DOCUMENTING THE DECOLONISATION OF GEO-SOCIAL HISTORY

THROUGH

INDIGENOUS WAYS OF KNOWING

IN AOTEAROA

AND ABYA

YALA

Dr. Kathryn LehmanSpanish Department

School of European LanguagesNew Zealand Centre for Latin American Studies

The University of Auckland

DocumentingDocumenting

thethe DecolonisationDecolonisation

of of GeoGeo--Social Social HistoryHistory

Through Indigenous Through Indigenous Ways of KnowingWays of Knowing

Nobel Peace Prize Winners Nobel Peace Prize Winners PPéérezrez Esquivel and R Esquivel and R MenchMenchúú

in Aotearoa

WAIPAPA MARAE

and and AbyaAbya YalaYala

““Continent of LifeContinent of Life”” Kuna word (;Kuna word (;TarikTarik MamaniMamani, adopted by , adopted by many indigenous many indigenous organisationsorganisations

Pintura mural maya (Copan)Pintura mural maya (Copan)

Linda Linda TuhiwaiTuhiwai SmithSmith’’s Analysis of Historys Analysis of History

1.1. History is History is totalisingtotalising and and universaluniversal; ; ----includes all known knowledge into includes all known knowledge into oneone coherent whole; fundamental coherent whole; fundamental characteristics and values that all characteristics and values that all human subjects and societies share. human subjects and societies share.

2.2. History is one large History is one large chronologychronology;;----charts events, human developcharts events, human develop-- mentsments over time, real, over time, real, ““factualfactual””..

3.3. History is about History is about developmentdevelopment; ; ----societies move from simple to societies move from simple to complex, from primitive to complex, from primitive to civilisedcivilised..

Linda Linda TuhiwaiTuhiwai SmithSmith

Linda Linda TuhiwaiTuhiwai SmithSmith’’s Analysis of Historys Analysis of History

4.4. About About ‘‘selfself--actualizing human subjectactualizing human subject’’;;----fulfills fulfills basic needs, then develops basic needs, then develops emotions, then intellect, then morality. emotions, then intellect, then morality. ----Societies Societies ““move forwardmove forward””just as the individual does.just as the individual does.

5.5. One coherent narrative; One coherent narrative; ----innocent, uses pure innocent, uses pure ““factsfacts””, , ---- ““speaks for itselfspeaks for itself””; ; ----not implicated with politics or economics.not implicated with politics or economics.

5.5. Binary categories divide preBinary categories divide pre--history from history by using history from history by using literacy or literacy or ““discoverydiscovery”” by Europeans as the starting point.by Europeans as the starting point.

SPANISH DEPARTMENT

SCHOOL OF EUROPEAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

Dr. Kathryn Lehman

LatinLatin America as a America as a regionregion has has thethe highesthighest incomeincome disparitydisparity in in thethe worldworld

HeadlinesHeadlines aboutabout LatinLatin America America TodayToday::

Bolivia's constituentBolivia's constituent--assembly electionassembly electionJun 29th 2006 Jun 29th 2006 From From The EconomistThe Economist print editionprint edition

OVER the past three years, Bolivia has done OVER the past three years, Bolivia has done its best to live up to its earlier reputation as its best to live up to its earlier reputation as South America's most unstable republic. South America's most unstable republic.

In December, Evo Morales, In December, Evo Morales, a a radicalradical socialistsocialist coca growers' leader of indigenous descentcoca growers' leader of indigenous descent, , won 54% of the vote in a presidential won 54% of the vote in a presidential election on a promise to refound the country election on a promise to refound the country on more collectivist lines.on more collectivist lines.……

Morales won Morales won withwith thethe greatestgreatest majoritymajority in in BolivianBolivian historyhistory amidstamidst euphoriaeuphoria andand justjust won won againagain by 67%.by 67%.

