47 12 1190 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/dfcaedf2d70a73fe22f9b236b8dabf92.pdf 5f1d051ad3758ca86e2ddd0f73d3d7b5 PDF Text Text Page 10 HURRICANE LEAVES DESTRUCTION IN ITS WAKE Carlos Maibeth, Miskitu from Waspan, Rio Coco, and a SAIIC member, recently returned trom a trip to the Atlantic Coast, devasta~ed by Hurricane Joan last October 22-23. Now, three months later, the impacts are still very much bemg felt. Q: What was the purpose of your trip? A: To witness the impacts of the hurricane up , close, and to talk to my people-Miskitu, Sumu," Rama, and blacks to meet with them and share their pain. Q: How is the access to the Atlantic Coast? A: It is difficult to travel from Managua to Bluefields for various reasons-transport is very limited, and the road was destroyed by the hurricane. The trip is now taking 16 hours by bus. It's hard to get a seat, because many people want to go either because they are from there or have relatives or friends there. Because there has been so much destruction, there is nowhere to sleep, and little to eat. You have to take many things with you, so you can go only for a short time. Q: Can you describe the extent of the destruction? A: Bluefields was hit by 150 miles per-hour winds, and more than 90% of the town was destroyed. Some of the concrete houses are still standing, but they are very weak. Nearly all the rooves were blown off. Wooden houses were totally destroyed, their posts knocked to the ground. The houses of dirt floors and wooden walls were swept away by the flooding. In all, 322,000 people had to be evacuated. They were taken from Bluefields to Rama and to Managua. Some stayed, especially in Com Island, where those who work in the fisheries didn't want to leave their houses, fearing looting. Old people who spent their entire life there didn't want to leave. Rescue missions helped old people, tying ropes to them so that the wind woudn' t blow them away, and helped to evacuate them. Luckily, only 121 people were killed. There was a lot of human solidarity-many young people risked their lives to help others. 182 were wounded, and 119 have disappeared. 150-mile-per-hour winds devastated Nicaragua's Atlantic coast. Q: How were Indigenous communities affected by the storm? A: The island of Rama Key was destroyed. But, people have good spirit for the future. My house was destroyed, but we are using what was left in order to construct houses that are smaller. Agriculture was hardest hit. People grew bananas, rice, beans, sugar cane, and all this was destroyed. In agriculture alone, nearly $100 million was lost. It was nearing the time of harvest, and all was lost. The exception was sugar cane, but the roads do not allow access to harvest the cane now. Bananas,, an important export crop, were totally destroyed. Another very important effect was the ecological destruction-animals like the jaguars and deer were killed or have disappeared from the region. Cusuco (armadillos) and monkeys also died, eliminating other sources of food. Birds also were affected by the trees falling. Lobsters have left for other areas of the ocean. Turtles, which were in danger of becoming extinct, are now nearly gone. �Page 11 Q: How is the rebuilding going? A: The government gave each family ten pieces of zinc to rebuild their roofs. Also, one of the first things the government did was to restore electricity with a generator, so that the people could have light to dance and celebrate Christmas. Q: Is aid from other countries reaching the communities? A: On the day I was in Bluefields, a boat arrived with supplies from people in the U.S. via Canada-clothes, food, tools, and medicines. Help has come from Europe. Also, a lot of aid from Cubapowdered milk and medicines, and Cuba offered to re-construct a lot of houses. The U.S. government has refused to help. There is still lack of clothing, and while there is now food for a few months, afterwards there will be a serious shortage of food. Mosquito nets are also needed. Diarrhea is widespread due to contaminated water, so there need to be wells dug and projects to provide good drinking water. Malaria broke out caused by mosquitos breeding in the water. Technicians are needed to restore power, since material won't without skilled workers. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Provide assistance by sending urgently needed money, materials and technical assistance. Inquiries can be directed and checks may be sent to Quest for Peace/Hurricane Relief, P.O. Box 5206, Hyattsville, MD 20782, or to Nicaragua Hurricane Relief, 1400 Shattuck Ave., Ste. 7-125, Berkeley, CA 94709. (415) 531-0779. ~ � 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. 4, Nos. 2&amp;3 (Fall 1988 &amp; Winter 1989) Zotero Volume 4 Language English 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 Hurricane Leaves Destruction in its Wake (Nicaragua) Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 1988 & Winter 1989 Zotero Title Hurricane Leaves Destruction in its Wake (Nicaragua) Item Type Journal Article Attachment Title Vol. 4, nos. 2 &3 (10-11).pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Issue 2 & 3 Language Enlgish Volume 4 Pages 10-11 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/7272697a3206d0c68b0d81d6b29ea9eb.pdf 136c118f7c9b4e2e57207fad2ed81967 PDF Text Text �Colli<' IllS S . \IIC Sldlf Oirooor: M IO CO)'UQUOO Olflce Manager: Daniela Spiwak o evelopmcm COOrdinator: Kimberty Rosa.., Volunteer COOrdinator: Rosa Alegria I'\.CC()Ul1lirlg: C.A.A,B.S. Board ol Edl1 SAtiC OO<Ird ol OlrCCiors ors: Edi!OCS:COnstanza C3:StrO. oaniCJa Spiwa.\ OCSign & U).\'OUt: Alfonso Jamtnmo SAitC 603rd of Directors Edituri~•l Editorial .............................................................. ............................................3 If Encounter of ............ ..4 Gina Pacaldo ~San carl05 ~leMa) Nllo cayvQtteO(Mapuci»Argentt!\(1) Ct "\1'10$ Malbelh (MI$.\;JI()-!\ Camgua) 1 w aro Akk::rete ((;a.lchaqui-Ngenlina) Xihuanel Huetta (ChiCantndia) ~:~f:~r:::~:~ Waste Buried in Brazilian Amazon ........................................... 7 Wichi Hunger Strike for Human Rights......... ................. ............................... S Wave of Guarani Suicides Continues.............................................................8 Chilean Governmc:nl Obstructs Mapuche Participation in Dec. Elections ..... 9 Aymara Elected as Vice-President of Bolivia ............... ................................. 9 Venezuelan Government Blames TNCs of Yanomami Massacre......... ........ 9 I nll'I'U:IIinn:tl WorldConferenceon Human R ights: Few Real Actions to Redress Injuries ... lO U.N. Declares Decade of Indigenous Peoples ................................ .............. II Gene Genic and Science's Thirst for Information with Indigenous Olood ... 12 Free Trade's Assault on Indigenous Rights.................................................. IS · and the 16 O il Companies ....... 19 Alliances Formed Against Colombia's Plan Pacifico................... ................'2l Logging Threatens First Nations in British Columbia................... ..............22 I Determination and Territory I Constitutional revision in Brazil: A Threat to Indigenous Rights ............... .23 The New Peruvian Constitution and lndi enous Communities................... 24 Women's Ri hiS Indigenous Women in Bolivia Set Example for Aby-a Yala......................... 25 Interview with Mauricia Otstro........ ........................ .......... ..........................26 Health I Epidemic Hits Communities of San Lorenzo, Peru .............. ................ ........ 29 PAHO Adopts Initiative on lndi cnous Heahh .... ......... ........ .......................29 Human Rights Violence Against Indigenous Peoples in Peru: The Ashaninka Massacrc...30 ONIC Denounces Wave of Murders ....................... ......................................32 Indigenous Activist Held in G uatcmala ... ............... .......... ....... .....................33 On-Going Violence Against Macuxi .............. ..............................................33 Dinch Against Peabody Coal Continues........... ............................. 34 I C uillelmo Delgado (Quect-...,·BoiMa) AJejandfO Nnaru Argt lmedo (Quechua·Peru) Abya Yala 1'\ews (ISSN 1071·3 182) lS availabJe roc oo ao- nuaJ s 1s personal memberSh!p. S2S organizational me,rn. l:>elshif). or S3 at CC~taln OC\\'SStan<IS. FOI canada or MexJco add ss. for au orher tnlemaliO<lOI membership s. add s 1o. We wek:ome Sc.tbmlssions of ank:les. le ners. photographs ard rele\"Mt lnf()f'f'r\&tlon. Lcners and ank:k:s may be edited for length bt1t not ror contezlt If you 1\a\'C occcss to a computtt. please send ) 'Otlf anic~ on ~rand on an Apple ~tlble 3 tl21nch diSK. Send au cocrespondcnce to: SAUC P.O. Box 28703 Qakland, CA 04604, USA Phone: (51 0)834-+263 Fax: (5 10)834-+26+ peacener ~II: saiie@igc.apc.org w e would like to thank the fouowu-.g tnc~IS and ocgani?.ations for their genetOUS assistanCe 10 SAIIC: Alberto AretWlS. RodrigO OeH lncourt. Aroocli Butgueue. MaMna Bustanlante . BeiCO Cordovez. Ellsa oennls. Giorgio del Bcnl. Fidel OOIOriel. Marcela 00}1et ReediC Durst. KriSt lna Egan. Pllil~ ()Obrlet. Felix Cillo. Delh HudSOn. SCiene .raram\110. Jerry Manocr. M.. JOSe Mt•noz. DavkJ Rk:k. JOhn 'VIa Spalding. C!en SWitkeS. Kalla Torelli. Bill'}' R. T'rk:eJr.. Angela w arshz. Ofganl7lUiO!lS: Rainforest Action r.;erwork (USJ\). AJnerindia (Spain). 00 Cip (S\\1zer1and.). Nork lndiansk r"()(en!ng (Nor· 'va>?. SOl >' U.•na o~~o(wa}'). PubliCatiOnS: Oj.."l.r..\Sea (MexiCO). Mujeles (l.JS,o\), Unitas (80IMa). Shaman's Dn•m (USA) lnter·Amcrican Encounter on Indigenous Rig hts and Common Law .... ...... 3S Indigenous Biodiversity Nctwork ................. ....... ......................................... 36 Peoples of the Rainforest Hold Global Confcrenoe..... ......... ....................... 36 AIPIN..................................... ........... .................................... ....... ................ 37 Radio Waves for Women .............................................................................37 In Defense. of Indigenous Migrant Wo rkers ............... ................. ................ 37 Wings for the Young.. ........................ ................ ......... ......... ........ ................ 37 Calendar of Events........... ............... ........................ ................. ......... .........38 Le!ters............ ................................. ...... .................... .............. .....................39 l!ems Available from SAIIC ................................ .......... ......................... ...40 TI\Cinks 1 1 followi ng !<>ttndatlons !or their generous 0 he St•Pf)Of1:n)l} John o. and C:'ltherlne T. Mac Anhur Foofl(la. tiOn. General SCrVICe r'OUndatiOn. F'Undi"S E.xd\ange, sev. cnth Gencmtion f\II')(IT'kJCS r'OU1 XIati0n. FOt•fldat100 for oeep EcolOgy. SAJJ Repcesentallon atxoact: Juan SCbas!lan t.ara(Spa.ln}. C Rafael ArgunlCdo (GermanY). Amerlndial (Spain). AlejandrO Argumcdo and Su san o ·oone ll (Can ada). Marcos YOC(Ciuatemala COITCSf)Or'W.Senl}. �D I TORI AL. The year 1993 (Gregorian year) is behind us. ln different ways and for different neasons, great expoetations were created because it was said that this yw would be beneficial for Indigenous people. ln the fmt place, the United Nations declared 1993 the "Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples". The yw was conceived to provide a platform so that consciousness, sensibility, and human rights to favor Indigenous Peoples would be created throughout tbe world. Nation-stales reacted positively to tbis call, but ~e.-repairs to oppression and discrimination have seldom benefited o~r peoples. In truth, we can affirm that no signifiCallt fact o~c rep3!l! i5>n is concrete. If this would be true, there would have been some advances in J Indigenous legislation, commitrnents o CSJabl· h di~ alit fuJ1.he~ (o~ogicil conservation and economic implementationon z Indigenous Territories. ;AI \~ ? ' ~ The World Bank and the Intern Development Bank, after sgonsoring <tceadc{bf ~ironmental destruction, accompanied by genocide and ethnoeide, have only receatly decided to invite lndif~ representativefui \~ dial~es. These banks have offered some " economic support and technical ~bu ~ ere is noguarantte lhat'illey;vill stop fundingde&liuctivc ~je<:ts on Indian areas. The United t' =~~eloproentProg13111prOmised~j;,rtproje<:~~~i?,nofbiodive:~teiJCC)tualrightsoflndigenouspeoples' Indeed, aU of these can be ~"'{ ~e. How er, thM·~~teeJ!!!!.!W ,s: ag;kmeo~ proposals, and proje<:ts wiU be implemented under conditions of "!luality ~d !1'.\'tualrcspoe~ i.e.witb-i~_:9.'Uprticipati01f~f J.!)digenous peoples in the decision making or implementation process. There is alSo no gueie<: Indigenous TerritOries and natural r~ees within bose territories will be respected. that The Indigenous fund, created by the ~e ents of Bolivia and MexiOO has only~n.,rntified byfi~e or six governments even though it has beenwidely publicized. What isev~worsc, is h~paii";CI~tionby-au~~~njZaltons in thedecision-maki.ngprocess and not one Indigenous women's orga$ization h~ invited even thoug,. there man~~')/ Re<:ently, the United Nati<>ns has~ t~of Indigenous P!'OPICS, from 1994-2004 to beip, among other things, to disseminate information (education) regarding Indi~ us P~~ resolutio~ bowev~, does not rellect" the full participation of the Indigenous Peoples in the activities of the Decade. It ~~Ued · ew P~ec;M>"-tbat bad ibeOretically begun in 1992 has already ended, ~ for it has not been mentioned anywhere. ~ '~ ~ !} Despite cunrent processes of dernocra tion in Jftin Ameri~ assacres, ~ression, assassinations of Indigenous representatives, and endless waiting for territorial demarcation ~laws, ~ntinued to the end of tbe Year t e w id~ndigenous Peoples. We must print for the record, tbe massacre of the Yanomami in ~· theK ~aninka ~e in t~o'!>eruvian~n, tlie assassination ofa Macuxi leader in Brazil and several Indigenous peoples of theF i'Itures fOUifd in Gua~m~a. ~inations ~ve also ~en place in Colombia and repression in Ecuador and Panama does not escapeoy eo.lbm: In~qilc, 11w{Mapuche ~pie were tmp~ 1,and continue to be prOS<X:uted. Similarly, ' when it comes to Territorial Demarcatk>n, t'U'USI pqjnt out the Macu~ ~I) o~tbe ~ea Ra~.Serra do Sol and the military strategies used to intimidate them, as well asJhe ~~~~ilizatiqn of 125 Mocovi lndi~'\Qusl,o~nities against the "Law of Indigenous c Communities" approved by the gove.OOr ~santa" 1;''9, 1\r~ntina.pe liSt <jf eount~es that.have -qolated, intimidated and refuted the rights of Indigenous peoples continues to grow1All ~hJ dei1)o~trilles tha~ in ~raetiec, !be& oontiDues to'be violations and denial of ancestral Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The publicized WOdj q>n!ere.l& Human Rights of t.berUoited Nations in Vienna (1993), bad no significant ' anainments. "'-. I II! 4 It is important to emphasize, as a positiveoutcomeof]hisco~tintiOOS continentafand world struggle oflndigenous Peoples, that we have advanced nationally, regionally, continentally, and globally. The Second Continental Encounter of Indigenous Peoples organized by CONIC, ' ~! , tbe "Coordinadora de Naciones, Pueblos y Organizaciones lndfge®S ije\ Continente", last October, marked a historical milestone in the consolidation of continental unity, organization, self~riticis"j:. and P/?~itional political position. The hopes and yearning for a 1rue year of justice, peace, and hannony l' r our people is the wish of the entire Continental Indigenous o Community. With thesegoals in mind, we are building community, IoJkiDg to ibe future, and taking ftnn steps to voice our continental demands. are 1 1 'f tn • Peace, JUStice, and Harmony with Mother Earth SAIIC Board ofDireclors VO L 7 NO.3 3 �II Co~T I ~E~TAL ENcot:~TEH oF I ~D I GENO L ; s PEOP L ES, NATIONS A~n 0H.GA~ I ZATIONS CON I C lh the participation of more lban 300 Indigenous delegates, sup porters, and observers, the II Continenl.11 Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, Nations, and Organizations took place at the OtomiCoremoniaiConteroftheNathoNahnu people, in Ternoaya, Mexico, from the 8th through lhe 13th of October. The Encounter was organized by lhe Coordinating Comnnissionof Indigenous Nations and Organizations of the Continent (CONiq. Th.s Encounter i was a follow up to the First Continenl.11 Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, which took place in Quito, Ecuador in July of 1990. Its goal was 10 consolidate an autonomous and unified Indigenous movement throughout the Abya Yala continent A Provisional Council, responsible for pu«ing together the Third Encounter that will take place in Guatemala between the months of September and November of 1994, was fonned. During the Third Continental Encounter, CONIC will he fonnaUy oonslitutedand regional workshops will he organized around the various issues that Indigenous Peoples are faced with. The first meeting of lhe Provisional Council will lake place in Bolivia in February 1994, organized by the Coordinadora de Mujeres lndigenas de Bolivia. The following are members of the Provisional Council: Conscjo de Todas las Tierras (Mapuche, Chile); Coordinadora de Mujeres lndigenas de Bolivia; Confederaeion de Nacionalidades lndigenas del Ecuador- W 4 I. Spirihmlit~ and Tntditiun CONAlE; Consejo deOrganizaciones Mayas de Guatemala; Kunas Unidos por Napguana Panama); Frenle lndependienle de Pueblos The spirituality of our cultures and the many Indios, Mexico and Consejo lndigena de traditional forms in wllich lhal spirituality is Guerrero,Mexico,TONATIERRAandSAIIC expressod, are the deep essence of our identity. The Great Spirit that shellers aU of Abya of USA Yala unites us, protects us, and offers us the co:-;1c llrdaralion ofTemoa)a. 199.1 means to bridge our differences with mutual respoet. We conclude that a basic condition 501 years after the European invasion, the for maintaining the spirituality and traditions Peoples and Original Nations of Abya Yala of our Peoples is the recovery ofou.r territories gather together. Their song has causod the and lhe healing and renewal of ou.r Sacred heart of the Earth 10 vibrnte, given Strength to Morhe.r Earth, returning her green cover and our voices and illuminated our thoughts, nourishing her with organic life rather than strengthening the wannth of the sacred fire. with the chemicals that poison and profane her. We agree that it is vil.1lto foster, develop, and strengthen the roorsofour identity; therefore it is offundamenl.11 importance to work for the recovery of ou.r own fonns of living with and relating to ou.r Father Sun, our MOibe.r Earth, ou.r G.raodfalbcr Fire, and our Grandmother Moon We demand of lhe NationStates the recognition of ou.r religious practices and ouruse of traditional andceremonial medicines, as well as the decriminalization of Thus, every morning, we greeted our Fa- coca, peyole, mushrooms and other plants of lher Sun and welcomed the new day. His sacred and healing value... energy has united us and given us strength to II. :\loth('r E:.ulh. Tt·rl'ilor.\ , ;md progress in ou.r work. We conclude five days llarmon inus De\ l'lopmcnl of work towards agreements and consensusof dialogues and debate. With pain and with hope, wilhjoyandwithangcr, we havereached One of theprinciple agreements reached althe the following agreements and conclusions fo.r Earth Summit that took place in Brazil in the future: 1992, was the warning call that united all of Abya Yala News �lbecounuies and social sectors oflbe wo~d in face of lbe gteal dangers that confront our Planet. In add.ition, fuU recognition was given to lbe sustainable and SUstaining technologies lbat have been practiced by the Original Nations for thousands of ycaiS. For our Peoples, ecology is not a fashion statement nor a recent development. This islbewayourelderstaught us: "If you are going to cut down some trees in order to plant the seeds of your nourishment, you need to ask permissionoflbespiritsofthe forest and study lbecyclesofrencwal in order to help regenerate what you bave altered. You must ask permission and give offerings to the Earth Mother before opening any wounds in her body witb the sharpened steel of your tools. You must study the agricultural calendar for the weD-being of the other living beings who acoompany you in this life. In order to eliminate the root of the plunder and genocide suffered by our Peoj>les, it is necessary to undertake a profou'l.d territorial reorgani2ation at a continent4levellhat bas as its objective lbe redefinition and the recognition of autonomous territories. As Original Peoples, we denounce the neoliberal econontic model which continues to generate more povt(ly, buoger, and environmental degradation. We are convinced of the need to establish alliances with lbe different sectors of society in order to join our efforts and work together towards the creation of alternative ecooontic models which will 001 be based upon consumption and coltinuing ecological degradation. R<':\olutions Peoples of Honduras addressing the plenary 4) Their adverse impact on Sclf-Oetennina- 1HE F1JU. EXERCISE OF OUR SELFtion and Indigenous rights. DETERMINATION." This self-detennina5} Their elimination of smaiJ-scale agricul- tion must • ...be expressed as fuU recognition. ture in favor of multi-national agribusiness. 6) Their po!ential for aUowing the exploita· tion of child labor. 7) The lack of access our chil~n have to the basic education that wouJd allow lbem to compete intcmationaUy. We protest and express our consternation and dismay at the proposal to collect human genes on lbc pan of'ProjectHurnan Genome Diversity Project (seearticle,(l'!ge 12) We demand that tbe HGD Project cease and desist in its attempt to coUect human genes from Indigenous peoples, and that the United States government withdraw its application to patent the genes of a Guaymi woman, and any other similar applications. We also demand that GA1T not approve any Agreement about the Patenting of Human Genes or other forms of life. A) Witb the purpose of promoting a harmonious, sustainable, and community-based deIll. Sclf·l><'lrrmination. l.l•J.:.i'lation. velopment, we strongly denounce and oppose :.1nd lndi~<'llOUs Ri;:,ht-; GA1T and NAFTA for tbe following rcasons: The First Contioeotal Encounter in Quito in 1990constitutes a significant reference point I) Their adverse impact on Nature. in the actual struggles waged by the Original 2) Their exploitation of the Indigenous work Peoples of Abya Yala. In lbat occasion, we force. produccdtheQuito Declarationwhich in 1993 3) Their violation of lnd.igenous inteUectual is still very relevant We said: "We are now property rights with respoct to Indigenous fully aware that our definitive liberation CAN Oora and fauna. ONLY BE EXPRESSED BY MEANS OF VOl. 7 NO. 3 &4 TElOUROWNINDlGENOUSSELF-GOVERNMENT AND CONTROL OF OUR OWNlERRITORIES."!nordertomakereal this objective, we maintained: •rr IS NECESSARY TO HAVB A COMPLETE AND THOROUGH TRANSFORMATION OF lHESTAlEANDNATIONALSOCIETY. We ratify the understanding of ourselves as Peoples, as the Original Peoples and F'U$1 lnbabitantsof this continent Were vindicate our right to be recognized as such by the international community, and the United Nations. The opposition,of the national States to the acknowledgment of our rights has its principal origin in the very configuration of the Nation-States, wbieb by their very nature exclude our Pooples. 11 is not enough for them to declare themselves "multi-cultural" or "multi-ethnic", as these declarations do 001 modify them in the least. 11 is necessary 10 BUILD MULTINATIONAL STATES tbat will recognize the coexistence of multiple Peoples within one State. CONIC needs to work towards gnarantceing the panicipatioo of Indigenous Peoples in tbe different meetings that the UN carries out in regard to our rights and request that it consider a proposal to re-structure itself in order to include Indigenous Nations as full members. 5 �detcnnination. However, there have also been aggressions against our people as the vora· cious neolibcral appetite for our territories From remote times, our Peoples established We consider it necessary to promote the es- and resources continues. thefamilyastbcbasicunitofsocialorganiza- tablishment of an educational system in acWe must make an effort to de-colonize lion. The roles of men and women, of youth cordance with the philosophy and world view ourrelves, to recover our capacity to be indigand elders, were different in their functions, of our Peoples. The formation of one's iden- nant over any attack and any injustice combutequalintbeirim- . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . , mined against a fellow portance. The hisPeople. We need to estabtoric situation of our lish more effective lines of peoples bas laid a communication between great burden of reTo the UN Secretary General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali the continental Indigenous sponsibilities on movement and the womcn,buttbanksto We, the members of CONIC are writing to express the following: grassroots communities ourstrengtbandconandorganizations. We also viet ion much of our At the opening ceremony of lbe International Year of Indigenous Peoples, need to be more effective traditions and cusat the UN in New York, CONIC made an effort to invite 231ndigenous in the handling of national tomswerekeptalive. delegates from aU over the world, in order to support the UN initiative in and international laws. Women play an imdeclaring 1993 the Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples. During the Anocberoftbeadvanccs portant roleasaprinffitcials expressed their which webaveacbicved in inauguration, government representatives and UNo the last three years as ciple leaders and desire for a new partnership with Indigenous Peoples. counsclorswithspiriCONIC is the relationship tuality being the thatbasgrownbetweentbe Today, ten months later, this new relationship has not yet materialized, organizations of the North source of our strength. The world regarding participation and dialogue. For this reao;on, we are requesting to and the South of the contiview of Indigenous have a meeting between CONIC members and other Indigenous Peoples nent. This brings us much women is not one of the world with the UN... joy because it also signifies which divides and the fulfillment of a propbseparatcs, but is inWritten attbe Otomi Ceremonial Center, Temoaya, October 12 1993. ecyofourancestors, lhcrcstcad a holistic one. encounter of the Eagle and the Condor. We are thus The importance of the role of women in the continuity of our tity is a fundamental part of children's and creating the basis for a true continental indigculture was higltligbted. The need to educate young people's educational process. That enous unity. our children within the family, in our own identity begins at home, but it must be reinTo this end, we must higltligbtthat this U Encounter has bad as a distinctive sign the culture and mocbcr tongue was insisted upon. forced and strengthened at school. permanent spiritual presence that accompaIt is recommended that we build even closer relationships with our children, in order to \"1. Organi1.ation - CO:>;JC nied us during all oftbedaysof the Encounter. The presence of many gf.mdpareniS, elders, transmit our spiritual strength to tbem and prevent alienation and distancing form their One of the most important achievementS of and spiritual guides made it possible for us to original cultures. To this end, it c~ considered these three years that have transpired since the have great energies to dedicate to our work, important that in tbe forthcoming year of first Continental Encounter in Quito in 1990, and contributed to the successful completion 1994, which has been declared by tbe United is the consolidation oft be Indigenous struggles of our task... A complete Report of the Second EncounNations as the "Year of the Family", funds be in each of our countries. channeled specifically for the purpose of Currently, the international community bas terwill be published in tbe next Couple months. strengthening Indigenous families. We need begun to recognize the just nature of our If you wish to receive a copy oft be Report you to promote women'sorganizations incoordi· claims, and we can affirm that we have gained can write to SAIIC, also to: TONATIERRA. nation with family and community. importantallies in support ofour right to self- P 0 Box 24009. PbeeniJ<, AZ 85074. USA. IV. \\"omen. Famil) and Communi!) 6 V. Education. Culture and Youth Aby a Yala News �BRIEF . INO I G EN ..___,,'LJ TRIUMPH I BRAZILIAN COURTS E historic decision of the Bmzilian mber exploitation in the yterewa and Trinchera Bacaja, in state of Pari, bas been strictly proltibited. The Court upheld the appeal made by the lndigcroou!;l_!tighiS Core(NDI),aBmzilianNGO,again.stthetimbercompaniesParaehi, Maginco and lmpar. These companies were illegally extracting mabogany (rom those regions. Tbe three indigenous areas are contiguous and are found in one of the richest areas in mahogany wood of the states of Pam and of Amazonas. 6J%of the mahogany exported by Bmzil comes from 80% of the Indigenous areas. Despite thiS, the Court has pemtined Parachi to temporarily maintain a contingent of employees in a smal.l pan of the Apytarewa Reserve, where Parachi claims to have property titles. The NDI is currently preparing for the next baltle against the lumber companies in the Supreme Court of Brazil, whieh is likely to be less sensitive toward Indigenous and environmental topics. In other news, an NDIIawsuit aga.inSl a Mato Grosso logger recently came before the couns yielding positive rtS\!.'IS for' tbe Hahaintesu ponples of Guapore Valley in the western pan of the state. On September 6, 1993, Judge Maria Divina Viloria found Anilton Antonio Pompermayer guilty of illegal extraction of mahogany in the Habaintcsu Reserve. The logger will pay over US$ 200,000 for the extraction of 1,800 cubic meters of wood from the reserve. This is the second guilty verdiet for illegal logging in the state of Malo Grosso. International public opinion will play an important role in Brazilian State 10 uphold the righiS of Indigenous ~d the environment. We urge you ro send leners in of these decisions to: llxlma.Sro.Julza MariaDiY!na VIloria Di&nkbna ]u&.a Subotituta da ..xta Vara Fecl<nl DO Distrito Fedual Juslk:a F..S.ro! <k l'rirnmo ~ Secor <k Autarqulas Sul Quadra 4, Bloeo D, Lole 7 8rasilio D.F. 7007.000, Brasil Fax: (55) 61225-7116 E:dma. Sra. Ju&a Ellana Coimon Dl&n&.lma Presiclftlle da Quana Twma doTriboma!Reglooa!Fecleralda l 'Rec!io 585 Quadno :Z, EdilJdo AW114' Ancbr Brasilia D.F. 70070.100, Brazil RADIOACTIVE WASTE BURIED I N BRAZILIAN AMAZON ooordingtoreponsfromMovimentodeApoioaRe:sisteoeia aimiri!Attoari (MAREWA), the Paranapanema Co. is responsible for the burial of fivelhousaod tons of n.dioaetivc waste in tbc Pitinga River area of Amazonas, directly affecting the rcsideoiS of Presidente Figueredo and the Waimiri Attoati Reserve. State and local authorities have lakcn no aclioo oo this matter and tbc local population bas ye1tobe infofTOcd about the content and danger of the loads. . Since tbcmid..:ighties, rumors about the presence of radioactive waste have circulated in Pitinga, recounting sympiOtns sueb as tbe loss of teeth, general weak:ness, unexplained respiratory diseases, lossofbair,andleukemia. Even tough Tahoca MiningCo., anolbcr firm working in the region, bas verified tbeprcscoceof radioactive materials since the early eighties, tbc company bas always been VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 shielded by federal, state, and local govemmeots. Tbe resideniS of Presidente Figueredo request intematiooal support in tbeir demands that tbc Amazonas stale governtnent and FUNAI hold Paranapaoema and the otber mining companies in the' region, accountable for seriously tbreatcoing tbc hcaltb of tbc people and the enviroru:nent. For more infomlation, please contaCt: Movimiento de Apoio ~ Resistencia dos WoimirVAtroari (MAREWA) Prcsidcnte Figueredo, Brazil Source: Cullurnl SurviVlll, Summer 1993 7 �STRUGGLE I N ARGENTI NA: After a week of protesiS, President Carlos Menem stated be would meet with tbe Wichi representatives in one month. However, due to lhe public pressure tbat ensued, tbe President agreed to a sooner date. He also assured the prolesters tbat be would speed up the legal process for the proposal of land adjudication which has been approved by Congress but bas remained shelved for a year. The Wiclti also requested that the Governor "mediate a dialogue between the criollos (non-Indigenous) and Indigenous communities so that tbe appropriation ofland could bedonewithout conflict." The Wicbi, Iyojwaja, Nivacleand K Lee Nations have been om • fighting for rightful ownership since 1946; the first year they came n September 16, 1993 a delegation beaded by Octorina to the nation's Capil<ll to reclaim land titles. ·:zamora, president of the Wiclti Ka Puce Hi Cooperative launched a week long hunger strike to protest their lack of source: Agencia el Tribuno, Buenos Aires panicipation in a government Land Commission relegated to partition lands in Argentina. TJtis is the second hunger strike initiated by the Wichi community of lot 55 since last year. The territory in question spans 15,000 hectares and is located witbin the vast terrain of the San Manin de Tabacal sugar plantation. 