14 12 1190 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/282e159d86ceb8f1dd79660fc040d15d.pdf 0b77001130d6821917bb96eeb6243aaf PDF Text Text W 0 M E N "We Must Combine Our Efforts" In recosnition of the similarity of the struggles Indigenous women face around the world, we recently had the privilege of talking with Victoria Tauli-COtPUz, a Kankilnaey lgorot from the Cordillera region of the Philippines. She is the past chairperson of the Cordillera Peoples' Alliance, a coalition of Indigenous peoples in the Cordillera, Northem Philippines. She is Executive Director of the Cordillera Women's Education and Resource Center, Inc., an NGO doing education, organizins, and projects amons Indigenous women in the region. f~~ .w~ Victoria Tauli-Corpuz Tell us about the founding of the Cordillera Women's Education and ResoUl·ce Center. ndigenous peoples in our region of the Philippines began to organize in the mid 1970s when the World Bank funded construction of four large dams along our Big Chico River. This project would have relocated 300,000 Bontoc and Kalinga peoples, but these people successfully fought against it. After this struggle, organizations were started on the local and provincial levels. The Cordillera Peoples' Alliance, which is the regional federation of these organizations, was organized in 1984. Although women were very much a part of this struggle, they didn't have their own organizations. So in 1985, we thought it was time to organize I our own women's center to train women to become leaders in their own dght. We created The Cordillera Women's Education and Resow-ce Center was and took the lead in establishing organizations in the region. What is the primary purpose of the Cor diller a Women's Education and Resource Center? First, we wanted our women to take a more active role in the stmggle for the defense of our ancestral lands and for self detennination. So we attempt to bring in more women and educate them on these issues. At the same time, we are aware that women are marginalized. In our traditional communities, Indigenous decision-making structures are ve•y male dominated. We felt this was not good for women, and therefore efforts should be made to improve this situation. Women must be equipped to patticipate more effectively in the community decision-making process. And thirdly, in many of our communities agriculture, which is the main economic activity, relies heavily on women. But when it comes to cash crop production, or when corporations hire, women are marginalized. When, for instance, the mines hire workers, they hire Vol. 9 No. 1 only men, and the women become housewives. As housewives, women are not patt of the conununity's economic activity as they are when they are subsistence farmers. We are studying how these modem developments have futther marginalized women. Tell us mor e about the t raditional role of women in your community. Well, as I said, the women are the subsistence farmers. They are the ones who fetch water, keep the seeds, and take care of the children. Childrearing is sometimes shared since women go to the fields, then the men stay in the village and take care of the babies. Where do you believe machismo, or m ale domination, cam e from in your society? For us, as the ml\iority population, machismo was introduced by colonization. Before colonization, although they were not part of the formal decisionmaking process, women were consulted about their opinions. When the colonizers came, they declared that women should stay home and take care of the children. That was not our traditional belief; housework was shared. The male-dominated beliefs of our colonizers seeped through our communities. For instance, we had a courtship system in which women could also do courting, and mrutial sepru·ations were pennitted with appropriate grounds. When the colonizers came with their religious beliefs, they told us this could not be, that it was immoral and that we could not separate from ow· husbands. Ow· colonizers brought and reinforced male domination in our traditional societies. Do Indigen ous communities in the P hilippines have r ecognized territories? ' We occupy ow· land, but the law states that ow· land is public land. We have a law in the Philippines which 29 �W 0 ME N ----- ------ --- ----- says all lands that are 18% slopes or above are considered public lands, and therefore cannot be owned or sold. Almost all ow· lands are 18% slopes or above. Because of that law virtually all the people in our com, munity are considered squatters on our own lands. So we are working to have that law repealed. In 1986, when there was a constitutional conm>ission, we lobbied to put a clause in the constitution recognizing ancestral land rights of Indigenous peoples. That law was incorporated into the constitution, but until a bill enabling and defining the law is passed, we legally do not have an ancestral land law in ow· country. What othe•- crucial issues are facing your community? asking that they be allowed to participate in their medical missions to the Aetas in Pinatubo. Their intent was to collect DNA materials from the Aetas by collecting blood, mucosal scrapings, and hair roots. This sounds very much like the Hwnan Genome Divet'Sity Project. I 6nd this grossly unethical and immoral, because what they plan to do is to participate in a humanitarian mjssion to the Aetas who were displaced when the Pinatubo volcano in the Philippines empted. So, in effect, they arc using a medical mission to obtain genetic resow-ces. We did work with t he Foundation on Economic Trends (FET) in Washington DC. who filed a petition on behalf of itself and other organizations, including our own, for a moratorium on the Human Genome Diversity Project which at the time was promoted by the National Institute of Health in the US. So the FET filed a suit against them, but the whole project was transferred to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Suing the NSF will be more difficult because they are a semi-private, semi-governmental organization. These are the steps we have taken to pre-empt the attempts of the pt·oject to gather genetic material. There are still ongoing logging operations. The logging companies attempt to drive people away from their land. However, mining is one of the biggest issues that we face because our region is ve•-y rich in minerals. Seventy-five percent of gold exports come from ow· region. The government is relaxing the laws to allow corporations to invest and open mines. These corporations receive 75-year leases. They operate strip mines and open pit mines. We have been •-esisting fw-the•expansion of these mines. Do Indigenous peoples in the Philippines deal with issues sinrilar to those of other Indigenous The Philippine government ratified GATT last peoples ar ound t he world? December. How will this affect Indigenous peoWe really have many issues in common, like ancesples? tral land rights, traditional ceremonies, autonomy, alld It , viJl have a tremendous affect on Indigenous peo- self govertrment. Because of that communality, we ples, especially in terms of their rights to their lands. It were able to combine efforts to cont,;bute to the draft will make it vety easy for the government to say that the UN working group on Indigenous peoples develsince they are a signato•y to GATT, we must open ow- oped. We should not underestimate what our lobby land for investments.They also have been encow-aging conbibuted to that draft.. us to produce cash crops like cut flowers and asparagus. With the production of cash crops, ow- agriculture Do you have any messages fot· women in Mexico, shifts from subsistence production for domestic con- South and Central America? sumption to producing high-value crops. This ,viJl force We were pru-t of the group that organized the our agricultural production to become pat-t of the International Women's C01uerence held in Samiland (in Norway) in 1990. As a result of that conference, we entire world's market economy. developed a resolution saying we would do regional How ·is the Human Genome Diversity P r oject organizing among our women. Latin American women affecting Indigenous communities in the did their own organizing, which I think is great. On owpart, we built up ow- Asian Indigenous women's netPhilippines? Some Indigenous peoples have been targeted for work. Now we must combine our effo•-ts and come genetic collection, and some collection has probably together again so we can produce an excellent already occurred. On the list of the Human Genome Indigenous Women's Agenda to be presented at the UN Project we have the Ifugawes, who come from ow· World Conference on Women in Beijing in September. region; my own tribe; and the Aetas, a group of We should make an effot-t to outline the issues of Indigenous peoples from the Central Luzon, Southern Indigenous women, whether they are in the North or Tagalog, and from the Visayas. Late last year we got a the South, and then present these issues. We can also copy of a letter from Dr. Camara, one of the medical sponsor a series of activities in Beijing where doctot'S from the Aloha Medical Mission of Hawaii, Indigenous women can speak out. 