Latin America'sLatin America's new socialist revolutionnew socialist revolution20.12.0520.12.05By Daniel HowdenBy Daniel Howden

In an election yesterday, Bolivia chose an In an election yesterday, Bolivia chose an indigenous indigenous AymaraAymara Indian and radical former coca Indian and radical former coca farmerfarmer over a Harvardover a Harvard--educated, Americaneducated, American--married married member of the business elite. member of the business elite.

It means the nation will join Venezuela, Brazil, It means the nation will join Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and possibly Mexico next year in Chile, Uruguay and possibly Mexico next year in the the rebirth of Latin American socialismrebirth of Latin American socialism, much to the , much to the chagrin of the United States. chagrin of the United States.

Privately, Washington has labelled the 38Privately, Washington has labelled the 38--yearyear--old old a a narconarco--terroristterrorist, compared him to Fidel Castro and , compared him to Fidel Castro and believes he may believes he may relaunchrelaunch Che'sChe's revolution. revolution.

TheThe ““NightmareNightmare”” QuoteQuote““On December 18, 2005On December 18, 2005,, EvoEvoMorales and his Socialist Party Morales and his Socialist Party won the presidency in Bolivia. won the presidency in Bolivia. Regarding Regarding CheChe GueveraGuevera as aas apersonal hero and personal hero and vowing tovowing tobe America's "nightmarebe America's "nightmare““during his campaign,during his campaign, MoralesMorales met with met with Cuba's dictator Cuba's dictator Fidel CastroFidel Castro and Venezuelanand VenezuelanPresident President Hugo ChavezHugo Chavez afterafter his election victoryhis election victorymaking his political allegiances clear.making his political allegiances clear.

It is impossible to find the originalIt is impossible to find the original““nightmarenightmare”” quotation on whichquotation on whichnumerous press statements aboutnumerous press statements aboutMoralesMorales’’s intentions were based.s intentions were based.

At the ancient ritual At the ancient ritual that conferred the that conferred the

"Power of the "Power of the Original Mandate" Original Mandate" on on EvoEvo Morales at Morales at the sacred place of the sacred place of

TiwanakuTiwanaku on on

January 21.January 21.

Election of President Evo Morales, First Indigenous President of Bolivia, 2006

Let Us Respect Our Mother EarthLet Us Respect Our Mother Earth

EvoEvo

Morales Morales AymaAyma

President of the Republic of BoliviaPresident of the Republic of Bolivia

September 24, 2007 Speech to the UNSeptember 24, 2007 Speech to the UN

Faced with this situation, we Faced with this situation, we –– the indigenous peoples and humble and the indigenous peoples and humble and honest inhabitants of this planet honest inhabitants of this planet –– believe that the time has come to put a believe that the time has come to put a stop to this, in order to rediscover our roots, with respect forstop to this, in order to rediscover our roots, with respect for Mother Earth; Mother Earth; with the with the PachamamaPachamama as we call it in the Andes. Today, the indigenous as we call it in the Andes. Today, the indigenous peoples of Latin America and the world have been called upon by peoples of Latin America and the world have been called upon by history to history to convert ourselves into the vanguard of the struggle to defend naconvert ourselves into the vanguard of the struggle to defend nature and life.ture and life.

I am convinced that the United Nations Declaration on the RightsI am convinced that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of of Indigenous Peoples, recently approved after so many years of strIndigenous Peoples, recently approved after so many years of struggle, uggle, needs to pass from paper to reality so that our knowledge and ouneeds to pass from paper to reality so that our knowledge and our r participation can help to construct a new future of hope for allparticipation can help to construct a new future of hope for all. Who else but . Who else but the indigenous people, can point out the path for humanity in orthe indigenous people, can point out the path for humanity in order to der to preserve nature, natural resources and the territories that we hpreserve nature, natural resources and the territories that we have inhabited ave inhabited from ancient times.from ancient times.

