participate. but they are much less practiced than the Catholic group. So you don't retain any of the Nahuatl ceremonies . like offerings to the Earth? As Nahualts, we always make arches and offerings. The arches arc made !rom a branch. a stick and they are decorated with p<llnulla. and xtmparurchilr nowers. That is Nllhuatl tradition. There are also dances in wluch we participate. during the patron S3tnts celebrations. Th1s was bemg ldt behtnd but at the momem we are .s«.ng tMt it is important because 11 promotes the rebinh of the culture. Do you wish to send out a message Is coffee produced in the mouncains or in the plains? ln the mountains. to women of o1hcr countries, of other cultures? We are also participating in alternative medicine and in various bakeries. a.ll the women that have not yet joined Do you s till use your traditional m edic ine? Well. tn large pan that was being left aStde. but we w•nt to ptck up traditional mcd1cine again. Well . I would simply like to say. to a women's organization. I Invite you from this corner of 1.3guastecaPotosina, to particip.1tc and for us to begin leaving fear aside. Th." is what inhibits us most. But. yos. I invite you to participate in an o~nt.z:auon. It is d.ilrlCUit but we have to do wh•te--tr JS possible to panle~pate. Thank you. 'J 9 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Profile of an Indigenous Woman Organizer Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Maria de Jesus Hernandez Valderas Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Profile of an Indigenous Woman Organizer Item Type Journal Article Author Maria de Jesus Hernandez Valderas Volume 10 10 Issue 1 1 Pages 8-9 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English, Spanish English Abstract Note Maria de Jesus Hernandez Valderas, a Nahualt woman in Mexico, provides a glimpse of the activist world of Indigenous women looks like. She discusses the difficulties that have been historically placed on her. Maria embodies the enduring spirit of Indigenous women across the continent. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p8-9.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Hernandez Valderas Maria de Jesus Indigenous women Mexico https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/55ff5a6f3c32c8320d4f73e51fbf2d64.pdf 1bc78a5bf256ced16958afd426af32df PDF Text Text 0RGAHIZATIOH AHD COMMUHICATIOH Forging Unity, Zapatistas Call for Indigenous Forum ith more than 300 delegates, 250 guests. and mtemation· al obst"~rs and reponers. the Natoonal Indigenous Forum took place on Janunry 3·9, 1996. In S.1n Cristobal de Ins<"=. in an area called the Valley of Jove! The event WllS called by the EZLN {Zap:uista Army of Nntlon:•l Libenttion). the Commission for Pacification {COCOPA), and the Plural lnd tgenous Assembly for Autonomous RcgtOI\S {ANIPA). 1\venty four Zapatislll commanders, four of them won>en. participated In the Porum by chatting the Working Conunissions. The orgamznuonal fmme of the Forum revolved around th< objecttvcs of the controversial "Peace wllh Dignhy and Ju.suce· ncgouauons between lhe go,·crnmem of Prestdent Ernesto Zed!llo nnd the EZLN oceurring in San Andrt!.< l.1m!inznr. Chiap.1S. '!'here the parttes reached ngreements on the first theme or lnd•g~nous Culture and Rights on January 18. W Pre,;ou< to the Forum. the EZLN consulted ""h its more than OM<! hun· dred adviSers out of whtch '10 are Indigenous people. The Forum was di.;ded into six Working Commi;slons: I. Community and Autonomy. Indigenous Riglu.s 2. indtgcnous Culture 3. Indigenous Educ:nion 4. Condiuon, RighiS, and Culture of Indigenous Women 5. indtgenous Peoples and Mediums of Commumcuion 6. Political Repre.scmation and PaniC!palion lndtgcnous Peoples It was the n.,.t 11me that the Zapatisto> met ";th Indigenous repre· scmativcs from most or t he 57 indigenous notions m Me.<ico. numbcrmg today appro.umatCI)• 14 mtlhon In the Rcsoluuons, most of the delegates expressed strong support for Autonomous Indigenous Regions as w.:ll ~ the need 10 ha'-e • ptrm:~nent forum to discuss lndtgcnous issues. or Another resol ution that came out of the Forum was to demand that the go\'cm· mcnt a.n d congress rctnSiale ~rttcle 27 of the Consmution •n order lO ensure that communal lands won't be sold to out· stdcrs. Al.so, the Forum proposed 10 change sc,·cml other an1cles of the Consmution wnh aim to cre~tc a pluri· nauonal state adapted 10 the many pueblos that hvc m Mexico today. ~brgarita Guntrrtz. lil>nhu from the Stole of Htdalgo and one of the coor· dmalors of 1\NIPA. spoke I><>Silively of the event. "ThiS is a great Forum bceallSC n has united gr:ISSrOOis Indigenous Reprtsenlllti\'\'5. and engag· ing In dialogue with the F.Z~N com· manders helps 10 have an understand· tng of the cultures nnd problems we are foong. Al.so, the !'ttct that m the EZLN women have full paniclpation is very poshivc. We haw to make an i memnl revoluuon first whtch Is to allow wom<n to paniClpate fully m all dcct· s•on-making procr:sscs. • .... Peace Accord Signed by EZLN and Mexican Government 'The EZLN and the Me>elcan state agreed oo a prebmlnaty I peace agreement oo Februaty 16th ln the Chiapas town of San Andres Larrainzar. It was agreed that lncftgenous rights must be stated in the coostitutlon: lhat Indigenous poltllcal participatioo and representation be V>lide1y b<ood· ened: lhat justo:e be gu~~ranteed to lndtgeoous peoples: that Indigenous cultural expre$$ion be supported: and that Indigenous pe<>ples receive support for the creation of their own educational systems. . The peace agreement ~ afte< the roundtable negotiation from Janua.y I 0· 18 In San Andres Sacamch ·en de los Pobres. where the two factions agreed to re·define the relationship bet...veen the state and Indigenous peoples. or estOOWI p<indples and componeots for the construe. lion of a "new soc181 contract." tn whiCh Indigenous peo· pies participate ss full members of society. all within the context of a "profound reform of the state.· or 34 By far the most slgn!r.cant advance of the negotia· lions are the modtficalions to the Mexican constitution. namely the recognllion of Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination and autonomy. This comes after an lnltJal stance of complete rejection of the even the men· 1100 of the word • self·deterrmnatton. • However. due to pol•lical pressures. the need to re·establlsh M exico's Image of stability as seen from abroad. and a negotiat· ed definition of the nature of autonomy, the government conceded. What is the nature of the ·Autonomy· granted to Indigenous peoples after this Initial round of agree· ments? Autonomy was declared at the • communal" level. which ts a far c.y from the lndtgenous vtsion of dlslincl and proper territonal.lurfdlcal. and political enti· ties. This point will no•doubt be contested in negotiat· lng sessions to come. Attya Yaia 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. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1996) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Forging Unity, Zapatistas Call for Indigenous Forum Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring 1996 Spring 1996 Language A language of the resource English, Spanish English Zotero Title Forging Unity, Zapatistas Call for Indigenous Forum Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 10 Issue 1 1 Pages 34 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English, Spanish English Abstract Note The Zapatistas group held a massive gathering where the Forum revolved around the objectives of the controversial "'Peace with Dignity and Justice" negotiations between the government o£ President Ernesto Zedilio and the EZLN ocuring in San Andres Larrainzar, Chiapas. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p34.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Chiapas Zapatistas Zedillo Ernesto