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June 13, 2005
Victory for a Nation!
The office was so excited and emotional on Friday. After such a protracted struggle, the Achuar finally are signing papers with the government granting them legal recognition as a separate and independent indigenous nation! Their legal separation and distinction from the Shuar has been a long battle, and a necessary one because of the diverse interests held by the two nations (although they converge on many issues as well, such as the prevention of petroleum development on their lands). In addition, they are granted legal recognition of their culture and of their collective rights as a nation. This acknowledgement is vitally important in preserving Achuar culture and in promoting it in broader Ecuador.
Currently, the Achuar hold legal titles only over small patches of their land, and the recent concord recognizes that the Achuar inhabit a certain area in the Central Southern Amazon. The treaty they just signed with the government is the first step towards gaining legal land titling for the indigenous nation as a whole.
Pachamama was integral in supporting the Achuar in this process, and thus the agreement represents a huge success for our organization.
¡Felicitaciones a todos los Achuar por su lucha dura e importante! ¡Sigue esta lucha con tanto coraje en el futuro!
Posted by Lee Gilman at June 13, 2005 08:17 PM