EvoEvo

Morales Morales AymaAyma President of the Republic of BoliviaPresident of the Republic of Bolivia

September 24, 2007September 24, 2007

We need a profound change of direction, at the world wide level,We need a profound change of direction, at the world wide level, so as toso as to stop being the condemned of the earth. The countries of the nortstop being the condemned of the earth. The countries of the north need toh need to reduce their carbon emissions by between 60% and 80% if we want reduce their carbon emissions by between 60% and 80% if we want to avoid a to avoid a temperature rise of more than 2temperature rise of more than 2ºº in what is left of this century, which would provoke in what is left of this century, which would provoke global warming of catastrophic proportions for life and nature.global warming of catastrophic proportions for life and nature.

We need to create a World Environment We need to create a World Environment OrganisationOrganisation which is binding, andwhich is binding, and which can discipline the World Trade which can discipline the World Trade OrganisationOrganisation, which is propelling us, which is propelling us towards barbarism. We can no longer continue to talk of growth itowards barbarism. We can no longer continue to talk of growth in Grossn Gross National Product without taking into consideration the destructiNational Product without taking into consideration the destruction andon and wastage of natural resources. We need to adopt an indicator thatwastage of natural resources. We need to adopt an indicator that allows usallows us to consider, in a combined way, the Human Development Index and to consider, in a combined way, the Human Development Index and thethe Ecological Footprint in order to measure our environmental situaEcological Footprint in order to measure our environmental situation.tion.

We need to apply harsh taxes on the super concentration of wealtWe need to apply harsh taxes on the super concentration of wealth, andh, and adopt effective mechanisms for its equitable redistribution. It adopt effective mechanisms for its equitable redistribution. It is not possibleis not possible that three families can have an income superior to the combined that three families can have an income superior to the combined GDP of theGDP of the 48 poorest countries. We can not talk of equity and social justi48 poorest countries. We can not talk of equity and social justice whilstce whilst this situation continues.this situation continues.

Multiethnic and Multiethnic and PluriPluri--culturalculturalThe 1994 Constitution declares Bolivia a The 1994 Constitution declares Bolivia a multiethnic and multiethnic and pluripluri--cultural Republiccultural Republic; ; affirms that the state does not recognize affirms that the state does not recognize latifundiolatifundio, but private and , but private and communal landscommunal lands; ; recognizes the social, economic and cultural recognizes the social, economic and cultural rights of indigenous peoples, related to their rights of indigenous peoples, related to their tierrastierras comunitariascomunitarias de de origenorigen (Communal lands (Communal lands of of origenorigen or TCO), or TCO), guaranteeing them rightsguaranteeing them rights to to use and benefit from natural resources. use and benefit from natural resources. The agrarian reform lawThe agrarian reform law (1996) defines (1996) defines TCOsTCOs as as the geographic space that constitute indigenous the geographic space that constitute indigenous habitat, where they have traditionally lived and habitat, where they have traditionally lived and maintain their own forms of organizationmaintain their own forms of organization……

Implementation GapImplementation Gap

The UN Special The UN Special RapporteurRapporteur affirms, affirms, however, that the principal problem in this however, that the principal problem in this regard is the existence of what he regard is the existence of what he identifies as the identifies as the ““implementation gapimplementation gap,,”” or or the gap existing among legislation and the the gap existing among legislation and the administrative, political or juridical practice administrative, political or juridical practice of states. (of states. (StavenhagenStavenhagen, 2006), 2006)

Media & Te Tiriti (2005) Kupu TaeaSet of common themes in media coverage:

assigns blame to Maorinaturalised Naturalises Pakeha domination “Maori culture” – primitive“Maori violence” – tend toward violence“Maori inheritance” – bloodline“Good Maori/Bad Maori”Tim McCreanor

CoordinadoraCoordinadora LatinoamericanaLatinoamericana de Cine de de Cine de los Pueblos los Pueblos IndIndíígenasgenas

CLACPI CLACPI –– Right to Self RepresentationRight to Self Representation

Wallmapu (1993) Jeannette Paillán

The construction in the Alto Bio-Bio, the ancient territory of the Mapuche Pehuenche people, since the late 1980s of a series of hydro dams—six in total— by the Empresa Nacional de Energía (ENDESA), endangers their cultural survival and territorial rights.

