NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON

1. NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON Karina Garcia Fernandez UNAP Iquitos, Peru

2. NativeCommunities in the Amazon

5. Territory policies • In the last 40 years, indigenous people have been organizing in federations in order to achieve the legalization of their territories. • At the present time there about 50 ethnic federations grouped into regional and national organizations. • In recent years the occupation of the Amazon has intensified and indigenous territories are found highly threatened by small and large scale farmers, oil and wood exploitation.

6. The norms and procedures for the demarcation, titling and registration of Native Communities are stablished in the Law on Native Communities and Agrarian Development (22175). • Some communities have opted to voluntary isolate themselves from the national nonindigenous society and therefore do not have legally recognized lands.

8. Health • The most common diseases are dengue and malaria. • Nowadays, they are exposed to new diseases and mortal epidemics from the destruction of the environment and the invasion of their territories for petroleum, wood, gold exploration and explotation, from the pressure of ethnobotanical and linguistic-cultural researchers, from being a destiny for ecotourism, colonization, political violence, drug traffic and others.

9. Thus, the mortality rate is higher for their children as they are widely susceptible and outside the religious missions have little or no access to scientific medical care.

10. Peruseesoilbut no development • For the past 35 years many native communities have consumed water contaminated by nearby old fields. (Corrientes River- The Achuar people)), while governments turned a blind eye to their suffering. • The water extracted with the oil has not been re-injected to the actual oil pits but has been dumped into the river, killing the fish and wildlife.

11. Plus petrol currently throws 1.3 mm barrels (159 litres each containing hydrocarbon particles, chlorine, mercurium, arsenic, etc). Water reaches temperatures of more than 194 degrees Farenheit.

12. When consumed, the substances in this metal-laden water –and food grown with it- causing a cronic breakdown of the immune system. Thus, the risk of cancer and genetic defects is higher than in the past. • However, the Peruvian government says the oil and mineral companies are bringing wealth and helping development in the country, but those representing indigenous communities say they pay too heavy a price.

13. Economic Activities • Hunting of wild animals and fishing. • Agriculture: banana, yuca,rice, peanuts,beans, regional fruits for subsistance and trading • Selling of crafts, made with seeds and natural fibers, textiles and pottery painting with natural dyes. • Tourist promotion of their culture.

14. Education • TheConstitutionhighlightstheState’sobligationtopromote intercultural and bilingualeducation. (Art. 17). • National Office of BilingualEducation-Dissolved in the 90’s, citinglack of funds. • Reestablishedduetointernationalpressure and protestsby intercultural activists. • Bilingual Intercultural Educationisanimportantfocus-pointforindigenousactivism. • Teacher training sessions are notlongenoughtograspthenuances of new teachingmethods.

15. They are not provided with the resources to put their ideas into practice. • Lamentable distance between those who make policies and those who must live with the effects of those reforms.

16. Traditional Medicine • The ‘ayahuasca healing’ made with ayahuasca root, is a ‘purification ritual’, a gateway- not for escape but for eternity. Prepared by ‘shamans’, a medium of equilibrium in the world. • Herbal baths- cleansing bath for the dissipation of negative energies. • Clay baths. • Flower baths- flourishing bath to attract good luck, wealth and prosperity.

17. Thank you very much! • garciafkarina@hotmail.com • garciafkarina@gmail.com