UOAFROC

After the experience of the Trueque and the cold weather of Thursday, we were back in summer and Popayan the next day.  We spent the day with many representatives, male, female and youth, from UOAFROC, the Union of African Caucan People.  When first arriving in Colombia we met with members of CNOA, the Afro-Colombian umbrella group.  UOAFROC is the member of CNOA from Cauca and Valle Cauca departments. 

UOAFROC represents 200 organizations and was formed in 1999 and legally constituted in 2002.  It was formed to give a national voice to Afro-Caucans and their goals include:

1) Democracy, Peace and Participation 2) Culture and the Ancestors 3) Social Welfare and 4) Territory. 

Speakers described the present situation.  Afro-Caucan experience racial discrimination, lack of participation, little government attention, armed conflict and displacement. Youth are formed in violence, lack access to higher education, have no space for recreation, suffer forced recruitment by paras, guerillas, narco-traffickers and the army.  Between 1998 and 2002, 1120 youth were killed by the violence.  Children as young as 10-11 are taking drugs.

Women are marginalized or invisible.  UOAFROC is helping to build capacity so women can be heard.  One of the projects is the establishment of a women’s school in Puerto Tajeda where empowerment, sensitization to human and legal rights, awareness of abuse, and identity building is taught.  In March/April 2010, 120 women participated in the first public demonstration in Puerto Tajeda, where women from the school shared their knowledge and problems with other women.  The results were very positive and the women are now planning regional demonstrations.

Agricultural projects are another goal of UOAFROC.  There is a lack of food resources now although many years ago they were land owners and produced their own food.  Beginning in the 1970’s, they were forced off their lands, legally by governments giving their land to multinationals and illegally by the armed conflict and narco-traffickers.  For example big companies grow sugar cane but the chemicals burn the small farmers’ crops.  In the mountains, many farmers grow coca either for economic purposes or because they are forced by paras or guerillas to do so or be killed.  The government then seizes the land because coca is being grown and sprays the plants.  UOAFROC tries to teach farmers to grow other crops in land that has rich soil.

Government policy on mining is also a problem.  Afro-Caucans have been artisanal miners but the government is giving mining licenses to foreign companies in these areas. This has resulted in much violence, displacement and loss of land and income.

One man explained the situation in his 100 year-old Afro-Caucan community of 683 families, 7000 people, on the banks of the Cauca River in Cali.  They have made a living from bamboo, sand from the river, markets, collective farms and fishing.  A Spanish TNC wants to build a tourist port there. The government evicted the people but this has been stopped because of the protests of the community, the mayor of Cali and others.  Law 70 which prohibits the taking of traditional lands from an established community has been used to halt this eviction.

UOAFROC has also created a Peace School that teaches conflict resolution, social analysis, detection and clearing of land mines.  Another initiative is the creation of peace communities where women and youth in danger can live.

Many other issues were addressed throughout the day, giving us a clearer picture of the complexity of problems facing this community but also its goals illustrating the strength, hope and commitment of its members.

    

A LONG DAY OF TRAVEL TO AN ANCIENT CAPITAL

Sept. 14th: Our bus left Ibague at 4:30AM for the long drive back to Bogota.  We got to the outskirts of the capital at 7:30 but didn’t get to the airport until 9.  Bogota is a sprawling city of 7 million and rush hour begins very early.  From there we flew to Cali where we were picked up by members of CRIC, the Regional Indigenous Council of the Department of Cauca.  We didn’t get to Popayan in the south until 5pm.  Along the way we stopped by the meeting place for the National Assembly of Indigenous, an open-air but covered space where up to 20,000 Indigenous meet from across the country periodically. 

The place  is historic and has attracted people such as Rigoberta Menchu, a member of the UN executive council and the vice-president of Italy to its meetings.  Because the meeting was impromptu we were only able to meet with a few of the Cabildo of the region, but they were able to give us some of the history and significance of this place.  At times, the assembly has carried out road blocks on the highway nearby to draw attention to their demands.

Popayan was the colonial capital of Colombia but lost that title to Bogota after the country became a republic.  It is a beautiful city; the buildings in the colonial section are painted white and it could draw many tourists if the armed conflict was solved. 

We arrived at the CRIC offices at 5 where we met some of their members and staff and were given a presentation about the organization.   CRIC is the original Indigenous Council in Colombia, formed on February 24, 1971 after 5 cabildos in Cauca began to organize.  Although the fight for UNITY, LAND, AUTONOMY and CULTURE, dates from Colonial times, it was after 1971 that they began to mobilize to  fight for public policies, united under their green (territory) and red (fight) flag.  ONIC, the National Indigenous Council, was founded in 1981.  CRIC has a 10 point platform which includes recovery of territory, preserving culture and protecting natural resources.  Four of the main rivers of Colombia have their sources in Cauca.  At present, there are many threats to  Indigenous territories.  The following are some mentioned:  1) mining licenses for exploration are being given to national and international companies without consultation with the communities 2) conflict zones with the army, guerrillas, paramilitaries and narco-traffickers displacing the indigenous 3) biopiracy where multinationals research the flora and then claim ownership of the information without asking permission. 

The Indigenous regard their territory as sacred and are fearful that the Colombian government is eager to give it to Multinationals to manage for economic reasons.

A DIFFICULT DAY ON A RESGUARDO

The next day, after our day of meetings with CRIT in Ibague, we left very early for a 3 hour drive south to visit a small indigenous community at Resguardo de Lu (Natagaima) who CRIT has been working with.  The day became increasingly hotter so that by the time we arrived the temperature was over 30 degrees Celsius and continued to rise throughout the afternoon.

When Colombia became a republic in the early 1800’s, Simon Bolivar declared that 30% of the land would be Indigenous Communal lands. 

By 1970, about 70% of this had been lost, abandoned because of the armed conflict, taken over by landowners or for other reasons.  The government at the time declared that some of this land should be returned and despite the fact that the political will has varied throughout the past 40 years, with great struggle, some groups have been able to reclaim the land, eventually receive title for it and have it declared legally as a Resguardo, or protected Indigenous communal lands. The lands are then communal, can be allotted to families in the community but cannot be sold.  The community we visited had successfully gone through this process.

With great hospitality under a thatched roof, we were treated to cultural dances and music, snacks and a meal of stuffed goat, a ritual by a traditional healer and several presentations by members of this community and other surrounding communities.  The stories were painful and heroic.  The following is just one:

Rubiella was the mother of six who was living with her parents.  She wanted to give them more, especially land.  CRIT worked with her and other women from 60 families to be recognized as a community in 1997.   Then, they elected a Cabildo, or a governing authority of several leaders.  At this point, they did not have land, but CRIT trained them to take back ancestral lands and helped them to get legal title to the land.  The women occupied this land which was being sought by 3 other groups and then worked it.  Most husbands were afraid to do so because of the threat of disappearance and murder.  In fact paramilitaries did infiltrate the community, raping, murdering 7 and disappearing 2. The memory of taking the land by force is very difficult for her.

In 2010, it was declared a Resguardo by the government, meaning that they now should have legal title. We are not sure if they do hold the title.  Rubiella was elected governor of the Resguardo last year.  She now has a high school diploma and is respected by her husband.  The community now has 69 families, 89 hectares of land and survives on agriculture, cattle and handicrafts.  Because of 3 months of drought, their animals are dying, the water they catch in artificial lakes is drying up and their crops have failed.  But they focus on the children because the future is in their hands.

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.