“Our greatest challenge is to continue being Mapuche”

Robert Pouwhare Tangata Whenua Television

Robert’s documentaries intercut shots of indigenous traditions with western discourse. (Haka + suits)

El Mercurio Colegio Médico de Chile "Estaremos saludables cuando controlemos nuestro destino"

Aztec Aztec TenochtitlTenochtitláánn

Three EmpiresThree Empires

ApproachApproach Establishes Hierarchy based on Empires; Establishes Hierarchy based on Empires;

Severs Past from PresentSevers Past from Present

IncaInca TahuantinsuyoTahuantinsuyo

MayaMaya Tikal Tikal

AztecAztec TenochtitlTenochtitláánn

“Continent of Life”

Kuna word (Panama)

Culture Levels:

1.High Civilization Empires: Maya, Aztec, Inca

2. Chiefdoms Taino, Chibcha, Chiquito

3. Farm Villages Carib, Amazonia

4. Desert Farm Villages Araucania

5. Nomadic Tehuelche

AbyaAbya YalaYala

There were probably 1,750 before the European invasionsThere were probably 1,750 before the European invasionsBetween 550 and 700 languages have been identified Between 550 and 700 languages have been identified ((SherzerSherzer, 1991 Campbell (1997) , 1991 Campbell (1997)

There are 56 language families and 73 isolates (a There are 56 language families and 73 isolates (a language with no known relatives) in Latin America language with no known relatives) in Latin America (Kaufman, 1994 (Kaufman, 1994 a&ba&b). ).

For comparison, there are only two language families in For comparison, there are only two language families in Europe Europe -- IndoIndo--European and FinnoEuropean and Finno--Ugric Ugric -- and one isolate, and one isolate, Basque. Basque.

The Archive of Indigenous Languages of Latin AmericaThe Archive of Indigenous Languages of Latin America http://http://www.ailla.utexas.org/site/la_langs.htmlwww.ailla.utexas.org/site/la_langs.html accessed 1 June 2005.accessed 1 June 2005.

Four Fronts: Indigenous and International Law James Anaya

The move toward collective rightsThe softening of state sovereigntyEvolution of the norm of self-determinationThe role of non-state actors

UN Declaration of Rights of UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2006)Indigenous Peoples (2006)

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recently approved by its Indigenous Peoples recently approved by its Human Rights Council (June 2006), provides Human Rights Council (June 2006), provides new international guidelines on this matter which new international guidelines on this matter which cannot be ignored by Latin American states. cannot be ignored by Latin American states. Among these guidelines are the Among these guidelines are the acknowledgement of acknowledgement of indigenous peoplesindigenous peoples’’ right right to the lands, territories and resources which they to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired, as well as of the right used or acquired, as well as of the right ““...to ...to own, use, develop and controlown, use, develop and control”” such lands, such lands, territories and resourcesterritories and resources (article 26); (article 26);

UN Declaration of Rights of UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous PeoplesIndigenous Peoples

and of their and of their ““right to redress by means that can right to redress by means that can include include restitution or, when this is not possible, restitution or, when this is not possible, of a just, fair and equitable compensationof a just, fair and equitable compensation, for the , for the lands, territories and resources which they have lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned or otherwise occupied or traditionally owned or otherwise occupied or used, and which have been confiscated, taken, used, and which have been confiscated, taken, occupied, used or damaged without their free, occupied, used or damaged without their free, prior and informed consent.prior and informed consent.”” (Article 28)(Article 28)

UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 14 September 2007

UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved:

143 votes in favour11 abstentions

4 against:New Zealand, Australia, the US and Canada

Latin American Constitutions

Guatemala (1985), Paraguay (1992), Peru (1993), Argentina (1994),Bolivia (1994), Ecuador (1994 and 1998) and Venezuela (1999) have reformed their political constitutions giving some kind of recognition to indigenous peoples (or people).