'f?J wherein he enclosed a letter from Hoffman-La Roche, 30 Abya Yala News � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "We Must Combine Our Efforts" 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, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title "We Must Combine Our Efforts" Item Type Journal Article Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 29 - 30 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, a Kankanaey Igorot from the Cordillera region of the Philippines, was the past chairperson of the Cordillera People's Alliance and is now the Executive Director of the Cordillera Women's Education and Resource Center, Inc. She speaks about the need to protect the Philippine indigenous peoples from the Human Genome Project, commercial agriculture, and violations of women's rights. Attachment Title We_Must_Combine_Our_Efforts.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Human Genome Project machismo Phillipines Territory Women https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/844cac8cfab2c44bbc2806b344a9f573.pdf 0d6e14cd7ad77504f542e54c8714a457 PDF Text Text EN V I R 0 N M E N T ---------------------------------------------------------------- sided with the gold miners and squatters, and have continued to intimidate Macu.xi people. Because of the activities of the gold miners, fish in nearby rivers have disappeared, and those that remain have high levels of mercury. In addition, the stagnant pits of expel nearly 400 men, women, and water left by miners have introchildren f1·om their land. Two duced malada in epidemic p•-oporMacuxi Indians were severely beat- tions. Malaria has become the en. Others were kicked, harassed, main cause of death of the Macuxi. and detained. The pouce destroyed Tht-oughout Brazil, Indigenous three houses, a cattle coral, and a peoples continue to fight for land demarcation. Brazilian President livestock pen. The following week, 170 Macuxi Fernando Henrique Cat·doso bas returned to the livestock holding the power to sign into law the area and began to work there. rights of Indigenous peoples to Twelve military policemen came their traditional ancestral lands. and desb-oyed hammocks, food, and Because of pressul'e from local cooking il.nplements. When the politicians, he has not yet signed Macuxi attempted to stop this this decree. ~ destruction, t he police allegedly beat several Indians and fired at SAJIC has se~~t f<LXes supporting the Macuxi's demand for l<md demar· theil.· possessions. cation and clenouncing human In pt·otest of this expulsion, rights abuses. We encourage you to Macu.xi cotomunities from other do the same. Please write letters parts of Roraima gathered at demaltdi1 that tlw Brazilianpou1g Caraparu II. Federal police report ernment demarcate tradition<z that military police have intil.nidat- Indigenous lands to: ed Macwd communities by flying President Fernando Henrique over their villages in helicopters Cardoso, Pa/.6cio do Planalto, and pointing weapons down at the 70. 159-970, Brasllia DF, Brazil, Indians. According to a statement Fax: 55 61 226 7566 released by the Indian Council of Rorail.oa state, "The motive for the Exmo. $~: MinUitro da Justica, S~: Nelson Jobim, Ministerio da invasion was to guarantee the con- JustU:a, Espl.anad.a <los Ministerios, stmction of the hydroelectric dam Bl.aco 23, 70.064, Brasilia DF, Brazil, Fa.<: 55 61 224 2448 on the River Contil.-.go." The Macwc:i persisted in their Send opposit ion and sent a delegation to to: copies showing your supp ort the federal capital of Brasilia to pt-otest the violence the state mili- TIU! lndige11.0uS Council of tary police of Roraima used against Roraima, Conselho Indigena de them. They also demanded il.nmedi- Roraima, Caixa Postal 163, 70.300 ate demarcation of their lands. On Boa Vi$ta, RR, Brazil March 17, a federal court issued a Information from Amnesty restraining order halting the con- International's Urgent Action struction of the Contingo River Appeal, CIMI a ndianist Missionary dam pt-oject. But the Macu.xi land Council), SEJUP (Seruico bas not yet been demarcated. At1ny Brasileiro de Justica e Paz), and personnel sent to Raposa/Serra do the Urgent Action Bu/J.etin of Suruiual lnternational. Sol to protect the Macuxi have Brazil: Macuxi People Oppose Building of Dam he Raposa/Serra do Sol region along Brazil's border with Venezuela and Guyana is home to 11,000 Macuxi and 3,000 lngarik6 Indi ans. Like other Indigenous peoples throughout Brazil, t he Macuxi have been seeking demarcation of their land. FUNAI, the government's Indian agency, identified t heir land as Indigenous in 1993, but the govetnment has not yet signed the order. Meanwhile, gold m.iners and squatters have invaded the Macuxi's land, bringing malada to the region and destroying the environment. At the same time the Macuxi and Ingarik6 have successfully campaigned against a dam p1-oject in their region that would have flooded nearly 4,000 hectares of land. This dam would have changed theil.· tmditional lifestyle and severely limited their freedom to hunt, fish, and gathe.: In 1992, the state electricity company (CER) began to study the lands known as Indian Raposa/Sen·a do Sol for a hydroelectric dam project on the Contingo River. The study clail.ned that only 45 Ind.i ans would be affected. Alternative studies maintain that 3,400 Indigenous people would be affected by the construction of the dam. The Macu.xi campaign to stop construction of this dam was met with force by the state military. On January 7, 1995, 50 Roraima state military police and seven members of the army invaded the Tamandua livestock holding camp of the Macuxi Indigenous community of Caraparu II in order to illegally T 28 Alzy.;a Yala News � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Brazil: Macuxi People Oppose Building of Dam Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Amnesty International Urgent Action Appeal Indianist Missionary Council (CIMI) Servico Brasileiro de Justica e Paz (SEJUP) Urgent Action Bulletin of Survival International Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Brazil: Macuxi People Oppose Building of Dam Item Type Journal Article Contributor Amnesty International Urgent Action Appeal Indianist Missionary Council (CIMI) Servico Brasileiro de Justica e Paz (SEJUP) Urgent Action Bulletin of Survival International Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 28 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note The Brazilian government wants to put a dam along the Contingo River in Raposa/Serra do Sol. This measure has been opposed by Macuxi people but the Brazilian government has met the resistance with force. Attachment Title Brazil_Macuxi_People_Oppose_Building_of_Dam.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Development Macuxi Raposa/Serra do Sol resistance https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/c1e0999cfaecec6d332b483c09a1fb3d.pdf 807198fd12ac8b3b60212bf436f7d288 PDF Text Text E N V IR ON ME NT Chile, Upper Biobfo: Hydroelectric Power Plant Threatens Environment and Pehuenche Communities he construction of the Ralco power plant on the Upper Biobfo river, Chile, threatens to topple the rivet's fragile ecology and cut off vital access to water for nearby Pehuenche communities. A campaign led by the Pehuenche to stop the project is underway, but faces powerful opponents such as national energy corporations and international funding agencies. Since ENDESA, Chile's biggest and most powerful electrical company, began to design a series of six hydroelectric interdependent power plants on the Biobfo River in the 1960s, the Ralco power plant has been considered the "key component" of this ambitious hydroelectric project. When the campaign to save the Biobfo River began, ENDESA and the CNE (The National Energy Commission) denied that they were planning several short-term projects along the Biobfo River. For example, they presented an earlier project, the Pangue power plant, as an independent project, completely divorced from Ralco or any others. An accomplice to thls tactic was the IFC (The lnternationa.l Financial Corporation), an entity affiliated with the World Bank. The IFC provided $100,000,000 in funds for the construction of Pangue. ENDESA and CNE deceived the public about the real number of proposed plants as a tactic to minimize the public's fear of negative effects from the power plants in the region. Considered independently of each othe•; the harmfu.l effects of the power plants apperu-ed to he less severe. Independent investigations reveal that ifRalco becomes a reality, it would have detrimental social and environmental effects on the Upper Biobfo region. With the dev- T Vol. 9 No.1 astation of 5,597 hecta1·es of land, at least two Pehuenche communities (Quepuca Ralco and Ralco Lepoy) with a combined total of about 650 families will have to he evacuated from their territory. ENDESA has promised to give them land for resettlent and jobs in the construction project. Howeve•; the Pehuenche communities have The proposed Ralco Hydropower project raises serious questions of ecocide for the Biobio watershed and the Pehuenche rejected these offers to p1-eserve their communities. The Pehuenche derive their income li·om subsistence fa•·ming and the sale of cattle and crafts. The proposal offers them little more than temporary labor as unskilled workers in the power plant's construction. Pangue, S.A. (the company in charge of Pangue tm·ough its Pehuen Foundation) has also instituted a system of credit (i.e. debt peonage) by whlch members of the Pehuenche communities of Quepuca Ralco and Ralco Lepoy may buy items needed for their home, such as stoves, pots, and other items. Howeve•; to acquire these items, the members of the communities must register their names with the company. The Pehuenches rejected thls program because of fear that their signatures will he used by Pangue, S.A as proof that the Pehuenche communities acquiesce to the building of the hydroelectric plant. The environmental effects of the Ralco hydroelectric plant will he devastating. Estimates indicate that about 3,400 hectal'eS of native fo1-est would he flooded, affecting about 45% of the fauna and 60% of the flora. The creation of an rutificial lake would endanger about 8 species of fish, 9 species of repti.les, 10 species of amphlbians and 27 species of mammals. Humidity in the a.