The "development process" of integration into the emerging Mercosur
free-market almost invariably means that Indigenous peoples will be
gradually pushed out, and that the conflicts over land will intensify.
In 1990, the Wich chose a course of action. They wanted the government to
recognize their land rights and remove the settlers. They decided to carry
out a census of all the Wich in the region; to make a map of every
village; to record an oral history of life on their lands before and after
colonization; and most importantly, to compile one large map of the entire
region, showing all the places used and named by the Wich. This would
provide irrefutable evidence of their intimate knowledge of the land.
Today, although numerically the Wich are not in danger of disappearing,
their traditional way of life is vanishing as the outside world slowly
closes in. In response, the Wich are organizing and trying desperately to
secure their land.
The massive Paraguay-Paran Hidrova industrial waterway project means a
channeling of the rivers that are absolutely vital to the various
indigenous peoples dependent on their resources. In 1991 the provincial
governor signed a decree recognizing the Wichs ownership of the land, and
confirming that they should be awarded a single, communal title to the
entire area. However, despite the existence of the Decree, the Wich have
still not received title to their land.
In a letter to the international community the Wich stated:
Without the slightest consultation, a bridge is currently being built
across the Pilcomayo River (it forms the border between Argentina and
Paraguay) beside an Indian village, which will be replaced by a border
town. Faced with no response and the upcoming inauguration of the bridge,
the 35 communities belonging to our association have decided to peacefully
take over the lands around the bridge on the 25 of August. We will occupy
the land until the government of Salta gives a concrete response in regards
to our requests. This is an act of hope.
We ask that you collaborate, by asking people who believe in our cause to
accompany us and assure that there be no acts of violence against our
families.
Even after the takeover, you can support our cause by sending letters to:
Sr. Gobernador de la Provincia de Salta
Dr. Juan Carlos Pomero
Casa de Gobierno
Gran urg 4400
Salta
Argentina
Sr, Presidente de la Repblica Argentina
Dr. Carlos S. Menem
Casa Rosada
Capital Federal
Argentina
Fax: 54 1 343 2249 or 54 1331 7976
Asociacin de Comunidades Aborgenes Lakha Honhat, San Luis, Sta. Victoria Este
Rivadavia B. Norte
CP 4581
Pcia. Salta
Argentina
---------------------------
The following sample letter can be send to all three addresses:
Sr. Gobernador de la provincia de Salta
Dr. Juan Carlos Pomero
Casa de Gobierno
Gran urg 4400
Salta
Argentina
Dear Mr. Governor,
While the Wich have always known periods of hunger, never has life been as
hard as it is today, with most of the animals gone and their environment
drastically desertified.
Projects such as the Paraguay-Paran waterway threaten the existence of the
Wich.
Also, without the slightest consultation, a bridge is currently being built
across the Pilcomayo River beside a Wich village, which will be replaced
by a border town. Faced with no response and the upcoming inauguration of
the bridge, the 35 communities belonging to the Wich association decided
to peacefully take over the lands around the bridge on the 25 of August.
They will occupy the land until the government of Salta gives a concrete
response in regards to our requests.
We urge you to ensure that there be no acts of violence against the Wich
families.
We therefore ask you to respect the special position and rights of the
Wich as an Indigenous people in Argentina.
Yours faithfully
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South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC)
P.O. Box 28703
Oakland CA, 94604
Phone: (510)834-4263 Fax: (510)834-4264
Email: saiic@igc.apc.org
Office: 1714 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor, Oakland
Home Page: http://www.igc.apc.org/saiic/saiic.html
For more information about SAIIC, send an empty email message to:
saiic-info@igc.apc.org