Information: José Aylwin (2006)LAND POLICY AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN CHILE: PROGRESS AND CONTRADICTIONS INA CONTEXT OF ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION

Latin American states have reformed their constitutional and legal orders giving a growing recognition to indigenous peoples as well as to their rights. Panama (1971), Nicaragua (1986),Brazil (1988), Colombia (1991), México (1992 y 2001),

Collective nature, customary law, preCollective nature, customary law, pre-- existence, right to representationexistence, right to representation

The collective nature of indigenous peoples had The collective nature of indigenous peoples had been acknowledged by Argentina, Bolivia, been acknowledged by Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, MColombia, Ecuador, Mééxico, Paraguay and xico, Paraguay and Venezuela. Venezuela. The preexistence of indigenous peoples to the The preexistence of indigenous peoples to the states has been affirmed by Argentina and states has been affirmed by Argentina and Paraguay.Paraguay.Customary law Customary law recognisedrecognised in Bolivia, Colombia, in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador Peru, Paraguay and MEcuador Peru, Paraguay and MééxicoxicoRight to a special political representation Right to a special political representation -- Colombia (1991) and of Venezuela (1999)Colombia (1991) and of Venezuela (1999)

JosJoséé Aylwin (2006)Aylwin (2006)

Rights to territories as well as over Rights to territories as well as over natural resources; autonomynatural resources; autonomy

Rights to territories Brazil, Bolivia, Rights to territories Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Panama. Panama.

The right to autonomy or selfThe right to autonomy or self--government government within these territories have been within these territories have been acknowledged by Colombia (1991), acknowledged by Colombia (1991), MMééxico (2001) and by Nicaragua (1986).xico (2001) and by Nicaragua (1986).

JosJoséé Aylwin (2006)Aylwin (2006)

Subsurface Resources Subsurface Resources -- StateState

Subsurface resources, however, are Subsurface resources, however, are considered to belong to the state in all of considered to belong to the state in all of the Latin American countries. According to the Latin American countries. According to these legislations, indigenous peoples are these legislations, indigenous peoples are to be consulted prior to the exploration and to be consulted prior to the exploration and exploitation of these resources (Brazil, exploitation of these resources (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Venezuela). Venezuela).

JosJoséé Aylwin (2006)Aylwin (2006)

ILO 169 Rights to Land, Territories ILO 169 Rights to Land, Territories and Resourcesand Resources

LabourLabour Organization Convention 169 on Organization Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, which Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, which acknowledges indigenous peoplesacknowledges indigenous peoples’’ rights not rights not only over their lands, but also over their only over their lands, but also over their territories and natural resources, has been territories and natural resources, has been ratified by 12 Latin American States. ratified by 12 Latin American States. Article 13.2 of Convention 169 defines territory Article 13.2 of Convention 169 defines territory as including as including ““the total environment of the areas the total environment of the areas which the peoples concerned occupy or which the peoples concerned occupy or otherwise use.otherwise use.””

JosJoséé Aylwin (2006)Aylwin (2006)

ILO 169 Right to Control ILO 169 Right to Control Economic, Social Cultural Economic, Social Cultural DevopmentDevopment --

AutonomyAutonomy

Acknowledges indigenous peoplesAcknowledges indigenous peoples’’ right right to decide their own priorities and to decide their own priorities and to control their economic, social and cultural to control their economic, social and cultural

development (article 7.1) development (article 7.1) to preserve their own institutions (Article 8.2). to preserve their own institutions (Article 8.2).

These provisions are considered by indigenous These provisions are considered by indigenous peoples as a basis for their claims to political peoples as a basis for their claims to political and economic autonomy in the region.and economic autonomy in the region.

