Community resistance against school closure in the Shuar territory

Text and photos: Johanna Hohenthal

The government of Rafael Correa (2007-2017) pushed modernization of the education system in Ecuador through the establishment of large millennium schools at the expense of small rural schools [1, 2]. In the province of Pastaza, the government did not close upper secondary schools, but the reform hit hardest to the primary school students whose school journeys became longer due to closing down of community schools. In March, the research team visited the Shuar territory where three primary schools had been closed and several others had barely avoided the closure thanks to community resistance.

Continue reading “Community resistance against school closure in the Shuar territory”

Waorani: a triumph in the defense of the territory

Text and photo by Katy Machoa, Amazonian Kichwa, former leader of the CONAIE women

“Your map has no use… We do not recognize the government’s name bloque 22. Our ancestral territory is not an oil block, it’s our life, and these are our words, our crossed spears”
Oswaldo Nenquimo (2019)

Waorani people dancingThe first reaction of the pekenani (wise elder) representatives of 16 Waorani communities of Pastaza, organized in CONCONAWEP, after the sentence of Judge Pilar Araujo of the Provincial Court of Pastaza that accepted the action for protection and stated that constitutional right of prior, free and informed consultation had been violated, was to dance and sing. The audience hall was flooded by the energy of the Waorani voices and by the dance that drew the glorified dignity. So small was the space that shortly the energy spread to the outskirts; surely that energy connected with its territory, as well as with all the hearts defending the Amazonian life.

Continue reading “Waorani: a triumph in the defense of the territory”

Waorani: la defensa del territorio triunfa

Redacción y foto: Katy Machoa, Nacionalidad Kichwa Amazónica, Ex–Dirigente de la Mujer CONAIE

“Su mapa no sirve… No reconocemos que el gobierno llame bloque 22. Nuestro territorio ancestral, no es un bloque petrolero, es nuestra vida,  estas son nuestras palabras, nuestras lanzas cruzadas”
Oswaldo Nenquimo (25 de abril 2019)

Waorani people dancingLa primera reacción de los y las “pekenani” (anciano/a sabio/a) representantes de 16 comunidades Waorani de Pastaza, organizadas en CONCONAWEP, tras escuchar la sentencia de la jueza Pilar Araujo de la Corte Provincial de Pastaza en la que se aceptaba la acción de protección y se reconocía la vulneración al derecho constitucional de la consulta previa, libre e informada fue bailar y cantar. La sala de audiencia quedo inundada por la energía de las voces waorani y por la danza que dibujaba la dignidad enaltecida, tan pequeño quedo el espacio que en poco tiempo se esparció a las afueras y con seguridad esa energía se conectó con su territorio, así como se conectó con los corazones que defendemos la vida amazónica.

Continue reading “Waorani: la defensa del territorio triunfa”