The increase in industrial activities to obtain raw materials and energy in the Ecuadorian Amazon puts the conservation of natural areas and local cultures at risk. These communities have collective rights stipulated in instruments at national, regional and international levels. It is necessary that Indigenous Peoples participate in the decision-making process on any project that operate in their territories and that can affect their environment, culture and spirituality. To promote sustainable development and to enforce the rights of indigenous peoples, a correct application of the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) must be in place.
In this context, the Coordinadora de Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica (COICA), and Equitable Origin (EO) held its second minga of the year in the province of Morona Santiago, in the city Macas-Ecuador on 16 and 17 December 2019. A minga as opposed to a regular workshop, creates a space for dialogue, new ideas and learning where all members were encouraged to participate. In addition, the participants had the opportunity to interact with other indigenous leaders allowing them to share experiences and create a space of synergy.
The minga was mainly conformed by leaders and representatives of the Nationalities: Achuar, Kichwa, Secoya, Wuaorani, representatives from Federations and Community Associations: Nación Shuar del Ecuador- NASHE, Federación Interprovincial de Centros Shuar-FICSH, Centro de producción Kichwa Wiñak, Pueblo Shuar Arutam, Federación de la Nacionalidad Shuar de Pastaza-FENASH-P, Asociación de Comunidades Indígenas de Arajuno, HACIA, among others. The participants are mostly inhabitants of the central and southern provinces of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Around 50 people participated in the workshop, some of them traveled for many hours and even days to attend this important reunion. During the event, issues related to Indigenous Peoples’ Rights were addressed, with emphasis on the Right to Prior and Informed Consultation, tools to measure their application, and case studies..
It’s worth noting that some of the attendees included:.
- The President of the Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas de la Amazonía Ecuatoriana (CONFENIAE) – Mr. Marlon Vargas.
- The Director of the Territorio de la Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador (CONAIE) -Mr. Arutam Washikiat.
- Authorities from the “Defensoría del Pueblo” of the Pastaza-Ecuador province – Dr. Yajaira Curipallo.
- Former President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) – Dr. René Ortiz.
- The Director of Equitable Origin (EO) – Soledad Mills.
- Vice Coordinator of COICA – Tuntiak Katan, who participated as a Facilitator and Co-Organizer.
The participants had a positive experience. Marlon Vargas (President of the CONFENIAE of the Amazon region of Ecuador) who works with 11 nationalities, 23 organizations and more than 300 communities in the Amazon region mentioned: “I think it’s very important to continue working with this model along with other Indigenous Peoples, this way we may carry out activities in defense of their rights”.
Finally, indigenous leaders are committed to communicate and replicate what they learned. They intend to share these lessons to their assemblies, expanded councils, congresses, and at community events. In the near future, they wish to replicate these lessons in their communities so that indigenous groups strengthen their knowledge about their collective rights and application through international and national instruments.