Indigenous Issues in South America

May 16, 2007

"They're Never Going to Get It"

Brazil's Indians Offended by Pope Comments
Washington Post Reuters Monday, May 14, 2007; 3:15 PM

BRASILIA - Outraged Indian leaders in Brazil said on Monday they were offended by Pope Benedict's "arrogant and disrespectful" comments that the Roman Catholic Church had purified them and a revival of their religions would be a backward step.

In a speech to Latin American and Caribbean bishops at the end of a visit to Brazil, the Pope said the Church had not imposed itself on the *Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

[Suggestion to the Pope] http://ili.nativeweb.org/ * Indigenous Law Institute

They had welcomed the arrival of European priests at the time of the conquest as they were "silently longing" for Christianity, he said.

Millions of tribal Indians are believed to have died as a result of European colonization backed by the Church since Columbus landed in the Americas in 1492, through slaughter, disease or enslavement.

Many Indians today struggle for survival, stripped of their traditional ways of life and excluded from society.

"It's arrogant and disrespectful to consider our cultural heritage secondary to theirs," said Jecinaldo Satere Mawe, chief coordinator of the Amazon Indian group Coiab.

Several Indian groups sent a letter to the Pope last week asking for his support in defending their ancestral lands and culture. They said the Indians had suffered a "process of genocide" since the first European colonizers had arrived.

Priests blessed conquistadors as they waged war on the indigenous peoples, although some later defended them and many today are the most vociferous allies of Indians.

"The state used the Church to do the dirty work in colonizing the Indians but they already asked forgiveness for that ... so is the Pope taking back the Church's word?" said Dionito Jose de Souza a leader of the Makuxi tribe in northern Roraima state.

Pope John Paul spoke in 1992 of mistakes in the evangelization of Native peoples of the Americas.

Pope Benedict not only upset many Indians but also Catholic priests who have joined their struggle, said Sandro Tuxa, who heads the movement of northeastern tribes.

"We repudiate the Pope's comments," Tuxa said. "To say the cultural decimation of our people represents a purification is offensive, and frankly, frightening. I think (the Pope) has been poorly advised."

Even the Catholic Church's own Indian advocacy group in Brazil, known as Cimi, distanced itself from the Pope. "The Pope doesn't understand the reality of the Indians here, his statement was wrong and indefensible," Cimi advisor Father Paulo Suess told Reuters. "I too was upset."

December 9, 2006 Listen to the Show

Indigenous Oaxacan Activists Discuss State Crackdown; Nasa Filmmaker on Violence Inflicted on Indigenous Peoples in Colombia

Indigenous News Roundup

Fiji Tribal Chiefs Refuse to Recognize New Regime
In Fiji, the military leader of the nation’s recent coup faces increasing isolation. The country’s powerful council of tribal chiefs are refusing to recognize the country's military regime and the newly installed prime minister has conceded the takeover was illegal. Commodore Frank Bainimarama used his self-appointed powers to remove Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi from his office late Wednesday. The council of tribal chiefs is throwing its support behind the nation's president. Tribal Council Chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini called Madraiwiwi's dismissal "illegal, unconstitutional and disrespectful" and reiterated support for him and President Ratu Josefa Iloilo. Iloilo is still technically the country's president, although Bainimarama said Tuesday that he had assumed presidential powers. The coup is Fiji's fourth in nearly two decades.

Kamehameha Schools Win in Hawaii
In Hawaii, the Kamehameha Schools won a victory on Tuesday when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the school’s admission policy can favor Native Hawaiians. The court overturned an earlier ruling that the policy amounted to unlawful discrimination. A white student had claimed he was excluded from the school because of his race. In an 8-7 ruling, the Court held that the admissions policy is constitutional because the discrimination is remedial, it is meant to address historical wrongs and the program has met with congressional approval. For more than 100 years, the private school has given preference to Native Hawaiian applicants.

Federal Court Sides with Native American Voters in South Dakota
In South Dakota, a federal district court ruled in favor of Native American voters earlier this week. The decision orders city officials in Martin to redraw city council district lines. This corrects violations of the Voting Rights Act that prevents Native Americans from having an equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice. The ACLU brought the lawsuit in 2002 on behalf of two Native American voters. The defeated redistricting plan would have given white voters control of all three city wards. Native Americans are approximately 45% of the city’s population.