'WI CHI HUNGER STRIKE FOR LAND RIGHTS O ccording to the Iodianist Missionary Council (CJMI), six teen Guarani Indians have committed suicide tltis year, continuing the cycle of deaths in the State of Malo Grosso do Sui, in the Center-West region of Brazil (22 suicides were reponed in 1992 and 17 in 1991). Out of tbe 16, six were under twenty years of age. Deprived of their land and unable to Jive according to their traditional culture, despair and alienation run rampant within the Guarani P,Opulation. Many communities bave been expelled from tbeir territories leading 10 mass migrations and overpopulation. In tbe Dourados Indian Area, where most of the suicides have OO· curred, close to 9,000 people have been forced onto 3,530 hectares. Until land issues are resolved, the sense of helplessness that pervades throughout Indigenous communities will simply worsen. A 8 Abya Y a la N e ws �BRIEF. CHILEAN GOVERNMENT OBSTRUCTS MAPUCHE PARTICIPATION IN DECEMBER ELECTIONS apo.ocbe leader Auean Huileaman's bid to run for Con oppressiveactiontakenbythe0lileangovernroen~l44Mapuehes gress on behalf of Aukin Wallmapu Ngullam ( All find ourselves condemned for reclaiming our legal rights. This is Lands Council), was denied by the Qualifying Electom! one of many ways that the fundamental rights of the Mapo.ocbe arc Tribunal. His alleged ineligibility is due to a . - - - - - - - - . . violated, especially where their participation in pending ease in which be is accused of unlawful malcing deCisions that concern the country's fu. association and "illegal"land take-over. ture is concerned," Slated Huileaman after learn· The ease in question was initiated in 1991, ing of the Tribunal's nullifiCation of his earn· after 144 Mapo.oches occupied lands that areeur· paign. rentlyclainnedby privateowneJSaod the Chilean If the Mapo.oches are found guilty, the dcfcn· state. The group, under the auspices of Aukin dants plan to appeal to the Supreme Court, the Wallmapo.o Ngullam, bad legal documents that highest coun in Chile's judicial system. If not proved their rights to the lands. acquincd, they will take the case to the Inter· The Mapo.oches have initiated a strong move· American Justice Court in San Jo.se, Costa Rica. menttbrougbout the country to protest the decision, which they It is vitaltbattbe ease be resolved before the presidential elections consider a clear indication of tbe government's attempts to impede in December because the new administration could prove to be even their participation in the next elections. "Because of the clearly less favomble to the Mapuche's struggle. M AYMARA ELECTED AS VICE-PRESIDENT OF BOLIVIA nJune7,1993, Victor HugoCardeoas,Aymarallnguislof lbe Tupac c.tari Revolutionary Movcmen~ was elected 10 lbe vice-presidency of Bolivia. Hundreds of people from di1fem~tlodigeGOUSeommunitiesgathered in La Paz to support biro on lbe day of his inauguration. Cardenas's speecb, prot10UIICed in Spanisb, Aymara, Guarani, and Quccbua ISSCrted thallbe current govemmcnt woold be guided by lbe four fuodamclltal principles of O VENEZl ' ELAN I ~rH,..,.Ns~i\.T t <>~ALs Vol. 7 No. 3&4 His election bas geoetatcd great expectations for Indigenous peoples of tbe Americas who hope Cardenas will further lbe cause of Bolivia's Indigenous populalion. Ci<>VEHN!\IE~T oF urioglbelastdaysofAugust,lbemassacreof16Yanomami at lbe hands of &azilian mine<S, Wa$ eoufirmcd to have taken place on Ven~lan tenritory. Tbe internatiollal community IICCUScd tbe Veoezuclan government of violating lbe Rio declaration under wbich policies of eoonomic development lliUSI bescnsibleaod respec::tfu1 of lbe ecosySicms and oo!Oll)unities they affect. However, in recent ycus, violenoe against lbeeovi!l)nment and Indigenous peoples has intensified. A montbafterthemassaae, Fernando Ochoa Aoticb, Veue211ela's MinisterofForcignAffairs,affirmcdduringasessionofthcGenenl Assembly of lbe United Nations, that the protection ofIndigenous peoples was out oflbegovernment'soootrol. He went on to dir<clly D lbeQriginaiAIIdeanpeoples:"Amasua,amallulla,amaklldla,and ama llunk'u" (do not steaL do oot be lazy, do not lie, and do not give &be praise). YAN<>:\tA!\11 BLAMES MAssAcHE iiOCOISO lbe gold and diamond multinational cotporatioos thai work in lbe area of promoting deforestation and the acu of violeooe againSl ~OOCIS CO!Oll)unitiCS. Aooording to Ochoa Aoticl!, lbeseoorporationsbuijdlaodingSltips and supply the minels with machinery and weapous. Tbe Minister Slated tbat only an open dialogue among lbe countries of tbe Amazon region eao po.ot an end to this aitical situation. He appealed 10 the mining tnnsnatiortals 10 undersUnd thai development did not mean destruction and pointed out that a$ long as poverty and igno181l<lC persisted among large segments of lbe population in Latin America, violence and environmental desuuaioo woold continue. . 9 �ven though Indigenous rights were a key topic on the agenda of the UN World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna this past June, the results were disappointing as the symbo~c anention of the International YearoflndigcnousPeoples failed to yield concrete actions. Hundreds of Indigenous representatives came to the conference with their concerns and demands which they presented to the 179 government delegates and thousands of nongovernmental observers. Aucan Huilcaman, a Mapuche activist representing the Continental Commission of Indigenous Nations (CONiq was cbosen to address the World Conference. Topping the list of recommendations were demands for recognition ofterritorial rights and therightto self-detennination. Huilcaman's speech emphasized Indigenous peoples' right to administer their legally recognized territory and to choose and implement a development policy according to their own cultural beliefs and values. In addition, the sutement called for states to ratify the International Labour Organization (ll.O) Covenant 169. Also called for by the Indigenous representatives was the recognition of Indigenous groups as distinct "peoples" rather than "people"whoareconsideredminoritieswitbin a national population. The cultural continuity E - 10 Au.con Huilcoman addresses representatb;es and thousands of observers in Vienno and historic claim to the land distinguishes Indigenous peoples from other minorities. The addition of the "s" which aims to emphasize Indigenous collective rights proved to be a point of controversy at the conference as many member governments fear that Indigenous gnoups will interpret and use these rights to CS!ablish independent states. Indigenous activists submined a rocommeoded text for the fmal declaration urging that "Indigenous peoples he recognized with inherent, distinctive, collective rights, including the right to self-detennination, self government and autonomy., However, tbe Vienna Declaration on human rights contains only one half page devoted to "indigenous poople" in which the issues mentioned above are not considered. Among the few points made by the World Conference is the recommendation that "ad· visory services and technical assistance programs within the UN system respond positively 10 requests by states for assistance which wouldbe ofdirect benefit to indigenous people." The conference also "urges Slates to ensure the full participation of indigenous people in all aspoctsof society..." Another key recommendation calls for the establishment of an International Decade of the World's lndig· enous People, to begin from January 1994, and the creationof a Voluntary Trust Fund for this purpose. F'mally, the establishment of a pennanent forum for Indigenous peoples at the UN is to be considered. Altbough Indigenous issues have gained international prominence in the course of 1993, the International Year of Indigenous Peoples, there bas been much frustration about the lack of real changes in the interactions between nation-Slates and Indigenous nations. The recommendations adopted in the Vienna Declaration represent, at bes1, a weak version of the UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that does not address the fundamental rights to autonomy and self-dctennination. Aby a Y a l a N e ws �INTEH NATIONAL Hundreds of Indigtii()US people and supporters gaJher at the UN for the opening Year Indigenous Peoples, Dec. 1992 UNITED NATIONS A DECADE OF INDIGENOUS D DECLARES PEOPLES uring the United Nations World Con ferencc of Human Rights tbat took place in Vienna last June, many In· digen.ous Organizations including CONIC, proposed to tbe Conference to declare a UN Decade of Indigenous Peoples. Nobel laureate, Rigobena Mencbu bad also proposed the Decade in her speech. Several Indigenous representatives lobbied tbe government delegates trying to get suppun for the Decade. Rigohcrta Mencbu addressed tbe General Assembly of tbe UN. Atencio Lopez of tbe United Kunas for Napguana was representing CONIC, also Alejandro Argumedo, Quecbua from Peru and Board member of SAIIC was present. The General Assembly oftbe United Nations on its fony eighthsession approved the "International Decade of the World's Indigenous People". The Decade was proposed by the Austmliao Government and seconded by the governments of Canada, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, El Salvador, Grenada, Grcccc, Guatemala, Guyana, Marshall Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Peru, Dontinican Republic, Surinam and Trinidad and Tobago. One of the Considemtions of the Resolutions read: "Recalling its resolution proclaiming 1993 as tbe Year of tbe World's Indigenous People, with a view to strcngthc.ning international coopcmtion for the solution of problems faced by Indigenous People in the areas of, human rights, the environment, development, education and health..." Proclaims: The International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, starting on December I0 of I994, and reserving the period between January 1st and December 9tb for Planning tbe Decade.. ." VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 The United Nations also suggested that before and during the sessions of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations that will take place in Geneva from July 25th to the 29th, 1994, Indigenous representativeswould b<lconsulted in order to plan the activities of the Decade. The United Nations bas established a Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations to provide financial assistance to representatives of Indigenous communities and organizations in order to enable them to paiticipate in the meeting of the Working Group. In 1993 over 30 panicipants were supponed by tbe Fund. .----------------. Furlber infon:nalloa and opplkatioa forms can be oblaiood by writing to: Volwrtary Fund for Indlgoooos Populolloas Unlt.d Nllion$, Polals des Nalloas CR-12JI GtotYa 20 Swltwlar>d I I �'7o rake human DNA and parent its p roducts, that t~iolares the integrity oflife itself. and our deepest sense of nwrality." Isidro Acosta, President of the Guaymi General Conguss. ''When a foreign govemment comes into a coumry, takes blood witlww explaining the real impUcarions to local peoples, and rhen tries to patent and p rofit from the cell line. that's wrong." P01 Mooney, RAFI Executive Dirtcror. you haven't heard about scientifiC en the method of execution to the exclusion of ally. From financial compensation to the deavors relating to the Human Genome, Native representatives in project discussions, potential for biologjcal warfare, it is essential yousoonwiU. Aswe plunge <leeper that all foreseeable consequences and into the decade, the bcxlfellows, bioimplicationsassociatedwitbtheHGD llnm.l!l Cit'nontt· = Hlo . c~oc~ gt'lk"'· tolll.lillin~...: .111 tcx:hnology and science, are having a Projcx:t he taken into account before indi\ idtldl.... t wn-dil. u\· inhu cn.llion. lnuod in.tll !llt· dircx:t impact upon Indigenous comfurther damage occurs. < dl' l 1! .1 llunt.Ul I )( 'ill}.!. munitieswitbovenidingrepercussioos I h u ll-111 <it ·notm · 1 llg.tniz.tlit ,,.., Ill " ;c 1 tl >. ~~ ·d in I .on< for humanity at large. In the previous 11.\CKGROt:\ll doll! r ill. lilt i.t\ ,IIIII ol (it"ltti!IK' (("'-('.lit ll- \\.lllt"l Abya Yala News joumal, we provided Bothun. I'H" ... idt 'l\1 ci .. UII'' C.Hl!OI. \"1' a sketch of the HumanGenome DiverGuided by tbe premise tbat the ge· sity Project. Since then, much more netic composition of different ethniC Jhul\.111 (it'llOillt' IJi\t'l'il\" Pwjn 1 d !Cil> t•rojn IIl 'lopo~ll lot ollt"( I ,l!ld '!lid\· gt'I"K'Iit 'Ill It 1111<' ol information has been made available groups may vary slightly , the project \ ·, niott... 1·f llllit group... . \ lot ....t • it Hl'n.,llit 111.11 t on.._. u · and patents applications on Native organizer.; aspire to gain a better litull ol ttJ11\t'1'11i<· ... ,tnd ...t it'llli' l' 1h.11 .tilltlo }.!.llhn peoples' eelllines bave been revealed. under.;tanding of why diseases vary blood. ).,tit .ttMIIlltlttih ..... uupk" ol l,ugt·lnl pop11l.1· The following article hopes to eluciso much in their geographic distribu· lion... t on... itk-t nllo he Oil lht· ""'-<"1}-!t"' o l c\littt lion date the various components and imlndi}-..'t.'lltttt-. gtottp... w lnu·d to . 1 · t...tl!.ttc... ••I Ill'· ... tioo and from there, try to find out if In t i(" hllt' lt"'l.- l"tilll.tl\" l'to jn I h llti.llot: l.tti;.:,i I.Utd plications assoc.iated with the Human such variation is caused by human ('d\" lh·...,!OI/•1. l'lnft·..,..,ot Lnlt"liltt... ol c;ctM'III' ,11 , Genome Diver.;ity Project, highlight· adaptation to local environments or Sl.lllhtttl ing its impacts on Indigenous Peoples changes in genetic make-up (5). around tbe world and course of action Through these findings, it is boped taken thus far. that new methods of dealing with While the potential benefits sbould not he are being seriously questioned by Indigenous fatal diseases, i.e. cancer, AIDS, etc. wiU he underestimated, all oftbe related issues, from organizationsandsupportg,oupsintemation· developed. I 12 . Abya Yala News �NATIONAL. INTEH \IETIIOII Through RAFI's research, it is known that 712 groups have b«n !Mgeted for sample collection. The following ootline provides a brief overview of the sampling and lab research process: ceU line has b«napproved how will compensation be determined? Wbat systems arc in place for assuring that Indigenous peoples will be appropriately compensated on all commercial gains? To date, these questions have not b«n answered. ing the instiMions that have waged an unbridledwarofopprcssionandgenocidcagainst Native peoples for the past 500 years. Ill. IIIOI.I)(;J('\1. II \lll-'.\llE l hll ii.UI (it 'll(IIIJ<' Prnwt I· I ·.s !.Collect blood, hair and mouth scrapings from selected population 2 Once gathered, samples rushed to lab(witbin48bourstiJm)wberewhite blood cells are to be "immortalized" a)wbite blood c:dls are cultured in the lab tben (men in liquid niuogco. Each cell contains a complete set of genetic DNA. This process allows the information in the genes to be preserved indefinitely for ful1Jrcsrudy. 3. Once in thi~ form, cells are l1Jmed intocelllincs( continuoosly dividing cells that can provide a theoretically infinite supply of genetic material). '4. DNA to be dcpooited and stored in scvenal "banks" around the world. Tbedcpooited material will be available for funhcr research. Results from resco.rch an then be patented tTIIt'W i' .t!'o \ lt•dit oll l k'-t.'oU< II ( 'tiUIIt ti1 \ IIH ~ l l un ~. 11 1 ( it'· nomt· .\l.lppul).! Prow< 1 11 1 Lnndot1• \ .... ~ l 1dltnn c llnrl \\I \I( II bq..~olll i ll I' lXX \\Jill lilt' )..:.11,11 ol IJI, IJI\IIIlg l"ottll til lh' l l • l.t il • l }.!!'Ill'' !CIIIJ)(j \\ tl illll t ltr~• lli'II....CII l iC '' .u~d "--'t[tln)lul;...:. 1lw nl- liw "'lft'ltll ol hn)(k·tl h\ •'1111 htull,\11 D' \ h\ !It~:• l , u ld li'lt ' l S ![)( ' \t'.l! .,!t l l'"; ,,111111\.1) ht...,!l:tUt ' ~•llh·.!~:1l S. llt'j).HitUt'lll o! l_u·rg\ 1DOI.• PI, 1\ ·c·r..., : I , , \lllt'fll olll 1\'J M.' ( :11Jit 1 ' ( CIJIC~ II~ Ill , l{t It )... \ 1llc' ft ~11). lhllthllg_ j)IIJI JI lei! olii i\'Jlt'' ul (~ l]]c •t IICll l: hO.OOI 1 r, m • llldlt 'I i,ll' II 0111 \ r, I ' I In I nn tl.IJ 1 t and pt.uu \ 'iHI"-''"" L\1. l.t•g,ll dt'J)(I...,i l t'IJ, lor li\·illg ™"' llldlt'lidl h\' l'.S. P.llt ' lll ollld TJcld t 'l llclfh..., I I[ !it l', :!. l'ti\,llt' hintt·t llnu!og~ · < tllll)lolllit'' :t \',Hioll' UIU\t'r...,i ltt '"' illt ht<IHlg: l 'CI .. \ . l'C Bcrhdt'\". Slctlllord. Yollt • In tcnnsoftbe ~nenal Agreement oo Tariffs and Trade (GATI), the United Sates is doing everything it an to make p<~tentingofall formsoflife a legal pall of tbc trade agreement Ifpassed as an intem>tional mandate, how will The fact that Indigenous representatives and organizations have not b«n consulted lndigenoos pcgple be able to hold governments, or included in the planningproecss thus(ar, instil1Jtions,corporationsaocountablewhensueh illustrntcs the patemalio;tic way in which tbc accountability will be regarded as a "barrier to projcct is being condUCled. Issues relating free trade?" to patentS, diversion of funds, access to II. STOR.\GE F.\('ll.ITIL~ gathered informalionandthe potentialtbreat ,\ \1 OIU.IIII \\1\ OF '11\.\' of biological warfare have yet to be addressed satisfactorily by project organizers. The idea is to create various "world banks" of DNA around the globe that woold include I. 0\1 WIN Ill' \\II P.\ TE\TS borh regional and natiortal storage facilities and It is a fact thai some products and pro- be accessible to government agencies, corporacesses f<'lated to extracted material will lions, foondatiom, and interested rescortbers. havesuhswllialcommercialvalue. Oncea In otbet words, tbc information will be made patent on material extr1aed from a buman available to an)'one who shows interest, ineludVOl. 7 NO. 3&4 In the context of genocide, marginalization, denial of traditional c:ulture practices, who is to say a govemmen~ with a history of awession toward Native populations and, in most ofthe eases, responsible for the it physical demise, will not take the readily accessible information and use it to eOOicate an "inuansigent" group or people? are sympathetic geneticists who fed that tbc feasibility of producing wgeted ethnic biological warfare makes the poosibility a long shot, but not oot of the question. Wbere are the controls? II. Ill\ l·. llSIO' 01- H \liS ' The exorbitant amoont of money necessary to imple~nt the project eoold be used to improve the present squalor that many of the targeted groups live in. In otbet "ords, tbe money eoold be spent oo helping the groups that are foc:ing "extinetioo"tooveteornC the various fortes that have placed them in this critical predicament so that tbcy an lead bcalthy, productive and self-directed lives now, rather than being recreated and "immonaliltd" in laboratories for future science projects. TilE Gl'.\ \'\Ill' \ '11-'\ 1'•.\ (;(.1\II'SE OF TilE Fl Tl llE (;0\E .\lillY \\OHSIII \RS( '0\11 I HL 'I· Despite tbe efforts of HGD Project organizers to make it appear be nip, equitable and absolutely necessary, the recent patent claim application on the cell line of a 26 year old Guayami woman from Panama, by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Roo 13 �Brown, illustrates tiM> underlying dangers and At the recent Second Continental Encoun- fused and anonymous makes monitoring even potential for the projec:tto get out of eonlrol. ter of Indigenous Nations, Organizations and more difficult. Thccballengc, then, is to make Collec~ed under dubious eircumslanees, the Peoples (CONIC), representing over 2,500 sure that research of!his nature stays transparwoman'secllline isbeingstoredattbeAmcri· communities and organizations throughout ent and accountable. canTypeOiiturcCollection(ATCC). Inquir- the Abya Yala eon tinen~ issued a resolution However grave the situation may seem, ies made by Isidro Acosta, President of the denouncing gcnomerescarcbandtheGuaynni positive and effective action can be taken by GuayamiGeneraiCongrcss, and Pat Mooney, patent claim. As infonnation aboullbe projec~ individuals. International pressure demand· Executive Director of RAA, about the cell reaches Native communities, opposition until ing !hat all types of related genetic research be line being repatriated to !he Guaymi conducted wilh clear, structured and people, have been met with ambigudirect involvement oflndigcnous or( :o"f .n1d i'"ullding: I !( il l I 'r 1;n ; I: 11 i 1, 1: I1\ t '·\ t 'd!' t 'lit )J\ 1"' t '\.j )( 't ted ous responses and lillie action. Thus, ganizations so lhatlhey arc an integral to< o:-;1 l>cl\\ I.'Cll ..._:..? ~ .~:1d ·;_-, Jlli!lio!l dfl~:.~: ..... !hecell line remains in the bands of the part of tiN> decision-making process, is L\;x·< tn! 11 1 ..;.. l :il!J~t- lruln Hl_IU) · 1.-,_U){ I !l~i ­ United States government and the vital. As tbe possibility for "a small lll.lll ...!l<'t illlt'll'"' \\t'J,I~~t·tcl],l! ( tl..._l Jlt 'f ~Hiljl]t· ATCC against tiN> wishes of tbe origi· number of corporations, universities, t.l:t.'...:.t'"' !1<1:11 ~~.1•1 l~l ,1"' Ju~~i1 .1~ ~::~xJ c~ · nat "owner." and govcmmcnrs owning life's genetic Curren:!\ ~cdi.lll.'~ !ll:Hiu~;..:. ~olH<('~ tro:n :- ~~~\· On a broader level, if the U.S. code,"(1) turns into reality, tiN> time to t'rtl!lH'll! ,l:~t'l\1 H ' "' ,lJJt! Jl!l\-, l:t· l4lli:Jti,tl:ll!l~. government manages to make tbe mobilize is now! tu nt1~:1:~ \\illrn•J..,l ~i!--;.d\ t~Jrll<' tf1J:!l tlw :\,li:<J:t. tl patenting of human material legal Sc:t'!Ht·h~o~tr:cl,ltl<l:J II<JjX'j...,\<ICJ)J:.IJ:J ...rJ:IH'<Jt underGAlT,disputingapatentclaim \\II\ T YOl" C.\\ JlO: \ lit ' IIIIJ!lt'\ gt.Jtl\t 'ti ]IJ l)j{' l!lll t l, lll (;t•:I<Jl!H" and repatriation would become !bat J•H iit't\ much more difticull To make mat· fi nd out who is doing research in II. I hull; Ill (it ·nonw Projt "< I L '\J)( ·ned 11 1ldl t c1.._: ters worse. tbere are reports of otbcr your area and bow it is being moni· ~:~ IJ:)!tfll\Hl IUIW.._lllt' grd!ll!llo:Jt"\" u ... t!~l:J\ .1!· possible patent claims on Navajo cell tored. Urge that indigenous orga.nizalul!t"d tor ..,t Lt'lllil:l l"t ''""t'dH 11 Fund1:l~ t ro:ll :lw lines as well as prodigious cell line tions be consulted, informed, and in· :\!II dtlt I I)( II: collection going on in Colombia. (6) volved during every phase of tbe Along with !he Guaymi eommu· projec~. for more information contact nity,lndigenous peoples and organizations as Indigenous organizations are properly con- Professor Henry Greely, Head of tbe North well as a growing number of concerned scien- sulted, informed, and directly involved, bas American Ethles Comminee at the following tisrs areverbalizingtheiroutrage. There have been !he resounding response. address: beenvariousresolutionsdenouncingtheHGD Project by first Nations. The Mataatua CO\CI.l SIO\ \\ll C \I. I. TO \CTIO\ DeclarationonCullural and lntellec:tual Property Rigbrs of Indigenous Peoples in June, At this poin~ the HGO Projec~ bas not Professor Henry T. Greely 1993, stated the following: received the substantial funding it requires to Professor of Law Call for an irnmed.iate halt to the ongoing be carried out and therefore bas the potential Stanford Law School 'Human Genome Diversity Projec:t' until irs of being stopped. However, before breathing Crown Quadrangle Stanford University moral, ethical, socio-econonnic, physical and easier, it is important to take a look beyond tiM> Stanford, CA 94305-8610 political implications have been thoroughly immediate situation. lftheHGD Projec~ does fax: 415.725.0235 discussed, understood and approved by In· not materialize in irs grandiose form, tbe e-mail: digenous peoples. possibility of genome researeh bceonning dif· Henry.Greely@I'Qrsythc.Standford.EDU j I. RAF1 Prm 8.deas<, "lndig<nou< P"'91e Pro<"' U.S. Sccttlal)' or Coolmer« Pa1cn1 Oaim on Guaymi Indian Cell Unc," IM5fl3 l Sud>cl, Gabrielle "Wo.kl W">dc Gene Study May Re,·<al Human H~IOI)'· s..nroro Obo<Mr, Juty-AugUSI 1993 .J:.-d., 3. RAF11bePanTh>l Feeds Us" ~ ~~ 4. RAF1 Coolmuniqut, "PaleniS, lndig<oous Peoples, and Human Groclie Oi,.rsily" M 1993 ay S. New Scicnlist, M 1993 ay l 6. RAFt COn<$(>ClCid<nc< wilh tsi<fto ACXIOU, S.pu:rnber 21, 1993 1. Wuelhrich. Btmi<» .,AJI Rjght:s Reserved, H lhe Gene·Patcnling Race is A.ffeding Sciertee,.. Scicnoe News, Vol 144- Septe--mber 4, 1993 ow 14 """)• Abya Yala News �I~TEH N A TIONAL . AJ,rerican Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), "Indigenous people are displaced and become environmtnlal and economic refugees in their own land... Tom Coldtooth, lndigtnOUS Environmental Network cspcctcrofNAFTAnolongerbovcrs The resource-rich Native homelands will for ln<ligenous lands in Mexico. Even lbe overAmerica,it hasmaterializcd.Thc be targeted by corporntions as bot spots for free-flow spirit of the trnde agreement does high-OyingrhctoricoflbeCiintonAd- development Without doub~ all Mexican not extend to communities split by national minislrntion will now translate into very real trnditional lands will be up for grabs. Spccu- borders. The border communities of tbc an frightening environmen"\! destruction lators in Cbiapas already forced some Mayas Mohawk, Salish-Kootenai, Colvilleand labor injustice. Despite tb~aution off lands in anticipation of NAFTA's ap- Okas_agan, Abcnaki, Cocopa, Kamia, these issues received in thc<poJel!u tumult proval! o·odlia1> ~Kickapoo will not be reunited NAFTA inspired, one important story went The future of Canadian and U.S. lndig- dcspite}cmassivemeldingofthethrcecoununrcported in the mainstream media: cnousgroups is also uncertain. With NAFTA tries' economic agendas. NAFTA's ambush on Indigeno~ rights. approved by <j~~ws that protect !he vMious Indigenous organizations have NAFTA 's central premise tbat govern- rights of Native 1\nieticans to live on and deoo.b;ccd thetrnde agreement The Contiment regulations interfere witl(frc;c trade utilize their lands may~longer protcctany:.___S" CommL&sion of Indigenous Nations, allows dcmocrntically created laws to be one'f[Omcorj)Ornte"aVidltT COmJl'\nies wili--c> iganizations and Peoples (CONIC), reprcoonsidcrcd trnde barriers, and thus made inop- a~ the best~~~ sources, and natu- scoring 26 various organizations that reprccrntivc. NAFfA sets up an independent rnlrcsourccs. lftbe ~ t.A tribu naldeemsa scotover2,500oommunitics,and1bcAmeritribunal dosed to public participation. The legal protoction ofancicntland righrfa barrier can Indian Movcmen~ havebothdccriedsueb tribunal decides if a native, state, or federal to trndc, the law may be struck dowo: Tribal an auack on Native land claims. lawoffendsfrcetrndewitbout any criteria for governments rna/no longer be able to reguThe ripples of NAFfA will exten<l far evaluating whether lbe trnde would offend late the sale o lands and, as a result, beyond North and MesoAmerica. The treaty ; the public. Such unaccountability in a tribu- privatization of land will likely proceed on a has established the largest free-trade.zone in nal has broad implications for the Native ma:t-•scale. thewo~d,scllingancxamplewbicbthrcatens Peoples of North and Meso America. Privat.ization ~ill hasten theoonversion of to presage a global elimination of democratic In the United States and Canada, Native oommons into oom~iti.cs. For example, laws that protcctthe land and its ponplcs. The Americans live on traditional lands endowed water will be bought aoosold, trnnsfenedand Genernl Agreement on Tariffs and Trndc withfortypercentofaUknownenergysourccs trnded, without rc~~ativc claims to (GAT!), the international trnde decision for each oountry, acoording to the Indian sucb an essential resource. NAFfA enootU- making body, is scheduled to soon resume its Treaty RightsCommiuccof Chicago. These ages projects similar to the James Bay Hydro; eighth roun<loftradetalks. Manyoftbeissues trnditionallaods fall into two categories, res- electric Project wbieh will send Canadian on the table, like investment and service barervation lands and private property. In both wate.rs down the MissL&sippi to consumers in Viers and Intellectual Property Rights, were cases, government laws have served tosome- he U.S. and Mcxioo. The dam has flooded the i'csolved under NAFfA. If NAFfA becomes what protect Native American decisions r~ Cree nation's traditional hunting grounds, GAIT's model, we face ble.11< profaning of garding the usc or sale of t.raditional lao<ls. decimating caribou populations and forciyg the Earth's environmental and culturnltreaHowever, in Mexico, lod.igenousponplesalso relocations and cultural upheavaL sures. Our aching and wearied land can not living on coonomically valuable land enjoy NAFfA, crnfted by Bush and 2000 of ihe support such assaults on its Native American signifocandy less legal protection. President largest American oorporntions, incorporn\ed caretakers. Salinas recently abolished even the meager no Indigenous pooples in the drafting of ihe Mexicanlawssafeguaroingancientlandrights. agreement. NAFfA includes no provision Sources: The Circle; Honors Digest T: .It a r VOl. 7 NO. 3 &4 I S �TN owhor. o Miltito from 1h~ North~m Aut(.WI.OmOUS R~gion ofNiaJrogua. is r C()()rdinor()r()/rh!C~nlrol ill oMSouth Amtrioo Projtdoftht lndiM Law RtS~X~ru Ctfllu. "washlngtM. D.C.; o non·pro/it. n.on·gowm· Nnzol <Jrgoniy;tionlhal hos (()'nSu!Joti~·~ SJOIUS with rAt U.N. &ont>mic and S«ial COWtcil. This ort!'cl~ op~ors in its full ltngrh a/(lflg with footnous ond OM«altdhibliogrophyin rM YoI~ JoumtJI ofIns~rna· ti<Jrlol Low, W'mttr 1993. Volum~ 18. Numbtr I. R(· prinud l'>ith ptrmission. s millions of dollan; poured into envi ronmental organizations during the past decade, hundreds of activists headed for Central and South America tosave threatened animals and to preserve the rain forests. Some activists arrived with naive and romantic notions about vugin forests. They had failed to accept the fact that the forests were already occupied, used, and "'developcd"by Indians. Theenvironmentalistssoon met and were sometilnes confronted by In· dian tribes and nations asscning their ownership of tbe same forests, lands, and resources that tbe environmentalists sought to protect. Envilonmcntal protection plans drawn up in Washington or in Latin American capitals are great!y complicated by the questions and demands of Indian communities. Wbat role should Indians play in decisions to establish a national park or protected area on lands tradi· tionally Indian? Wbo owns and who is entitled to make decisions about the valuable land involved, in proposed debt-for-nature swaps?- How should environmentalists respond to Indian proposals for development initiatives or alternative conservation practices that conflict with their own proposals? Responsible environmentalists must con· 16 S~antly wrestle with these and related questions in their daily work. There is an urgent need for analysis and reform of the relation· ship between Indian rights and environmental protection. They have ilnportant roles to play in the development of principled laws and democratic policies that will both protect tbe fragile environment and guarantee the sur· viva! and development of Indian ponples in the 1990's and the twenty-first century.. Rethinkin~ an Old ~l~lh Aboul the Future of lndhm Proples The first step toward reconciling environmental policies and Indian rights involves facing some long-standing myths about In· dian ponples that have shaped current laws and policies. One such myth-sustained by non-Indians for 500 years-is that Indians arc disappearing ponples. In an 1898 lecture delivered to law students in Washington, D.C., U.S: Supreme Court Justice John Man;baU Harlan said of Native Americans: "(fhe Indian race) is disappearing and probably within the life time of some that arc now hearing me there will be very few in this country. Ina bundred years,youwiU probably not find one anywhere... It is certain as fate that in the cou.rsc of time, there will be nobody on this North American continent but Anglo· Saxons. All Other races are steadily going to the wall. They are diminishing every year.' This myth bas infomted tbe two most infamous Supreme Court decisions in Indian law. One decision upheld the legal authority of Congress unilaterally to abrogate Indian treaties. The other decision declared the plenary power of Congress to impose its lawson Indian tribes and nations. Notwithstanding theswcepingchanges that have taken place in civil rights and human rigbtslawoverthe past decades, neither of these cases has been over· ruled. Although not always stated so candidly, the myth that Indians are disappearingponples underlies policies toward Indians everywhere in the Americas. For example, Mario Vargas Uosa, a prominent Latin American author and 1990 Peruvian presidential candidate articu.lated a modemviewpoint onthe demise of Indians in a 1990 Harper's Magazine cover story. Vargas Uosa did not emphasize the physical disappearance of Indians, but rather Abya Ya l a News �INTEH their inevitable assimilation into lhc domi· nan~ non-Indian cullure: "Perhaps the ideal-that is, lhe preservation of the primitive cullure of America· is a utopia incompatible with Ibis olher and more urgent goal· the establisbment of societies in which social and economic inequalities among citi· zensbereduced to human... lfforeed to choose belween lhe preservation of Indian cullures and !heir complelc assimilation, with great sadness I would chose modernization of the Indian population, because there arc priori· ties; and the fiiSI priority is, Of COU!