-ea would increase, affecting crop production and altering the region's micro flora and micro fauna. The humidity would also help increase soil erosion. The effects of toxic gas emission and toxic sediments are still to he determined. But given the magnitude of the project, they would undoubtedly he environmentally and economically catastrophlc. Because of Ralco's negative impact on the Pehuenche communities a11d the envin>nment, it would seem that Chile's Indigenous Law and the Environmental Bases Law should he able to stop its construction. The Indigenous Law (No. 19,253) establishes norms for the protection, promotion and development of ethnic communities. It states that Indigenous land cannot be "aru1exed, mo1tgaged, levied or 1-epossessed except for Indigenous communities or persons . .."(Art. 13). Continue'd on page 38 27 �ORGAN I Z A TION AND Amazon, Forum II f11he future of the Amazon .l depends on its Indigenous peoples and the state of their environment. The Coalition in Support of Amazonian Peoples and Their Environment held its se<:ond international fomm in Washington, DC, at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History on May 10-12. The meeting brought together North American non-governmental orgamzations with representatives from the Amazon Basin to coordinate long-te• efforts on behalf of m Indigenous and forest-dependent peoples. Secretary-General of the Organization of Ame,;can States, Cesar Gaviria, and Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the US. Department of the Inte,;o•; Ada Dee•; gave keynote addresses at a reception welcoming participants on the evemng of May 9th. For m.ore information on tlte Amazon Forum, contact: Melina Seluerston, Amazon Coalition, 1511 K. Street, N~V, # 1044, Washington, DC 20005, 'tel: (202) 637- 9718, Fax: (202) 637-9719, e-mail: amazoncoal@igc.apc.org. State Frontiers and Indian Nations Continued {rom Page 7 bru· (page ?)for extracts from the declaration) to guarantee the integrity and respect for Indigenous peoples. With· all of these declarations, Indigenous leaders reiterate the importance that Indigenous pruticipation should have in peace talks. They •·ightly point out that a meaningful and lasting peace will not be reached as long as the Indigenous peoples who live in the disputed te11-itories continue to be ignored. Still, the governments of Ecuador and Peru are not listemng. The government of Pem, for exrunple, has proposed a plan to strengthen 38 COMM U N I C A T I O N its borders by g•vmg away Indigenous land to colonizers from different ru-eas of the country. But peace will not come through the fmther colonization of Indigenous people. On the contrary, peace will only be achieved when Indigenous land is rightly and justly protected, and the Indigenous way of life seem-ed. A joint declaration from AIDESEP and CONFENIAE states: "Nowadays, it is in vogue to speak of integration. Howeve•; we have lived for thousru>ds of years in peaceful communion with our Indigenous neighbors on both sides of the border. Fmthermore, borders that the white people created have divided communities like the Shuar, Quichua and Cofan. But we continue to feel as though we were part of one Indian continental nation: the ancient Abya Yala ." f1) Additional declarations and in{ormczt.ion from Indigenous organiza· tions on this border conflict are in SAl/C's PeaceNet coll{erence saiic.indio as well as on the Internet at: http: II ulwnaix.cc.ulwns.edu/-mar c / geography / latinam I ecuador/ bor der_;nain.html. Chile, Upper Biobfo Contmued {rotn page 27 Howeve•; because of a lack of resom-ces and interest, this law is not always enforced and large companies such as ENDESA can circumvent the law by, for example, buying land and building houses in other a•·eas, trying to persuade native communities to "sell." The purpose of the Environmental Bases Law (No. 19,300) is " to regulate all activities that in one way or another a.ffe<:t the environment." However, because the law still lacks spe<:ific and definitive legislative language, it is easy for large corporations to act in defiance of the spirit such laws. As of now, it is apparent that the CNE will recommend the constmction of the Ralco power plant without objectively re-evaluating its inevitable effects. In December 1994, the CNE re<:ommended the construction of the plant's gas pipelines. Ralco ab-eady has utilization rights on the Biobio Rive1's non-drinkable water, the provisional electrical concession, and engineering studies in their final stages of completion. Even though the CNE did not include the Ralco powe•· plant in its latest plan of works, the government is·about to consent to its constmction. If the government does give Et-.'DESA the permission to build Ralco, it ,viJl close the possibility for a real environmental evaluation to be conducted. Ralco, like Pangue, will become an example of how the Chilean govermnent allows big co•·porations to undertake socially and envil:onmentally risky ventures despite the existence of laws that prohibit such proje<:ts. A sinrilru· multi-dan> project during the 1970s, Antuco County on the Laja River, did not make good on its promise . Antuco is today one of poo1-est counties of Chile. Public outcry has been massive. Different environmental orgauizations like GABB (Action Group in Defense of the Biobio), Indigenous 1ights g>-oups, student activists and other outraged citizens have joined forces to stop the constmction of Ralco. In a public declaration, GABB called fo•-a complete halt to any other pt-oject along the Biobio River, the enforcement of the Environmental and Indigenous Laws, respect for the Pehuenche communities, their land and culture, and the creation of an effective energy policy that would prioritize the social and ecological sustainability of the country. f1) Abya Yala News � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chile, Upper Biobío: Hydroelectric Power Plant Threatens Environment and Pehuenche Communities 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, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Chile, Upper Biobío: Hydroelectric Power Plant Threatens Environment and Pehuenche Communities Item Type Journal Article Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 27, 38 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note Construction of the Ralco power plant on the Upper Biobío river in Chile threatens to topple the river's fragile ecology and cut off vital access to water for nearby Pehuenche communities. A campaign to stop the project is underway, but faces powerful opponents such as national energy corporations and international funding agencies. Attachment Title Chile_Upper_Biobio_Hydroelectric_Power_Plant_Threatens_Environment_and_Pehuenche_Communities.