Elderly Abuse March in Navajo Country Ignored
In Arizona, Navajo activist Marjorie “Grandma” Thomas led a demonstration march to the tribal administration offices to protest what they say is inaction over the abuse of elders. She pushed her own wheelchair for part of the walk in Window Rock on Monday, according to The Gallup Independent. President Joe Shirley Jr. and Vice President Frank Dayish Jr. did not meet with the group, whose staffers said they were not in. The protest was largely in support of Rena Babbit Lane, an 84 years old Navajo woman who lives on Hopi land. On November 4, three Hopi officers arrived at Lane's home dragged her from bed, pushed her around and threatened to take her to jail and make her walk home, about 100 miles away. She suffered a heart attack during the incident. The raid on Lane’s home was in anticipation of a law that would force her removal from her land. She is a fierce foe of forced relocation and lives in a remote region of Black Mesa. Lane has a longstanding conflict with Hopi and BIA officials, her lawyer said. In the past she has been severely beaten, had her hand broken and her horses, goats and sheep confiscated.

Tribal Elections on Oglala Sioux Rez Embroiled in Controversy
In South Dakota, a political standoff continues between two groups claiming to be the rightful government of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. John Yellow Bird Steele was sworn into office as President Tuesday. His opponent, Alexander White Plume, said the swearing in was illegal. White Plume has been tribal president since June and declared Steele’s victory in the November 7 tribal general election illegitimate. White Plume has pledged to continue in office until new elections can be held early next year. The tribal elections have been roiled with controversy, beginning with irregularities in the October 3 primary. Earlier this year, the tribal council impeached former president Cecilia Fire Thunder over her proposal for a private woman’s clinic that would thwart a new state abortion ban. The council then elevated Vice President Alex White Plume to the president’s post.

Indigenous World Uranium Summit
In other news, the Indigenous World Uranium Summit recently wrapped up in Arizona, hosted by the Navajo Nation from November 30 through December 2nd. It was a historic gathering for activists working to stop the spread of nuclear proliferation in all its forms. Here is Manny Pino, a board member of the Indigenous Environmental Network, reading the declaration: [audio included in show MP3].

Interview Segments:

Indigenous Oaxacan Activists Discuss State Crackdown
We speak with two members of Ojo De Agua Comunicacion who have arrest warrants issued for their activities in Oaxaca, Mexico. They have been involved in video and media training and production programs in indigenous communities in Oaxaca. They talk about the crackdown on protesters and journalists and the recent issuance of hundreds of arrest warrants in Oaxaca.
Sergio Julian Caballero, a native media maker from Oaxaca, Mexico. He has edited and post-produced works from indigenous communities in the region. He has developed Ojo de Agua Comunicacion’s web site www.laneta.apc.org/ojodeagua
Damian Lopez, a native media maker who was documenting protests in Oaxaca.

Nasa Filmmaker on Violence Inflicted on Indigenous Peoples in Colombia
Mauricio Acosta, producers and directs documentaries for Tejido de Comunicacio, the communication network of the Associacion de Cabildos Indigenas del Norte (ACIN) in the state of Cauca, Colombia. Tejido de Comunicacion promotes the autonomy of indigenous communities through media. In 2006, Acosta’s video Pa’ poder quo Nos Cen Tierra was recognized at the Festival Internacional de Cine y Video de los Pueblos Indigenas for its effectiveness in bringing attention to the violence inflicted on indigenous peoples in Colombia and the communities’ peaceful resistance.

May 4, 2006

Bringing Indigenous Issues to the United Nations: Re-defining the Millennium Development Goals; Bolivian Water War Leader Oscar Olivera Collaborates in Film Project, Fundraiser Tonight!

Fundraiser for "Gringomobile Diaries: Bolivia", will show raw clips of the film and raise money for post-production costs. Also showing "Gringoton (Gringo-thon)" and other award-winning films and documentaries by Greg Berger, co-creator of "Gringomobile Diaries: Bolivia"
Where: Carlito's Cafe Lexington Avenue, between 106th and 107th Streets
When: 7 pm, Thursday May 4th

The Millennium Development Goals and Indigenous Peoples: Re-defining the Millennium Development Goals

Next week, thousand of Indigenous Peoples from all over the world will convene at the United Nations to bring their concerns and recommendations to the Permanent Forum, which is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council with a mandate to discuss Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. There will be several side events organized by Indigenous activists during the two-week session that are open to the public, including "Water is Life," "Indigenous Peoples' Toronto Charter on HIV/AIDS", and "Papal Bulls, Manifest Destiny & American Empire." We speak with Kent Lebsock, Executive Director of the American Indian Law Alliance.