$0, IO fight hunger and misery... • Although policies toward Indians in lhe Americas rest at least in pall on the view !hat Indians will die out or assimi.late into a superior non-Indian world, the facts stand in st31k conlrast to the mylh of the vanishing Indian. Today tbiny million Indians live in theAmeri· eas, a number roughly equal to the combined populations of Guatemala, Honduras, EISal· vador, Nicaragua, Cosla Rica, and Panama.ln Guatemala and Bolivia, Indians make up lhc clw majority of the population. Indians 31C a significant minority population in almosl every country in the hemisphere, and in many countries they still maintain a large and re· sou rce-ricb land base. Indian nat ions and tribes lhroughouttbe Americas are canrying on the historic struggle for their land, resources, self· government, and cultures. Indian bnd, Indian Res<Jur«S. and Indian De•elopment Indian leadersoonsistentlycitc Indian land rights as their most vital oonccm. Without their land base, lndiansmaybeablctosurvive as individuals in the dominant economy and culture of their non-Indian neighbors, but they will not be able to survive and prosper as distinct peoples with distinct cultures and traditions. Indeed, governments throughout VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 the Americas, led by Europeans and !heir descendants, have sooghtto expropriate, al· lo~ and control Indian land and resources as a means of assimilating Indians. policies such as these make beliefs about the disappearing Indian self-fulfilling prophecies. New laws and policies must fuUy rocog· nize bow Indians view !heir land. Allhough there are differing views among Indian communities, oommon lbemes do exist. Indians genemlly feel a sense of permanence in their land that non-Indians do not share. Noo-Indi· ans tend to be very nomadic, to view land as a commodity to buy and sell, and to have ancestral roots on other oontinents. Generally, Indians bold their land in some form of communal ownership. The idea of private, individual land is ltistorieally unknown in Indian communities and is rare even today. When Indiansspeal< of rights to tbeir terri· tories, they arc referring not only to the land, but also to Oora, fauna, waters, and mineml resources. Indian cultures and religions eel· chrate the close interrelationships that people share with anirruds, plants, and natuml resources. The idea of sustainable development is pall of thecultuml and religious heritage of most Indian peoples. This culluml and reli· gious herilage is very much alive and weU today. As recent studies show, the survival of Indian oommunities and cultures bas oontrib· uted greatly to the survival of some of the world's most biologieally rich environments. II would be a mistake, however, to take too romantic a view. Indians, like all other hu· mans, utilize and develop thei! territories: they plow, plant, barv~ and mine the canh and usc its resources. Some observers argue that Indians with bulldozers and chai nsa~vs will soon be as destructive to their home cnvironmc.ncs as non-Indians arc 10 theirs. Some Indians have already permitted toxic waste dumping, storage of nuclear waste, and other environmentally dangerous practices on their lands, while others arc hotly debating whether to do so. NATIONAL. Nevcnbcless, those Indians willing to sacrifice their homelands are the exception. Most Indian oommunities bave maiola.ined their cultures, homelands, and resources by resist· ing outside forces !hat have attempted for centu.ries to destroy or purchase them. Tbe Indian·regions on maps of Centml America have remained green not because non-Indians left tbe Indians alone, but rather because Indians successfully fought to keep the regions green. Indians and Fmironmcnlalisls Most environmental organizations are based in Nonb America and Europe. Those organizations !hat exist in Latin America arc based in cities among Ladin<ls and are often funded by their North American and European oounterpans. Ind.ians are on the margins of the organized environmental movement Although some environmental groups have established good working relations with In· dian organizations, most relations belween Indians and environmentalists are uncertain and strained. There is even potential for serious conOict. Like human rights workers, academics, and other non-governmental activists, many environmentalists bring with them the bag· gage of their own cultures. They have been raised within tbc framework oflaws and poli· cies that have long oppressed Indians. Because the academic and legal communities have not yet given prominent attention to the issue of Indian rights, most environmentalists remain unfamiliar with tbe history of Indian land disputes. lflcadinghuman rightsorgani· zations write repons about Guatemala and Bolivia without even mentioning that the In· dians of those oountries are majority popula· tions subjected to minority rule, it is not surprising that many environmentalists are not sensitive to Indian concerns. For instance, during a 1988 oonferenee belween environ· mentalists and representatives ofCOICA, the 17 �~-~> .• . r. ..-:-~- ·. .. .~ Amazonian Indian coordinating group, an exchange occuned about debt-for-nature swaps- A COICA leader explained that tbe debt involved was not Indian debt, while tbe "nat\lre· in,'Oived was Indian Ltnd that Indians had not agteed to tJade for anything. Another diSturbing trend involves attempcs by mineral development corpor.uions, hazardous waste disposal companies, lumber companies, and othe~ to pass out favo~ in Indian communities to buy support for their projectS- Governments have long used this approach. More recently, environmental groups have sought support for tbeir projects tluough similar steps- By gaining tbe backing of some mem~ or an Indian community, outside~ ean createtbe appearance that Indians were actually involved in the decision· making proc<SS and that the whole Indian community approves. There is danger that these divide-and-<:onquer tactics will seriously hann Indian communities, undennine Jegjtim:lte Indian leadership, and gtnerate a baddasb againSt environmental projed:l that may be seen as manipulative or c:oloaialisl. Nevertbeless,someeffcctive alliances have devtloped to promote both environmental pr<Mcction and Indian rights. In Brazil, the Yanomamilost nearly onc-fiftboftheir population when gold-miners invaded and poisoned their lands in the late 80's. In the ate 1970's., the Indian Law Research Center filed a human rightscomplaint with tbe Inter-American Commission on Human Rights demanding legal demareatiooofthe Yanomuni terri- 18 meetings arc now omong the most vital and well auendcd of all U.N. human rights activities. Human rights experts who previously focused exclusively on the rights of individuals oow support pr<Mcction of tbe group rights of Indian communities. In J9S9, the International Labour O.g;anizalion (!LO) approved a new convenlion on tbe rights or Jndigtnous peoples requiring Indian participation in all matters concerning develapmentoftheir land and resources. Also in J9S9,tbe Organization of American States (OAS} began its own law rcfonn to prepare a new judicial instrumenttosecuretbe rights of Jndigtnous peoples. Indian rights advocates bope that better legal guarantees at tbe international level will prompc national governmentS to provide better legal protection fOt Indian rights. Indians tluoughouttbe Americas are fighting for their rights in national couns., national legislative bodies, and conslitutional conventions result~ ing in rapid changes such a~ Brazil's new constitution which supports Indian rights and in bottom-up environmenl31 protcclion the demarcation of Yanomami land. g project in a Central American Indian area. tory and expulsion of outsiders. Environmental and human rights groups joined with Indiangroups to placccffcctive andoverwhclmingpcessureon Brazil's President to expel the miners and demarcate 22.5 million acres of anc::esua1 Yanomami land in 1991. The deman:ation process has oow begun. A numbe< of non governmental organizations have agteed to monitor implementation of Brazil's new Indian Jaws and policies. [Significant changes have taken place regarding this matter. See article pg. 23) On Nicaragua's Miskito Coa.~t. Miskito communities helped develop a government program to expel resource pirates from a marineandcoastalenvitooJntnt rich in turtles, shrimp, lobster, and fJSb. The project trains Miskitos to managtand polioe!bearea themselves. It was initiated not in board rooms in Washington or in government offices in Ma~gua, but in a series of meetings beld in Miskito communities along theCo..st. Environmental groups bave actively and financially supported every phase of this pioneer- ("ondu,ion DeH•Iopin~ a Sound lk~al Fr.tnW\\ork for Indian Rij!ht' and I he En, ironment Environmentalists and Indian.~ must not merely critique Jaws and policies to secure the bealth of Indian communities and their environments. The groups must develop a sound, international legal framework to replace myths and arbitrnry govemme nt power. Fonunately, the effort to develop a sound international legal framework for Indian rights is well underway. For the paSt 15 ye;m, Indians have worked within tbe human rights system of the U.N.to develop Indian rights pcotections. The U.N. Working Group on Indigenous Populations, has been meeting for ten yc~ and will soon rclta.~ the final draft of a proposed declarotion on tbe rights of Indigenous Peoples. Within the U.N. human rights system, tbe issue of lndia.n rights has moved in one decade from tbe fringt to the mainStream. The annual Working Group The protection of human rights and tbe environment requires a truly international legal order based on democratic principles. NonIndians must reject the myths and imperialism that have shapod Jaws and policies toward Indians in tbe Americas thus far. Govcmments must respect democratic decision making with Indianconununities and must ensure that relations between Indians and tbeir neighbors are based on agreement rather than on domination. Indians, 1101 outsiders, will beSt gtn•ern Indian land and resour=. Although Indian communiti"'- like all others, have difficult decisions to make about their development, if Indian.~ are permitted to chart their own future they wiU continue to serve not only themselves., but also the global environment. Workingtogetberasequals, Jndiancommunities and the rest of the wo~d can share important lessons about how beSt to pcovide for all future gtncntions. Aby a Yala News �ENV IHO:--.:ME:--.:T & DEVELOPMENT ecades of petroleum exploitation in people that !ive'there. In 1992,afferextrncting the Ecuadorian Amazon have bad a over one billion barrels of crude oil, Texaco devastating impact on tl\e region's Oed the country leaving behind 2,500,000 environment and its inhabitants. Among the acres of baneo rainforests, abandoned toxic Indigenous communities directly affected, materials, 17 million gallons of spilled petro· Qu.ichua, Cofan, Siona, Sccoya, Huaorani, !cum and 20 million gallons of toxic spillage and more rccently,Shuar, Achuarand Sbiviar. in the Amazon's rivers. The ecological damage has bad a profound a growing movement to organize against the effectuponthelndigcnooscomrnunitics.Asidc exploitation of oil conglomerates is Sleadily gaining momentum. Complex and volatile, from the disruption of traditional lifestyles the situation in the region is changing and and massive displacement, it has caused growing more critical as the Ecuadorian gov- severe health problems. According to differemrncntscckstocxpandthcconccssionsgiven ent studies done by Acci6n Eco1 6gica (Eco· to petro-chemical corporations and the logical Action), an Ecuadorian environmen· privatization of Pctroccuador tb.rough there- tal organization, and The Institute for Eco· form of the hydrocaroons law. These policies nomic and Social Rights (IESR}, skin dis· will, on the one hand, lead to an increased role cases, digestive and respiratory problems, for private companies in the Ecuadorian malnutrition, cb.ronic headaches and cancer Amazon while on tbeother, reduce tbe State's run rampant throughout the communities. A control over the exploitation of a delicate separatcstudy by the Canadian company HBT Agra, assessing the environmental impact of coosystem. Texaco's activities is to be presented to both TEXACO tbe Ecuadorian government and Texaco. The repon will not be published, however, and For twenty years, Texaco'soperations have both Indigenous and environmental groups decimated one of the world's mOSl biologi· are quCSlioning its validity as it neglects to cally diverse regions, wreaking havoc on the mention the indelible impact of Texaco's environment and the 300,000 Indigenous actions up:m 1he region's inhabitanlS. D VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 In response to the extensive damage Texaco has caused, a campaign to hold Texaco accountable bas been launched on an international scale. Presently, there is a world-wide boycott of its products with campaigns taking place in Denmark, Holland, and England. In addition, IWO lawsuits in the United States have been filed and anicles in The New York Times, Reu1ers News Agency , and New Yorker Magazine attest to tbe fact that this conflict bas fmally caught the eye of the international press. \1 \Xl"S Wbile the campaign against Texaco intensifies, the Nonh American petro-chemical company, Maxus, continues tOexpand expiO· ration of Block 16 wbicb includes pan of Yasuni National Park and Huaorani territories. Evenbefore beginningextraction, Maxus bad already caused a 900 barrel oil spill when a pipeline belonging to the Occidental Company was accidentally perforated by a Maxus work crew. Even though the spill was, fort be mOSl pan, contained, oil did manage to reach tbe estuaries of the Napo River. Moreover, tbe road tbat Maxus built to 19 �support itsoil extraction in Block 16bas ledto the colonization of the Tiputini River area. Through the purchase of wood for its encampments and extraction towers, it is promoting massive deforestation of the southern portion of the Cuyabeoo Reserve which was recently declared one of most biologically diverse regions in the world. The company is also responsible for several chemical spills in Ibis zone. As unbelievable as it may seem in the face of its disruptive practices, Maxus is attempting 10 present iiSCif as "protector" of the environment by promoting the establishment enous peoples of Pastaza, created social instability, and divisively manipulated and corrupted local individuals. Need I affirm that we find this tactic unethical and reprehensible?" Cuyabeno Reserve in Cofan tenritory, forcing the corporalion 10 negotiate with the Cofan community. The Cofans demanded active participation in Petroccuadot's activities on their tenritory and lbe financingof solar panels for their villages. A provisional accord was ...,!~---~· turned down by the corporate executives in , Quito who only agreed 10 the purchase of tbe solar panels valued at $10,000. The Cofans unanimously rejected tbeofferand stated that unless someone with sufficient authority agreed 10 their demands, they would be forced once again to shut down Pctroecuador's ex- L .. ploration activities. This conJlict was temporarily resolved when Petroecuador announced that no oil bad been found in Paujil. Nevertheless, there is evidence that suggests that Pctroccuador plans 10 perforate a few miles outside the reserve. of an environmental inves4igation srationand sponsoring an archeological project to "preserve Ibe cultures that have been occupying the region for thousands of years." ARCO I'ETROECUJlOR .-\\ll TilE I'E\IJI\G IIYDROC\RIIO\S L.\ \1 REFOR\1 Another petro-<:bemical corporation is ARCO, which hasuscddivisivetacticsamong Indigenous communities in Block 10 of the The future privatization of Petroccuador Pas1aza province. During a meeting with lead- has potentially devastating implications. If ers of the Organizationof Indigenous Peoples passed, the World Bank sponsored of Pastaza (OPIP), in Berkeley , California, privatization and reform of the Ecuadorian during the month of October, 1992, ARCO hydrocarbons law will sever the stale's ability agreed: 1) 10 rcspccllhe political and cultural 10 control and sanction oil corporations. The integrity of Indigenous peoples in Pastaza 2) new law would open up the region 10 innot enter into divisive negotiations through creased exploration and exploitation as well lhe buyingoffofloeal individuals; 3) todesist as grant new ooocessions to multinational from creating tensions which may lead 10 the corporntions, aecelernting the pace of demililaiization of the region; 4) 10 keep all struction even more. meeting allendces abreast of present and In response 10 the impending reforms, a future exploratory activity. Nevertheless, campaign bas been launcbed which seeks 10 ARCO has forgone this accord and launcbed minimize tbe impact on the region. The a campaign 10 politically debilitate OPIP. "Amazonia for Life" campaign is currently Through manipulation and bribery, ARCO pressuring the Wodd Bank toconsider its loan has created a parallel and independent organi- 10 the Ecuadorian government as a "Type A" zation, DICIP, and is unwil.ling 10 continue loan, calling for environmental and cultural lhe dialogue unless DICIP part icipatcs equally. impact reports prior to any further exploration Needless 10 say, OICJP unconditionally sup- in the region, as well as establishing a process ports ARCO's activities. In a rcccntlellct 10 of public participation that would include the ARCO's CEO, John Middleton, Hector affected Indigenous communities and repreVillamil, president of OPIP stales: 'To date, sentative organizations. ARCO bas neglected 10 comply with (the above)"guaranlccs and bas actively pursued a COFA\S CO\FRO\T strategy which systematically and insidiously PETROECL\DOR undennines the political integrity of OP!P. During the past months, ARCO has reinstated On October 2&, 40 Cofans took over a an un.eaJied for hostility toward the lndig· Petroccuador oil well located inside the 20 IILOCK 22 EXCLU>Eil FRO\ I 199~ CO\CESSIO\S In November, 1993, it was confirmed that Block 22, inside Yasuni National Park, would not be included in the concessions being offered for 1994. Th.is is undoubtedly due, at least in part, 10 pressures from the international and Ecuadorian environmental communities. However, the right of Indigenous peoples 10 control oil development on their lands still needs 10 be addressed. •••••••• The prolonged pctroleum extraction activities in the Ecuadorian Amazon has taken place without environmental or sociaJ impactS being taken into account. Important decisions have been made without consulting with the Indigenouscommunities who inevi- tably suffer the brunt of these deleterious activities. National parl(s, reserves and Indigenous tcnritories which bad supposedly been pern1anently designated as cultural and envi· ronmental reserves have not been spared. II is within this context, that the Public Enterprise Rcfonn, 10 fi6ECUPA103 in Category A, calling for an all-inclusive Study of social, environmental and cultural impacts of petroleumactivities, isbeingadvocated by various international and national Indigenous, environmental and social justice organizations. Sou.r«: RafofON:SI Action Nttwork Abya Y ala N e ws �E:":VI KON:VII :.NT ALLIANCES & DEVELOPMENT. FORMED CoLOMBIA's PLAN Earth and it is a potential sourocof hydroelectric energy and oil. In contrast toilS richness in life forms and rcsowecs, theChoco is inhab· ited by some 800,000 Nro-Colombians and 110,000 Indigenous peoples (predominanlly Waunanas, Embenls, and Awas) living under conditions of extreme poverty. PlaJJ Pacifico seeks the invest· ment of transnational capital for infrastructure development to in· clnde avaSt networkofroads, portS, aJJd induStrial centers in theCboc6, the Pan-American highway through the rain forest between Panama and Colombia, and the Bahia Malaga naval base wbicb bas effective!ymil itarizcd the area. In addition, the construction of an inter-oceanic land bridge COMeet· Bulldours clearing th~forestfor COIIStruction ing the Pacific aJJd Atlantic coasts, i>/the Pan·Anreriwt Highway itt C<Jiombia is plaJJDed for the near future. uring the last decade, the Colombian For these reasons, the Nro -Colombian Pacific Coast has been ransacked by and Indigenous communities of the Cboc6 miningand timbercompaniesas well bave joined forces to defend their lands from as lhousands of coloniSlS. The situation bas impending devastation. for y~ the Rebecome critical as the nco-liberal policies of gional Indigenous Organization Ember.! the 90's have been implemented. Within this Waunana (OREWA), has Struggled to oblain context, the PacifiC is not on.lya region of high collective property righlSOverthe 61 reserves remability due to ilS abundant natural re- that make up 16%oflhe PaciJicCoast.lndig· sources; it bas also become a Strategic point cnous peoples arc currently waiting for the through whi<:h the Colombian Sute strives to "Icy de Ordcnamie nto Territorial", a constitu. consolidate itS insertion into the international tiona I law which will define Indigenous terrimarkeiS linked by the Pacific Rim through a tories throughout the country to lie approved development Strategy known as "Plan de by Congress. The newconst.itution represcnlS Apertura Hacia el Pacifico" (The Opening of asignificant step forward for lnd igenous propthe Pacific Coast). erty rights as it aims to grant Indigenous The Choc6 region of the Colombian Pa- territories the same degree of adminjsuative ciJicCoast isoneofthe world's most biologi- autonomy enjoyed by Colombia's departcally diverse coosystcms. II is covered by ments. HOwever, under the newoonstilution, tropical rainforests, abundant in minerals and the law was supposed to have been drafted by tropical woods. II has one of the highest the Colombian State and Indigenous organiconcemrationsof plant and animal spocieson zations yet this has not been the case. The bill D VO L 7 NO. 3 &4 AGAINS~r PACIFico bas reached Congress twice without the inclu· sion of the document submitted by lhe Indigenous groups. The Nro-Colombian communities of lhe Pacific Coa3l face a similar situation. The special commission designated by the gov· emmcntto work on the bill was made up, for the most part, by membersoflhegovemment. The resulting law (Ley 70) awards uneulti· vated laJJds ncar tbe rivers of the region, not the urban areas and farms they occupy, and contains clauses allowing for the construction of a network of roads within lhe allotted territories. This law ignores tbc legitimate aJJd legallaJJd rigblS of the peoples of lhe PacifiC over the areas they have traditionally occupied and where they have constructed the Nro-ColombiaJJ society and culture. Continu.ing a long-standing Struggle, In· digenous and Afro-Colombian organizations came together at the end of July in Quibd6, capital of tbe Cboc6, to jointly look for solutions to a common problem. Members of lhe Nro-Colombian Organization of Pop<Jiar NeighhotboodsofQuibd6 (OBAPO), and tbc Integral Campesino Association of Atrato (ACLA), petitioned the government for the legal owncrshipoftheir communal land hold· ings and the management of tbcir natural resources. Aceording to lhesc organizations, the government's recognition of their property rigblS and their dilcct participation in the policies aJJd development projeciS that affect them, is the only way to put an end to the environmental and social devastation brought about by tbc Plan Pacifico. ··or more lnform:Hion c-ont~c-1: OR.:W.\ O~ani~d(in lndi~rna rmi'M.·r-..i \\':wnana ..\ ..\. 2S.' Quihdtl. ('hocU ( 'olonlhi:J l't·ltphoni': !'79 -'99 67 7$ �LoGGI~G TIIHEATENS 1~ h~· BHJTISJJ NATIO~s CoLt : ML~IA Stl-..m O'Doncll International attention has focused on Oayoquot Sound, British Colum· bia, wbert the battle over clear-cut logging of an old·gl()wtb rain forest has resulted in hundreds of arrests in Canada and protests at Canadian em· bassies around the world. Indigenous peoples make up about half the population in the Oayoquot Sound area. The Firsl Nations oppose the Canadian government's decision to clear-<:ut tbe forest and want a solu· tion that both preserves their natural environment and creates jobs for their people. A November 1993 court decision stated that the government of British Columbia mUSI consider Indigenous land rights wben awarding loggjng contradS. AspokespersonfortheNuu· cbab-nultb Tribal Council said he bopod his people would now he given a share of the loggjng profits and a guaranteed peroentage of the forestry jobs. About 70% of the Indigenous people in the area are unemployed. Canada's new prime minister has said he would be willing to declare the Oayoquot Sound area a national park if the province and the Nuu-<:hab-nulth First Nations agree. However, many Indigenous people in tbe area have reasons to he suspi· cious of his offer. A similar fight over loggjng of traditional Haida land in the nearby Queen Cbarlone Islands ended about six years ago when the federal government created a new national park on Haida territory. The government promised that tourism generated by the park 22 FJHST Giam redw()()(/s such as this one on Meares Island are threare.ned by clear-cut logging would create jobs for Indigenous peoples in the area but, six years later, the only new jobs have been given 10 white bureaucrats and tbe tourists have not appeared. Instead, an army of government bureaucrats arrived 10 tell the Haida how to care for forests they had been looking after for time immemorial. "It's like a new set of missionaries have been steaming in here to save us," a Haida woman told a reponer. "Butwe'renotbeingconvened. We know how to take cart of our land." Many 01her First Nations across Canada - , arc fighting the destruction wrought by logging companies on their traditional lands. In most eases, the Firsl Nations are not seeking an end to logging but want sustainable logging practices and a share of the jobs created. First Nations haveal.ready won many court battles but still the logging continues. Canada has been called tbe "Brazil of the North" because of its destructive fores~ry poUcies and a comparison he· tween the two countries reveals many similarities. For example, trees cover about 40% of bOlb. Nearly 100,000 Indigenous people live in Canada's tern· perote and boreal forest, and about 170,000 Indigenous people live in the Amazonian min fores~. In Canada, an acre of forest is clear-<:ut every 12 sec· onds while in Brazil, an acre ls cut or burned every nine seconds. While the seale of devastation in both counllies is similar, an important difference exists in the human motivat.ion behind the destruction. In Brazil, a driving force-for miniCSI destruclion is tbe poverty of the loggers, while in Canada, the driving force is tbe greed of multinational corpora· tioos. For more infonnation contact tbe Nuu· chah-nulth Tribal Council, wbieb represents the 14 First Nations in the rogion: Nuu-dlab·nullh Tribal Coondl PO Box 1383, Port Albernl BC, Canada V9Y 7M2. Phone: (604) 724STS7 Fax: (604) 7234163 Abya Ya l a News �SELF DETEHMI~ATION & TERRITORY Co~sTITUTIO~AL REVI S ION 1~ BIV\.ZIL: A Tt !HEAT TO I N DIGE="Ol'S RIGIITS BY e batUe for the rights of the over twO hundred Indigenous groups in Brazil seemed to have c.Jaimed a victory at the end of 1988. Bra:z.il 's newconstitution was drafted and approved that year, recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples, including the right to their lands. A five year deadline for the demarcation of these lands was established. After obtaining Indigenous territory status they would be proleeted by the government against invasions. Only the Indigenous peoples would be able 10determine the use for theirlands, including. if they so wished, mining and forestry. This deadline expired on October 5, 1993, and only 266 of the 532 territories officially rcoognizcd bad been demarcated. The 1988constitulion also included a clause for its revision at the end of five years. This period also expired in October. If this revision lalces plaoe, the rights granted could be revoked. The validity of the demarcation of Indigenous territories and the current restrictions on the use of these lands are highly questioned by many groups that support the constitutional revision. Invariably, these groups are part of the elites that have lost advantages and privileges. The three chapters central to the debate arc those concerning agrarian reform, the environmen~ and the rights oflndigenous peoples. II is feared tha~ if carried through, the revision could lead to changes toward the Nco-liberal policies supported by the majority of the Brazilian con· gress. Spocial interest groups lobbying in the Congress will have great influence over be results oftherevision. The political climate in the congress is actually dominated by these diversctboughgenerallyconscrvativegroups. The lack of complementary judicial tools that are also adequate and agile, added to tbe inoperative power of the executive are also seriously threatening the conquCSIS made for indigenous rights. T: VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 SLt.L;"o.:L .J. \.IC\~111.1.