Indigenous Groups Gather in Bolivia for a Different Kind of Columbus Day

Readers:

"In fourteen hundred ninety two Columbus sailed the ocean blue."

Well, that's how it was taught to us a few decades ago in elementary school in the U.S. Among the indigenous peoples of the Americas, European arrival and conquest is remembered a little differently. On this "Columbus Day" in Bolivia, Aldo Orellana of the Democracy Center staff brings us a report on a gathering of indigenous delegations here in Bolivia from all over the world to mark October 12 in a very different way.

Jim Shultz

Indigenous Groups Gather in Bolivia for a Different Kind of Columbus Day

Written by Aldo Orellana

Three days ago, indigenous people that had flown in from around the world arrived in Bolivia. According to local papers, there are delegations from more than twenty countries. Rigoberta Menchu, the indigenous woman who has received a Nobel Peace Prize for her work in Guatemala, is present. The ceremonies opened two days ago in La Paz, included a ritual in Tiwanaku yesterday, and today, speakers from several different groups will present a declaration at the closing ceremony in the Chapare.

They are here to join with Evo Morales in a counter-celebration of Columbus Day. Instead of observing the 515th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival, they are honoring the 515 years of indigenous resistance to European colonization of the Americas. They are also celebrating the recent, long-fought victory in the United Nations – a resolution affirming indigenous rights approved on September 13. Worldwide, native peoples number 370 million, 50 million of which live in Latin America. In the passage of the resolution, which was first proposed 25 years ago, 143 countries voted in favor; there were 11 abstentions; and only four voted against it – Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.

The 46-article document focuses primarily on indigenous peoples’ right to self-governance. That is, it affirms their right to make their own choices on issues that concern them – their political orientation, their economic, social, and cultural development, the right and recognition of their people as nations, autonomous governance, and the freedom to decide their relationship with the government of the country in which they live. The declaration also supports individual and collective indigenous rights and the right to their traditional territories and the natural resources found on them.

In Bolivia, the United Nations’ declaration is already being heralded among indigenous people. Constituent Assembly representatives have cited it in defense of the proposal to call Bolivia a “Plurinational State” as part of its National Vision. The representatives argue that it would recognize the preexistence of indigenous nations living in Bolivia, precisely what the newly approved declaration proclaims to be a right of indigenous peoples around the world. The indigenous peoples of Ecuador have also taken stock in the new declaration, as they aim to fight for similar language to be included in a Constituent Assembly they have called for.

This historic resolution will not fix all the struggles and problems indigenous people face throughout the world. There is still a long way to go before reaching the goals set forth in the resolution. There is much work to be done at the national level – getting governments to pass laws approving the declaration and incorporating it into their legal system.

Even if every nation were to do so, however, indigenous people around the world face other challenges that are even more difficult to overcome, which cannot be solved only through laws – the discrimination many face on a daily basis. A prior UN resolution passed in 1989 that recognized indigenous peoples’ inclusion and rights, for example, did not stop discriminatory practices by individuals. In August, Rigoberta Menchu, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, was refused entry to a conference in Cancun by hotel staff – until some conference-goers recognized her and spoke out on her behalf.

Even when this kind of racism is prohibited by law in every country of the world, changing people’s mindsets will not happen overnight. Discrimination on the basis of race and ethnicity will continue for generations to come. The United Nations’ resolution, however, is an important step forward for the global community. Their actions now charge the rest of us with making their declaration a reality.

At the close of the ceremonies, which happens today, the indigenous groups represented will make a statement on a series of issues – the environment; land, territory, and natural resources; and indigenous rights. The statement will reflect a growing shift in the global indigenous movement – from resistance to moving forward with proposals and an agenda of their own. Above all, they will declare their common commitment to bringing home the United Nations’ resolution – and the principles, values, and rights it upholds.

Translated to English by Lily Whitesell.

Photo from Los Tiempos.