Visit the web site for more information, www.ailanyc.org, American Indian Law Alliance, aila@ailanyc.org

March 16, 2006

Oil Pipeline in Peru Ruptures a Fifth Time: How Amazon Indians are Being Burned

IDB, Peruvian Government and Amazon Pipeline Consortia Evade Questions and Criticism about Camisea Failures. The major oil pipeline Camisea in Peru ruptured for a fifth time in 18 months, triggering a fire that injured local residents of the village of Echarate in the southern region of Cuzco, Peru. A Health Ministry report stated 25 families were affected. Doctors have banned the consumption of fish from local rivers and vegetables grown in the area until the degree of pollution caused by the spill can be assessed. A report earlier this year revealed a large part of the pipeline was built using severely corroded pipes left over from earlier projects in Brazil and Ecuador and the welding was done by unskilled workers. Another report shows how indigenous communities that come into contact with pipeline workers are suffering and dying from diseases they are vulnerable to as a result of isolation. We talk to Amazon Watch director Atossa Soltani about the Camisea Natural Gas Project, the first major gas development in Peru. It is located in one of the world's most ecologically prized rainforests in the remote Lower Urubamba Valley of the Peruvian Amazon.

Atossa Soltani, executive director of Amazon Watch, a non-profit organization that works to defend the environment and rights of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin.

September 1, 2005

Fundraiser: Pro-Choice Movement in Mexico partnering with Zapatistas

September 1st, 2005 at 8pm
Carlito's Cafe 1701 Lexington Avenue, between 106 and 107
El Barrio of East Harlem

"Aborto Sin Pena" ("Abortion Without Shame/Abortion Without Penalty") is almost complete! Fundraiser tonight to complete the project. Clips from the film to be screened, special surprise raffle and DJ Alex Rivera spins. Help support this unprecedented political event! Sliding scale suggested donation, $5 - $10, no one turned away.

August 18, 2005

News on Colombia from Mario Murillo and Maori Music

We speak with Nicholas Przybyla, veteran of Operation: Enduring Freedom and East Timor and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War. Nicholas Przybyla speaks about the new documentary film, which he helped produce, Operation: Veteran Freedom. The film chronicles the events of March 2005, when thousands of people assembled outside of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina to protest two years of occupation in Iraq. The group was primarily veterans and family members of soldiers who had fought and died in the war-torn regions of the Middle East. Go to the web site to view trailers.

Listen to the song "the Immaculate Woman" by Mato, a band that Tiokasin Ghosthorse performs with, by downloading the MP3.

We speak with Mario Murillo, host of the Friday edition of Wakeup Call and producer of many other programs on WBAI. Murillo is a veteran radio journalist and currently assistant professor in the School of Communication at the Hofstra University. He is author of "Colombia and the United States: War, Unrest and Destabilization." Mario reports from Bogota, Colombia and discusses the Indigenous communities in southern Cauca, a hotbed for vocalized resistance to the Free Trade of the Americas accord, continued militarization and military intervention of the United States. Murillo reports the Colombian government is targeting Indigenous leaders by various threatening means and that Indigenous communities fear government incursions could lead to massive displacements.

A brief discussion with James Webster, a Maori musician, is accompanied by beautiful flute performances. Webster makes the flutes which he plays.

New York Station Links to Indigenous Radio Station in Colombia

Santander de Quilichao, Cauca, Colombia
“Brothers and sisters of the Nasa people, you are my family, we are one family, that’s what I feel. We come from one common mother, Mother Earth.” With these words, Tiokasin Ghosthorse (Lakota), indigenous broadcaster and journalist from WBAI Pacifica Radio, expressed the spirit of the communication web that was established between Radio Payu’mat of Santander de Quilichao in northern Cauca, and WBAI Pacifica Radio in New York, during the initial broadcast that inaugurated the relationship of these stations. The broadcast, part of the Friday edition of Wake-Up Call in New York and the morning news program of Radio Payu’mat, took place on August 12, 2005 at 7:00am.

The 40-minute live broadcast was one of the concrete results of the visit by radio journalist and educator Mario Murillo, veteran broadcaster with WBAI, who was in Northern cauca from August 5 through the 12th. Mario was hosted by the Association of Northern Indigenous Councils, ACIN, and visited a number of indigenous communities, including Toribío, Jambaló and Canoas.

“It’s impossible to know the truth of what is happening in Colombia without visiting some of these communities that are directly affected by the conflict,” said Murillo during the roundtable discussion, hosted in New York by Mimi Rosenberg and Tiokasin. “Not even the people in Bogota or in other big cities of the country know the reality because their sources of information continue being the major corporate media and the official voices that distort the truth.” He added, “if this is the case within Colombia, imagine the level of disinformation that is making it to the United States and the perspective people have of the conflict.”