<> One of the most significant conquests was that over the Yanomami territory in May, 1992. The granting of 9.6 million hectares demarcated as Yanomami territory is now in danger of revision. Although the official recognition bas not kept gold prospec!ors away, some groups contend that this area is ~xeecd­ ingly large for the Yanomarni. Another argument is that demarcation in border areas threatens national sovereignty Minister of Justice recently declared that the demarcationwillonlyoontinucinareaswbere there are no conflicts, a requisite nearly impossible to fu1fill, and lbal effectively baits the process of demarcation until the revision issue is resolved. This process could take months or even years. The Minister of Justice also bad the power of prohibiting access 10 indigenous areas, but the Supreme Tribunal recently revoked Ibis power. This will have serious consequences for groups that are still isolated. Their limited numbers are threatened by the illness and violence that nearly always follow contact with outsiders. In the 500 years since the beginning of European invasions, the population of Indigenous peoples of Brazil bas been reduced from over 5million to less than 500,000. Their territories today are only IO%oflbeiroriginal size. The biggest obstacle to their survival is theattitudeofBra:zilian society. To the majority of the population, Indigenous rights and environmentalism are not social priorities.. Hunger and poverty are ranked first These economic pressures create great tension between the Indigenous peoples and the new colonistS, poor migrants trying to establish fanns in their territories. Indigenous people are thus the most widely discriminated group in Brazil, frcqucntl yviewed as sicl<, dirty, and carriers of the Cholera virus. The physical and cultural survival of Indigenous peoples is not considered their right, but rather an eeeenlricity of environmentalists. Many Brazilians arc of the opinion thattbe resources of the tropical forests can and should be exploited for economic bencfi.ts alone. These benefits rarely reach !bose actually affeCied by poverty. This attitude needs 10 change if the rights establL5hedin 1988 aretobeupbeld and if the fight for indigenous rights is to be continued. by creating practically independent stales. This argument does not take into account the fact that Indigenous territories have existed in border areas for years. Indigenous groups like the Kayapo and the Guarani are involved in legal batUes to prove their rights 10 establishing territories thai cover areas in different countries. Though it is true that the constiiUiional revision would not aller tbe present situation it can risk tbe loss of the judicial principle that pbilosophically supports the rights ?f indigenous people. Thus, the Yanomarni and the Kayapo could lose the legal basis to defend their autonomy and territories, as well as looiQg the power 10 resolve other issues still not legally defined, such as their rights over intellectual property and germ plasma. The appropriate compensatory mechanisms are yet to be CSISblished. Recent events justify the urgency of the possibility of constitutional revision. The Sources: Porantim, Revisao Constitucional 23 �THE NEW PERUVIAN CONSTITUTION AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AIDESEP overnment policy under suooessive Peruvian administrations has consistently denied lndigenouscommu· nities the right to participate in the political processes governing their lives and theirenvi· ronment.ln Peru, like its neighboring states, the Amazonas has perennially stood as the cushion for external problems and it, as well as the Indigenous peoples that inhabit the fores~ have traditionally been subordinate to and utiliztd by outside intereslS. The politics of intervention practiced by peevious admin· istrations have been taken a step further by the Fujimori regime as reflected in his proposed Olnstitution for Peru. G peoples by the installation of terrorism in tbe region, could escalate the violence that al· ready exists. B) Under the new text, Indigenous lands arc subject to seizure. This measure, proposed to facilitate aocess to credit, puts at risk communities that might he persuaded to follow tbe government's promotional campaigns and While tbe doelarationsof ethnic pluralism and the recognition of the right to Indigenous identity in the draft version ofthe newOlnsti· tution superficially represent progressive changes, their character is for the most pan symbolic and offset by the more concrete terms applied to Indigenous territories. The princi· seek credits offering their land as collateral. pal changes are summarized in the following C) Most imponantly, Indigenous lands classipoints: fied as abandoned can be taken over by the state and sold to individual investors. This A) Indigenous land holdings which have been point is of grave consequence since the clasprotected under constitutional law since 1933, sification is carried out by government funcare to be"declared open to land markets. This tionaries working underquestionableassumpmodification, coupled with the lack of access tions: After two years without cultivation, of indigenous peoples to civil justice, govern- lands are declared abandoned. This criterion ment corruption, and the twelve years of per- undermines the swidden/fallow (slash and secution and displacement of Amazonian bum) agricultural practices of many commu- 24 nities which make use oflong rotation cycles. Under these systems, the forest is left to rest for years before it is once again cultivated. Under the new Olns:titution, fallows are erroneously considered abandoned lands. D) The criteria applied to the demarcation of lands represents another threat to tbe tcrrit<>rial integrity oflndigenous peoples. By dividing communal land holdings into independent agricultural plots, the communities will become ex· tremely vulnerable. With this constitutional proje~the edifiCe of the once pioneer Indigenous legislation of Peru is in dan· gerof crumbling. Olupled with the promotion of agrarian investment in the Amazon region, the privatization and alienation of in· digenous territories represent adet. rimental blow to the Indigenous ,,,,.....,. peoplesofPeru. Undertbefujirnori regime, we are not taken into ac- count, or at least not as different peoples. The forest's communities and their economic, cultural and social practices are at best, considered an obstacle to the government's development priorities for the rainforest. The purpose seems clear: To irn· pose on Amazonian and other original communities an agrarian vision along with tbe extractive one that has, in the last few years, devoured more than 10 million hectares. Sou~tt: AlDESEP A by a Y ala News �WoMI::N's !.! ~ ~==~-...J ! INDIGENOUS W O M EN I N BOLIVIA SET EXAMPLE F OR A B Y A T: Indigenous women of Bolivia have come to occupy an imponant and in uential role in the lndige.nous movement after many years of struggling for their rights and !boseof their peoples. Using Native American women as models of or~tion and unity, today, Bolivia has the greatest national organization of Indigenous women in tbe Abya Yala continent The Coordinating Commission of Indigenous Women of Bolivia (CCMIB) was cie· ated during tbe First National Gathering of Indigenous Women on July 1993, in Acbocalla, La Paz. The Commission's purpose is to strengthen the Indigenous, popular, and campesino (peasant) movements through tbe active participation of women. By orga· nizing different gatherin~ and seminars, the Commission seeks to unite all the Indigenous and non- Indigenous women's organizations working tbrougboutthecountry and promote tbe formation of leaders in the various mem· ber organizations. VoL 7 NO. 3&4 Y ALA The Commission is guided by the funda- Diroetors was eloeted to organize the Second mental principles of doeentralized authority Encounter, which will take place next yw, and respoet for tbe autonomy of each member and where a permanent Boald will be eloeted. organization. In addition, !bough it is a women's organization it is not "feminist" Instead, the Commission looks to compli· ment its activities with those of its maJecoun· tcrpartS, since, as on participant affirmed, "in e original,traditionalcommunities,separatelevels of power between a man and woman did not exist A eouple made doeisions of mutual a:t:..J:....::II-iOiliriA• •lilllllll aooord, because the struggles of both the men ~ and tbe women were tbe same." Nevenhe· For More Information coniJ>Ct: less, taking into aecounttbe marginalization that the government's exclusion policies Combi6n Coordinadora dt' makes them face, the Indigenous women have 7\fuj('rC's lndl::<"na.~ de Rolhia considered unification a priority so that they Casilla 2315 can begin to devise theirO\vn methods to eloet Calle Yanacocha \o. +II representatives of their nationalities to the Edif. ..\reo lris.l'i<o 13. Oficina 13112 Bolivian government La Pa1. lloli•ia During the Encounter, the unification of 25 women's organizations was consolidated Telephone: 369.963 in tbe CCMIB, and an interim Board of �INTERV IEVV MAURICIA WITH C A STRO In 1991, Vicente Matute,fonner FETRIXJ president, and other members of the Directive Commission were ambushed and assassinated. Mauricio Castro, Xicaque,then SecretaryofFETRIXI. assumed the presidential office which she holds to this date. She is manied and is the mother of three children. run by LadinOISand the children are prohibited SAIIC: Does tbe government have any l3w fromspeakingtheirnativclanguages. Wehad that recognizes tbe indigcnoos communities? a case in which a first grader forgot to greet his Mauricia.: Nothing specific. Tbereisonlyone teacher in Spanish and instead greeted her in article tbat refers to Indigenous peoples in the Tolupan. Tbe teacher said she could not constitution. 'lbere is no law from which we understand him and that he could no longer be can infer bylaws. The organized nations of SAIIC: Very littleissaidabout thelndigenoos in school. The child was then forced to Indigenous peoples have passed a legislative peoples of Hondurns. How many are there abandon his dass<s. Socially, the native proposal that we call "Protection law for lndigeoous Nations". We did this with the and what groups do tbey belong to? language is DOl spoken, Ollly in the borne. belp of some lawyers and with tbe bad:ing of Mauricia: In Hondurns we have 6 groups, 7 ow lndigCOO<JS peoples. It has been in Conincluding the Cbonis who are not )'CI org:a· SAIIC: Is there mcism? niz<d. Within those 6 groups, with their Mauricia: In Yoro there is tremendous rac- gress for more than four yeaJS. One adminisdiverse languages and customs, there areal· ism. Our people are wori<ing to develop tration takes over, then another,and there is no most half a million Indigenous peoples. there consciousness of our own identity bu~ for one to promote this. Weare also taking action are the Ltncas, which number 80,000; the example, wearing our trad itiona!clothingonly for the ratification of covenant 169 of tbe Pcicben, about2,000; theGarifunas, 300,000; serves to frighten people or create aspeaacle. Intemational Labor Organization (lLO) but there are very few of u.~. In addition, tbe theMisikitOIS 40,000; and the Xicaques which number about 32,000. The Ltncas live in SAIIC: How is the land situation in Hondo· government functionaries are very cleve-r. Ltmpiro, La Paz, and lntibucan. Tbe Peichen rns? Do you have enough? Arcyoorcommu- Some of tbem come 10 the !ndigeoous communities and if there is a problenn, they say and MislcitOIS Iive in Pahuac:as,Sull'lOS,Gracias nities respecled and rccogniz«l? a Dios, and Colon. Mauricia: The situation is critical. The gov- they will solve it and we aeversee tbem again. ernment passed a law called "modemaation SAIIC: Do these Indigenous nations still con· of the agricultural sector" by which they give SAIIC: The Honduran peoples are traditionpowcrtotbelargelandowners 10 appropriate ally agricultural? serve their languages and tradir10ns? Mauricio: We, the Xieaquesareon the verge more lands. This law convcns the land into a Mauricia: We, the Xicaques cultivate com of losinp our language. This is why we arc marketable good tbat can be sold to tbe and beans and we make some crafts, such as working so hard to strengthen it and spread it. tr.lJISnationalcorpomtionsandforeigners. Tbe baskets, mats, and pottery. The Ltneas make specifiC problem of the Xieaques is tha~ even weavings from wool and they also cultivate SAIIC: Whatiseducationlikeinyours.:hools? thoogh we were given titles to oor properties com and beans. The Miskitos dedicate themMauricia: This istbemostseriousproblemof in 1861, people keep appropriating oorland selves 10 eollecling coconuts, oranges. and to tbeXicaques. Tbemajorityofthescboolsare due10 this law of "modcrnil.ed agriculture". planting rioe. In Amuskiti, whicb is a very auriciaCastro: My name is Mauricia Castro and I come from tbe De panment of Yoro in Honduras. I am pan of the peoples ofXicaque orTolupan, located in the Nonh of the country. M 26 Abya Yala News �Wo:\ll ~ ~~s Ma;m'ela Castro at the lnte,..Amuicon Encounrtr on lndlgtn()US Rights and Common Low swampy, the people fish. They have little This issue ha.• led to a campGign org;10ized by pGrctls, islands in themiddleoftbelakes. It's thelndigenouspeoplesofHondurasandpeople an extraordinary place. The rivers Patuca, from tbe popular sector, syndicates, farmers, Platano, and Coco are very laJge and navi- and organizations, because this is an attack g;~ble. l..asl year,the president wanted to give >g;linsl humanity. a concession to exploit !be . - - - - - - - - - - - . "lbe Spanish gave us the SAUC: Do you have a jungle of Anwquitia, a name Xiquaques because relllionship with tbe virgin jungle. I believe we were not easily tamed farmill8 sectOr? that in Centnl America so we decided to keep the Mauricia: There have this is the mos1 luxurious name, always rebels." been conOiCis with 1be and mos1 dense tropical &nners wbo have come forcsl. into our lands by force. SAIIC: Have you tried 10 exploit those re- The Union of Fann Workers (UTC), wanted to come into Yoroand therewas a very serious sources? Mauricia: The govemment tires. There is a confrontation. We know that this was not the law called the law of Honduran Corporation desire or the fam>ers themselves but rather of and Forest Development that says that the some of the leaders and some of the catUe forests belong 10 the state, independent of the ranchers, and although we were in jtil for faCithatthesc lands may be private lands. So several days, we earned respeCI for the aunow lbc government has the autonomy to sell tonomy of thelndigtoous people. Now, even lbc forests of our communities. Butlbcsc bas lbc coffee gtOWers have to eonsull with us been much resistanc:e. In some cases lbc before lbcy can mechanize tbeir planta~ Indigenous peopk have said that it was lbc responsibilityoflbcgove~iflbesepcople SAUC: Do you have traditional forms of entered and later found lbci r machinesburned. O<g;lnizatioo? Has it been difficult to fonn VOl. 7 N O. 3 &4 fcdcrntions that are based on Western forms of organizing? Mauricia: The Tribal Counci.ls existed but lheywere not united. But with the helpoflbc Catholic Cburcll, tbe missions, and some of the fanners that wanted to "make friends" with lhe Indigenous peoples 1 recuperate 0 vacant lands, we heg;IO to know each Olher. From 1970 10 19n there was a process of exchange between the tribes in order to share experiences and gc,t better acquainted. In 19n,lbc federation was organized but in an almoslgbotstlyfasbion. Everyyearweplanned .-iogs but somelbiag always happened. Between 1981 and 1983, we begao to orpoizc lbc councils and in 198S, lbc fitsl OrdiaaryCoogJCSS was beldwbicb gathered alllbc ml>esofYoro,EINegrito,Oianchito,Mozaran, andotbers. TheCoogJCSSofTribeswascstablishcd and tbestalules were made. There were many discussions about the name of the federationbecause many said we were TolupGOCS and nOI Xicaques. the SpGnisb gave us the name ~Xicaques" because we were noteasily lamed sowe decided to keep the name, always rebels. SAUC: What isthename, then,oflbcfcderatioo you belong to? Mauricia: Federation of Xicaque Tnl>es of Yoro, FETROO. SAUC: Do you belong to any confederation? Mauricia; This work came after FETROO. We begao to realize that on tbeone band lbcre were the Mislcitos and on theOiher,tbe l..enkas and others, so, with the help of some university students, anthropologists, that always study us, we managed to have the Fitsl Gathering of lbc Indigenous Peoples of Honduras in 1987, one year after having formed FETROO,. In 1988 we held the Soeend Eocounter from which a provisional committee for lbcconfcderation was born, and where we realized that there wereotbcrolgilnizcdgroups. ThcThirdEocounterwasbeld in Yoroandlbc Fourth in Tegucigalpa when our leader, Vicente Malule, was assassinated . Bctv.-.en 27 �thesecrelat)' and they said that we were going secrelat)' and they tell him what to do. But we to be dead. Butthefive, two women and three don't wish to make a parallel organization of men, were from different oounciJs. women because we believe, and this is a custom of the Xieaqucs, that women without SAllC: Does the intimidation oontinue? men can do nothing. and equally men without Maurieia: The other day I reeeivod a call women. Even though "machismo" always saying: Maurieia Rivera de Zubirana is pay- exists, we resist by saying: "Don't walk in ing someone to kill you and two other leaders front of me, don't fall behind, let's walk of the tribe. But I don't know...who knows? together". We have no prolcction. I oould believe that the Police are protecting me but it's just as SAIIC: How is your spiritual life? Is there likely that they are investigating me. The much Catholic influence? Police are like that always. The fodcration has Mauricia: There is a lot of inllueoee; little of been given many diplomas of reoognition but our spirituality remains. The Evangelists you sec that it's all politics. The deputy of introduce themselves into our oommunities Yoro is the one that exploits the Plangrande and putthem to sleep. Theydon'twaotpeople tribe. He is a landholder, the deputy, so how going to meetings. They say it's a sin to are we going to register aoomplaint ifheis the promote the development of the community, one who is exploiting us? There arc Indig- that the riches arc in heaven, that the poor are enous zones, where more than 200 non-Indig· blessed. They put all this in pooples' heads so cnous families live, that they want to tum into they later say: "But well, this is how God 1986 and 1992 wcformed the Confederation municipalities. There are schools, electric wants me to Hve". I don't go to mass. Priests of Autochthonous Peoples of Honduras light, roads, and even though we have prop- have oome to visit me and ask why I have not (CONPA). erty tiUcs, we indigenous peoples live cling· baptized my children. I teU them I don't ing to the cliffs. We have resistod du.ring three interfere in their spiritual lives. I don't want it SAIIC: Wbat lod to the assassination of regimes because we are the legal owners. and my children don't otiss it. ViccnteMatuteandthereprcssion? Weknow various Indigenous leaders have diod. Who SAIIC: What is the situation of women in SAllC: Do you have hope in the Continental are the repressors? relation to the organizations? Indigenous Movement now that you have Mauricia: FETRIXI is the only organization made oontaet? Do you think you should unite Mauricia: [The repressors arc) the land hold· that has three , - -- - - - -- - -, with the Indigenous pooples of "We have no protection. ers and the cattle ranchers of Yoro. We women oo lbe America? I cou.ld believe that the realized only at the end that themililat)' killod hoard. Five men Mauricia: The principal goal of police arc protecting me Vicente. There is a whole tribe that is under and three women, CONPA is to bring our forces to· but its just as likely that the oontrol of a general of the Annod Forces andwebelievethat gether, search for our ancestral they are invcsti.g ating of Honduras. Vicente was a very bonOS! and in lhe next term pas~ and oommunicate with all me." quiet man and in a meeting with president there will be four. Indigenous peoples of America. Calleja-we have the video and the tape reoord- Women participate We know that we are not all the same, but we know what we want ing-said that he wou.ld not he surprisod if the in decision makIndigenous peoples of the Sao Francisoo tribe ing, whethertbc men like itornot.UI see that at lhe continental level. go into a field to get their firewood and are it is in favor of the majority, then that is my hangod and taken away. ApparenUy they decision. Since 1987, womenleave the house SAIIC: Anything else? killod biro for talking like that and go to the assembly. Because the wo!SI Mauricia: I want us to prepare ourselves so problem is that women stay in their bouse, and ou.r rights as women are respected, so we are SAJJC: Have~other leaders been assassi· how are they going to be taken intoacoount if given the space that has long been dcniod to natod? • theydon'tgo tothesessions? Noone is going us. Tbisdoesnotmeao wewaottotakeit from Mauricia: In 199l,theyearthey killodVicente, to oome to the house to tell them: "we named men, we want to be given an equal opportuthey advisod us that they were going to kill you Cacique". In other oommunitics, there nity. Greelings to all the Indigenous women five of us and that's whatthey did. They said are no women in lbc organizations. In of theoontinent and let's keep going forward it would be those of the directive hoard. I was FETRIXl there arewomen who have a mao as because the struggle is ours. 28 Abya Yala News �EAL EPIDEMIC HITS COMMUNITIES OF SAN LORENZO, PERU n the Peruvian Indigenous communities of San Lorenzo, located close to the Ecuadorian border, an unidentified epidemic rosem bling the measles has spread voraciously, killing 5 and infecting 88 others. Symptoms include high fevers, skin eruptions, respiratory difficullies, hemorrhages, vomiting of blood, diarrhea, and bone pain. Representatives from tbe Ministry of Health have Oown to the respective sites to collect samples which are currently being evaluated in the United States. In the meantime, a vaccine against measles has been discovered to diminish lbe intensity of the illness, resulting in a campaign to vaccinate 13,000 people. The Minisl.ry of Health made an official agreement with the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Jungle (AIDESEP) to develop an"Action for Health" program serving ISO Indigenous communities of the High Amazonas regions via the San Lorenzo Health C.nter. Eacb community elects Indigenous youth to be pall ofthe "Promoters of Health" network that is trained to respond to the needs of the community during times of crisis. In addition, the Ministry of Health appoints an lndigeoo+ prescntative to be in charge of the health needs of 8-IOcomm'"'/rie's. Previous cbolera and malaria epidemics were effectively brouh{t under control tbrougb I (@PTS JNlrriATIVE ON INDIGENO U S HEA,L "PH fter reviewing the "Heal!! ; the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas" initiative fonnulated at the Working Meeting on Indigenous Peoples and Health, held in Canada, from April 13to 17, the Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), resolved to adopt Document CD37(JJ) during its Fourth Plenary Meeting held last September. The document which describes the initiative, was presented to PAHO by Colombian Senator Anatolio Quir3, Juan Reategui of Aidesep, Peru, and Mirna Cuninham, Miskito from Nicaragua. The resolution urges member governments to take steps in improving the deficient health and living conditions of the estimated 43 A VOl. 7 NO. 3 & 4 these networks. This is the second epidemic to reach the San Lorenzo communities in recent years. Malaria Falsiparum, before coming into San Lorenzo, bad spread in the border petroleum exploitation regions of the Ecuadorian rain forests with the arrival of obreros (oil workers) from other partS. Despite these positive efforts, both !be impacts of disease and severe water sbortages are driving San Lorenzo into an increasingly alanning health crisis. As a resul~ AIOESEP, its member organizations and the San Lorenzo Health C.nter are ealling for a revamping of Peru's bealtb care system for its Indigenous communities. For more infonnation contact: AIDESRP Av. San Rugeoio981 Urb. Santa Catalina-La Victoria Urna 13, Lima, Peru Tel: 71~21 ·- Fax: 72-4605 million Indigenous personsoftbe Ameri· cas as well as the participation of lndig· enous leaders and representatives in Ibis process. The resolution further eallson governments to strengthen the tochnieal, admin· isuative, and managerial capacity of na· tiona! and local institutions that are responsible for the health of Indigenous Juan Reategui or Ald<sep populations with a view to progressively 1 - - - - - --...J overcoming the lack of infonnation in this area and ensuring greater access to health services and quality care, thus contributing to a ttigher degree of equity. Member governments are further urged to work toward the transfonnation of health systems and the development of alternative models of care, including traditional medicine and disease prevention programs. The directing council also calls for the ~rticipation of Indigenous persons and their communities in all aspects of PAHO's work. For more inl'o: Pan Amtrkan Health Orga.ni1:alion 525 23rd St N.W. Washington DC 20037, USA 29 �VIOLENCE A GAINST INDIGENOUS P EOPLES n August 18-19 1993, lhe village of forces have plagued !he nation's inhabitantsMazamari in lheprovinceofSatipo, In the rainforest regions, since 1992 alone, located in the cenlr31 rainforest re- there have been 1,491 indigenous victims. According to the local people, some of gion of Peru, was anacked by 150 guerrillas belonging to the revolutionary lhe attackers of the augustiS-19 massacre Maoist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining were young Ashartinka rebels. Sendero will Path). The massacre resulled in the death and often plant Indigenous rebels within the vilbru!al mutilation of 87 Ashaninkas, about a lages and instigate the Armed Forces' violence against them to prove the government's lhird of which were women and cbildren. During lhe early morning hours, a band hypocrisyandbetrayaloflndigenouspooples. ofSendero guerrillas came disguised in tradiAbout 700 familes have been severely tional Ashaninka garb affected by the terror, abandoning their demanding weapons. lands, villages, and Whcntbevillagersdid their way of life. Due not comply with their demands,thebru!al atto lhe rapid changes wrought by the invatacks began. sion of both Sendero This has been the worst attack on the guerrillas and the PeAshaniokas since lhc ruvian Armed Forces, capture of Sendero traditional waysof life Luminoso's leader, have been severely Abimacl Guzman. disrupced,causingexThis massacre is just tremcly unstable livoneofthemanygenoing conditions. The cidal actions system· The massacre left more 1han 200 orphans continuous threat of aticaUy conducted against the Indigenous Scndero's terrorism has forced Ashaniokas commurtities that refusetosubmittoSendcro's and other Indigenous communities of Peru's Maoist 'doctrine of a "Revolution for tbc Ccnlr31 Jungle to oonccntrate aU their enerPoople". Due to the Ashaniokas' resistance, gies and human resources toward self-<lethey have been targeted and persecuted. fense. Throughout Peru, violence and terror on the In response to the unwananted violence part of Sendero Lumiooso and the Armed and brutality, lhe Indigenous peoples of the O 30 IN PERU: Ccnlr31 region are actively engaged in oommunity organizing and creating al.liances with Indigenous organizations. The First CongressoflheAshaninkalndigenousPeoples of the Peruvian Amazon will be held from November29to0ecember3, 1993, inSatipo, Peru. Other lndigneousorganizations,such as CECONSEC, ANAP, and FECONACA, as well as representatives from oonccmed public and private institutions will also be attending. . \. <: T I () :--.1 There is an immediate need for relief funds for the 200 Ashan.ioka orphans and widows as a result of the massacre in tbc Mazamari village. CECONSEC is also in need of economic aid to continue supporting the organization of the First Congress of Indigenous Peoples of the Central rainforest region of Peru. For more information on bow you can help, please contact: Kalia Arya 4015 Rhoda Ave. Oakland, CA 94602 Tel: 510-482-4682 FAX: 51(}.421-4758 or SAUC A b y a Yal a N e ws �RIGHTS . In respoose totheaogoingvioleoceagainsl and theRCelll m II :reoftheAWnjnta UICiegeoous f'OOI'Io in the village of Mazamari, province ofSatipo in the CeniW Jungle of PeN, We lbc A+••i•h People feel it i3 necessary to bave an EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES OF TilE Ct!NI'RAL JUNGLI! REGION OF PERU. THE FOLLOWI NG I SSUES AND PROBLEMS W I LL BE ADDRESSED AT T H E CONGRESS: I. Tbe problems lbc Asbaninka communities a~e clcal.ing with in the face of lbc ldveiSily tbey an: experiencing. 2. The problem of the Asbanjnka refugees and di3placed iodiviWals and families and flow to regain land rights. 3. Analyze the situation of abandoned lands by lbc iDdigeoous COIIIIIIIIDi1ie cmo to Scadcro LumiDoso (Shining Pa!h) brutal displacmcnllae6cs. 4. Analyze the relalcd and arole problems of health, ocluclliouad foocloflbc OOIIIJDUDiries lbal bave arisen with the mer.- of refugees. 5. Evaluale pOOtic and private i.oslillltioos and peJSOm lbalan: cleoelopiic favoablo ICiioas towaJds assitinglbeAsballinkacommunilies. Also analyze diose Moan: baltliliog from lbcslaleof emergency we are cunelllly living in. 6. Tbe impact tWttheapprobation of rellled articlesregalclingna!MiaDclsiD the Peruvian Coa>1itation will bave on the communities • right towards ocx:upying abel plOieding lbcir laa.cls from ezploiWion and invasion. Vol. 7 NO. 3 & 4 31 �ONIC DENOUNCES \VA V E OF l\1UR D E RS lima: Thedeatboftwolndigcnouspeopleaddstothereported zone, several incidents have occurred that threaten the socurity of the murder on November 2 of Nelson Moreno, president of the Indigenous peoples of the area. The Armed Forces have surrounded Ortega Municipal Council and leader of the Indigenous Re- and searched several Indigenous households in search of infonnation gional Council ofTolima (CRIT). regarding supposed links with guerrilla groups. On October 7, armed men dressed in civi Iian clothes broke into the house of Manuel Narciso Cauca: Saturday, November 6, in Rosguardo de Paletar.l, an armed Sdrez, the treasurer of the Indigenous Town Council ofVolao. They group assassinated Jorge Vargas, intcringovernor oftbe Town Coun- demanded infonnatien on guerrilla groups, and when be denied cil, and member of the Indigenous org;~nization and former guerrilla having knowledge of them, he was assassinated in front of llis family. group, Manuel Quintin Lame. The group identified itself a$ part of the Before leaving. they issued the following threat: "Anyone who gives Coordinadora Gucrrillera Simon Bolivar and Wa$IOOJcing for other even a drop of water to the guerrilla, wil.l be killed." Indigenous members of tbecommunity. The Indigenous peoples living in Urab3, in the department of Antioquia, an area of armed conflict, arc constantly subjected to the Sierra Nevada: Tuesday, November 2. Two armed men appeared crossfire between the Armed Forces and the guerrilla groups wllich dressed as civilians in tbe community of Guamacas, di.slrict of San frequently engage in combat on Indigenous lands. Juan del Cesar (Guajira) ncar Marocazo, where in April, the leader For more infonnation, contad: Arsario, Gregorio Nieves, was assassinated. Francisco Mujica, leader ofthecolllll)unityofGuamacas, was also murdcned. Thefact that a few days before, the group UNASE appeared in Marocazo with a list of ONIC names among which where the commissioner of Marocazo, Rafael 31 J5.48 Francisco Nieves, and the general socretary of the organization YUGUMAYU BUNKUNARRUA TAYRONA, Victor Julian Alberto. The group was aooompanied by a hooded man. T: Antioquia.: In the Departmentof Antioquiaand especiallyin the Urabi Source:National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC). 32 Abya Yala News �I-l l INDIGENOUS ACTIVIS T H ELD I N GuATEMALA n Oct 27, Marco Cbooo Danuls, Qeuchki man and active member of the Consejo Nacional de Desplazados de Guate mala (National Council for the Displaced of Guatemala CONDEG), was detained by soldiers in Ia "Cumbre" in Salama, Baja Versapaz, while on a bus to Guatemala City. He is repo!1edly being held in lbe anny barracks in Salama. CONDEG was founded to defend the rights of Guatemalans displaced by the anny's counter-insurgency campaign. The army considers lbe members of CONDEG to be "subversives.• In recent years, members and leaders have suffered buman rights violations, including lbeir disappearance, extrajudicial execution, and intimida- O tion. ::vt A~ RIGHTS. Lenerssbould urgelbat his legal situation be clarified and lbat beeilber be released or brought before a competent court. Plca\t stnd lt'lters to : Gntl. 'Inrio Enriqul'l 'lorult·l 'lini., lro de f)t'fl·JNt \linhlerin dt• u~:ft· n..;t Paladn \ at·ion;tl. Gn:•h·nwtt Cit~ G u:.tlt·ma ht Fa\: 01 J :-u2 2 :'.\7472 Td,·fax: 301 :W•l CO\Gl"A <a: Smd ~ • P i'-'S uf h:lll'r." lu S:\JIC :md lu: ("0\lli:G 7:t .-\H·nid;l K--56, Ztlll~tl Edifidn El ('('ntro 7 :'\hel. Ofkin:.~ 7-12 G ua1('malu Ci l~. Gua lt•maht Human Rights organizations are concerned for the safety of Marco Cbooo and ask that you immediately send leners or faxes expressing your concern for tbe safety and well-being of Marco Chooo Damas. ON-GOING VIOLENCE AGAINST MACUXf oftict between lhe Macuxi and local land owners regardi.og lbedema.rcatonofI ndigcnous territory in lbe state of Roraima, BJ112il, bas lead to continuing violenoe against lbe Macuxi. On November 6 1993, Democlidcs Albuquerque Carneiro, a 23 year old Macwcilndi.an, died in poli<lc cUStody. Aocording 10 reports, bebadbeenmestedonsuspicionofbavingstolensomecattle. A plOt to cover up lbe real cause of bis dealb was discovered when a poli<lc offioer confesed to tbe shooting. O V o l. 7 NO. 3 & 4 Souroe: Amnesty International Sinoe late Seplember, a mililaly mad bloelc bas beeo operating io lbe Raposa!Sern do Sollodigeoous area. The Macuxi have campaigned for lbe demarcation of lbe aJU as an JodigtDOUS resctve but local pol ilicians, influential land OWDetS, and lbe Slate goveromeol of Roraima are vehemently oppooed 10 lbedcmarcarion. As a resuj.~ lbe Raposa/SemtdoSolareawas DC)(deman:atedwithin tbecoostitutional deadline of October 5, 1993. Consequently, reporiS or ~ official harassment againstlndigeoouscommu.nities have been ttansmitted. Please send letters expressing your concern about the dealh in custody of Democlides Albuquerque Carneiro on November6, 1993, in the police Slation of Alto Alegre, Rollinla Call for an inquiry iolo this dealb and ask lbat the respousible be prompc!y bmugbl to~; wge a full inquiry into reports of ill-treatment and barassmco1 6)1 official security foroesof members of lndigeoous OO!IIlllunities at the mililal)' polioe baJracks in lbe Raposa!Sena do Sol area. State Hood of Polk< Exmo. Sr. S.C..tario de. Seg. _ Publica do Estado de Roraima Sr. Rubens Braga Quintela Av Capii>O Enc Garoest no 324 62.300 Boo Vista. RR Brasil State G<wemor Exmo. Sr. Govemado< do E&.lado de Rorai ma Sr. Onomar Pinto Palacio 31de Marco PrKa do Centro OviO>Ctntreo 69.3000 Boo v;..._ RR 8ra%il P!