JosJoséé Aylwin (2006)Aylwin (2006)

Contradiction between Contradiction between law and law and globalisationglobalisation

Policies promoted by Policies promoted by …… the World Bank and the IMF, and the World Bank and the IMF, and triggered by free market agreements signed by Latin triggered by free market agreements signed by Latin American states with industrialized nations in recent years American states with industrialized nations in recent years

the proliferation of large scale development projectsthe proliferation of large scale development projects——both both public and private, national and internationalpublic and private, national and international——on on indigenous lands and territories,indigenous lands and territories, generally aimed at the generally aimed at the extraction of natural resources, with huge impacts for the extraction of natural resources, with huge impacts for the lives, cultures and environments of those communities lives, cultures and environments of those communities FTAsFTAs with the US (Mexico, Chile), negotiated by Colombia, with the US (Mexico, Chile), negotiated by Colombia, Ecuador and Peru Ecuador and Peru ---- do not contain provisions for the do not contain provisions for the protection of indigenous land and resource rightsprotection of indigenous land and resource rights, but , but contain provisions on different matters, such as intellectual contain provisions on different matters, such as intellectual property rights, which constitute a clear threat to the rights property rights, which constitute a clear threat to the rights of the indigenous. of the indigenous.

ChileChileThe case of Chile, whose economy, among The case of Chile, whose economy, among countries in the region, is one of the most open countries in the region, is one of the most open to foreign markets, and whose legislation is one to foreign markets, and whose legislation is one of the weakest in the region in terms of the of the weakest in the region in terms of the protection of indigenous rights in general, and protection of indigenous rights in general, and land and resource rights in particularland and resource rights in particular

JosJoséé AylwinAylwin Director of Director of thethe Observatorio de Observatorio de Derechos de los Pueblos IndDerechos de los Pueblos Indíígenasgenas, Chile , Chile

Maori Concepts of Resource Management Maori Concepts of Resource Management Dr. Nin TomasDr. Nin Tomas

WhakapapaWhakapapa--principle of movement from principle of movement from nothingness to potential, nothingness to potential, --> form > form -->reality>realitycreated natural hierarchiescreated natural hierarchiesWhanaungatangaWhanaungatanga-- prevented rigid hierarchies prevented rigid hierarchies by highlighting individual aptitude and by highlighting individual aptitude and obligationsobligationsManaMana--leadership, managementleadership, managementTapuTapu--value. value. ManaMana + + taputapu can mean propertycan mean propertyMauriMauri –– life force drawing them togetherlife force drawing them together

Presentation on Presentation on GlobalisationGlobalisation, Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples by Dr. Nin Tomas 29 November 2006by Dr. Nin Tomas 29 November 2006

UN Economic Commission for UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)

5 5 OctoberOctober

2007 2007

Walter Walter MignoloMignolo

http://www.azteccalendar.com/calendar-calculator.html

A geoA geo--politics of knowledge politics of knowledge …… to account for the spatial to account for the spatial epistemic breaks from the epistemic breaks from the perspective of perspective of colonialitycoloniality. .

That is to say, from the hidden That is to say, from the hidden and silenced histories from the and silenced histories from the colonial horizon of modernitycolonial horizon of modernity

¡¡……EscuchaEscucha, , winkawinka……! ! (2006)(2006) Ignacio Ignacio DomeykoDomeyko 18451845

[[NingNingúúnn viajero] relata situaciones de hambruna, viajero] relata situaciones de hambruna, plagas o enfermedades (salvo las de los plagas o enfermedades (salvo las de los conquistadores)conquistadores)““En sus casas reina el orden, la tranquilidad, la En sus casas reina el orden, la tranquilidad, la sumisisumisióón al jefe de la familia, en fin todos aquellos n al jefe de la familia, en fin todos aquellos dones que hardones que haríían la envidia de muchas familias. Sus an la envidia de muchas familias. Sus campos bien cultivados y cercados, sus ganados campos bien cultivados y cercados, sus ganados gordos, la abundancia de fruta, de legumbres y de gordos, la abundancia de fruta, de legumbres y de bebidas espirituosas, ofrecen con qubebidas espirituosas, ofrecen con quéé asegurar el asegurar el bienestar de muchos pueblos. bienestar de muchos pueblos.