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Development ecology environmental disaster Pehuenche https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/8c2efa9660d4ffb58ea51680efee700b.pdf f6139ff2bf82770dda6e65cecf82c8b2 PDF Text Text ENV I RO N MENT Island of Chiloe, Chile: Huilliches Fight Lumber Company to Save Their Forests "In these territories (beins considered for exploitation), there live around 100 families. They beIons to the communities of lncopulli de Yaldad, TusOeo de Coldita, Piedra Blanca de Coldita, and Coinco. These communities have historically been threatened by companies that have wanted to steal our land. This is why, today, we make public our complaints to demand that the authorities respect our rishts and those of all of our sisters and brothers in Chiloe. · General Council of Caciques of Chiloe wo lumber projects threaten to alter the ecological balance of the Island of Chilo<\ (located on the Pacific Ocean, west of mainland Chile), endangering the livelihood and way of life of the Huilliche communities that live there. Golden Spring, a multinational company based in Hong the companies Kong, and Hawerden and Los Pru-ques, S.A., plan to exploit a combined area of about 179,459 hectares of Chiloe's forest. Since 1993, the Huilliches have been trying to keep Golden Spt;ng from acquiring 50,000 hectat·es of land in the island of Chiloe to complete its lumber projects, and from drunaging the land that the company presently owns. Golden Spt·ing's initial goal is to export round logs to the Asian market, especially Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. The second stage of the company's longterm -plan is to build a plant in Chiloe for the production of plywood. The comprury has declru·ed that its plan for the exploitation of Chiloe's forest is ecologically sound and al.lows reforestation. However, the actions of Golden Spdng up to now have been far from ecologically sow>d. Golden Spring began cutting down trees to build a road inside Tepullueico almost two months before receiving permission T 26 from the government agency (CONAF) that grants such permits. The damage to the land was so great and public outrage so massive, that CONAF fined the company $20,727,562. However, the Huilliche community is not satisfied with this fine because of a series of factors. First, large companies have traditionally been able to forgo their responsibility in paying ftnes imposed by CONAF. Second, CONAF had originally denied Golden Spdng permission to build the road based on earlier documentation that declared the ru·ea in question willt for exploitation, but then changed its mind a few days later. Because of this abrupt chatlge in policy, the Huilliches feru· that the government sides with Golden Spdng and will pursue the company's interest ove•· theirs. The company's intentions became a topic of hot debate among environmental and governmental agencies until, finally, in Apt;] of 1994, Judge Francisco del Campo issued an order to halt two of Golden Spdng's project, namely, the widening of yet another road in Yerba Loza and the construction of a "piedraplen" (rock base) for the employment of a port in the Compu Stream in Chaildad. However, the order is useless since the widening of the road had been completed before the call to halt and the con- struction of the "piedraplen" had been halted earlier pending a permit from the maritime authorities. In April of 1994, CONAMA (The National Environmental Commission) and Golden Spring reached an accord in which Golden Spring agreed to commission a study of the environmental impact of its plan of exploitation of Chiloe's forest before it can continue to exploit any additional land. However, as environmental g>-oups and leaders n-om the Huilliche commw>ity point out, the study should have been done before Golden Spring was allowed to buy land in Chilo<\ with the purpose of forest exploitation. FUJthermore, Golden Spring is allowed to continue exploiting the land ( 135.000 hectares) that was already approved before the accord with CONAMA Lastly, because the study is being financed by Golden Sptmg, CONAl"lA is powerless in making sure that a neutral patty (like a university) conduct the study. Golden Spring continues to this day its operations in Tepullueico and is looking to buy more land in Chilo<\. Its plan is to own about 50,000 hectares of forest in order to achieve its production goals. The Huilliche community of Chiloe is very concerned because, albeit public outcty, government intervention and the halt of some of its operations, it looks as though Golden Spring is confident it will be allowed to continue to exploit the forest in the marmer they intended given the runount of money (so far; 8 million dollars out the 25 million dollars set aside for tlus project) they continue to invest in heavy machinery, vessels and personnel. As if the threat of Golden Spdng was not enough, the Huilliches also have to contend with plans for another pt-oject that would have devastating •·amifications for thei•· Continued on page 34 Abya Y News ala �I N T E R N A T I 0 N ~ l-----------------------------------------------------------A~ Mexico: Indians and Campesinos Massacred in Guerrero series of assassinations of Mixtee Indians topped with the massacre of 17 campesinos, has mru·ked this past June as one of the bloodiest months in recent history for Indigenous and rural peoples in Mexico. On June 10, Mixtec members of the Consejo Guerrerense 500 Ailos de Resistencia Jndigena (Guen·eran Council of 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance) Perfecto Gonzalez Rufino and Alejandro Tenorio Perfecto were assassinated, followed by the murder of member Rey Flores Hernandez on June 18, 1995. Then, on Wednesday, June 28, at a site known as Aguas Blancas in the Sierra of Coyuca de Benitez, approximately 70 policemen intercepted a passenger truck traveling to Atoyac, Guerrero, and began firing indiscriminately against the vehicle and its occupants. Of the roughly 60 campesinos traveling in the truck, 18 were confirmed dead. Eight people also disappeared and 19 people are gravely injured. In both cases, the incidents are tied to the increased level of popu- A Jar mobilization in Guerrero, one of Mexico's poorest states, with an Indigenous population of about 300,000 out of 2,650,000. In the first case, the murders are the product of the intolerance of regional cacique and municipal president of Tlacoachistlahuaca, Armando Ramos. A group of Mi.xtec Indians began a peaceful takeover there of the municipal building on May 22 to protest corruption and government indifference towards the needs of Indigenous communities. In the second case, some of the passengers belonged to the Organizaci6n Campesina de Ia Siena Sur (OCSS-Peasant Organization of the Southern Sien·a), and were on their way to a demonstration in Atoyac. There, on May 18th, members of the OCSS had prevented the exit of local authorities from the municipal building dw'ing the 28th annive•·sary of the initiation of the Lucio Cabanas uprising. As a result of the massacres, tensions between state authorities and campesinos in Guerrero have reached a boiling point. Peasants Information from Consejo de have fo•·med a popular commission Pueblos Nahuat cmd La Jomadc• In the study, researche•'S consider the exploitation of 129,459 hectares of land located at the Continuecl from page 26 southern tip of the island, in tbe township of Quell6n, with an communities and the ecological bal- annual deforestation of about ance of the island of Chiloe. In May 150,000 square meters. 28, 1994, the General Council of This project would use up about Caciques of Chiloe announced their 37% of all the forest in Chiloe, with knowledge of a document called: "A an annual deforestation volume Study to Identify the Possibilities of equivalent to 5 times the current Forest Exploitation in the At·ea annual seJTated wood production known as Puerto Carmen- Big in Chiloe and 3 times the consumpIsland of Chiloe," commissioned by tion of firewood. Wood production Los Parques, S.A. and Le Banque in Chiloe would double as a result of this project. Colbert of France. Chiloe Forests 34 for the resignation of state governor Ruben Figueroa Alcocer, who appears to have been informed of the police action prior to the incident. The coalition faces a powerful opposition that the ruling PRJ (Institutional Revolutionary Party) deputies mounted in support of Figueroa. In addition, on July 1st, what may have been members of OCSS ransacked and attempted to burn down the municipal palace in Coyuca de Benitez, site of a number of large popular protests denouncing the incident. Two state police agents and 8 local policemen believed to have been involved in the incident have been detained and are presently awaiting trial. State attorney Antonio Alcocer Salazar has also accused membet'S of the OCSS, including leader Benigno Guzman Mattinez, of "engaging in criminal conduct" in relation to the June 28 massacre. He also accused the OCSS of "tbeft of public property, destruction of commwucation lines, and causing harm to society" dw·ing various OCSS activities in 1994. He did not clarify what "criminal conduct" he was referl'ing to, however. '(>) According to these facts, the project (officially called, "Plan Astillas Puerto Carmen"), which is already being considered by the regional and provincial autholities, would become the first industrial exploitation of Chiloe's forest. This would mean the total transformation of all life forms in the island's ecosystem and a real threat to the sw'Vival of many species in it. The General Council of Caciques of Chiloe consider implementation of this project a violation of Indigenous people's ancestral rights. '(>) Abyo 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. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Island of Chiloé, Chile: Huilliches Fight Lumber Company to Save Their Forests 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, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Island of Chiloé, Chile: Huilliches Fight Lumber Company to Save Their Forests Item Type Journal Article Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 26, 34 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note Lumber companies threaten the ecological balance of Chiloé and the lives of the Huilliche communities. Golden Spring, a multinational company, and others expect to exploit around 180,000 hectares of Chiloé's forests. Attachment Title Island_of_Chiloe_Chile_Huilliches_Fight_Lumber_Company_to_Save_Their_Forests.