<ase send ropi<> 10 Si\ltC and: Roraim.a Indian Council C«oelho l ndig<nis<a de Ror>ima Cain Posllll t63 70.300 Boo Vis1.1. RR Bnsil 33 �DINEH STRUGGLE ' AGAINST PEABODY COAL CONTINUES illegally for 9 yeatS, the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and U.S. Department of the Interior have purposely neglected to e.oforce the law and require Peabody to Slop mining with invalid permits. In addition, there have been recent repotts of livestock confiscation in the region. Your immediate action is needed now. The destruction and suffering mUSl be stopped! Help bringjuSlice to the sacred lands of Big Mountain by sending letters and faxes expressing the need to uphold legal mandates to: __ _, ....-----------., US. Otpctren• oflllledor 111111 ud cser..a. NS. wake of fiagile ecosystem destruction, desecration of sacred es, and the depletion of valuable water resources, a major paign to hold Peabody Coal Company acoounlahle for its actions is being launched by tbe Dineb peoples of the Four Comers area in the North American Southwest. Blacl< Mesa/Kayenta mine is the largest Slrip mine and only coal slurry line in the U.S. It bas been carved into the most sacred azea of the Hopi and Dineb people, destroying all homes, grave sites and sacred azeas in its path. ·Even though Peabody bas been conducting its mining activities E W~DC.­ Fu:QOl)._ -~ Dlo<ll Ropl2045 w, 3rd 134 w-..,AZI6N7 Fulpbooe (60:1) m.:mr7 Eet':\DOHI:\~ l ~DIGE~Ol 'S MOVE:\IE~T TIIHE:\TE~ E D n the evening of October 31, COJCA's beadq\Wlers were broken into and robbed of over $6.000 worth of off1CC equipment . The wee. prior to the i nciden~ COICA was k prompted to take extraordinazy steps to improve its security when it learned that CONFENAIE's office had suffered a similaz break-in. Earlier in the montb, a dead dog was found neaz COICA's office with messages on it saying, "Mateun indioy haga patria"(bea patrio~ kill an Indian) and "Muera Lucho Maeas el reformiSla" (Death to O Lueho Macas,the reformist). The first of these messages has also been painted on numerous walls azound Quito. Luis Macas is the president of CONAIE, Ecuador's National Indigenous Federation. Wblle this bate crime is particularly ominous and disturbing. there is no evidence that it is connected to the burglary. As this type ofevent is unusual in Ecuador, membetSoftbe Indigenous community believe it could signal the emergence of a right wing effort to undermine the movement. Valerio Grefa, General Coordinator of COICA, bas written the Coalition in Support of Amazonian Peoples and tho Environment asking for its moral, political and financial assistance. Please mall or fax leners to President Sixto Duffin with copies for the Picbincha police chief. Besides expressing your concern and hope tbattbe government wlll take steps to protect COICA from threats and violence, your letters should state that we are closely monitoring the situation and will report any future incidents to the US human rightS communityandNGO'sworkinginsolidaritywithlndigenouspooples. , _.. Sblo Duna CaSI PI tdJ ~a c:lal Gtnia-1043 QuHo. £<uado< Fu: (593) z.sti0.569 Mort lnf'onnalion <'2ll be obtaiotd through Denllis Udal~ AC'tiQg COOfdJ_ator n lor tbt Am>ZOft Coalllloo at (617) 723-2578. 34 Abya Yala News �0HGA:".'IZATIO:".' & COMMUNICATION. SEEKING UNITY IN GUERRERO epresentatives from Nahuatl, Mixtooo llapanooo and Amuzgo communities attende<l tbe First Congress of Indigenous representatives of Guerrero from September 23 to 26 !993. This conference was a big Slep forward in tbe unification of Indigenous Communities of Guerrero and their struggle to estahlisb autonomy. The rights of Indigenous communities, including land rights and perspectives regarding culture and development, were among the themes addressed during the conference. ill terms of Indigenous rights, the need for the recognition of individual rights as well as traditional forms of enforcing justice was expressed. The election of commissioners within municipalities and the partitioning of Indigenous land by the Dcpattment of Agriculture was denounced as going againSt tbc traditional communal land structure. Propo6als in relation to these issues were tal<en to the National Consultation Forum of lnd.igenous Nations, where land issues and the enforcement of Article 169 are dealt with. In addition, a propo6al for the passage of a law entitled Indigenous Electoral of the Sixth District, which would allow for Indigenous representation R within the Chamber of Deputies, was put fonb. The need for direct patticipation in development programs taking place throughout the region was discussed. In this contex~ a format (or devising solutions to problems of education, unwieldy infrastructure of services, the sustainable use of natural resources and the financing of agricultura.l production was designed. In order to implement the solutions and projects, the creation of a government fund for tbe economic development of Guerrero's Indigenous communitics, to be managed by tbe communities themselves, was suggested. In order to preserve their traditional cultures, the representatives pcoposcd the creationof educational programs in which children could learn the music, dance and language of their people. The Second Conferenoc will be taking place March 15, 1994. e lnteramerican Encounter on lndig enous Rights and Common Law took place from June 16-19 at the beadquarters of the Alliance for Development in Guatemala. The event was organized by MayaOdtureCenter(CECMA). Representalives from different Indigenous organizations from throughout the continent pattieipated, including: National Indigenous Organization T: Vol. 7 NO. 3&4 of Colombia (ONIC), The Honduran FederationoftheXieaqueofYoroTribes(FETRIXJ), the General Guayami Congress and Kunas United for Napguana both from Panama, Sejekto of CoSia Rica, the Council of Mayan Organizat.ions of Guatemala, representatives of the Autonomous University of Mexico as well as representatives from SAUC in the United States. 35 �~ ""'''""""' INDIGENOUS BIODIVERSITY .~ ( """' '" '""' NETWORK e Indigenous Biodiveristy Network (Biolndio) was formed in agencies to improve its implementation at tbe international level. Geneva, Switzerland, in October 1993, by Indigenous rcpre While the convention will be a major focus, Biofndio will also serve scntatives attending the Fitst Intergovernmental Cmnmittcc to support a range of Indigenous initiatives on biological diversity on the Q>nvention on Biological Diversity held since the Rio protection around the world. Qlnferencc in June, 1993. Biolndio is a growing networlc of global aboriginal groups and organizations worlcing togctber to protect Biolndio is made up by: biological diversity tbrougb active Indigenous participation in tbe Asian lndigcnous Women's Networlc formulation of policies, laws and programs relating to biodiversity Asociaci6n de Oerccbo Ambiental de Ia Regi6n lnka·Pen\ protcction,includingratificationandimplementationoftheBiodiversity Q>ngrcso General Guayami, Panam~ Q>nvention. To strengtben the role of Indigenous peoples and their Cultural C:Onservancy, USA communities in biodiversity protection, First Nations have to forge Cultural Survival, Cana~ international connections. Presendy, Biolndio is worlcing to establish Sobrevivencia, Paraguay a non<:entralizcd structure and reaching out to native groups and SAIIC, USA organizations from the fourcomersoft be world to discusscoopcration Gabriel Muyuy, Indigenous Senator of Q>lombia at the global level. Biolndio was motivated by the need of having direct Aboriginal For more tnronnation, please contact: presence and autonomous voice on the Biodiversity Q>nvention's Alejandro Argumedo implementation phase. Ncgotiationsoftheconventiondid not include 1 Ni<holas Stree.t, Suite 620 Indigenous peoples even tbousJ! the richest ecosystem, biological and Ottawa, Ontario Canada KIN 7B7 genetic diversity is usually found on Indigenous territories. Biol.ndio Tel: 613.233.4653 will work to ensure Indigenous participation in the implementation of fax: 613.233.2292 the convention and seeks to cooperate with NGO's and international T: PEOPLES OF THE RAIN · FORESTS HOLD GLOBAL CONFERENCE epresentatives of Indigenous organizations from tropical rainforests around the world met at the Second Qlnferenceof the Worldwide Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Rain Forests held in lquitos, Peru, from August 25 to 31. The conference, organized by the Q>ordinating Body of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin(COICA), was a success notonlybecauseofthelarge numberofparticipating organizations but also due to the decisions that R were reached. The acknowledgment of Indigenous autonomy was the central theme during the Second Qlnference which included the participation of80 representatives from 26 different organizations from the Ameri· cas, Africa and Asia. The members agreed on a resolution that seeks 36 to apply the recommendations made in the 1991 U.N. meeting in Nuux, Greenland, which focused on tberigbt oflndigenous peoples to govern tbemsclves througb their own laws, social norms and cultural values in a territory designated as their own. A second resolution issued at theconferenceasks for the ratificationofcovenant 169of the International Labor Organization (IW) also dealing with indigenous sclf-<letemtination. The Alliance was fonned during tbe First Q>nferencc beld in February 1992, in Penang. Malaysia. The Alliance seeks to influence the development policies of governments by urging law makers to respect the rights oflndigenous peoples whose livelibond is tied to the forests. Aby a Y a l a News �OtHIA~IZATIO~ AlPIN om October 13-24, members of AJPIN(Inlemational Association of Indigenous Press) mel 10 p~~blicly announce recognition of lbcir o!lical staiUS by lbe International PressAssociation. AlPIN is comprised oflndigeooos people and organizations lbal work wilb various ltlOOiums of mass communication, press, radio and television. ll's objective is 10 make 1he Indigenousvoiceanactiveonewithin mainstream society. F . I:'\ & COMMUNICATION RADIO WAVES FOR WOMEN recenl conference organized by lbe "MujeresAymarasyComunicaci6n" program of lbe Center for Education and CommunicatiOn in Puno, Peru, brougbl together Indigenous Women who make community-Jcvel radio programs in PeruandlloIivia The programs, made for and by women, deal with problems faeed by women everywhere, such as domestic violence, discrimination, and marginalization. Their object islo unite women around their mutual concerns A and 10 provide an avenue lbrougb whieb women can mobilize for social ebangc. The conference provided the women an opporiUnity 10 share lbcir experiences and 10 create a network of support As Rosa Palomino, wbo producesaradioprogramin Perunoledaltbe end of lbe eonference: "The radio programs provide a system of mui\Jal supporl, a fonn of devclopmenl- Ifwedon'lincludelbcwomen, we will nol develop..." • • • • • • • • • • • D E F E :"\SE OF hDIC)E:"\Ol 'S i\1tGH.\:"\T \VOHKEHS nited Fann Workers (UFW) And Representatives of lhe Binational Mixlee-Zapolec Front (FM-ZB) have signed a joint agreement 10 Spill organizing and advance lbe defense of human and labor rights of Indigenous migrant workers in lbe U.S. Thousands of Mixlee and Zapelee Indigenous peoples comprise lbe latest immigrant group of workers toiling in lbe agrieuiiUral fields and the service industry of California. Mixlee-Zapotec Bi-national Front is lhe largest and most impertanl Oaxacan organization in California The new immigrants are Indigenous workers from the U Mexican Slate of Oaxaca wbo, through a joint effort of lbe UFW and FM-ZB, will be encouraged 10 join lbe United Fann workers Union while still maintaining lbe autonomy of lbeirown organization, under an agreement thai was signed on September 24, 1993. UFW President Arlllro Rodriguez and FM·ZB General Coordina· lOr Arlllro Pimentel Salas signed the agreement in Los Angeles, CalifomiaonSeptember 24, 1993.1beagreement is expected 10 boost a new union organization campaign begun by Cesar Olavez shortly before his death last April 22. WINGS FOR THE YouNG LAS, Solidarity Alliance of Latinarnericans, is a projecl driven by Carnita Piedra Castaneda Foundation of Ecuador, thai seeks 10 promote links in the union among lbc young Indigenous peoples of Abya Yala 10 initiate solidarity and an international support network. This projec1 covers lllree specific areas: I) The creation of a network of communication on a national and international level allowing young people access to infonnation in order promole exchange between different community organizations. 2) To prolllOie national and international gatherings with Indigenous youth. wilboul walls", community v.'Orkshops, and the "university of lbe Streets", utilizing lbe methodology of "learning/doing, the commu· nity leaches the eommunity". The objectives of ALAS are to achieve unity and leadership of young people on ~half of communication and education so young people can become fundamenlallo lbc development of their communities. ALAS will hold lbe Continenla!Eneouoler in Riobarnaba, Ecuador nexl year, People interested can contact Mauricio~ Coordinator/Secretary City of the Yoong-Penipe Box826 Riobamba, Ealador Tel: 474-124 FAX: 593-2-962263 3)1becreationof pep<~lareduealionprograms whalwillbea"sebools VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 37 �I a C.·\.LE:-.:l>/\H AsHAN l NKA AGAINST OF EvE:-.:Ts SuMMIT rteenl violence against Asbaninka communities in Peru (Soc article on page30). VIOLENCE For more infonnation C()!'ltacl: The 8 Asbanlnb Ollanizations affiliated with the lnter-dhnic As$0Cialion for thelle..:lopmentoflhe Ptruvi31l Jung)e(AlDESEP) v.ill hold the Fil:'$1Summit Gathering of the Ashaninka Peoples in Solipo, Peru, from N<Mmb<r 29 !" Deoernb« 2 Th< purpooeol thls impomnt meeting is to analyze and formu· late lhc pol ides aDd strategies thal should be taken in v~w of the I NTERNATI ONAL TESTIMON I ALS ON H UMAN R I GHTS AlDESEP Av. San Eugenio981 Uri>. Sta C.taJioa, La Vict<>rill Uma,Ptru Tcl:724«)5 Fax: O.SI-014-724«)5 befocc a Council ot TonanlZin Land lnstitute P.O. Bo.x 40182 Albuquerque, NM 87196, USA Tel: (SOS) 766-9930 lndigCOOU$ ctsliliert from around the world will present their cases FOURTH HOLD CONGRESS The Fourth Congrt.$s or the Nationallndigooous Confederation of &:uad<l< (CONAJE) \>ill "ke place frorn Deoemb<r 12·15 at the heOOqurarters of the National EcuadoriM Amazonian Indigenous ConfedtratiOia (CONFENAIE). New leaders will be eloct«< to sttve a three year ttrm by rtprcsenlatives from CoaslaJ, Andean, KANTO D E LA T I ERRA M EDI C INE Preparations are underway for next ye&''s Kanto de Ia Thm, Medici r;e f.a&Jes Gathering. to be bdd in l..aredo. Texas. a1lhe Old M Road site, rrom Mardl 17 - 20. ines FIRST GATHERING OF SPIRITUAL. ELDERS OF Mll..l..ENNI;,.. l.. OF A BYA and Amazonian <lClrnmunitic:s. on behalf or the nir;c Indigenous nalion.'i or Ecuador. 2,S(X) people are expocccd to attend. For moce Information, con~: CONAIE Av. Los Granados 25$3 and Av. 6 de Oiciembre C.Silla Pooui92-C, Ql,ito, &:uaoo< Tel: (2) 248-930 Fax: (2) 442-271 The is.sue:s of eavironment. the free trade alliance, and the ollhe rivtr ll\at scpantes Mexico and the· Ul\ited Statts are at the focus of this year's galhering. ~am.inadon Par1icip3J'lts who are planning to attend in Marett. pk.ase ooot3Ct: EAGLES GAT H ER I NG TH E that will produ« a document for For moce lnfonnation contact: The lntematicnal Te$timonials on the Violation of Indigenous Human Right$. to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from Deoemb<r9· 12. 1993, will briog Indigenous peoples and Ofi>Oiza· lions together tO (lftStnt and heat l<$limony on the impact natioa· state p·emments have 1\ad on Indigenous toVe:reignty rights. CONAIE T O l...is~eners $ubmi$$ion to the United Nalions and other forums. The event is c» sponsott<l by the ContinMtal Coor\iinating Commission of lndig· enous Na1ior\s and Otp\iutKas, tbc Indigenous Peoples' AJii· anoe. aOO the Tonantzin l..atld lnstilute. Y WISDOM Al..A The ga~hcring will acSdress the main issue affecting the lndigtflOUS Peoples of Abya Yala. !he danger of Ex.1inaion of the Wi:sdotn keepers-Spiritual EI<Sers due to the almost im,·enible damage to our Traditional W ays. Our plan of action is &O strength the Kanto de lo1lern Reymu.I'Kio Tigre-Ptrtz f.xOC:Uti\'C Oire<:c.or P.O. Box 3m i.al<do, TX 78044 Tel: (210) 791·3674 Tra<titional Ways or friendship. trust. cooperation and, above an, the building of a Peaceful Future of ~is:tenoe with all our Relations and our Mocher Earth. For all communieatiMs conlaCl us at the following addl't$$! Ploy«~<> de Dmarollo S3ntiago Km. 1S C3rretera Roost.\·ell Apclo. IJ.BC.P.01903 Guatemala, GuawnaJa Fax: 953913 Abya Y a l a N ews �LETTEHS Dear Brochers; Dear Friends: Dear SAllC Slaff: I congraiUiale and lbank you for I have received IWO casscues of I was deligbled 10 receive your your invaluablemagazineandm· your radio program, Voces news journal for lbe firs! lime. I dio programs, lbey have been so Nalivas. lgreaUyappreeialelind- found il very u.sefullo show and helpful for us here and lhc lndig- ing ou1 aboul aclivities lhal arc educalepeoplelhalcomelbmugb enous cause as a whole. The happening in lbe Indigenous lhe park and research slalion abundanl information and male- world, reclaiming righiS to land, (Parque Amacayacu, located in rial from all over lbe Indigenous naiUral resouroes and life. The the Colombian Amazon). Howworld has both stimulaled and SAIIC program is important for ever, articles describing wbal is infonned us. both Indigenous support groups happeningwilbnarureandeveryand Indigenous peoples them· !bing lbal lives wilhin i~ were Soon we will also be sending in· selves. missing. fonnalion aboul Napuruna and who we are. I will be sending you infonnation Rodolfo Pinilla and pholograpbs aboul us and lbe Parque Amacayacu Yesterday, "Voz de Ia Selva," a activities our men, women and Lelica, Amazonas Colombia radioSiationiniquilosworking al children are involved in. lbe forefronl wilb Nalive com· munilies, did a nalional report on Loila Rener lbe conlarnination of lbe Napo Managua, Nicaragua River. Valerio Grefa of COICA is a paisano and we speak in We've eome &om Quichua. It seems as !hough a ·afar to talk about God, petroleum company is going 10 Slarl operations in Peru close 10 \ civilization, and eternal lbe Cumry river which leads 10 ' - - - wisdom lbe Napo river. If Ibis happens, where are we going 10 find fish 10 cal and clean waler? Dear SAIIC S1aff:, . I would like 10 unile my voice wilb lbeolber people lbal see and read lbe Boletin, even lbougb I am far away, wilb unified senti· meniS in an eeho lhal will grow louder every time. I a.m a mesli2a from a region of O>Iombiaandbaveworkedmany years wilb various elbnic groups. As an anlbmpologist, I work wilb women and lbus am very interestedinfonningawomen'sgroup in the furure. For Ibis reason, I would very much like 10 receive your book Daugblers of Abya Yala. Amanda 0 . Delgado Cali, Colombia Since I live by lhe Napo River, I lold lbe people in charge of O>n· servalion and lbe Environmenl aboullbis possibilily so lhallhey migbiSiarldoingsometbing. Unfortunalely, lhey are in lbe clouds. Bul, if we keep lalking 10 lbem, lbe migbl do act. They have said 10 me, "You, lbe Nalive peoples, aretbevoiceofalarm." They also would like 10 receive your news journal. Padre J O>quinche Mercia Mision Napuruna, Rio Napo Iquilos, Peru VOl. 7 NO.3 39 �1992 DIRECTORY I NTERNATIONAL & REsOURCE G UIDE An annotated directory of over 600 international organizatiOns that participated in 500 Years of Resistance projects. Includcs declarations from Indigenous conferences and organizations and informarion on cuniculum resources, speakers bureaus, computer networks, audio·visual resources and print rcsourocs. S8 + $1.75 shipping. DAUGHTERS OF ABYA y ALA Testimonies of Indian womeo organizing throughout the O>ntinCIIL SWemems from grassroots lodian women leaders from South and M<$0 America. InehJdes n:solutions from Indigenous women's meet· VIDEO: COLUMBUS DIDN'T DISCOVER ingo, a dit:eeto<y of Indian women's organizations and key oonlliCIS, informationonlndianwomeo'sprojCCCS,andpoemsbylndianWOII1CII. Forty~iglltpages with beautiful black and white photographs. Printed on recycled paper. $8 + $1.SO shipping. Soon 10 be available in Us Native people~ perspcccivcs on the Columbus Quinocntennial based §pankh, on the footage of the t 990 Quito Conference. 24 minutes. A CO· production of SAIIC, CONAIE, ONIC and Turning Tide Productions. Available in Spanish or English for S2S + $1.75 for shipping &handling. AMAzoNIA: VOICES FROM THE RAINFOREST VIDEO: REBuu..DING OUR A resource and action guide with a comprehensive lisling of international rainforest and Amazonian Indian organi_atiioos z sponsored by SAI IC and the International Rivers Network, and COMMUNITIES lnc!Jaenous leaders from Central and South Ameri<:a di.scuss the 500-yean campaign, which began as an Indian n:sponse to the Quinceo.tenary celebration and has developed as an ongoing dialogue among indigenous activists. Produced by SAIIC. $18 + $1.75 shipping. published by Rainforest Action Network and Amazonia Film Project, 1990. Available in Spanish or English for $8.50 + $1.75 shipping. VIDEO: J\ SKIHT Flu. OF l3LTTEHFLIES SAJIC LOGo T-SHIRTS t:; ThrcceolorT.Shi~s with the SAIIC logo on the front and the logo of theeondor and the Eagle from the Quito Conference on the back. S12 + $2 shipping, spee,ify M, L, XL, XXL: White, turquoise or Red. m i nU(l'"· ,.\ IO\'(' IJIK'Ill In thl' hthmu... ZiiJlUh,••.: \\Uil1l'11 or !\(llltlu:rn ():~\:u.'<t, ~1~:\h:u. h~ lilmmak\'r\ Elh:n <>...hurm· o111d :\tau n.'l'll <;c,...,Jin~. Fur ,., ... r.\· pu rt:hao.;e m:ul(•, :• 'l'Cund c.'HP.'.\\ill hl' ~·nt tu an lndigl'nou-. \\tnm.•n's urJ.!anization as a ~ifl. $19.95 + ':'..' ...hi(lpin:.!. South and Meso American Indian Information Center (SAIIC) PO Box 28703, Oakland, CA 94604 Non-profit Organization Postage PAID Oakland, CA US .· . Permit No. 79 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 7, nos. 3-4 (Fall/Winter 1993) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource II Continental Encounter of Indigenous Peoples Language A language of the resource English https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/a1bc4e5d895143e8da5bbef28a4611fa.pdf 9b77fda7b1048e3be12fd2604570a72d PDF Text Text II Co~T I ~E~TAL ENcot:~TEH oF I ~D I GENO L ; s PEOP L ES, NATIONS A~n 0H.GA~ I ZATIONS CON I C lh the participation of more lban 300 Indigenous delegates, sup porters, and observers, the II Continenl.11 Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, Nations, and Organizations took place at the OtomiCoremoniaiConteroftheNathoNahnu people, in Ternoaya, Mexico, from the 8th through lhe 13th of October. The Encounter was organized by lhe Coordinating Comnnissionof Indigenous Nations and Organizations of the Continent (CONiq. Th.s Encounter i was a follow up to the First Continenl.11 Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, which took place in Quito, Ecuador in July of 1990. Its goal was 10 consolidate an autonomous and unified Indigenous movement throughout the Abya Yala continent A Provisional Council, responsible for pu«ing together the Third Encounter that will take place in Guatemala between the months of September and November of 1994, was fonned. During the Third Continental Encounter, CONIC will he fonnaUy oonslitutedand regional workshops will he organized around the various issues that Indigenous Peoples are faced with. The first meeting of lhe Provisional Council will lake place in Bolivia in February 1994, organized by the Coordinadora de Mujeres lndigenas de Bolivia. The following are members of the Provisional Council: Conscjo de Todas las Tierras (Mapuche, Chile); Coordinadora de Mujeres lndigenas de Bolivia; Confederaeion de Nacionalidades lndigenas del Ecuador- W 4 I. Spirihmlit~ and Tntditiun CONAlE; Consejo deOrganizaciones Mayas de Guatemala; Kunas Unidos por Napguana Panama); Frenle lndependienle de Pueblos The spirituality of our cultures and the many Indios, Mexico and Consejo lndigena de traditional forms in wllich lhal spirituality is Guerrero,Mexico,TONATIERRAandSAIIC expressod, are the deep essence of our identity. The Great Spirit that shellers aU of Abya of USA Yala unites us, protects us, and offers us the co:-;1c llrdaralion ofTemoa)a. 199.1 means to bridge our differences with mutual respoet. We conclude that a basic condition 501 years after the European invasion, the for maintaining the spirituality and traditions Peoples and Original Nations of Abya Yala of our Peoples is the recovery ofou.r territories gather together. Their song has causod the and lhe healing and renewal of ou.r Sacred heart of the Earth 10 vibrnte, given Strength to Morhe.r Earth, returning her green cover and our voices and illuminated our thoughts, nourishing her with organic life rather than strengthening the wannth of the sacred fire. with the chemicals that poison and profane her. We agree that it is vil.1lto foster, develop, and strengthen the roorsofour identity; therefore it is offundamenl.11 importance to work for the recovery of ou.r own fonns of living with and relating to ou.r Father Sun, our MOibe.r Earth, ou.r G.raodfalbcr Fire, and our Grandmother Moon We demand of lhe NationStates the recognition of ou.r religious practices and ouruse of traditional andceremonial medicines, as well as the decriminalization of Thus, every morning, we greeted our Fa- coca, peyole, mushrooms and other plants of lher Sun and welcomed the new day. His sacred and healing value... energy has united us and given us strength to II. :\loth('r E:.ulh. Tt·rl'ilor.\ , ;md progress in ou.r work. We conclude five days llarmon inus De\ l'lopmcnl of work towards agreements and consensusof dialogues and debate. With pain and with hope, wilhjoyandwithangcr, we havereached One of theprinciple agreements reached althe the following agreements and conclusions fo.r Earth Summit that took place in Brazil in the future: 1992, was the warning call that united all of Abya Yala News �lbecounuies and social sectors oflbe wo~d in face of lbe gteal dangers that confront our Planet. In add.ition, fuU recognition was given to lbe sustainable and SUstaining technologies lbat have been practiced by the Original Nations for thousands of ycaiS. For our Peoples, ecology is not a fashion statement nor a recent development. This islbewayourelderstaught us: "If you are going to cut down some trees in order to plant the seeds of your nourishment, you need to ask permissionoflbespiritsofthe forest and study lbecyclesofrencwal in order to help regenerate what you bave altered. You must ask permission and give offerings to the Earth Mother before opening any wounds in her body witb the sharpened steel of your tools. You must study the agricultural calendar for the weD-being of the other living beings who acoompany you in this life. In order to eliminate the root of the plunder and genocide suffered by our Peoj>les, it is necessary to undertake a profou'l.d territorial reorgani2ation at a continent4levellhat bas as its objective lbe redefinition and the recognition of autonomous territories. As Original Peoples, we denounce the neoliberal econontic model which continues to generate more povt(ly, buoger, and environmental degradation. We are convinced of the need to establish alliances with lbe different sectors of society in order to join our efforts and work together towards the creation of alternative ecooontic models which will 001 be based upon consumption and coltinuing ecological degradation. R<':\olutions Peoples of Honduras addressing the plenary 4) Their adverse impact on Sclf-Oetennina- 1HE F1JU. EXERCISE OF OUR SELFtion and Indigenous rights. DETERMINATION." This self-detennina5} Their elimination of smaiJ-scale agricul- tion must • ...be expressed as fuU recognition. ture in favor of multi-national agribusiness. 6) Their po!ential for aUowing the exploita· tion of child labor. 7) The lack of access our chil~n have to the basic education that wouJd allow lbem to compete intcmationaUy. We protest and express our consternation and dismay at the proposal to collect human genes on lbc pan of'ProjectHurnan Genome Diversity Project (seearticle,(l'!ge 12) We demand that tbe HGD Project cease and desist in its attempt to coUect human genes from Indigenous peoples, and that the United States government withdraw its application to patent the genes of a Guaymi woman, and any other similar applications. We also demand that GA1T not approve any Agreement about the Patenting of Human Genes or other forms of life. A) Witb the purpose of promoting a harmonious, sustainable, and community-based deIll. Sclf·l><'lrrmination. l.l•J.:.i'lation. velopment, we strongly denounce and oppose :.1nd lndi~<'llOUs Ri;:,ht-; GA1T and NAFTA for tbe following rcasons: The First Contioeotal Encounter in Quito in 1990constitutes a significant reference point I) Their adverse impact on Nature. in the actual struggles waged by the Original 2) Their exploitation of the Indigenous work Peoples of Abya Yala. In lbat occasion, we force. produccdtheQuito Declarationwhich in 1993 3) Their violation of lnd.igenous inteUectual is still very relevant We said: "We are now property rights with respoct to Indigenous fully aware that our definitive liberation CAN Oora and fauna. ONLY BE EXPRESSED BY MEANS OF VOl. 7 NO. 3 &4 TElOUROWNINDlGENOUSSELF-GOVERNMENT AND CONTROL OF OUR OWNlERRITORIES."!nordertomakereal this objective, we maintained: •rr IS NECESSARY TO HAVB A COMPLETE AND THOROUGH TRANSFORMATION OF lHESTAlEANDNATIONALSOCIETY. We ratify the understanding of ourselves as Peoples, as the Original Peoples and F'U$1 lnbabitantsof this continent Were vindicate our right to be recognized as such by the international community, and the United Nations. The opposition,of the national States to the acknowledgment of our rights has its principal origin in the very configuration of the Nation-States, wbieb by their very nature exclude our Pooples. 11 is not enough for them to declare themselves "multi-cultural" or "multi-ethnic", as these declarations do 001 modify them in the least. 11 is necessary 10 BUILD MULTINATIONAL STATES tbat will recognize the coexistence of multiple Peoples within one State. CONIC needs to work towards gnarantceing the panicipatioo of Indigenous Peoples in tbe different meetings that the UN carries out in regard to our rights and request that it consider a proposal to re-structure itself in order to include Indigenous Nations as full members. 5 �detcnnination. However, there have also been aggressions against our people as the vora· cious neolibcral appetite for our territories From remote times, our Peoples established We consider it necessary to promote the es- and resources continues. thefamilyastbcbasicunitofsocialorganiza- tablishment of an educational system in acWe must make an effort to de-colonize lion. The roles of men and women, of youth cordance with the philosophy and world view ourrelves, to recover our capacity to be indigand elders, were different in their functions, of our Peoples. The formation of one's iden- nant over any attack and any injustice combutequalintbeirim- . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . , mined against a fellow portance. The hisPeople. We need to estabtoric situation of our lish more effective lines of peoples bas laid a communication between great burden of reTo the UN Secretary General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali the continental Indigenous sponsibilities on movement and the womcn,buttbanksto We, the members of CONIC are writing to express the following: grassroots communities ourstrengtbandconandorganizations. We also viet ion much of our At the opening ceremony of lbe International Year of Indigenous Peoples, need to be more effective traditions and cusat the UN in New York, CONIC made an effort to invite 231ndigenous in the handling of national tomswerekeptalive. delegates from aU over the world, in order to support the UN initiative in and international laws. Women play an imdeclaring 1993 the Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples. During the Anocberoftbeadvanccs portant roleasaprinffitcials expressed their which webaveacbicved in inauguration, government representatives and UNo the last three years as ciple leaders and desire for a new partnership with Indigenous Peoples. counsclorswithspiriCONIC is the relationship tuality being the thatbasgrownbetweentbe Today, ten months later, this new relationship has not yet materialized, organizations of the North source of our strength. The world regarding participation and dialogue. For this reao;on, we are requesting to and the South of the contiview of Indigenous have a meeting between CONIC members and other Indigenous Peoples nent. This brings us much women is not one of the world with the UN... joy because it also signifies which divides and the fulfillment of a propbseparatcs, but is inWritten attbe Otomi Ceremonial Center, Temoaya, October 12 1993. ecyofourancestors, lhcrcstcad a holistic one. encounter of the Eagle and the Condor. We are thus The importance of the role of women in the continuity of our tity is a fundamental part of children's and creating the basis for a true continental indigculture was higltligbted. The need to educate young people's educational process. That enous unity. our children within the family, in our own identity begins at home, but it must be reinTo this end, we must higltligbtthat this U Encounter has bad as a distinctive sign the culture and mocbcr tongue was insisted upon. forced and strengthened at school. permanent spiritual presence that accompaIt is recommended that we build even closer relationships with our children, in order to \"1. Organi1.ation - CO:>;JC nied us during all oftbedaysof the Encounter. The presence of many gf.mdpareniS, elders, transmit our spiritual strength to tbem and prevent alienation and distancing form their One of the most important achievementS of and spiritual guides made it possible for us to original cultures. To this end, it c~ considered these three years that have transpired since the have great energies to dedicate to our work, important that in tbe forthcoming year of first Continental Encounter in Quito in 1990, and contributed to the successful completion 1994, which has been declared by tbe United is the consolidation oft be Indigenous struggles of our task... A complete Report of the Second EncounNations as the "Year of the Family", funds be in each of our countries. channeled specifically for the purpose of Currently, the international community bas terwill be published in tbe next Couple months. strengthening Indigenous families. We need begun to recognize the just nature of our If you wish to receive a copy oft be Report you to promote women'sorganizations incoordi· claims, and we can affirm that we have gained can write to SAIIC, also to: TONATIERRA. nation with family and community. importantallies in support ofour right to self- P 0 Box 24009. PbeeniJ<, AZ 85074. USA. IV. \\"omen. Famil) and Communi!) 6 V. Education. Culture and Youth Aby a Yala News � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 7, nos. 3-4 (Fall/Winter 1993) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource II Continental Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, Nations and Organizations Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource CONIC 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 II Continental Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, Nations and Organizations Item Type Journal Article Author CONIC Volume 7 Issue 3,4 Pages 4-6 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 This article is an abbreviated report of the second meeting of Continental Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, Nations and Organizations that took place at Temoaya, Mexico on October 8-13, 1993 and the article outlines the goals the organization wishes to accomplice by the fourth meeting that is to take place in Bolivia in 1994. Attachment Title II Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, Nations, and Organizations_from abyayala_v07n03_04-2.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] October 1993 Original Peoples Temoaya Mexico https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/54d565a406c789b243deac30a4a5e4a2 5a9838108c36ea7ab7c98dc3020324d9 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 (8).pdf PDF Text Text 11 11 NTERNACIONAL Con la participación de más de 300 delegados indígenas, miembros de grupos de apoyo y observadores, del 8 al 13 de octubre de 1993 se realizó en el Centro Ceremonial Otomí del Pueblo Ñatho Ñahñu, en Temoaya, Mexico, Abya Yala, el Il Encuentro Continental de Naciones, Pueblos y Organizaciones Indígenas convocado por la Comisión Coordinadora de Naciones y Organizaciones Indígenas del Continente (CONIC). Este Encuentro tuvo como propósito dar seguimiento a los acuerdos del Primer Encuentro Continental de Pueblos indios, celebrado en Quito, Ecuador, en julio de 1990. Durante el Segundo Encuentro fué formado un Consejo Provisional, que será el responsable de la organización del Tercer Encuentro que se realizará en Guatemala entre los meses de septiembre y noviembre de 1994. Durante el Tercer Encuentro 8 CONIC se constituirá formalmente y también se organizarán talleres regionales. La primera reunión del Consejo Provisional se realizará en Bolivia en febrero de 1994 y será organizada por la Comisión Coordinadora de Mujeres Indígenas de Bolivia (CCMIB). Los siguientes son los miembros del Consejo Provisional: Consejo de Todas las Tierras (Mapuche, Chile); Comisión Coordinadora de Mujeres Indígenas de Bolivia; Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador CONA/E; Consejo de Organizaciones Mayas de Guatemala; K unas Unidos por Napguana (Panamá); Frente Independiente de Pueblos Indios y Consejo Indígena de Guerrero (México )y TONATIRRA y SAIIC de Estados Unidos. En el segundo encuentro se emitió la Declaración CONIC Temoaya 1993 Noticias de Abya Yala � 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 (Spanish) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource II Encuentro Continental de Naciones, Pueblos y Organizaciones Indigenas del Continente Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall/Winter 1993 Language A language of the resource English Zotero Title II Encuentro Continental de Naciones, Pueblos y Organizaciones Indigenas del Continente Item Type Newspaper Article Attachment Title Vol. 7, nos. 3&4 (8).pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Issue 3 and 4 Language Spanish Publication Title Noticias de Abya Yala Volume 7 Abstract Note An introduction to an abbreviated report of the second meeting of Continental Encounter of Indigenous Peoples, Nations and Organizations that took place at Temoaya, Mexico on October 8-13, 1993 and the article outlines the goals the organization wishes to accomplice by the fourth meeting that is to take place in Bolivia in 1994. Pages 8 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/92d29dd574bf8a156cb4ec255d0fd70d 89d951267f8aca0f56c174fa5d608ce5 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. 4 (10-11, 31).pdf PDF Text Text I l 0 ~ I Gerard Schulting The controversy surrounding this Convention continues to demand closer inspection. It is therefore necessary to analyze to what extent the Indigenous aspirations are reflected in Convention 169. It was not possible to reprint the document in its entirety in Abya Yala News due to space constraints nor is it possible to examine each article of the convention. There are however, a few elements of the Convention that need special attention. Bask Principles of Convention No. 169 Convention No. 169 emphasizes the shift in the conceptual approach to Indigenous and tribal peoples towards one based on respect for their specific identity "... and their right to participate in the decision-making process in all questions and programs directly affecting them, that is to say, to participate in the making of decisions and the determination of their own destiny." The Convention has 32 operative articles and is based on two fundamental concepts: consultation and participation. It is premised on the belief that Indigenous and tribal peoples should have the right to be consulted when legislative and administrative measures which may affect them are being considered; that they should have the right to participate at all levels of decision-making concerning them; and that they should have the right to decide their own development priorities. In addition there is a requirement for prior impact assessment studies to assess the social, spiritual, cultural and environmental implications of any planned development activities on these peoples (Article 7). The Convention addresses issues of vital importance to Indigenous and tribal peoples including the rights of ownership and possession over the lands they traditionally occupy, or have had access to 10 The peoples question (Article 14); the rights to natural resources including the right to participate in the use, management and conservation of such resources (Article 15); displacement (Article 16); land alienation (Article 17); unauthorized intrusions (Article 18); agrarian programs (Article 19); recruitment and conditions of employment (Article 20); vocational training, handicrafts and rural industries (Articles 2l to 23); social security and health (Articles 24 and 25); education (Articles 26 to 31) and cross-border cooperation (Article 32). Eight years after the adoption of Convention 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the flames of controversy smolder on. The Convention has been criticized for not fully embodying the Indigenous point of view. There are even those who imply that the wording of the document is a direct affront to the rights of Indigenous peoples. Directly after the adoption of Convention 169 by the ILO, the Indigenous Peoples Preparatory Meeting in Geneva produced a resolution rejecting Convention 169 and asking governments not to ratify it. Yet despite its arguable shortcomings, most Indigenous leaders and organizations see the Convention as an important step towards an improvement of their human rights situation and are eager for governments to ratify it. One of the biggest bones of contention was the inclusion of the term "peoples." Convention No.l07 of 1957 used the term "populations" and Indigenous rights organizations were pressing to replace "populations" by "peoples," to reflect the fact that these Indigenous cultures are organized societies with thdr own distinct identity. However, most governments were not willing to accept peoples because of the implication it would have under international law. Important international treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) refer to the right of self-determination, by stating that "all peoples have the right of selfdetermination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development." Most governments fear that granting the right of selfdetermination to these "peoples" will allow them the right to succeed under international law. By not recognizing Indigenous peoples as such, they will not be able to invoke these international treaties and declarations that discuss the right to self-determination that all peoples have. In this regard, Convention 169 reflects the governments' point of view. Therefore, after much debate it was decided that the "use of the term 'peoples' in this Convention shall not be construed as having any implications as regards the rights which may attach to the term Continue on page 11 Abya Ya\a News �CONVENTION under international law" (Article 1). Qualifying the term peoples means discriminating between non Indigenous peoples as recognized by international law and Indigenous peoples who are denied the right of self-determination. In this aspect, the qualification contradicts article 35 of the Convention, which states that "the application of the provisions of this Convention shall not adversely affect rights and benefits of the peoples concerned pursuant to other Conventions and Recommendations, international instruments, treaties, or national laws." Consent or control? One of the main objections to Convention 107 was its integrationist approach; it was assumed that Indigenous societies were dissolving and Indigenous people would eventually assimilate into the national society Therefore, the concept of assimilation was to be replaced by terms that reflect the vision that Indigenous peoples deserve the right IT SHOULD BE to survive, indeed to thrive. To NOTED THAT ensure a high INDIGENOUS AND degree of recogniTRIBAL PEOPLES tion of Indigenous peoples' rights, DO NOT HAVE the inclusion of RIGHT OF the term consent and control in the VETO OVER new Convention DEVELOPMENT was advocated. POLICIES. Most governments and employers INDIGENOUS representatives REPRESENTATIVES opted for the FEEl THAT THEIR terms: participation and consultaLACK OF VETO tion instead, conPOWER AllOWS cepts that still GOVERNMENTS assume outside initiatives coming TOO MUCH from the governFREEDOM TO DO ment and not AS THEY PLEASE. from Indigenous peoples themselves. Consultation and participation prevail throughout the Convention. The problem remains over how consultation and participation should be interpreted. An example of this wording appears in Articles 6 and 7, two central policies of the Convention. Article~ 6 requires the Vol. 10 No.4 government to "consult the peoples concerned, through appropriate procedures and in particular through their representative institutions, whenever consideration is being given to legislative or administrative measures which may affect them directly" This article goes on to state that the "consultations carried out in application of this Convention shall be undertaken, in good faith and in a form appropriate to the circumstances, with the objective of achieving agreement or consent to the proposed measures." Article 7 is equally as vague with its reference to Indigenous peoples right to "participate in ~ the formulation, imple0 mentation and evaluation ., of plans and programs for national and regional devel- 0 .1> opment which may affect them directly" + It should be noted that Indigenous and Tribal peoples do not have the right of veto over development policies. Many Indigenous representatives feel that their lack of veto power allows governments too much freedom to do as they please. According to these two articles, it is the responsibility of the government to create the atmosphere which allows Indigenous people to contribute their ideas. The government must inform Indigenous peoples about proposed projects by providing them with the relevant information. debate around lands and resources 1 6 9 feet tense appears to be an attempt to avoid recognition of these rights based on past "occupation." Article 15 is a recognition of the governments' point of view that the state will always have the last word on the natural resources. With its claim that the rights of Indigenous peoples to the natural resources pertaining to their lands shall be "specially safeguarded, including the right of these peoples to participate in the use, management and conservation of these resources", this article seems to cona :! tradict article 14. If 0 Indigenous peoples ~ already own and possess their lands (art. 14), how can they be given the right to participate in the use, management and conservation of the resources (art.15)? This can only be the case when the state retains the sovereignty over all the natural resources, no matter if these resources pertain to Indigenous lands or not. Because access to subsurface resources normally requires the purchase or lease of the surface area above and Indigenous peoples are often prohibited from owning land or do not have official land titles, the Indigenous representatives suggested to the ILO that they be granted control over the subsurfaces to alleviate problems in the future. This proposal was met with fierce opposition by many governments and employer representatives. Evaluation From the Indigenous point of view the term territories should be used to cover all lands and resources belonging to Indigenous peoples. Hard-line government representatives were not willing to accept this, since this would affect the national integrity of the state. Article l3 uses the compromise "the lands or territories, or both as applicable." Article 14 is crucial because it deals with "the rights of ownership and possession of the peoples concerned over the lands which they traditionally occupy" Apart from the fact that occupy seems more suitable to be used in relation to invasions in times of war than when referring to Indigenous peoples, the use of this term in the imper- From the Indigenous perspective, the heavy use of qualifications throughout Convention 169 has made it a lot weaker. The best example of this practice, which is very common in international law, is Article 16 which deals with the issue of relocation and is riddled with qualifications. Where relocation of Indigenous peoples is necessary, this shall only take place with Indigenous consent. Where this is not possible, appropriate procedures, including public inquiries, where appropriate, must be undertaken. Whenever possible, the peoples shall return to their lands, if such a return is not possible, they shall be provided with Continue on page 31 11 j �ENVIRONMENT to be a parody of real democratic proceedings. Ironically; in a press release earlier in the year, Vice Minister of the Environment Luis Castro had proudly announced that "for the first time the minister of the environment is opening the process of public consultation so that persons and organizations interested in the ecological ramifications can listen to the presentation of the instrument, share their opinions and plan their responses/ observations." Aside from being considered "grave" and "deplorable", the process of public consultation carried out by the government violated five articles of the Organic Law on the Ordering of Territory; which afford the public the right to be informed and consulted about matters pertaining to this natural area. Presidential decree 1850 also violates two different national laws mandating congress' approval for any project that affects national territory; specifically the forest reserves. The plan establishes a fundamental change in the use of the Imataca reserve and the granting of large mineral concessions without the authorization of the National Congress. According to the Law of Forests, Grounds and Water, forest reserves are never allowed to be colonized or transfered without the approval and authorization of the national congress. The decree also violates a number of international laws and conventions, signed by Venezuela and ratified by the National Congress, including the 1941 Washington Convention on the protection of flora, fauna, and natural beauty of the Americas; the Convention on Biodiversity; the Convention on Climate Change; Agenda 21, the global action plan endorsed by Venezuela at the 1992 World Summit on the Environment in Rio de janeiro, as well as ILO Convention 107 on the protection of Indigenous people. It also ignores domestic law concerned with the territorial and other fundamental rights of Indigenous peoples. Besides these irregularities and violations, the plan is causing controversy within the professional sector of the nation. The government claims that the plan was created with the help of the faculty of the Forestry and Environmental Science Department at the University of the Andes. The government surveys of the Imataca Researve were done on a Vol. 10 No.4 scale of 1:250,000. This myopic investigation cannot provide adequate information about the majority of the ecosystems in the region. The University denies involvement and says that the plan is based on a misinterpretation of their research. Many find it ironic that an eminent administrative organization would contradict the opinions of technical and scientific specialists, who are demanding the abolishment of the decree. On the 14th of june the faculty approved a pronouncement soliciting the President of the Republic to revoke Decree 1850. This was followed by numerous other formal denunciations of the plan by politicians, academics, and over twenty Venezuelan environmental groups. Decree 1850 continues to cause a wave of protest in the country. The church, questioning the environmental policy of the government, believes that the plan for Imataca will amount to environmental degradation and fails to take into account the rights of Indigenous people. Some members of the Venezuelan National Parliament refer to the decree as a means of legalizing the destruction of this reserve. According to a ex-governor of the state of Bolivar, which comprises much of the Imataca reserve, Decree 1850 contains technical, legal and political failures. The social Christian party of Venezuela, COPEI, urged the government to revise Decree 1850 claiming it disregarded the opinion of major sectors of the population and reminding that the Council of Ministers does not have the right to decide about the use of national territory. They requested that the government study the true riches of the forest, the fragile ecology, the Indigenous communities and the biodiversity. Scientists are asking the government to abolish decree 1850, to create mining limits, and to conduct a new investigation to get a realistic idea about the effects of the plan. In response to the public outcry, President Caldera has said that the opening of Imataca to mining and wood exploitation represents the desire of the population. One minister even went so far as to say that the plan is a continuation of the Venezuelan government's policy of "rescuing the Imataca reserve" because the ecosystem is already being destroyed by wildcat mining workers .... Continued from page 11 alternative lands in all possible cases. All of these qualifications leave a lot room for interpretation. Convention 169 is a great improvement on the previous convention dealing with Indigenous peoples, but it has not totally succeeded in abolishing the integrationist approach of Convention 107. Articles 8 and 9, dealing with Indigenous customs and customary law, are good examples of this. Article 8 guarantees Indigenous peoples the right to retain their own customs and institutions, where these are not incompatible where Customs and customary law shall be recognized as long as they are not conflicting with national laws and regulations. This means that recognition will only follow if these customs are compatible with the national law, for this to happen a lot of customs and customary rules will have to be adapted. Convention 169 does not reflect the wishes of Indigenous peoples regarding their recognition as peoples, the issue of territories, nor does it include the concepts of consent and control. So in this sense one might conclude that Convention 169 is not a great step forward in the recognition of the rights of Indigenous peoples. On the other hand, it was necessary to provide for a lot of diverse situations worldwide and agreement could not be always be reached on many of these issues. It was obvious that the governments were not going to ratify the Convention if it was so strong that it would require them to change their legal systems; and without ratifications there are no obligations or standards at all. It is important to remember that ILO Conventions are minimum standards and that no governments can ever create new legislation based on Convention 169, and thereby disregard national regulations that grant more extensive rights. Convention 169 is one of the instruments which stands along side the national regulations and legal framework. The ILO has proven to have built up quite an expertise on Indigenous issues, starting with the adoption of Convention 107 in 1957. This knowledge, together with the supervisory procedure, has the capacity to contribute to an improving human rights situation for the world's Indigenous peoples .... 31 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 10, No. 4 (Fall 1997) 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 ILO Convention 169: Can it help? Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 1997 Language A language of the resource English Zotero Title ILO Convention 169: Can it help? Item Type Newspaper Article Attachment Title Vol. 10, no. 4 (10-11, 31).pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Issue 4 Language English Publication Title Abya Yala News Volume 10 Author Gerard Schulting Abstract Note The potential of ILO Convention 169 helping indigenous groups is a weak one due it it acting as a minimal set of standards for states to follow. However, it can provide a solid foundation for indigenous groups to seek increased recognition of their rights. Pages 10-11, 31 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/28c24aa303a3a578ab6c6e61253e4fef.pdf 66107ccad54d6d1f5eedb7bf52f97456 PDF Text Text IMPERIALISM AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE In 1966 the United States sent a special military force to Bolivia that included North American Indians. This secret mission used North American Indians to spy and infiltrate because they look similar to the Bolivian Indians. This special military force was instructed to hunt down Che Guervara and execute him. As a result, Che Guevara and many others were killed. Many Indian brothers from the United States are now being used in military activity in Central America. Furthermore, the Civilian Military Assistance (CMA), a private U.S. group, is organizing a team of American Indian Vietnam veterans to train some anti-Sandinista Miskitu Indians in Honduras. They will teach these Miskitu Indians demolition and weapons training techniques to fight the Sandinistas. Indian people who participated in these military actions often speak of their experiences in Bolivia and Central America and knowledge of their participation is widely known in the Indian Community. This type of military tactic is nothing new for American Indians. Historically, the indigenous people of the American continent have suffered genacide from the invading colonists. In many cases the colonists were successful in annihilating tribes because they utilized Indian guides and scouts supplied the conquerors with vital information The more information the conquerors obtained, the easier it was to obliterate these indigenous people. Per~ haps without such vital information and assistance from ~ Indian spies and scouts, the colonists may have never conquered many tribes. The exact reasons why these "sell-out" Indians or traitors assisted the conquerors is not known. Perhaps their behavior resulted from the confusion that the imperialists intentionally created to fragment the tribes and conquer them. Or these "sell-out" Indians may have been seeking revenge by utilizing the colonial forces as a weapon against their enemies. Or perhaps they desired a reward that would improve their personal livelihood. Today in the U.S., numerous Indians are recruited or voluntarily join the military. Many of these individuals end up in the combat portion of the U.S. military. These Indian youth are prospective candidates for the Central Intelligence Agency and other secret mercenary forces that specialize in killing people. For whatever reason, they enlist in the military, they are in general unemployed, young, and seeking opportunities to better themselves economically. Sadly, this is the situation of contemporary Indians and has made many indigenous Vol. 1, no. 4. Spring, 1985. Published by SAIIC. ® 1985. Page 6 �people refer to the U.S. people (including Indians) as imperialists who come to their countries to kill and terrorize. We cannot deny this unfortunate title describing the U.S. relationship with other countries. However, many of us do not agree with the u.s. policies in Latin America and other regions. Indians in the United States have always been the victims of imperialism, and also suffer the contemporary threat of being divided and conquered. The F.B.I. and other espionage groups that have undermined the indigenous people continue to be a threat to Indians in the United States. If indigenous people are to maintain their tribal cohesiveness, traditional homelands, culture, and other essential values, it is a must to create solidarity with other indigenous people. We must counsel and educate youth about how indigenous people are manipulated by the military to obliterate other indigenous people. Hopefully, through a better understanding and awareness, such oppression and bloodshed will be eliminated. History has revealed to us how indigenous people were obliterated and quickly assimilated into the mainstream culture by the use of Indian scouts and spies. If this "sellout" behavior does not cease, we will loose everything we have, from the lands we occupy to the culture, and lives of many people. --James Muneta PERU Peruvian Indians are in the midst of a major crisis that is reason for renewed solidarity with their struggle against ethnocidal forces. As a nation, Peru is suffering under extreme inflation, and the effects of devaluation that the government has imposed in an attempt to pay off an international debt of over $13 billion. Indian people who represent more than half the population, and who most often suffer from poverty are are hardest hit by this extreme economic situation. The International Monetary Fund representing the interests of industrialized European and North American nations, and multinational interests, began making high interest loans to Peru in 1976. These loans are often intended for "development" projects, which often mean roads cutting through indigenous homelands and sacred areas for government and private industry access to timber, minerals, and petroleum. Another face of development has been the government policy of encouraging Quechuaspeaking Indians from Andean mountain villages, whose land has been taken from them, to settle in colonies in the jungle to the east of the Andes. Government officials in Lima do not respect the fact that these jungle areas are the territories of sixty different Vol. 1, no. 4. Spring, 1985. Published by SAIIC. @ 1985. Page 7 � 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. 1, No. 4 (Spring 1985) 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 Imperialism and Indigenous People 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 1985 Language A language of the resource English Zotero Title Imperialism and Indigenous People Item Type Journal Article Attachment Title Vol. 1, no. 1 (6-7).pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Issue 4 Language English Publication Title SAIIC Newsletter Volume 1 Abstract Note In 1966 the United States sent a special military force to Bolivia that included North American Indians. Pages 6-7 Che Guervara Imperialism Indigenous Peoples https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/fb0b90fee6744d9c0109406d384f69e4.pdf 01fd5e53b121e9475a9af0ecaa07773d PDF Text Text IN BR I E F Peru : Ecological Protection Zone Plan Threatens Indigenous Lands NRENA, the Pemvian National lnstitme of Natural Resources, in concordance wllh article 12 of the Le)' de Tierras (L 1nd Law), has put forth a proposal to create Ecological ProteCtion Zones out of 40.5% of Peru~ Amazon lands. Within these zones. concessions could still be. granted. The rest would eventually become private property. This would be disastrous for Indigenous commtmities. most of which do not have legal title to their land. The proposal, published In the Peruvian newspaper El Peruano, defines Protected Zones as natural are.1S already protected (national parks and reserves). swamps, fragile watersheds. and lands along rivers. More than 31 million I hectares of the Pcnwian Amazon would fall into this <:ate· gory. The NSt. about 46 million hectares. would be classified as Areas Free of Ecological ProteCtion and be administrated by the Ley de Tierras, making it eligible for sale by public auction to private investors. Indigenous groups have already reacted strongly against this project. The Aguanma and Huambisa council fonvartled itS own amendments to the Ley de Tierras to the Ministry of Agriculture. Now, it only remains to see how the Minister of Agriculture, who stated that he ' vas open to recei,•ing the input of all sectors. will react to the national and international pressure. Information received from El Comercio, Uma, m1d the Amazon Coollr!on Women March in Chiapas to Commemorate International Women's Day On international woman\; day, March 8,1996, between five and seven thousand people, mostly Indigenous women, gathered at the Plaza de San Diego and marched to the plaza of the main cathedral in the center of San Crist6bal de las Casas, Chiapas. This march. which coincides ";th the dialogue at San Andr~s Larrainzar between the Mexican Government and the EZLN (Zapatista Army of Natiom\l Liberation). was held to commemorate International Women's Day and was organized· by the Comisi6n de Mujeres Por El 8 de Marzo (The Commission of Women for March 8th) and the Frente Zapatista de Liberaci6n Nacional (Zapatista National Liberation Front, or FZLN). 