CitedCited by Pablo by Pablo MarimMarimáánn (2006)(2006)

Vicente PVicente Péérezrez RosalesRosales Recuerdos del pasado1814Recuerdos del pasado1814--18601860

Santiago a Santiago a comienzocomienzo del del siglosiglo XIX XIX estabaestaba rodeadorodeado de de basuralesbasurales. Al no . Al no contarcontar con con riegoriego, , sussus camposcampos eraneran desiertosdesiertos. . AquellaAquella plaza plaza servservííaa parapara procesionesprocesiones y y corridascorridas de de TorosToros comocomo parapara lucimientolucimiento de de laslas miliciasmilicias y y horcashorcas parapara los los ajusticiadosajusticiados……

CitedCited by Pablo by Pablo MarimMarimáánn (2006)(2006)

Accumulation as a mark of Accumulation as a mark of civilisationcivilisation or barbarismor barbarism

Foundation of Buenos Aires 1530Foundation of Buenos Aires 1530LucLucííaa Miranda, Miranda, SabastiSabastiáánn HurtadoHurtadoKing King MangorMangoréé andand SiripoSiripo

ChroniclesChronicles MartMartíín Gonzn Gonzáález 1556lez 1556““EachEach SpaniardSpaniard hadhad betweenbetween 80 80 andand 100 100 indigenousindigenous womenwomen becausebecause therethere waswas no gold.no gold.””El ParaEl Paraííso de Mahomaso de Mahoma

““The white captive woman is born, in our The white captive woman is born, in our literature upon the overwhelming reality literature upon the overwhelming reality of the captive Indian womanof the captive Indian woman””

Cristina Iglesias (1987)Cristina Iglesias (1987)

““Open Letter to the People of the EarthOpen Letter to the People of the Earth”” PunalkaPunalka –– Spirit of the River Spirit of the River FiuFiu FiuFiu

RayenRayen KvyehKvyeh

FiuFiu FiuFiu calls his sisters, the cloudscalls his sisters, the cloudsAnd speaks of his furrowed bodyAnd speaks of his furrowed bodyImprisoned in the damImprisoned in the dam

The Araucaria trees call their cloud sisters The Araucaria trees call their cloud sisters And speak of their bodies, cut by machinesAnd speak of their bodies, cut by machines

The mountain calls her cloud sisters and speaks of The mountain calls her cloud sisters and speaks of devastation in her breastdevastation in her breast

The puma, older brother, calls the cloud sisters and speaks The puma, older brother, calls the cloud sisters and speaks of rampant deforestationof rampant deforestation

““Open Letter to the People of the EarthOpen Letter to the People of the Earth”” RayenRayen KvyehKvyeh

MapuMapu ÑÑukeuke, (, (madremadretierratierra) ) heridaherida y y enfermaenferma

sientesiente comocomo a a sussus hijashijas e e hijoshijos leslesvan van quitandoquitando la la vidavida..

Es Es tiempotiempo de de cenizascenizas

PunalkaPunalka se se levantalevantaEs el Es el tiempotiempo de de laslas lluviaslluvias, , eses agostoagostoPunalkaPunalka se se levantalevanta

MapuMapu ÑÑukeuke Mother Earth is Mother Earth is wounded and ill, wounded and ill,

she feels that they are takingshe feels that they are takingaway the life of her daughtersaway the life of her daughtersand sonsand sons

It is a time of ashesIt is a time of ashes

PunalkaPunalka ArisesArisesIt is the time of rainsIt is the time of rainsIt is AugustIt is AugustPunalkaPunalka ArisesArises

Open Letter to the People of the Earth Open Letter to the People of the Earth -- RayenRayen KvyehKvyeh