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Chiloé Development Golden Spring Huilliche Tepuhueico https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/82832b5d947194f41ec0122184119899.pdf cf7494e5792b67170760fef245578d87 PDF Text Text Peruvian State Targets "Abandoned" Lands of Ashaninka Since about 1989, Ashaninka communities in the Selva Central region of Peru have been the object of Shining Path guerilla violence. The civil war has led to increased colonization from the highlands into Ashaninka areas. Faced with extermination, Ashaninka communities have had to leave their lands, clearing the way for state-sponsored colonist land invasions. In this interview, Mino Eusebio Castro, vice-president of the Inter-Ethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rain forest (AIDESEP, a national coordinating body for Indigenous regional organizations representing over 500,000 Indigenous people living in the Peruvian rainforest), talks with SAIIC about the people's hardships and their efforts to organize and save their communities. Interview with Mino Eusebio Castro Tell us about yourself and your community. My name in my maternal language is Naaperori Shirampari Asheninka, in Spanish it is Eusebio Castro. I am Ashaninka. The Ashaninka are one of 63 groups that inhabit the Amazon region of Peru. Traditionally, the Ashaninkas were a warrior society that controlled a magical area. We lived from resources such as hunting, fishing and trade with other Indigenous communities. But all that changed, and our history became conquered by lies and broken promises. We tried to reject tokens brought to us, but there were many abuses and violations. Our Indigenous rights were violated, and many of our women were raped. In some cases, we were enslaved. What have been the major threats to the Ashaninka? The exploitation of lumber by colonists has resulted in much violence. The guerrilla groups Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) have also violated Indigenous rights. They have oppressed us and killed bilingual teachers and leaders. Although we tried to resist, we did not have sophisticated weapons. If we did defend ow-selves and killed someone, the Peruvian Constitution declares that we would be tried as murderers. Thus by justice, we were between two fires as it is said. When did the intrusion of the Shining Path into the Ashaninka communities begin? It began in 1978 and 1979, and by 1980 there was incursion into our areas, not with violence, but with lies, so we would become their strength. By 1989, there was an uprising in the Pichis valley to reject the revolutionary movement. The MRTA kidnapped and killed our hero Alejandro Calderon. As a result, many leaders rose up to protest and counter this force. By 1991, we were able to expel all those guerrillas who had infiltrated the Pichis Valley. The Shining Path entered our communities in 1993 which resulted in the massacre of the Chiriary community in the region of Satipo. About 57 people were killed (see Abya Yala News, Vol. 7, Nos. 3 and 4). Presently, we have more than 39 communities that have disappeared. Many people have been displaced and are refugees. We have organized ourselves into self-defense groups. We asked the military if they would be willing to collaborate with us to achieve peace. We want peace. You have made an alliance with the military with a goal of pacification, yet, according to international information, many of the those killed have been as a result of the military. Do you have faith in the military or was it through circumstances that you had to make a necessary pact? This is not our war. The military does not know who is who. We indicated that since we know the territory, we should help defend it, but we were not given sufficient arms to confront the guerrillas. Who cares when an Indigenous person is killed? No one. When one of the military dies, then it is another story. They are made into heroes. When and Indigenous person dies in defense of his territory, no one says anything. What were the guerrillas and military disputing in the region? Until now the struggle has been for power. The Shining Path wanted to gain more power by using the Indigenous people in the war against the state, but since we are dedicated to peace, we did not concede easily. How is AIDESEP preparing for the defense of territories, for maintaining biodiversity, and assuring a future for the Indigenous communities of the Amazon? In AIDESEP we have a program of establishing communal reserves. In the zone of Guayali, we have gained more than 100 property titles for the communities. There are still 80 left that need to be signed. There are many blocks through the Ministry of Agriculture because of lobbying of lumber companies. In the new Peruvian Constitution, articles 82 and 83 have decreed that our lands can be seized if they are deemed “abandoned” by the state. They can then be bought by those who have the most economic power, like the petroleum companies. Do you have lands that you consider abandoned? Traditionally, for us there are no abandoned lands, because we view land space in an integral marmer·. We are trying to take initiative in protecting and in managing the rich biodiversity of the area. What have been the major developments surrounding petroleum companies in Indigenous areas of the Peruvian Amazon? The Candoshi community has been the most affected by oil exploitation. It is located in the northern region by the Maranon and Pastaza rivers. Occidental Petroleum has bought lot number four. The Candoshi reject this completely. AIDESEP and the Candoshi community has staged protests and put pressure on the government arguing that this was not done with the consent of the Candoshi community. AIDESEP has sent letters of protest to Occidental Petroleum, yet their responses are vague, stating that they are concerned about the environmental impact. But a few months ago we verified that there was a major spill on the Pastaza River. This means that all the flora and fauna will be poisoned. In addition, the Candoshi will not be able to subsist on hunting and fishing. In the San Juan community, the oil company has been offering to pay people to relocate to another area. They have come in with clothing and medicine. The Candoshi general council declared that they do not recognize these actions as legitimate. They took back all the things given to the families, and the company was told to leave. This has created quite a reaction from the company as well as the Ministry of Energy. Is there much contamination in the rivers? There is mercury in rivers such as Madre de Dios. Some of the people have eaten contaminated fish and have become very ill. As you know mercury is deadly. In the Chanchamayo and Perene Rivers, there has been so much mineral waste that all of the fish have been killed. Has a political movement formed to stop this contamination? Various environmental and ecological organizations have tried to raise public awareness, but to date the government has not imposed any regulations to stop the dumping of mineral waste. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Peruvian State Targets "Abandoned" Lands of Asháninka Interview with Mino Eusebio Castro 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, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Peruvian State Targets "Abandoned" Lands of Asháninka Item Type Journal Article Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 24 - 25 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note Asháninka communities in the Selva Central region of Peru have been forced to leave their lands due to guerilla violence. Mino Eusebio Castro, vice-president of the Inter-Ethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rain Forest talks about the hardships to save their communities. Attachment Title Peruvian_State_Targets_Abandoned_Lands_of_Ashaninka.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] AIDESEP Ashaninka Development guerillas Shining Path Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/de4b8f280d5db57519e392f301e0450a.pdf a45b65daff469d670518902f83e46701 PDF Text Text Amazanga: A Scientific Research Institute in the Ecuadorian Amazon In 1992, as a response to negotiations with oil companies attempting to expand their operations into the Pastaza region, the AMAZANGA institute was formed. Since then, it has been on the forefront of new attempts to incorporate and protect indigenous knowledge of the environment. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Leonardo Viteri, director of the Amazansa Institute, and Quichua Indian from the Pastaza region of Ecuador. Interview with Leonardo Viteri Can you tell us about the Amazanga Institute? Since the 1970s, a number of Indigenous organizations in Ecuador, like OPIP (Organization of Indigenous Peoples of Pastaza), CONFENIAE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon), and CONAIE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador), have come together, making important political and organizational advances. However; we have overlooked the very important areas of technology and scientific investigation. These would permit us to consolidate and strengthen our ability to negotiate and plan for the future of Indigenous peoples in terms of economic development, territorial protection, education, health and everything that an autonomous development really means. In this vein, OPIP, an Indigenous organization in Pastaza, has worked to legalize Indigenous territory. Fifty-two percent of the 2.5 million hectares comprising that territory were legalized in 1992. This has given greater security to Indigenous communities, giving them more harmonious lives and assuring their future. Another 48% of Indigenous territory has yet to be legalized, so we're continuing our effort to have traditionally Indigenous territory recognized and legalized by the government. Having legalized territory does not automatically solve Indigenous problems. It gives us many more commitments and challenges. We must manage the territory, protecting it and managing the natural resources in order to live there. In response to these challenges, in 1992 OPIP decided to create the Amazon Institute of Science and Technology (AMAZANGA). Indigenous knowledge which has developed over centuries is a fundamental pillar of this Indigenous-run organization. This institute has been put in charge of the environmental planning of all traditional territories, focussing on their use and management in harmony with the existing natural resources. The research, application and development of Indigenous knowledge is necessary to achieve a level of autonomy. All the work of the institute leads to designing and planning a program of development for the Indigenous people of Pastaza. Our concept of development guarantees a harmonious advance of our people, both nationally and internationally. We want to prepare for the future of our people, to assure a dignified autonomous life beyond this century. Basically, over the last 30 years we've been losing our autonomy, and that is what we want to regain and strengthen. We want to project ourselves before the country and international community with our proposals, our contribution to society, our technologies, our discoveries, and our knowledge. What is the basic Indigenous knowledge that has allowed your people to live for thousands of years in harmony with the Amazon? We Indigenous people have vast knowledge; this is what has allowed us to survive up until the present. First, holding of land is fundamental; based on our land, we can identify what we have as a people within that territory. Territory is the foundation that allows for unity among peoples. It guarantees the strengthening of cultural identity and allows us to be really autonomous. It also gives us validity as Indigenous people on this planet, providing us with natural resources which allow us to live in dignity without being overly dependent on others. The biodiversity which exists in our territory is so great that only the knowledge we've attained over time lets us manage it equitably. At least 80% of the resources the Indigenous communities of Pastaza have are from the rainforest and the rivers. A plan for the management of at-risk species is already established through AMAZANGA. We are also facing continuing pressures from economic interests such as logging, petroleum companies, and tourism. These economic development projects necessitate envit·onmental impact studies. We should also develop contingency plans for salvaging deteriorated areas and for disasters such as floods, illness, and contamination. Have you done research on the resources in your territory, such as its biodiversity? Yes, we’re starting those activities, especially inventorying our resources. Right now in the lower part of Pastaza we’re inventorying flora and fauna, including fish, different wood species, medicinal plants, and pond-dwelling species. This research will direct proper management of these resources. Is there community participation in these plans for research, resource management, and development? Without community participation, there is no research. Although AMAZANGA technicians are systematizing Indigenous knowledge, they can’t inventory all of it. Community participation is the backbone of the project, and communities should manage the natural resources. All the information comes from the community and is returned to the community to be applied. There are currently projects for collecting Indigenous genes for scientific purposes. What stand does AMAZANGA Institute take on this issue? The creation of the AMAZANGA Institute responds precisely to the need to prevent any project that would harm or control biodiversity or genetic resources of any kind. We oppose any kind of aggression against or appropriation of Indigenous knowledge and integrity. We’re trying to stop the proliferation of groups that have come to Indigenous communities lately to steal knowledge of medicinal plants, technology of forest and river management, etc. We’re working to develop respect for our knowledge, and our communities are well aware of the danger that this theft of genetic resources represents. Lately we’ve heard about more complex projects like the Human Genome Project. For us, this is nothing less than an inhumane insane project which assaults our peoples’ dignity, the natural order, and goes against our beliefs and religion. Our job is to stop this type of project. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview with Leonardo Viteri 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, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Amazanga: A Scientific Research Institute in the Ecuadorian Amazon Item Type Journal Article Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 22-23 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note In 1992, as a response to negotiations with oil companies attempting to expand their operations into the Pastaza region, the AMAZANGA institute was formed. Since then, it has been on the forefront of new attempts to incorporate and protect indigenous knowledge of the environment. Attachment Title Amazanga_A_Scientific_Research_Institute_in_the_Ecuadorian_Amazon.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Amazon Institute of Science and Technology Autonomy Development Human Genome Project Pastaza https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/b7648857417d966d1989ef28e7f730f8.pdf faf47e6d8ac52d3c3e64d898bf179cef PDF Text Text Breaking the Myth of the Nation: Proposal for Autonomous Regions While recent negotiations between the Mexican government and the Zapatistas progressed little, the fallout from the uprising has led Indigenous organizations and campesinos to consider autonomous regions. In this article, we present some selections from the proposal. In 1994, various Indigenous organizations in Mexico including the Council of Indigenous and Peasant Organizations of Chiapas, the Guerreran Indigenous Council, the Independent People's Front, the Union of Indigenous and Peasant Communities Iztmo, and the Yaqui Tribal Council met on several occasions to elaborate a proposal for the formation of autonomous regions. The proposal was aimed first at Indigenous peoples, later to be presented to the Congress of the Mexican Union. Then, on April 9-10, 1995, a general reunion of Indigenous organizations gave rise to the Plural National Indigenous Assembly for Autonomy. Under the title of “Initiative for the Creation of Autonomous Areas: the assembly proposed to change certain articles of the Mexican constitution so as to allow Indigenous peoples in different regions to govern themselves. In the "Considering" section, the proposal states that, "The Mexican State cannot, and must not, continue to be structured politically as though Indigenous people do not exist. To correct this injustice, it is necessary to abandon the project of a homogenous state and, in turn, put forth a new national project and constitution based on a federal system in which Indigenous peoples compose an organic element… “The Mexican nation-state was organized in ignorance, or explicit denial, of Indigenous peoples. The various Indigenist strategies practiced by the government, especially throughout the 20th century, were of such ethnocentric and centralist character that they are 9today) the principal cause of misery and oppression (in Mexico)... “In the states of Oaxaca, Veracruz, Chiapas, Puebla, Yucatan, Hidalgo, and Guerrero, 78 percent of the total Indigenous population lives. In some states, the Indian population is greater than that of non-Indians, such as in Oaxaca and Yucatan; in others, the Indigenous nuclei constitute more than one third of the total population, as in Chiapas and Quintana Roo. Out of all the municipalities of the country (2,403), one third, or 803, are municipalities with one third or more of Indigenous population, of which more than 13,000 are qualified as “eminently indigenous localities” as