Indigenous Peoples in Isolation
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROTECTION OF ISOLATED INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Approved on February 15, 2011, the Strategic Framework Program to Develop a Regional Agenda for the Protection of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with OTCA as the program’s executing agency. The defined objective was to contribute to the protection of indigenous peoples in isolation and initial contact through the definition of effective policies and agreed actions between governments, organizations, indigenous peoples and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with experience in actions with these indigenous populations.
Five components make up the strategy adopted, in order to create a work methodology of common agreement between the participating institutions:
- A regional inter-institutional coordination mechanism supported by national bodies;
- An agreed upon strategic framework that incorporates measures to protect the physical and cultural integrity of the populations;
- An action plan for territorial protection measures, including legal protection and physical control of activities carried out by external agents in the territories occupied by these peoples and in the bordering areas;
- The establishment of a regional health care strategy that includes a technical standard of preventive health care with an intercultural approach and emergency health care systems in the regions inhabited by these communities;
- The systematization of data and knowledge about the situation of isolated peoples and the generation of capacity and commitment to their protection (sustainability of the Regional Strategic Framework).
DIAGNOSIS OF ISOLATED PEOPLES IN THE AMAZON
Bolivia
In Bolivia, it is estimated that 48% of the population has an indigenous origin, with 36 indigenous peoples having been recognized, with 10 in isolation or in initial contact, including Araona, Ayoreo, Chácobo, Ese Ejja, Mosetén, Pacahuara, T ́simane , Toromana. The Yuqui and Yuracaré peoples have returned to isolation. More.
Brazil
There are at least 12 indigenous peoples in Madre de Dios, distributed in Indigenous Lands and Native Communities, respectively: Asheninka, Ashaninka, Manchiguenga, Yine/Manchineri, Jaminawa/Yaminahua, Kaxinahua, Amahuaca, Sharanahua. Madija, Harakbut, Tacana and Ese Eja. It also houses isolated groups such as Chitoanhua, Mastanahua, Mashco Piro and Machiguenga, among others whose ethnic belonging has not been identified. More.
Colombia
Known as the Amazonian Trapezio, the region is comprised between the municipalities of Letícia, Puerto Nariño and Tarapaca. It represents almost 50% of the Peruvian and 4% of the Brazilian Amazon and a part of the territory of Peru. They are home to ethnic groups such as Tikuna, Kokama, Kaixana, Kambeba, Knamari, Witoto and Makuyuhup, Yagua, Cocama, Murui-Ultroto, Murui-Muinami, Ocaina, Resígaro, Kichwa, Miraña, Yucuna, Nonuya, Ocaina, Andoke, Karijona, Kawiyari , Muianane. On the Brazilian side there are 28 indigenous lands and 7 ethnic groups. In Colombia, 16 guards and in Peru, 11 language families and 29 ethnic groups. More
Ecuador
On the Ecuadorian side, there are the Kichwa, Sapara and Waorani peoples. Among the Waorani there are peoples with older contacts and 3 populations in isolation, the Tagaeri, Taromenane and probably another people identified as Dugakaeri. In Peru, there are also Kichwa, Secoya and Arabela (Zapara) populations, these in recent contact and groups that move across borders. More
Peru
The Javari Valley is the territory of the Kanamari, Korubo, Kulina Pano, Marubo, Matis, Matsés (also known as Mayoruna, or Mayuruna), Tyohom Dyapá, Yagua peoples and the largest known concentration of records of the presence of isolated indigenous peoples in the world. More.
Suriname
Indigenous Peoples in Suriname live in several villages spread across the nation in both coastal and remote areas. In terms of area of living, a distinction can be made in the so called «Lower land» Indigenous Peoples and «Upper land» Indigenous Peoples. More.
THE SITUATION OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN ISOLATION OR INITIAL CONTACT
Isolated indigenous communiities are remnants of the original Amerindian peoples who have survived while maintaining their freedom. They live in the headwaters of rivers, mountains and other highlands of the Amazon, which have not been occupied by other peoples. They generally inhabit healthy tropical forests, where fauna is abundant, and survive by hunting, fishing, gathering roots, and incipient agricultural techniques.
They maintain a seasonal migratory behavior along riverbanks and move in family groups, establishing camps every five kilometers, building palm leaf huts large enough to accommodate five to six people. This information is provided by professionals who patrol the parks and conservation areas.
In eventual appearances on roads or areas near forest villages, they express and demand their right to non-contact and isolation, as a decision to protect their beliefs and lifestyle, which adapts to the climate cycle and the availability of resources.
Constant Threats
When these isolated populations come into contact with activities carried out by loggers, miners, cattle ranchers, and oil companies, they are exposed to severe threats to their health and well-being. They may be affected in their integrity and their insertion into the natural mechanisms of the forest, becoming victims of lethal diseases, cultural interference, and even the loss of access to food.
The presence of work teams, equipment, and tools that are not part of the universe of these indigenous people in isolation or even in initial contact modify their natural habitat and, if they remain nearby, end up producing solid and liquid waste that negatively interfere with the ecosystem. In addition, the common movements of these activities such as the construction of landing strips for small planes and the constant noise of helicopters and machinery modify the perception of these populations.
For this reason, they inhabit less accessible regions of the forest, where the difficulty of penetration and displacement guarantee areas with almost no external intervention and where they can maintain the characteristics of their natural evolution in contact with the less vulnerable forest.
MAPA INTERATIVO
INTERNATIONAL LAW OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Observe no mapa interativo do Módulo Povos Indígenas, onde se localizam os territórios indígenas na região amazônica e observe as regiões fronteiriças estudadas pelos consultores da OTCA:
Learn about the main instruments of international law that apply to indigenous peoples in isolation or initial contact (in Spanish):
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