A World Indigenous MovementPeter J. Jacques, Department of Political Science, University of Central Florida and The Political Ecology Lab at UCF

Portions of this talk will be from my book with Sharon Ridgeway

(Paradigm Press, 2013)

“We have reached the crossroads of life and the end of our existence.”

Chief Arvol Looking Horse (Lakota)

19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe with the Council of Indigenous Elders and Medicine Peoples, October 2013

“We, the Original Caretakers of Mother Earth, have no choice but to follow and uphold the Original Instructions, which sustains the continuity of Life. We recognize our umbilical connection to Mother Earth and understand that she is the source of life, not a resource to be exploited. We speak on behalf of all Creation today, to communicate an urgent message that man has gone too far, placing us in the state of survival.”

“We can’t keep going on the same path that we have been on the last 20 years. . . . Real change is needed. We want to invite the world to a brighter future based on indigenous values and principles of ‘buen vivir’ (living well).”

Hortencia Hidalgo Cáceres (Aymara tribe)On her way to the Kari Oca II meeting 2012

1974 The International Indian Treaty Council/Consejo Internacional de Tratados Indios

1969 Survival International founded

This movement has maintained two central goals:

1. Force the recognition of Indigenous agency and self-determination

2. End the destruction of Mother Earth that comes from the modern nation-state and capitalism replaced with ‘Buen Vivir” of living in harmony with Mother Earth with dignity

The Movement is transnational and inclusive of Indigenous peoples and leaders from around the world, and it is remarkable consistent in its demands.

We, the indigenous Peoples, walk to the future in the footprints of our ancestors. From the smallest to the largest living being, from the four directions, from the air, the land and the mountains. The creator has placed us. The indigenous peoples upon our Mother the Earth. The footprints of our ancestors

are permanently etched upon the lands of our peoples

Kari Oca Declaration 1992

“The concept of development has meant the destruction of our lands. We reject the current definition of development as being useful to our peoples. Our cultures are not static and we keep our identity through a permanent recreation of our life conditions; but all of this is obstructed in the name of so-called developments.”

Indigenous People’s Earth Charter

We are in crisis. We are in an accelerating spiral of climate change that will not abide unsustainable greed. Today we reaffirm our relationship to Mother Earth and our responsibility to coming generations to uphold peace, equity and justice

The Kimberly Declaration 2002

Kari Oca II @ Rio + 20Our forests suffer from the production of agro-fuels, bio-mass, plantations and other impositions of false solutions to climate change and unsustainable, damaging development. . . . Mother Earth is the source of life which needs to be protected, not a resource to be exploited and commodified as a “natural capital.”

What has been accomplished?

Transnational Solidarity and a sophisticated critique

Some mitigated domestic victories

Renewed energy for local resistance: Idle No More; Miq Mac resistance to fracking

“Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Nicaragua, and, to a lesser extent, Brazil and Venezuela—granted Indigenous territorial autonomy for particular regions. Countries like Colombia and Venezuela reserve seats in elected office for Indigenous representatives.”- JOSÉ ANTONIO LUCERO, Americas Quarterly

• 2007 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?

Photos Credit APIB http://mobilizacaonacionalindigena.wordpress.com/

October 2013, 1500 Indigenous People Occupy Ministry buildings in Brasilia to challenge constitutional amendments that would dispossess land

Photos Credit APIB http://mobilizacaonacionalindigena.wordpress.com/

Brazil: Belo Monte Dam, Xingo Region, loss of Xingo preserve

Inasmuch as the larger goal is to challenge the dominance of economism and capitalism, the State and dominant social values toward ‘Buen Vivir’ a great deal of work remains.