a consequences of having 70 percent or more of persons speaking an Indigenous language.” Antonio Hernandez is a Mayan Tojolabal of Chiapas and has been Secretary General of the Central de Obreros y Campesinos Agricolas de Chiapas (CIOAC - Central Union of Workers and Agricultural Peasants). In a speech in front of the Congress in November, 1994, he stated: “We want to contribute to the foundation of a democratic and plural state...Open your minds and your hearts to the Indigenous demands for autonomy. There will not be complete democracy in our country while a decentralization allowing our self-governing is not included in the organization of the state. The next meeting will occur in Oaxaca on August 25- 26, 1995 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Breaking the Myth of the Nation: Proposal for Autonomous Regions 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, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Breaking the Myth of the Nation: Proposal for Autonomous Regions Item Type Journal Article Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 19 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note While recent negotiations between the Mexican government and the Zapatistas progressed little, the fallout from the uprising has led indigenous organizations and campesinos to consider autonomous regions. In this article, we present some selections from the proposal. Attachment Title Breaking_the_Myth_of_the_Nation_Proposal_for_Autonomous_Regions.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Autonomy Council of Indigenous and Peasant Organizations of Chiapas self-determination Territory https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/686d39b28f1f005dd7c4ec3f0d73689d.pdf 31c22b4674476e5c6f4b40282f607f2f PDF Text Text Salta, Argentina : Electoral Politics Delay Granting of Land Title The 4500 Indigenous people of the Wichi, Chorote, Nivakle, Toba, and Tapiete communities in the northern Argentinean Salta region are still waiting for an official land title for the area where they traditionally live. They require a joint title for the area where they traditionally live. They require a joint title for the five communities in order to continue living according to their traditional customs of hunting and gathering over a wide area, a way of life that does not allow land privatization. In 1984, when they first demanded a land title, they were only offered separate titles for each family, which they refused. In 1991, the 27 communities of the “Asociacion de Comunidades Aborigenes Thakas Honat" - ACATH (Association of Aboriginal Communities Thakas Honat) submitted a proposal (including maps) for the legalization of their land to the provincial government. This led the provincial government to pronounce the decree 2609/91 and give clearance to the redistribution of “a piece of land without subdivision and with only one land title, …. and big enough for the development of their traditional way of life” to the Indigenous communities of districts 14 and 55. However, the redistribution of land has not happened yet and land conflicts are developing between the Indigenous communities and the local criollo smallholders, who have been increasingly using out of the traditional Indigenous area for the pasture of theix cattle. Such conflicts are not unusual in situations which lack agrarian reform. Instead of struggling for the implementation of agrarian reform. Instead of struggling for the implementation of agrarian reform, some smallholders tend to move into marginal or Indigenous areas. Governments are duty-bound under the Right to Food to protect access to food for both marginalized smallholders and Indigenous people. This means that the implementation of agrarian reform and the protection of the Indigenous people promote conflicts among the very poor by encouraging the smallholders to move into marginal and Indigenous areas. The Indigenous communities’ right to feed themselves is at stake as long as no legalization of their traditional territories occurs. According to recent information, the government is reluctant to implement the above mentioned decree before the forthcoming election. Furthermore, the government seems to plan to provide the Indigenous communities with a land title concerning only a small part of the original territory. This would mean a breach of article 75 and 17 of the Argentinean constitution and the ratified ILO convention 169, both guaranteeing the property of the traditional land where they live to Indigenous communities. As a State party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, Argentina, is also duty-bound to protect and respect the Indigenous communities’ right to feed themselves. Until a satisfactory solution is reached, and while the struggle continues, the Wichi, Chorote, Nivakle, Toba and Tapiete people also face harassment and violence from those who oppose the redistribution of land in the area. In a formal declaration issued by ACATH, Indigenous leaders expressed deep concerns regarding the “threats that are continually being directed to our brothers and sisters, the wire fences that the criollos continue to put up on our land, the wood that continues to be taken illicitly and the burning of three houses by a policeman named Moron. All of these crimes go unpunished by the authorities. This makes us feel unprotected and neglected by the government.” Support the Indigenous communities in the Salta region by writing letters encouraging the government to support the right to feed oneself and to provide a land title for districts 55 and 14. Send letters to: Sr. Gobernador de la Provincia de Salta, Roberto A. Ulloa, Casa de Gobierno, Gran Burg 622, 4400 Salta, Argentina, Fax: 54 87 360 400. Sr. Presidente de Ia Republica. Dr. Carlos S. Menem, Casa Rosada, Capital Federal, Argentina, Fax: 54 87 343 2249 / 331 7976. lntformation provided by FoodFirst Information and Action Network (FIAN). Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Salta, Argentina: Electoral Politics Delay Granting of Land Title Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource FoodFirst Information and Action Network (FIAN) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Salta, Argentina: Electoral Politics Delay Granting of Land Title Item Type Journal Article Contributor FoodFirst Information and Action Network (FIAN) Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 18 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note Indigenous peoples in the northern Argentinean Salta region wait for an official land title for the area where they live. They require a joint title for their communities in order to continue to live traditionally and not face threats by neighbor criollos. Attachment Title Salta_Argentina_Electoral_Politics_Delay_Granting_of_Land_Title.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] agrarian reform Criollo Salta region self-determination Territory https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/69ef1f7952a591808b345410b5c5e4e9.pdf 5b2201e4a68f09f5cac07102ec7df12c PDF Text Text Ecuadorian Indigenous Nationalities to the nation and world: The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAlE) and the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE) met in an Encounter of Solidarity for Peace and Dignity in the city of Sucua, Ecuador, at the headquarters of the Interprovincial Federation of Shuar-Achuar Centers (FICSHA), on February 21·22, 1995. After analyzing recent conflicts between Ecuador and Peru, we declare the following: In the countries of Latin America and around the world and, particularly among countries which are in conflict, we comprise a diversity of peoples and cultures which are historically located in our own territories. The border conflicts that today lead to bloodshed in neighboring populations and destroy their harmony and lifestyles, are not in our interests. Rather, they have lead to a stalemate and a deepening poverty for the communities involved. For these reasons, we Indigenous nationalities propose: That Ecuador be constitutionally recognized as a pluri-national, multicultural, and plurilingual state, because the recognition of and respect for different peoples is not an obstacle to the unity of a diverse country, but rather a resource that will strengthen its cohesion. In homage to the International Decade of Indigenous Peoples that the United Nations declared, we demand of International organizations and the guarantee nations of the Rio Protocol that Indigenous peoples in Ecuador and Peru be included in the peace negotiations as active participants in the search for a definitive solution to the conflict. That the Ecuadorian State permanently suspend the colonization programs in the ancestral lands of the Indigenous nationalities of the Amazon Region. The legalization of Indigenous territories in the border area and in the Amazon Region as a fundamental guarantee of the security and territorial integrity of the country. That the National Parks, Protected Forests, and Forest Reserves be given to and administered directly by Indigenous organizations for the appropriate use and management of their natural resources, That we be repaired for the socio-economic and environmental impacts caused by the war; a guarantee of the return of displaced peoples to their Indigenous communities; and the establishment of a fund for the relatives of civilians killed in the conflict. That the budget for the Intercultural Bilingual Education program be augmented. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ecuadorian Indigenous Nationalities to the nation and world 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, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Ecuadorian Indigenous Nationalities to the nation and world Item Type Journal Article Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 7 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) and the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE) met in an encounter of solidarity for peace and dignity in the city of Sucúa, Ecuador. Attachment Title Ecuadorian_Indigenous_Nationalities_to_the_nation_and_world copy.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] borders colonization CONFENIAE natural resources Territory https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/40f59d8c4f0f9959c5637acc5bec7206.pdf 0ede3aec84ccda877c3c51b702f10b11 PDF Text Text Brazil: Indigenous Commission Fights for Demarcation A commission of twenty-three Xucuru Karirir, WassuCocal, Geripanko, Kariri-Xoko, Nand Karapoto Indians from Alagoas, along with Xoko Indians from Sergipe, went to Brasilia to denounce acts of violence against Indians and demand measures for the demarcation of their lands. The commission was heard by audiences at FUNAI, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Chamber of Deputies. Citing one of the most serious incidents, the Karapoto warned that at least eight mysterious fires had destroyed crops, fences and grazing land in their 1,810-hectare territory, which has been the object of litigation for two years. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Brazil: Indigenous Commission Fights for Demarcation Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Spring, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Brazil: Indigenous Commission Fights for Demarcation Item Type Journal Article Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 5 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note 23 indigenous peoples travelled to Brasilia to denounce acts of violence against Indians and demand measures for the demarcation of their lands. Attachment Title Brazil_Indigenous_Commission_Fights_for_Demarcation.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] demarcation Territory https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/00ecdbe843fd4224239ea254e93342ce.pdf ffa9cd3ab22e1a738411c6d826eb8130 PDF Text Text Colombian Guerrillas Attack Venezuelan Outpost Tension has been building between Colombia and Venezuela since last February, when Colombian guerrillas crossed the Venezuelan border and attacked a military outpost in the Amazon lowlands. Both Colombian and Venezuelan officials deny the possibility of armed conflict between the two countries, yet Venezuelan President Rafael Caldera ordered thou· sands of troops to the border area. As a result of the conflict, anti-Colombian sentiment is high in Venezuela. Venezuelan authorities have deported thousands of undocumented Colombian migrant workers and graffiti slogans such as "Colombian Murderers Go Home" have appeared throughout Caracas. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1995) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Colombian Guerrillas Attack Venezuelan Outpost 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, 1995 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Colombian Guerrillas Attack Venezuelan Outpost Item Type Journal Article Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 4 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring, 1995 Language English Abstract Note Colombian guerrillas crossed the Venezuelan border and attacked a military outpost in the Amazon lowlands. Attachment Title Colombian_Guerrillas_Attack_Venezuelan_Outpost.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Amazon borders guerillas https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/067534fe4d32350c5c9a8062c1196c50.pdf 71cbc60043f07c50968ea7256ea4523e PDF Text Text EAL EPIDEMIC HITS COMMUNITIES OF SAN LORENZO, PERU n the Peruvian Indigenous communities of San Lorenzo, located close to the Ecuadorian border, an unidentified epidemic rosem bling the measles has spread voraciously, killing 5 and infecting 88 others. Symptoms include high fevers, skin eruptions, respiratory difficullies, hemorrhages, vomiting of blood, diarrhea, and bone pain. Representatives from tbe Ministry of Health have Oown to the respective sites to collect samples which are currently being evaluated in the United States. In the meantime, a vaccine against measles has been discovered to diminish lbe intensity of the illness, resulting in a campaign to vaccinate 13,000 people. The Minisl.ry of Health made an official agreement with the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Jungle (AIDESEP) to develop an"Action for Health" program serving ISO Indigenous communities of the High Amazonas regions via the San Lorenzo Health C.nter. Eacb community elects Indigenous youth to be pall ofthe "Promoters of Health" network that is trained to respond to the needs of the community during times of crisis. In addition, the Ministry of Health appoints an lndigeoo+ prescntative to be in charge of the health needs of 8-IOcomm'"'/rie's. Previous cbolera and malaria epidemics were effectively brouh{t under control tbrougb I (@PTS JNlrriATIVE ON INDIGENO U S HEA,L "PH fter reviewing the "Heal!! ; the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas" initiative fonnulated at the Working Meeting on Indigenous Peoples and Health, held in Canada, from April 13to 17, the Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), resolved to adopt Document CD37(JJ) during its Fourth Plenary Meeting held last September. The document which describes the initiative, was presented to PAHO by Colombian Senator Anatolio Quir3, Juan Reategui of Aidesep, Peru, and Mirna Cuninham, Miskito from Nicaragua. The resolution urges member governments to take steps in improving the deficient health and living conditions of the estimated 43 A VOl. 7 NO. 3 & 4 these networks. This is the second epidemic to reach the San Lorenzo communities in recent years. Malaria Falsiparum, before coming into San Lorenzo, bad spread in the border petroleum exploitation regions of the Ecuadorian rain forests with the arrival of obreros (oil workers) from other partS. Despite these positive efforts, both !be impacts of disease and severe water sbortages are driving San Lorenzo into an increasingly alanning health crisis. As a resul~ AIOESEP, its member organizations and the San Lorenzo Health C.nter are ealling for a revamping of Peru's bealtb care system for its Indigenous communities. For more infonnation contact: AIDESRP Av. San Rugeoio981 Urb. Santa Catalina-La Victoria Urna 13, Lima, Peru Tel: 71~21 ·- Fax: 72-4605 million Indigenous personsoftbe Ameri· cas as well as the participation of lndig· enous leaders and representatives in Ibis process. The resolution further eallson governments to strengthen the tochnieal, admin· isuative, and managerial capacity of na· tiona! and local institutions that are responsible for the health of Indigenous Juan Reategui or Ald<sep populations with a view to progressively 1 - - - - - --...J overcoming the lack of infonnation in this area and ensuring greater access to health services and quality care, thus contributing to a ttigher degree of equity. Member governments are further urged to work toward the transfonnation of health systems and the development of alternative models of care, including traditional medicine and disease prevention programs. The directing council also calls for the ~rticipation of Indigenous persons and their communities in all aspects of PAHO's work. For more inl'o: Pan Amtrkan Health Orga.ni1:alion 525 23rd St N.W. Washington DC 20037, USA 29 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 7, nos. 3-4 (Fall/Winter 1993) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Epidemic Hits Communities of San Lorenzo, Peru 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 Fall and Winter 1993 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title Epidemic Hits Communities of San Lorenzo, Peru Item Type Journal Article Volume 7 Issue 3,4 Pages 29 Publication Title Abya Yala News: Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC) ISSN 1071-3182 Date Fall and Winter 1993 Language English Abstract Note Another epidemic infects the indigenous community of San Lorenzo, Peru bringing to light the weaknesses of the Peruvian health care system. AIDESEP and the San Lorenzo Health Center insist on renovation the health care system. Attachment Title Epidemic_Hits_Communities_Of_San_Lorenzo,_Peru.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] AIDESEP Epidemics Indigenous Peoples Ministry of Health Peru San Lorenzo