A THANK YOU TO CRIT

On Monday, Sept. 12, we drove to Ibague in the Department of Tolima for a day-long meeting with CRIT:  The Indigenous Regional Council in Tolima.  CRIT is one of the members of ONIC, the National Assembly of Indigenous Organizations.   They began by thanking Development and Peace for their economic, social and solidarity support since they began.  What follows includes a thank you given by Suzanne Liptay, one of our group, at the end of the meeting.

"You began your presentation showing a slide of 1200 people gathered at your Congress meeting.  We applaud your efforts and your success in working together to achieve your goals.

Your organization  chart illustrates and makes clear to us the practical ways that you are working together.

The WALA  - your indigenous health program – especially interests me because of my health care background.  In conjuction with western medicine, you are benefiting from and passing on to the next generation the richness of your traditional medicine.  (Development and Peace helps to fund the traditional medicine aspect of their work.)

One of your slides regarding mining showed a globe upheld with two hands. We hold it up with you as you attempt to reclaim and preserve your lands for yourselves and your children.

We applaud your efforts to stop violence and to work for political solutions with courage, so that you pass on your traditions and protect your way of life.

You spoke of the radio stations you have established to enhance communication within your communities.   You have every reason to be proud of your accomplishments!

You introduced us to some Women’s and family issues and also touched on Judicial issues.  We learned a lot.  Thank you. Thank you also for your delicious refreshments and your great hospitality."

DAY 2: DEEPER UNDERSTANDING

On Saturday we spent a great deal of time at ONIC, the main National Organization for Indigenous Peoples. A great deal of input. We are beginning to get a better understanding of the oppression suffered by the Indigenous, but also of the movements that are struggling to change the situation, attempting to benefit from an apparent openness to dialogue that the new President expresses.
Our final meeting was at CNOA, the National Organization of Afro-Colombian Organizations. Much like Natives, Afro-Colombians have suffered violence, displacement, racism and poverty. One impressive aspect of this organization is the presence of passionate, young and educated youth on the staff. An exhausting but very good two days.

DAY 1: ON THE GROUND; NO EASY ANSWERS TO A COMPLEX REALITY

It is difficult to believe that we have been here for 4 days. We arrived at the hotel in Bogotá very late on Thursday evening but were walking the 10 blocks to Synergia office by 8 the next morning. Synergia is an organization that provides institutional and organizational training to DP partners in the country; the one who is responsible for our solidarity visit. The day was filled with many speakers to give us an overview of the reality in Colombia. We were all a bit overwhelmed including our young translator, Fray Martinez, who is great but I'm sure didn't know what he was getting himself into.
The first speaker, Camilo Castellanos, described the social and political context of the country. Over the last 60 years Colombia has been involved in an armed conflict. 3-5 million people have been displaced from their land because of violence leaving approximately 7 million hectares of land abandoned leaving it open for the para-militaries, guerrillas or multinational interests to take it over. The displaced are mostly Indigenous,Afro-Colombians and campesinos and they have been subjected to violence of all forms. Colombia held presidential elections last fall which ended 8 years of a neo-liberal and confrontational government under former President Uribe. President Santos, the new president, has the same policies but a more conciliatory and inclusive approach. There seems to be an opening for some change for those who have been disenfranchised. Two important parts of Santos’ new policies are the National Development Plan which is focused on 5 elements or motors of development, 2 of which touch our partners directly, namely mining and agriculture. The economic policies of President Santos are focused on agriculture and mining. The mining policy is very relevant to Canadians, since we have just signed a free trade agreement with Colombia and the Canadian mining sector that has been investing heavily for years in the country and is now going to be investing even more. This concerns us as Colombia is known for its rampant human rights
violations, displacement and environmental abuses.