1'he participants came in caravans from Indigenous communities all over Chiapas, including the Laca.nd6n jun· gle. It was an emotional and inspirational evcm as women, 4 some carrying babies on their backs, and many wearing ski masks, marched through the streets. Some banners denounced the unfair treatment of Indigenous women and demanded equal rights for women , and others announced support for the FZLN and the EZLN. Compiled from reports from Global Ex<lumgt Volunteer'S Honduras: Violence Flares Against Indigenous Communities he Commission for the Defense of Human Rights in Central America (CODEHUCA), has expressed grave concern over the safety and life of Chonfs Indigenous members and leaders, a commlU>ity residing in the depart· ments of Copan and Ocotepeque. Representatives of the Confederation of Autochthonous Peoples of Honduras have reported a series of death threats made against the leaders of the Indigenous Chortfs Council of Honduras (CONICHH) and members of their families. T Particular mention was made of 1he following persons : Antonio Arias, Marfa de jesOs lnteriano, jose Ernesto Suchite. jose Domingo Mejia, Victoriano Ptrez. Natividad Lopez. juan Amador Mtndez, Andrts Ramirez. Estanislao Ramirez and CristObal Pinla. Members of the community have been subjected individually and colleCtively to several attacks including the destruction and burning or their houses. fields and other possessions. These acts have been attributed to caule breeders and land owners in the region who are opposed to the reclaiming of land which the Indigenous population has occuj>ied for over a century. Within this context. on March 2 and 4, 1996. the hous· es and other possessions of seven Indigenous families were burnt and destrO)'Cd. One of the fires also caused the death of the child lsmacl Arias Leon. CODEHUCA remarks that in 1994 the Go,·emmem of Honduras ratlned ILO (International Labor Organization) Convention 169 and in july of the same year also signed a commitment, stipulated with 8 Indigenous at>d Black communities. in order to resolve conflicts over land possession. In spite of this, so far there has been no definith• distribu· e tion of land to the Chortls communities of CopAn and Ocotepeque. The International Secretariat of OMCTISOS-Torture believes that the failure to comply with the obligations mentioned have encouraged the commission of acts consti· tuting grave violations of the right to life and safety of peo· pie. as well as their economic and social rights. Abya Yala News �- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '1 N_ '--'-' lnfonnation from OMCTISOS-Torwrt Plwe se.nd leiters to Ou: liondumn government expressing yQur concern: S.E Carlos Roberto Reina, Prc:sidente de Ia RepUblica, . Casa Pr;:sldcncial, 6a Avcnida, Ia Call<, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Fax : (504) 34 35 73 Telex : 1129 MMRR H0/1429 HO Guatemala: Government Approves, but Modifies, Convention 169 n March 5, 1996, the Guatemalan Congress uru1ni· mously approved Convention 169 on "Indigenous and Other Tribal and Semi-Tribal Populations in Independent Countries· of the International L1bor Organization (ILO). revised from an earlier version in 1989. Ratification, how· ever. occurred only after the ntling part)' modified the first article of the Con\'ention. The night before the congressional session. hundreds of Mayan people h.~d gathered in front of the Legislative Palace in a vigil for the "new dawning. • Convention 169 was first brought to the Guatemalan Congress in 1992. It wasn1 until 1995 that. under the Presidency of General Efraln Rios Mont. it was once again up £or ratification. At that point it was taken to the Cone de Constitucionalidad (Coun of Constitutionality) to determine if it contntdicted the national constitution of G\latemala. Its constimtionality a. sured. Kaqchikel-Maya s depmy Aura Marina Otzoy of the Guatemalan Republican Front proposed to re-open the dialogue in February of this ye3r. The debates for and against the Convention were intense. Siglo XX! and Prensa Libre, both major Guatemalan national news publications. came om with headlines such as · convention 169 to the Trash Bin!" and "Ratification of Convention 169 Creates Environment of Uncertainty.• The reaction of the private sector wa.s one of cautious apprehen· sion. "11691 might be harmltss to the country. nevertheless in no way does it benefit the interests of Indigenous people." s.1ys the president of the Agriculture Department and the Committee of Commercial. Industrial. and Financial Associations. •... it will on!)• bring chaos to the country." Indigenous organizations. on the other hand. did their best tO ellS\Ire that this favorable piece Of legislation get approved by the national government. COPMAGUA (Coordinator of Mayan Organizations of Guatemala) stated that · with the ratlncation of Convention 169, the Mayan people seek to build a solid and lasting peace in the country... We are calling out to you so that you may realize the necessity of change in this society. that its no longer possible to go on accepting living conditions implanted during O VoL 10No.1 .B R I E F 500 years of sacrifice, pain, despair, indignation, and alienation." Seventy-five deputies were initia1ly presem at the voting session. $eventy•tWO remained at the moment Of deCiSiOn, and voted unanimously for Convention 169. Nevertheless, the governing party (PAN - Party of National Advancement) managed to modify Article 1 of the document, en.s uring that the ratification is being made with the understanding that the dispositions of the nationtll constitution come before those of the Convention. Information p•<>vidcd by Atencio Lopez BRAZIL: Marcio Santilli Resigns from the Presidency of FUNAI O n M3rch 8, 1996. Marcio Santilli, resigned from the presidency of the National Indian Foundation (FUNA!) after 5 months of service. This comes as the agency's fundamental aim of demarcating Indian lands has been undermined by the recent passing of Decree 1775 which allows outsiders to contest the process in a coun of law. After 10 years of documented FUNAI corruption. Santilli was in the midst of attempting a clean up the organization. Many high level decision-making FUNAI authorities have been accused of illegal logging and mining in Indigenous areas as well as having long-standing patronage ties with some local leaders. Where Santilli had identified blatant cases of corruption, he had replaced S(a!f. combating powerful job security laws for the public sector. After the passing of Decree 1775. howe"er, FUNA!'s effectiveness seems to have completely plummeted. Faced with corntption scandals, an outbreak of invasions of Indigenous areas. and police inaction, Santilli resigned. "We owe Mareio Santilli our thanks for his effort to clean up FUNAI. and put it in shape to effectively defend Indian rights in Brazil. But it is now clear that the National Indian Foundation needs radical surgery. not band-aids. if the ddense of Indigenous rights in this government is to move from rhetoric to reality." said Carlos Alberto Ricardo. executive secretaf)' or the lnsfiruco .Socioambitmtal. On March 14. 1996,Julio Gaiger. a lawyer specializing in environmental, agrarian, and Indigenous rights. took office as the third president of FUNAI during Henrique C1rdoso's term. Last year Geiger worked as an auxiliary to the jtasticc Minister and is responsible for the final text of Decree 1775. J,ifonnarion from Environm~mwl DcfenSI! Fund <md Amanaka'a, <1nd rhc lns.rituco Sotioambiental 5 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 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 In Brief 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 In Brief Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 4-5 Publication Title Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Spring 1996 Language English Abstract Note This journal introductory discusses some of the top stories and events that have taken place throughout Central America. Attachment Title abyayala_v10_n1_p4-5.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Brazil Guatemala Government Honduras Violence Indigenous Women's March Peru Ecological Protest https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/bda350934a2e1a51f50bf2575bfc9a78.pdf 0d80fd3398d87eb8d2e7331633e87c0a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 8, no. 3 (4-5).pdf PDF Text Text IN BR I EF Massive Coca-grower's March on La Paz, Bolivia Bolivian security forces unsuccessfully tried to turn away a protest march of severn! thousand camp.:;i110s headed for the capital city of La Paz in early September. Over fifty leaders were arrested. police confiscated baggage and even sandals in an attempt to pre,·ent campesinos from joining the march. The coca-growers were headed for La Paz to demand fair treatment for those who make their living growing coca. Coca leaf has long been important in the Andes because of its cultural and rnedicinal elemems. but in recent years it has acquired significance as a cash crop which is used in the production of cocaine. Protesters are demanding the demilitarization of the Chaparc region, protection of 1he coca·growing industry. com· pliance with agreements previously signed with the government, and the release of arrested activists. After three attacks by security forces. marchers chose to stay ofT the main roads to avoid funher confrontation. Campesinos have been subjected to increased arbitrat)' arrests and seizures, intimidation and harassment. sexual abuse or women. and tor· ture. Religious workers in the coca-growing Chapare region. say that the area has been completely militarized. and that the gov· emmem has also been cracking down on non·govemmental organizations who are supportive of the Indigenous camtJtsinos. The country's rn.ost powerful labor union. the 13olivian Workers Central (C06). held a 48-hour strike in La Paz on Sept. 15 and 16 to pressure the government on the cocagrowers' behalf. In response. President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada called a national dialogue to discuss the ..cocacocaine'" problem and to seek consensus solmions. The coca-growers emerged from this dialogue with a preliminary agreement which rneets several of their key demands. Leuu s demandi11g respe" for the human rigJus of c;amf'(Sinos <Jnd NCO workers in the coca regions c;a~t be sent to Bolivian President Gom::alo Sanche:: de ~ada, Fax: 591 -2·391216 Adapl<d from : \Vtekly N t h'S Upd<lle. 011 tilt AmcriC Nicamgua Solidarity Network tJf (IS, Greater New Yor·k. 339 Wfayeue Sl.• New Yorh. NY 10012. Argentina: Constitution Finally Recognizes Indigenous Rights ArgentinaS constitutional revision on Aug. 11 this year rec· ognized Indigenous peoples' rights after a series of postponements by the dmfting commission. After much debate. Article 67 of the constitution was modified to read : (the slate/ relognizes concwn:ncly with the provinces, the pre· existence of the lndgenous peoples that make up the Ar:geminian nation, guaranteei,lg respect for their elhnic and cultural identity. the legal sw1us of their communities; the tmession and communal 4 ow11crship of lands that they tradilio11ally occupy; mal1i11g a"ailable sufficient and suitable lands for their lwman development. which will be h1alienable and not subjeCl to seiZl~re; assure their access to bilingual ancl inrerculwral education: and their lHH'tici· palion in <lecisions n:gardirzg the rational use, administration <Jnd consen•ation of natural re:sour·ces: in the developmcmt of their interests; and in national life. Nonetheless, the final text relating to communal ownership of trnditionally-occupied lands ended up only partially satisfactory. The original Indian proposal used the word •guarnntecd" in respect to ownership of these londs. The governing justicialista Party, alonned by the supposed legal and economic consequences of this proposal. pushed the d rafting commission to rephrase this with the word ..regulatc..-which obviously has different implications. In the final compromise. the commission settled on the word "recognize)!o which implies at least that communities wilt be able to secure ownership or lands for which they already have titles. Settlement Between Texaco and Ecuadorian Government Sidesteps Indigenous People U.S.-based multinational oil company, Texaco Inc. and the Eeuadorian govemmem have reached a tentative agreementsubject to Ecuadorian President Sixto Duran Ballens approvalon clean-up and restoration of fom1er oil production sites in Ecuador's remote Oriente region. The populations. panicularly Indigenous peoples. whose communities ha"e been devastated by twenty years or accumu· lated toxic dumping and oil spills. were never consuhed in the process of negotiating this settlement. Indigenous and colonist organizations have been fighting for yec1rs, in alliance with envi· romner!lal groups and lawyers. to force Texaco to carry-out a thorough clean-up and restoration of the areas it polh.ucd and to provide health services and monitoring of oil related ailmems within affected comrnunities. Texaco$ oil operntions have spilled some 16.8 million gallons of crude oil into the Oricme. The company also voluntalily dumped 20 billion gallons of water containing toxic hydrocarbons. chemicals and heavy metals. into the regionS waterwa)'S. Roads built by Texaco have blazed the way for deforestation of O\rer 2.5 million acres of rainforest by opening previously isolated Indian territories to colonization by fMmers and mnchers. On tenninating its operations in 1990, Texaco made no effon to clean up the toxic mess it left behind. Indigenous umbrella organizations including COICII. CONAIE and CONFENAIE as well as the environmental coalitions CEDENMA and Amazon For Life "ill not accept this exclusive bilateral settlement between Texaco and the Ecuadorian government. The governmentS interests and the IVYya Yala News �IN communities' interests are n ot congruent. The sune-own.cd oil company CEPE (now Pcuocc-uador) worked in conson.ium with Texaco as a co-polluter and will ha"e to pick up the tab for 65.5% of any remediation bill. Given the ccuadorian govern- ment's financial liability in this situation, organizations fear that their government will not adequately meet the needs of the communities that have been impacted. For this reason. Indigenous org~nizmions must be fully involved in negotiating any settlement if a tmly effective plan for environmental reStoration and human heahh care is to be designed, financed and implemented. Pleas.: write or fax Texaco and dtt &uadorian gwcrnment immediarcly exp~ming your conetnt. Presid<nte SL, to Dur.ln Ballen. Prosideme dela Repblica dd Ecuador, P:llacio PrtsidencW, C'lle Garcia Moreno, Quito, Ecuador. Fa." 593-2-580-735 Alfred C. DeCrone Jr.. CEO and Chainnan of the Board, Texaco. Inc.. 2000 Westchester Ave.. \Vhite Plains, NY 10650. Fax: 914-253· 7753 lnfonnation supplied by the Rainforest Aaior~ Nawork Paraguay-Parana Waterway Threatens Largest Wetlands in t he Americas BR I EF mental costs, a nd comprehensively evaluate the waterway's impacts. including those to all 2,000 miles of river that will be affected. lnfonnatio-n supplied by tltt lnctrnational Rivers Nuworh. Venezuelan Indians Seek Constitutional Rights R epresentatives of Venezuela's twenty-seven Indigenous peoples began a series of meetings at the Latin American Indigenous Parliament Center in Caracas to demand that their rights be included in the national constitution, which congress is current· ly attempting to reform . jest\s j im~ne.z , Vene.zuela~ only lndigneous congressman, explained that the 350.000 Indigenous people living in this country seek inclusion for their rights tO land, usc or their languages and recognition of dual citizenship for those peoples living along the Colombian and Brazilian borders. Jimenez pointed out that ColombiaS Indigenous legislation guarantees dual citizenship in such cases. including for the 10.000 Wayu who inhabit the Colombian-Venezuela border area. The Indigenous repre-sentatives will also try to secure guarantees for participation in legislative powers at the national, regional. municipal. and local levels. Injorm<Hion COU1'te$)' of Ansa Nt.WS Agency Inc. " More than fony scientific, environmental and indigenous o rganizations launc hed an international campaign in early Sept. to protect the vast Pantanal wetlands from a .. mega-project'" known as the Parana-Paraguay Hidrovia (or watenvay). Organizations rne1 in Chapada dos Guimares in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso to discuss the Pantanal's current situation and the proposed waterway. According to these diverse organizations, the Pamanals already suffer tremendous impacts caused by gold and dia mond mining. logging, u rban sewerage. industrial po llution. pesticide and herbicide run-off and overfishing. The proposed waterway would include several massive engineerin_g projects to straightel't, deepen and "regulate" the c hannel of the Paraguay River. The governments of Brazil. Argentina, Bolivia. Paraguay and Uruguay hope that the watcrwny will open the riverS upper sections to year-round industrial shipping. and have applied to the !mer-American Development Bank and other sources for funding. International funders are wary, however, u mil an environmental impact statemem (ElS) has been completed. T he groups meeting in Chapada dos Guimares are therefore demanding full participation in the ElS process. They also demand that it take into account all social and e nviron· Vol. 8 No.3 5 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vol. 8, No. 3 (Fall 1994) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource In Brief Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 1994 Language A language of the resource English Zotero Title In Brief Item Type Newspaper Article Attachment Title Vol. 8, no. 3 (4-5).pdf Issue 3 Language English Publication Title Abya Yala News Volume 8 Abstract Note Coca growers march on La Paz, Argentinian constitution recognizes indigenous rights, indigenous people left out of settlement between Texaco and Ecuadorian government, Paraguay-Parana waterway threatens wetlands, and Venezuelan indigenous communities seek constitutional rights. Pages 4-5 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/5b8253b6274d1ef777e3d7bae4e07a6e b0bc002e4826f3800129a913b886002b 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. 4 (25-29).pdf PDF Text Text ENVIRONMENT THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN REVISED, EDITED AND UPDATED. "Of what use is the electric light if this light comes to illuminate the death of a community?" -from a public declaration by the Council of Indigenous leaders of Chiloe (Consejo General de Caciques Chiloe) eated debates continue over Endesa's, Chile's largest and most powerful electric company, plan to construct the Ralco dam on the upper Biobio river. The Ralco project is part of the megacorporation's "Serie Hidraulica del Biobfo" composed of seven interdependent hydroelectric power plants designed in a step like fashion being built in the Alto Biobio, home of 7 Pehuenche communities. The "Pehuenche," whose name means the people of the land (Pehuen = nature, soil and Che = people), have been living Vol. 10 No.4 in the mountainous region of the Andes for centuries. Gradually exterminated through the 19th century by the conflicts between the governments of Argentina and Chile due to the "opposition to the. established borders," the Pehuenche were forced off their ancient lands and concentrated themselves around the Biobio region, next to the river of the same name. Today, only about 10,000 Pehuenches live in the rugged territory along the upper reaches of the Biobio. They are the survivors of armed attacks by colonial powers and Chile's own military, as well as decades of assimilationist legislation. They are now confronting the overwhelmingly powerful Endesa, Chile's utilities giant. The Biobio river, and its watershed area, is unquestionably both culturally and ecologically one of Chile's most important bioregions. The Biobio originates in the lakes of !calma and Galletue high in the Andes and runs all the way to the sea. Over 400 km long, it contains an estimated 15,000 waterways. Its' course is divided into two sections: the "Alto Biobio", which takes an intricate path through the steep parts of the mountainous region of the Andes, and the "Bajo Biobio," which runs through the central valley, is wider and contains a larger body of water than the Alto. The Bajo Biobio however, is heavily polluted by industrial waste, timber, petro-chemicals, fisheries, and the untreated waters of over a hundred villages and cities. The area of the gulf of Arauco, transformed into a sewage disposal, has been considered by the state and international environmentalist groups to be a "Natural Catastrophe The author has studied environmental issues, and is currently getting a graduate degree in Environmental Science in Berlin, Germany. He has spent an extensive amount of time with Pehuenche communities in the Alto Biobio, and has been actively involved with the GABB (Group of Action for the Biobio) engaging in debates with the government and with national community over the implications and impacts of the projects proposed by the Endesa (National Electric Corporation) in the upper Biobio. Currently he is working in Berlin, carrying out debates and writing articles on this issue. Continue on page 26 25 �ENVIRONMEI'IT Zone." One million people depend upon the water of the Biobio and almost 500,000 drink directly out of it. The Mega Hydroelectric complex will threaten the health and livelihoods of the hundreds of thousands who rely on the river. The Origins of the Biobio river Projects Since the 1973 military coup, liberal market economic models have been implemented with emphasis on the privatization of nationally owned enterprises and the extraction of natural resources for exportation. In this new environment, some groups started to rise as the "upper class" who gained and established their economic influence over the whole Chilean economy, concentrating on such activities as the communication, mining, forestry, construction, and energy industries. Along with this process, a larger portion of the population was becoming the "lower class," increasingly migrating to the nations cities from the rural regions of the country. With this new economic environment, the energy sector became a priority for the government, which began to make huge investments in the construction of hydroelectric power plants. However with the current rate of investment, the natural resources necessary for the hydroelectric industry will be depleted by the year 2020. The section of the Biobio slated for the projects has been one of the regions that has contributed the most to the national economy through its natural resources, though paradoxically it has the second highest rate of poverty in the country, accounting for 50% of the country's poor. 1,' il ,, .,, When Endesa finished its privatization process in 1988 (under Pinochet's dictatorship), most of its share holders consisted of armed forces personnel and the upper class. According to a state official, the operations caused losses to the country estimated at around one thousand million dollars, and debts to the country of about six hundred million dollars. The mega-corporation is currently concentrating on Enersis (Electric Group), the second most economically powerful group in Chile, which in turn controls Chilectra, one of the biggest distributors of electricity for Chile. The director of Enersis, Jose Yuraszeck I 26 Troncoso, is also the president of Endesa and of Pangue S.A. creating in this fashion the monopoly of the enterprise that controls 87% of the electricity of Chile, which furthermore owns the entire electric network of the country (Sistema Interconectado Central, SIC). The Pangue Power Plant At the end of 1989, Endesa created affiliates to look a little less threatening within the electric industry. Pangue S.A. Since 1950, Endesa has studied the Biobio river, slowly amassing studies and reports to aid them in building an argu- is one of these "daughters of the company" which focuses on the materialization of hydroelectric power plants in the Alto Biobio. Endesa has envisioned a massive interconnected series of large scale hydroelectric plants and has been designing them since the 1960's. The seven projects combined will flood close to 26 thousand hectares of river, 35,000 hectares of native forest and displace close to 10,000 Indigenous people from the MapuchePehuenche communities. Decisions regarding the construction of the Ralco plant are not only made by Pangue S.A., but also by Endesa together with the Chilean government. These plans are being made without consulting the Chilean people, the regional communities, or the Pehuenche people who are most gravely affected by these megaprojects. ment supporting the idea that Chile could benefit from the creation of dams along the river. The energy generated by the projects would be consumed mostly by the cities of Valparaiso and Santiago, located about 500 km to the north, and Endesa is contemplating expanding their sales to Argentina. The first electric power plant is Pangue (followed by Ralco, Huequecura and Aguas Blancas, being studied are Quintraman, Ranquil, and Queuco) which floods over 500 hectares occupied (until a few month ago) by the Indigenous communities of Callaqui, Pitril and Quepuca-Ralco. They were forced to abandon their ancestral lands, which were uncompensated, and now have no direct access to the river or to the Araucaria Forest, where they have traditionally harvested fruit by this same name. According to Grupo de Accion por el Biobio (GABB), a Chilean NGO, what Pehuenche land was left along the shores Continue on page 2 7 Abya Yala News The Pangue plant, the first of the proposed series, was inaugurated March 6, 1997 in spite of the massive public outcry and controversy surrounding the legality of the project. �ENVIRONMENT of the Pangue reservoir, the artificial lake formed by trapping the water of the Biobio, is now in the hands of private real estate developers. The Pangue dam contains over 175 million square meters of water, with the capacity of generating 450 megawatts. The cost of the power plant is over US$ 4 70 million, part of which is being paid by Endesa (US$ 190 million). The rest of the funding came from international backing, such as a credit from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank good for US$ 150 million, and other loans from Switzerland and Norway, estimated at about US$ 35 million. The investment agreements contained provisions to protect the Pehuenche people and the environment of the area. The environmental destruction caused by the Pangue project are severe, and will likely be so for the Ralco project as well. With the irregular currents of water of the Biobio, the quality of the water content coming in and out of the dam is drastically altered. Damage is being done to the biome that is formed at the shores of the river, to the climate around it, and to the biological activities (micro and macro) that take place in this area. Six species of fish ( known only to this area) will be unable to adapt to the In November 1995, GABB (Grupo de new environment, and thus will be driven Accion por el Biobio) asked the World to extinction. Environmental Bank's independent inspection THE MOST panel to investigate their impact studies, independent charges that the IFC had failed from those done by Pangue SERIOUS S.A., show that 192 species of to live up to their agreement. SOCIAl flora are endangered, 86 After claiming immunity from species of birds, 24 mammals, IMPLICATION the inspection panel, the bank eventually agreed to evaluate 9 amphibians, and 8 reptiles will suffer negative ecological Of THE PANGUE the situation. Last year, impacts from this project. At POWER PlANT, University of Arizona anthropologist, Theodore Downing the same time, the process of AND THE submitted his critical report on alternately drying and flooding the proposed measures to aid the dam to create "tip energy" PROPOSED and resettle Pehuenche commuwill cause great erosive damRAlCO PLANT, nities, reproving the company age affecting the water ways of IS THE SlOW for the poor treatment the the lower regions, altering the amount of spring water availDESTRUCTION Pehuenches received during the able and the level of the water construction of the Pangue dam. OF THE channels used for transportaJay Hair, former head of the tion. The climate will also be World Conservation Union, PEHUENCHE completed a 379-page study on altered by both projects, with CULTURE IN increased humidity affecting the environmental and social everything from crops to soil violations caused by the dam's THE AlTO erosion. To make the fragile construction. Hair's study is said BIOBIO ecological picture further to declare that the environmenunstable, there are 5 volcanoes in the tal violations are even worse than those area. Three of these are active volcanoes alleged by GABB, whose original com(Callaquen, Lonquimay, and Compache), plaint sparked the investigation. one of them being only 10 km away from After perusing the two independent the Pangue power plant. The studies conducted by Pangue S.A. point towards the reports which investigated " IFC's perforconclusion that there is no danger mance and compliance with World Bank towards the electric plants, since these environmental and social standards," have been designed to withstand the World Bank President James Wolfensohn damage of an eruption. had chastised Endesa for taking " a less than constructive approach to its enviThe environmental effects of the Ralco ronmental and social obligations." Once plant are estimated to be equally devas- word spread that Wolfensohn had threattating. It is predicted that about 3,400 ened to publicly declare the company hectares of native forest will be flooded guilty of violating the investment agreenegatively impacting 45% of the fauna ments, Pangue S.A. quickly prepaid their IFC loans to avoid any implication in and 60% of the flora in the region. Vol. 10 No.4 their alleged violation of the social and environmental conditions of the loans. By paying back their loans they were absolving themselves of the responsibility to honor any stipulations they agreed to when borrowing money from the World Bank's private-sector affiliate and other European institutions. The company claims that it has switched to the German Dresder Bank because it prefers their lower interest rates. The most serious social implication of the Pangue Power plant, and the proposed Ralco plant, is the slow destruction of the Pehuenche culture in the Alto Biobio. The construction of roads for access to the power plants will allow for the entrance of logging industries into the few remaining native forests. The construction of bridges, electric cables, and wire fences (in order to "protect" the power plants) are responsible for the death of the already limited fauna and in some cases have even taken human lives. The massive immigration of workers into these lands is having a negative impact on the Pehuenche communities, as these workers do not respect the traditional social structure and laws established by the Pehuenche. The loss of access to the territories around the Biobio will limit their ability to harvest, to enter their sacred land to pray and to bury their dead, all of which have severe repercussions for Pehuenche culture and traditions. Particularly damaging is that the rivalry among the Pehuenche people to get jobs, or compensation for the damage caused by the power plant, is dividing their communities. Pangue S.A., however, has been pressured to make several compromises with the Pehuenche people. Among these are the hiring of 1200 Pehuenche people (as disposable workers), and more as need, until construction is complete and the workers are not needed anymore. Their other projects include an "Ecological Station" that will "revert" the ecological impact caused by the Pangue Dam, and the "Pehuen Foundation" which is in charged of improving the living standards and reinforcing the cultural heritage of the Pehuenche people. The Pehuen Foundation is made up of a board of directors composed of three representatives of the Pehuenche people and four representatives of the company The comContinue on page 28 27 �ENVIRONMENT pany chooses the three Pehuenche representatives, a number that is not representative of the number of people that are being affected by the construction of the On this matter, the lonkos dam. (caciques or Indigenous leaders) of this region have accused the Pehuen Foundation, along with the other programs created by Pangue S.A., of being the company's way of "bribing" the Pehuenche people. The main function of the Foundation has been to subsidize 60-80% of the purchase of all basic goods by the Pehuenche people in exchange for their signature, making them "partners" of the project. It is interesting to note that lists of signatures