The agenda of the weeklong visit was directed towards various aspects of the ACIN’s Communication “web” set up within the context of aggression, resistance and promotion of the indigenous community’s life plan. The goal was to establish concrete links of solidarity through community communication media, and particularly radio. In Northern Cauca, along with Radio Payu’mat, there are two other community indigenous radio stations, Voces de Nuestra Tierra in Jambalo, and Radio Nasa, in Toribio, shut down by the Ministry of Communication in 2004, but brought back on the air in June 2005 by order of a tribunal of the local indigenous council.

As a result of the meetings with the ACIN’s Communication “web,”, a number of proposals were made with the hopes of developing the sister-station relationship:

1. Establish a permanent correspondence on the air every week, both on WBAI Radio from reporters of Radio Payu’mat, and vice versa, with voices from New York. The first of these broadcasts will air on Friday, September 9, 2005 at 7am ET on WBAI Radio, and at 8:10am Cauca time over Payu’mat. This will allow audiences in both locales to hear voices of each community discuss matters of importance affecting each country.
2. Establish an internet-link through the web pages of WBAI ( HYPERLINK "http://www.wbai.org" www.wbai.org) and the ACIN, in order to make information from both sites available to visitors to each.
3. Begin to develop plans to coordinate a North American delegation of community media activists from WBAI and other local media projects to visit Colombia in June-July of 2006 in order to have a direct exchange of ideas, strategies and experiences.
4. Explore the possibility of inviting a delegation from Cauca to the United States with the objective of fortifying the Communication “web” between the two countries. This would allow audiences in New York to meet directly with these delegates and hear experiences first hand. Along with this, we would explore ways of sending a delegation from Cauca to the “Our Media” international forum, to be held in Bangalore, India in December 2005.
5. Develop a campaign of material support in the U.S. for the ACIN’s media program, organizing events in the community to collect funds and other resources to strengthen the production capacity of the three indigenous stations in Northern Cauca. With respect to this, Mario Murillo said: “It was inspiring to see the tremendous capacity and commitment that existed at the community level to the issues relating to communication despite the serious limitations that exist impinging the development of these activities. For example, the people can barely even count on the most minimum production equipment such as recorders and microphones, but they’re still producing every day.”

“My message for those listeners in the United States is to keep struggling for your freedom, to recognize that to win freedom means to struggle against dependence, disinformation, propaganda and consumerism,” said Dora Muñoz, indigenous journalist from Radio Payumat. She added “from this point on, the direct communication between the two communities is a reality. We’ll now both be able to hear voices that would normally never be heard.”

Ultimately it will now be possible to weave a communication of solidarity and of truth between peoples and processes. “These proposals can serve as a model that we should develop with other community media around Colombia, throughout Latin America and the rest of the world” said Gustavo Ulcué of the ACIN’s internet project, known as the Telecentro.

Northern Cauca has been the center of indigenous mobilizing in Colombia for over thirty years, and is currently at the center of an intense military campaign on the part of the Colombian Armed Forces and the guerillas of the FARC. Indigenous leaders describe this as a direct threat to the many social gains made over the years by the movement.

April 24, 2005

Peru Plans Reserve for Isolated Indigenous Group

The Peruvian government has created a commission that is in the early stages of designing plans for a reserve for the Mashco-Piro Indigenous group, one of 11 Indigenous groups living in voluntary isolation in the Peruvian Amazon. There is no reliable data on the Mashco-Piro, but there are estimates that there are 800 members of the group. The commission is planning to create “transitory territorial reserves” to enable to Mashco-Piro to maintain extensive routes to move freely about. A commission member, an anthropologist, said that the reserves will be assigned “until they decide, through their own community organization, to obtain recognition and ownership titles over land.” The Alto Puros province, home to 2,800 members of 8 Indigenous groups, is threatened by illegal logging that causes displacement of Indigenous communities and engenders social violence. Peru, one of the six South American countries that share the Amazon, loses 265,000 hectares of tropical rainforest annually to logging.

Brazil Formalizes Indigenous Reserve

The Brazilian Justice Ministry decided on Friday, April 15 to formalize the demarcation of the Raposa Sierra del Sol reserve in the northern state of Roraima, recognizing the right of 15,000 Indigenous members of five ethnic groups to the territory. The 1.74 million hectare reserve in on the border with Guyana and Venezuela and has been the site of contention and violence between Indigenous groups and white landowners growing rice and raising cattle for more than three decades. More than 20 Indigenous activists have died during the 30 year struggle to regain ancestral territory and the right to fish and hunt on their own land. A one-year deadline has been set for the large landowners to pull out of the territory. The Roraima Governor Ottomar Pinto said he would appeal the decision as soon as President Lula signed it, and rice growers announced calls for protest demonstrations. In January 2004, rice growers staged violent protests calling to break up the reserve in which three Catholic missionaries were briefly taken hostage.