were presented to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank as "proof of the backing of the Pehuenche people" for the construction of the Pangue dam. Moreover, the Pehuenche Foundation does not recognize the existence of the Ralco project, which affects around 500 MapuchePehuenche people of the Quepuca-Ralco and Ralco-Lepoy region, as it floods over 5,597 hectare, stressing that the Ralco dam "has no financial backing from Pangue S.A." However such statements are false, as Pangue S.A. gives over 0.1% of the profits of Pangue (over US$ 120,000) each year, increasing that amount to 0.3% this year. The company has DEVELOPED developed a slogan: "represas o A SlOGAN: pobresa" ("dam or "REPRESAS 0 poverty"), inflicting the idea that POBRESA" without the dam there will not be POVERTY") any other economic opportunities for the Pehuenche people to raise their standard of living in the future. Despite its propaganda, the Pehuen Foundation does not have the Pehuenches' best interest at heart. Since its inception, its true goal has been to deceive and coerce them to relocate, with blatant disregard for the Pehuenches rights to stay on their land as granted under the recent Indigenous Law of the country. ----------------------------------- Communities long-standing Since 1989, the Pehuenche communities of the Biobio have expressed their rejection of the construction of dams in the Alto Biobio, giving public hearings on their opposition and visiting environmental, social, and regional organizations. Unfortunately their determined efforts have met with little success. The seven communities surrounding the Biobio area have been coordinating their efforts with the Action Group for the Biobio (GABB), an activist group that has been extremely vocal in fighting against the construction of the dams, studying and analyzing the damages caused by the projects, and calling for international support for the Indigenous communities and the biodiversity of the region. Their greatest achievement took place in September 1992, when GABB filed protection from damages caused by Pangue S.A., presenting a document with more than 3000 signatures. On june 22, 1993, the court delivered their decision in favor of making it illegal for Pangue S.A. to change the flow of the Biobio, to dry the Biobio, to use water discharges, or to flood an area. However, Pangue S.A. argued that it was difficult to stop the construction at that point given the promises and contracts that had already been established with the workers. The following day, Endesa presented its appeal to the Supreme Court of]ustice in Santiago, questioning the accuracy of the data that was presented by GABB. At the same time, Endesa together with the government, announced that it would raise the price of electricity if the Pangue project could not be completed. Two months later, the Supreme Court reverted the decision made earlier, arguing that at that point there was no way of telling what the consequences of the construction of the dam could be. Cultural Rights, as well as Article 1 of the Chilean Constitution. This time around they are using the Indigenous and Environmental Law along with their six years of experience to defend themselves. Their inevitable eviction from their territory, as well as Endesa's illegal occupation of their territory, is a violation of the Law of Indigenous Development of 1992. Nevertheless, the government of Eduardo Frei is ignoring the pleas of the Pehuenche people, who have already turned down the land offered to them as compensation for their relocation -land that had already been acquired by Pangue S.A. a long time before getting the permission from the government to begin the Ralco project. In August of 1995, the GABB presented a document signed by 300 Pehuenche people, expressing their opposition towards the construction of the Ralco dam and power plant, and demanding: (l) The recognition of their lands as stated in articles 13, and the right of the Indigenous people to participate in decisions affecting their living conditions stated in article 34 (2) The immediate departure of Endesa from the Quepuca-Ralco and Ralco-Lepoy communities. (3) That the Pehuen Foundation be entirely composed of a board of Pehuenche people elected from their own communities. (4) That all funding given by Pangue S.A. to the Pehuen Foundation be increased from 0.3% to 1%. The Communities of Qupuca Ralco, Cauoicu, Callaqui and Malla Malla presented a document expressing their opposition to the Ralco project and their frustration with the governments lack of attention, which begins with the statement "We have repeated many times that we do not want the Ralco dam and are opposed to its construction. We oppose the Ralco project because it will affect us all, as Pehuenche people of the upper Biobio ... we know that this problem, the With Pangue completed, Endesa is seven dams that they want to build, wormoving ahead with its plans for the sub- ries all of the Indigenous communities in sequent major hydroelectric project. the country. We don't want injustices Once again the Indigenous communities against our communities because if they are strongly opposed to this project, go ahead with their plans to make that whose consequences constitute a viola- lake, the great volcano in all its power tion of the The Economic, Social and will be angry and will erupt, to punish Continue on page 29 --------------------------------------------Abya Yala News 28 �ENVIRONMENT with fire and hot ash and to re balance the water, the river will not be calmed by (the piling up oD money The compensations that they are offering us we cannot accept -20 hectares, 80 sacks of flour- these will not sustain us through our lifetimes. It won't be enough for our children and they will suffer. We say to CO NAMA that we will not leave our lands, we will not be moved by Endesa with their offers of money because the land is ours, it is where we were born, where we grew up and now they offer us the El Barco property; far away from our home and we will not go. We are tired of repeating our demands and having nothing change. We, as the leaders of our communities of the Alto Biobio, are taking the initiative to make thing change because there is no justice in what is happening to us." Frei is openly siding with the industry giants in the Ralco battle. Mauricio Huenchulaf, the director of CONADI (the national commission on Indigenous development), stated that Ralco was in violation of the Indigenous Development Law of 1992, which was established to protect and promote Indigenous cultures and aid in their self-determined development. The law guarantees to ethnic communities the possession of their lands and authorizes CONADI to initiate legal proceedings to impede the destruction or exchange of these lands. For opposing the construction of Ralco and questioning its legality, Huenchulaf was dismissed from his post. CONADI's director had become an obstacle impeding the implementation of a political economy Frei's hard-line policies are becoming more apparent as the controversy continues. The Chilean government also seems to be looking for a subtle way to eliminate Domingo Namuncura, the new director of CONADI, because of his position on the issue. They are proceeding cautiously so as not to provoke the ire of public opinion. The Update Vivianne Blancot, the executive director of the National Commission on the Environment (CONAMA) has stated that the resettlement plan, by Endesa "is well done and assures that, in any circumstance, the Pehuenche communities will be better off in terms of quality of life Vol. 10 No.4 than they would be without the project." The lands that were given as compensation to the communities affected by Pangue were not of equal quality and in no way improved the living conditions of any Pehuenche family After a visit in early August to the El Barco property, the land Endesa is offering to the Mapuches who will be forced by Ralco to relocate, the CONADI director has declared the territory absolutely uninhabitable. Due to adverse climatic conditions, the scouting team couldn't even reach the property The fact that their vehicles got stuck, coupled with the amount of snow, gave them a taste of " the difficulties that the area would present for a normal life." use of alternative fuel sources, such as solar, geothermal and tidal energy, and through the creation of micro power plants that would generate enough electricity to satisfy local needs. The focus need to be on planning the use of energy; allocating it to were it is most needed, and emphasizing the protection of the environment. Of course, there are alternatives to the flooding, genocide of communities and destruction of the ecosystems that surrounds the Biobio. By using natural resources more efficiently; countries like Chile can continue to grow economically without relying on destructive technologies. Primary in this new approach to planning is educating a populous to understand the costs involved in the creation of dams, and a government that will be able to efficiently allocate resources and wisely control the generation, distribution and use of electricity For example, improving current energy combustion, electric engines and lighting, through the The development of the Pehuenche people does not depend upon the construction of the power plants around the Biobio, nor does the productivity of Chile have to rely on them for its economic growth. The Pehuenche people are not alone in this fight, as the IFC and the World Bank have funded projects that have violated Indigenous communities all around the world in the name of "development." Short term gains need to be weighed against the long term repercussions of such damaging projects. Chile would do well to research energy alternatives that take into account social as well as environmental diversity and sustainability , Using our resources in a sustainable way will help nations regain a lost balance. Part of that balance with nature will be the respect for the Pehuenche people and their culture thus giving the Pehuenche people the opportunity to live their lives, without losing their culture. One of the major achievements towards this balance is the creation of the Alternatives to Indigenous Law which has been in effect for over 2 years, and will hopefully Pangue and Ralco ensure that Indigenous communities will Pangue and now Ralco are glaring have the opportunity to live their lives example of the true social, environmen- with dignity and justice. The law grants tal, and economic costs of large-scale the Indigenous people an opportunity to hydroelectric dams. Their impacts can take an active role in the development of never be completely assessed before it is projects in and around their areas. Such too late. The human and enviprojects include agricultural ronmental costs of large dams BY USING NATURAL and grazing projects, and crafting. The never outweigh their reperRESOURCES MORE wood cussions: the blow to biodiPehuenche people can conEFFICIENTLY, tribute to the productivity of versity, the climate changes, the flooding that drowns the COUNTRIES LIKE the country; while generating income for themselves. land which is later stalked by CHILE CAN Ecotourism has been sugdroughts. If it is ever possible gested as another alternafor human beings to learn CONTINUE from the past, we should contive. Economist Michael TO GROW sider large dams, with the Nelson has pointed out that ECONOMICALLY damage they have caused in the future, areas surworldwide, as an obsolete WITHOUT RELYING rounding the Biobio could technology that development bring in over US$ 45 milON DESTRUCTIVE lion per year to the national banks should stop subsidizeconomy ing. TECHNOlOGIES. 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. 10, No. 4 (Fall 1997) 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 In Chile's Upper Biobio: the Battle Against the Ralco Hydroelectric Dam rages O as attacks on Pehuenche communities and the environment continue Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 1997 Language A language of the resource English Zotero Title In Chile's Upper Biobio: the Battle Against the Ralco Hydroelectric Dam rages O as attacks on Pehuenche communities and the environment continue Item Type Newspaper Article Attachment Title Vol. 10, no. 4 (25-29).pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Issue 4 Language English Publication Title Abya Yala News Volume 10 Author Dario Jana Abstract Note Indigenous communities along the Biobio River continue to protest its construction on the grounds of community displacement and ecological ramifications. Pages 25-29 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/1066636e65d0b09c5c37993a2d5d3377.pdf 412abb39098179ce0c3c6cdfda682350 PDF Text Text OtHIA~IZATIO~ AlPIN om October 13-24, members of AJPIN(Inlemational Association of Indigenous Press) mel 10 p~~blicly announce recognition of lbcir o!lical staiUS by lbe International PressAssociation. AlPIN is comprised oflndigeooos people and organizations lbal work wilb various ltlOOiums of mass communication, press, radio and television. ll's objective is 10 make 1he Indigenousvoiceanactiveonewithin mainstream society. F . I:'\ & COMMUNICATION RADIO WAVES FOR WOMEN recenl conference organized by lbe "MujeresAymarasyComunicaci6n" program of lbe Center for Education and CommunicatiOn in Puno, Peru, brougbl together Indigenous Women who make community-Jcvel radio programs in PeruandlloIivia The programs, made for and by women, deal with problems faeed by women everywhere, such as domestic violence, discrimination, and marginalization. Their object islo unite women around their mutual concerns A and 10 provide an avenue lbrougb whieb women can mobilize for social ebangc. The conference provided the women an opporiUnity 10 share lbcir experiences and 10 create a network of support As Rosa Palomino, wbo producesaradioprogramin Perunoledaltbe end of lbe eonference: "The radio programs provide a system of mui\Jal supporl, a fonn of devclopmenl- Ifwedon'lincludelbcwomen, we will nol develop..." • • • • • • • • • • • D E F E :"\SE OF hDIC)E:"\Ol 'S i\1tGH.\:"\T \VOHKEHS nited Fann Workers (UFW) And Representatives of lhe Binational Mixlee-Zapolec Front (FM-ZB) have signed a joint agreement 10 Spill organizing and advance lbe defense of human and labor rights of Indigenous migrant workers in lbe U.S. Thousands of Mixlee and Zapelee Indigenous peoples comprise lbe latest immigrant group of workers toiling in lbe agrieuiiUral fields and the service industry of California. Mixlee-Zapotec Bi-national Front is lhe largest and most impertanl Oaxacan organization in California The new immigrants are Indigenous workers from the U Mexican Slate of Oaxaca wbo, through a joint effort of lbe UFW and FM-ZB, will be encouraged 10 join lbe United Fann workers Union while still maintaining lbe autonomy of lbeirown organization, under an agreement thai was signed on September 24, 1993. UFW President Arlllro Rodriguez and FM·ZB General Coordina· lOr Arlllro Pimentel Salas signed the agreement in Los Angeles, CalifomiaonSeptember 24, 1993.1beagreement is expected 10 boost a new union organization campaign begun by Cesar Olavez shortly before his death last April 22. WINGS FOR THE YouNG LAS, Solidarity Alliance of Latinarnericans, is a projecl driven by Carnita Piedra Castaneda Foundation of Ecuador, thai seeks 10 promote links in the union among lbc young Indigenous peoples of Abya Yala 10 initiate solidarity and an international support network. This projec1 covers lllree specific areas: I) The creation of a network of communication on a national and international level allowing young people access to infonnation in order promole exchange between different community organizations. 2) To prolllOie national and international gatherings with Indigenous youth. wilboul walls", community v.'Orkshops, and the "university of lbe Streets", utilizing lbe methodology of "learning/doing, the commu· nity leaches the eommunity". The objectives of ALAS are to achieve unity and leadership of young people on ~half of communication and education so young people can become fundamenlallo lbc development of their communities. ALAS will hold lbe Continenla!Eneouoler in Riobarnaba, Ecuador nexl year, People interested can contact Mauricio~ Coordinator/Secretary City of the Yoong-Penipe Box826 Riobamba, Ealador Tel: 474-124 FAX: 593-2-962263 3)1becreationof pep<~lareduealionprograms whalwillbea"sebools VOl. 7 NO. 3&4 37 � 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 In Defense of Indigenous Migrant Workers 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 In Defense of Indigenous Migrant Workers Item Type Journal Article Volume 7 Issue 3,4 Pages 37 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 The United Farm Workers(UFW) and the Bi-national Mixtec-Zapotec Front(FM-ZB) signed an agreement to work together to defend the rights of indigenous migrant workers in the U.S. on September 24, 1993. Attachment Title In_Defense_Of_Indigenous_Migrant_Workers.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Cesar Chavez FM-ZB Indigenous Rights Migrant Workers UFW United States https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/229c1205d4507bbf365fab6ac5827765.pdf 90dcb8b8ec223f5b55a75115dcb675f6 PDF Text Text Page 24 IN MEMORIAM: FRANCISCO MENDES FILHO (1944-1988) -- I\ 1 On December.22,1988, "Chico'' Mend~~~~ President· oftheRubber Tappers' Uriio!L,ei~~ · Xapurl,Acre, was gurined down by an as,sa~,5l sin hired by cattle ranchers~ During his Jiffl~~i tiille, Chico Mendes worked to forge<·~~ alliance between rubber tappers and I114!~t genous people of the Amazon, viewing b?:S!i:'l groups as com:mon .victims of the predatocy~l d~stt;JCtion ()f th~rainforest. Chico 1\1e~d~if~J .·. . ... . ~veson through a new fuundationi;n,Y his'nam.e which will support the !llbb~j :'tappers' struggle. . . ,,i;~~:1l , ,: ~" ' :: :' ',/~<f\~>' A<:corarngto.ChicoMendes/Tthinktf{i~j ,~~·~~ .."~· thaf we are starting to bring.§tQl . . ..· ~lli~ce ..ofthe peoples oftl{~J raJmtlJtest is what \consider to be on~ qf t~~;J ttu)StiJ:rlpcrrtaJnt f>teps forward in thes · • '· ·.·. •. · . 6f;\ma26nia. Chico Mendes worked to forge an Alliance of the Peoples of the Amazon. © 1989 Aguirre/Switkes/ AMAZONIA .· .•.•,• . •·••• 1llote }han ·10(1 years~ the rub ,. , .tal)p(~rsw~re ttsed by .their posses h~~:J.~J . .. · ·. ·. ·. asslaves... used ag~inst tl:~e~g~::~ .... <illS, . IU~ssacre those Indians whoweref1:1¢;i ·legithnate o.vnersofthese forests. !odai•~l important·· awakening has .takeri p~~~:d I where the Indian ahd the seringueiro.ha'ie.i ! I\OW discovered thattheyarenot enemie(~:il <that it was those who caused this fighfitlg! . .who were the ~eal enem.ies then--,and.f~1~.J~.I . the real enemtes today are those who,'~ . d~vouring and devastating our rainf()te~f&.l~ ' ·andwho want to finish off Amazonia.". ·;;~, I Chico Mendes: wor~ lives onthroug;~~~.i new foundation. in.his name which.~;/ supp()rt the rubber. tappers' struggle ~:,G, 1 :i[[i1:t WR<\TYOU CANDO: Donations may):)~l • sent to the. Chico Mendes FuD.d, c/o .·Environmental Defense Fund, 257 Park!\~1 · So., NeW Yor\<, NY10010. · . ~~ tne] 2 � 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. 4, Nos. 2&amp;3 (Fall 1988 &amp; Winter 1989) Zotero Volume 4 Language English 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 In Memoriam: Francisco Mendes Filho (1944-1988) (Brazil) Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 1988 & Winter 1989 Zotero Title In Memoriam: Francisco Mendes Filho (1944-1988) (Brazil) Item Type Journal Article Attachment Title Vol. 4, nos. 2 &3 (24).pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Issue 2 & 3 Language Spanish Volume 4 https://www.abyayalanews.org/files/original/99acaa47353a7f2af73d5d72f82ef53d.pdf b0de957245535c24001e4dff44289110 PDF Text Text S E LF D ETER M IN A TIO N A ND T E R R I T O RY In Our Own Words Ac~~~~w~ Gaspar Pedro Gonzalez Gaspar Pedro Gonzalez is the author of A Mayan Life (La otra cara), first published in 1992. It is considered the first novel by a Mayan author. A Mayan Life traces the rich life of Lwin, a Q'anjob'al Maya, whose eyes reveal to the reader the bitter realities of Mayan existence in contemporary Guatemala. Gaspar Pedro Gonzales was born in 1945 in San Pedro Soloma, and attended the University of Mariano Galvez, majoring in Educational Planning. He is a member of the Academy of Mayan Languages of Guatemala. He has written on Mayan languages, Mayan literature, and educational policy in Guatemala. In continuation, we present excerpts from two separate interviews. The majority of the material comes from an interview conducted on May 5, 1995, by Bob Sitler, from the Department of Foreign Languages at Stetson Univer.sity, Florida. The other was conducted by SAIIC on July 5, 7996 any people, when they read my novel. take it to be autobi· ographical. In some ways, there are indeed parts of Ill)' own life that relate closely to this '' ble, that is immaterial. They also sa)' that all those who are born on this day hold these qualities. This is like the horoscopes of Western culture. you sec. I lived a good portion of my infant life in the community. So most of what 1 write is real, not imaginary. l lived it. work. For example, the initial seuing. I had the novel son of simmering in head for several years. I was always that initial education that I absorbed in the heart of the home. l was born in 1945 in San Pedro Soloma, in the department of In)' Huehuetenango. I was born on a very moving forward because, first, I had no special day when the Ma)"'n people hold a ritual celebrating the first ripening fruits of the Earth. That day is called Ox Tz'ikin in the Mayan calendar. and signifies "Three Birds: · The expert priests who study this say that this idea how to go about publishing my work. Second. there was a stage in the political life of Guatemala at which no writer. let alone a Mayan , had the certainty of living freely and s.~fely. ..tz'ikin" is in other contexts the spiril. attempt to publish it. But someone told me, ·why don't we wait a little.' The creativity, initiative, all that is inlangi- 22 aching to write. I would jot down notes, and then I carne up against a period of stagn:uion, in which I wasn't Yes. It was J978 when there was an national political conflicts had begun . When the tide of violence hit in the 1980s, anyone with paper or pen in his house was risking his life. So I took the drafts and stuffed them into a cardboard box. and saved them from the 80s, for the 90s. The 90s brought the movement of cultural revival and the fost-approaching commemoration of the 500 years of Columbus. It then seemed to me to be an opportune time to publish this thing. In the end I reached my goal. It was a struggle for someone with few resources, with liule influence in society. to achieve publishing. I think it was a ke)' experience that strengthened my spirit of resistance in the sense that I never threw in the towel. This is so important. I reach out to my fellow Attya Yala News �[ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __,~ L _!F_D E T E R M I N A T I 0 S E~ Mayan friends and I tell you that )'OU have to persevere. If you accept defeat, you'll never reach your objective. When 1 had to turn all this into Spanish. I took refuge in poetry, and lyrical and rhetorical speech in C..1Stilian. For that reason, as 1 was writing the novel. sometimes I would get a little ahead of myself in Spanish so as not to lose emergent ideas. There are ne,·enheless ways to say these things through the Mayan parallelism that exists in our oral literature. There are literary resources in Maya such as repetition. There are literary figures that I had to study to adapt these ideas to Maya. llS a bit ironic because poetic speeches are uncommon in Q'anjob• at The culture offers us another type of rhetoric. known by the elders, who in turn use it for ceremonies and special occasions. . "I thought the novel in Maya, and when the time came to bridge everything, I had to work it out theo· retically and avoid being too materialistic in Spanish. For example, concepts as love. God, and metaphysical manifestations are difficult to write with Mayan words. In our culture these experiences are felt . In the Mayan languages, these things are refereed to through material experience. 'love,' for example, has no translation in Q'anjob'al. lt"s not that these experiences don't exist. They are lived. They are not for analyzing or conceptualizing critically. No. they are lived situations. When I wrote the pan of the novel where Lwin and Malfn fall in love. I realized what love signified for a more complex, perhaps more sophisticated society. But for Mayas it"s feeling, experimenting. and living. \\1ords are not spoken. One lives, dances. is lured to a spiritual realm internally to the sounds of the marimbas. That night when they dance for the first time. they don"t say a word . There are no discourses. no sweet words. Vo1.10No. 2 " Writings abound on Mayans by non-Mayans. But a novel of this nature. written in the Mayan lan· guage. is, to the extent of my knowledge, the first. There is a novel. for example, juan Ptre:;:jolore, that presumably deals with the Tzotzil Maya, written by Ricardo Pozas, a Ladino author. There's El desrino del Indio, by Oliver L1 Farge. a novel on the Maya in Chiapas and Guatemala. Miguel Angel Asturias obtained the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1967 precisely due to his writings on the Maya. N A H D TERR IT ORY He is respected as one of the foremost Latin American authors. But our worlds are so completely different. The day more Mayan authors emerge. we will expand our different interpretations of Asturias. He is a m.m of the literary medium whose raw material is the Maya. much like contemporary painters. sculptors, and other Ladino aniSts. Though. his identification with the Mayan people is a whole different story Asturias" thesis is a scientific endeavor where Asturias the artist and Asturias the impassioned novelist are not present. If you get a ch.tnce to read this thesis. you won) see his later opinions on the Maya. In this work. he comes ofT as full of stereotypes and prejudices. as when he says that Mayas are indolent, filthy... He sees the plight of the "Indian" as the perfect opponunity to better himself. but in no way does he '"'lue that humatl being. When Miguel Angel Asturias tra,·els to Europe, especially France, he begins to mature and learns to appreciate the Ma)'lln civilization when faced with his hosts. His '"sion of the Maya is that of a Ladino. There is a certa.in tendency to engage in 'positivism,' to portray the Maya as stoic, battle-hardened. This in turn serves to construct a nationalist identity based on certain values. You have, for example, the case of Tecum Un>an (the leader of a Mayan rebellion]. The military adopts this Mayan symbol, shrouds it in myth , and shines it back on the Ma)'ll to entice them into the military. He becomes a warrior that defends the nation. But, whose muion is it? lt is a nation of the few. of Ladinos and for their benefit, not of the Mayan people. More concretely. I think that in Asturias' Men of Com (Hombres dt Mar:;:), this phenomenon occurs. He seeks to depict our society abroad, a society he recreates based on personal criteria, and he puts on display for the world after applying some literary cosmetics. But the Maya fail to appreciate it because it is like a bad ponrait. In A Mayan Ufe. 1 try to diston these stereotypes, and present the Maya with their values, their anguish, their view or the world, and of mankind in that pan of the world. 23 �S E L f DETERMINAT I ON "A P""and estheuc expression. lA rrom the necessity ror anisuc Mayan U/el Is m a cenain sense a staunch cnuque or the social conditions and, l>-1rttcularly. an attempt to make the Q'anjob'al cultUre known. A Mayan Life falls into the genre or testimonial novel because it is a testimo ny to the exploit:'ltion :md marginalization then is rampant ncross Mayan society. I think that thanks to a Mayan presence In different circles. in different stages or national life. it is becoming accepted that the Maran people speak. that they express thetr thoughts. and th.1t the bws be more closely heeded. In A Mayan ufc. there IS no invention. nor IS On)1hmg that we describe surreal. We are stmply transferring a son or radtography or a society that is ]i,ing. that IS dynonuC, that iS aware of a book published by a Ma)oan. Many non- Mayan rncnds have congratulated me ror the work. h has been an interna- tional success. I think that it is beginning 10 be seen as a key part or the culture or this diverse society. or course there are sectors or the populouon that still spurn this voice. There are sectors that oppose the strengthemng or the ~1a)>an languages, or thot MO)>an tdcnuty be reinforced. They want to standardaze the counuy. or "lodmtze" n, much as in past periods. ~lay.an soctety today is being born24 A N 0 TERR I TORY bardcd Ill " scnes or cultural im'3Sions. Progressl\·tl)• people arc less and less , responswc to m.1n1festations of spirituality. The medta tS a key factor in theSe invasions. The maJority or Ma)'3n houses have a radto. That radio says nothing about the Maya. It plays no Mayan music, nor do we hear Mayan languages. On the same side or the coin, the present religions, the religious sects, have divided the Mayan people. One village is rmctured into 4 or 5 churches. Social coheston •s wantmg. Society is diSJOined. Each factton tries tO pull the other to tts stde. We arc becoming complacent because our collective identity has d\\ondled. Nevertheless. 1 percetve that there exists a rovorable cm'\ronment to publish. ror example. the results or scientific investigations in Guatemala. or the works or people who write novels o r poetry. You can't conceal the truth indefinitely. Eventually these things must be tOld, and the political atmos· pherc must give In, and begin to develop a conscience or these things. Still. It remains the reality that Ma)•an authors ha,·e great difficulty in publishmg thctr work, because the cconomtc factor tS so cructal. I know people who ha,·e wnucn documents or lit· erature, and there they are locked up in a box because they dont ha,·e the resources to pubhsh n. << T he reality is that education poll· cics, or simply. education. is constructed on philosophical bases. If in a n a tio nr~l education plan, the policies are not well defined, ot· even the philosophies, it Is hard to imagine what the goals or an education system arc. This IS the tOpiC or another work or mine. In Mayan Languages and Education (Las ld1ornas mayas y Ia tducact6n escolar) . I try to present some ideas as an educ:monal planner. to suggest mcchamsms. pohctes. and educational phtlosophtcs ror this country with multthngunl. multicultural. and muluethmc charactensucs. I also proposed to wnte what turned out to be my other book. llecouse. the first step in the construclion or ll:ltiona1hy is precisely th'! or education. But if we rail tO construct our education rrom and within a culture, we nrc probably distorting, or we're dcstroymg the idcmity or an entire porttOn or the population which in thts case is primartly Indigenous and-in thts country-above all Maya. Various mswutcs tn 1hc mterior of the country are usmg A Mayan Life in courses hke lnerature or anthropol<>g): On the same token we are stri,ing to coordm:nc w1th educa11on authori- ties. to present to them these sugges· tions to tmphcate them in curricula-because we have known first hand the effects or an education based on dcstntclion. Chi waltoq skawllal he k'ul ayex he masanil yul hin q':'lnej. yin mas.c\n k'ulal jetoq ko mns.,nil. ("From here I greet you all in my language. may peace reign in the hearts or all.") " To obtam atopy of A Ma)'an Life. writ< to: Yax Te' Press. 3520 Coolhe~ghts Dri•·c. Rontho Palos Vcrdrs. CA 90275·6231; Td/Fax 010) 377-8763 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. 10, no. 2 (Summer 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 In Our Own Words: A Conversation with Gaspar Pedro Gonzalez Type The nature or genre of the resource Journal Article Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Summer 1996 Language A language of the resource English English Zotero Title In Our Own Words: A Conversation with Gaspar Pedro Gonzalez Item Type Journal Article Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages 22-24 Publication Title Abya Yala News ISSN 1071-3182 Date Summer 1996 Language English Abstract Note This article is an interview with the Myan author, Gaspar Pedro Gonzalez, as he details the importance of Indigenous histories being written in the native languages, as well as by a native of the culture. Attachment Title In_Our_Words_A_Conversation_with_Gaspar_Pedro_Gonzalez.pdf Attachment URL [No URL] Culture Guatemala Mayan