Monday, July 31, 2006

INDIGENOUS NATIONS OF MEXICO ASK THE US AND SOUTH DAKOTA TO RESPECT TREATIES AND SACRED PLACES


Para español lea más abajo


As the Summit of Indigenous Nations to protect Bear Butte, all sacred spaces and all indigenous land, opens in Mato Paha (Bear Butte, South Dakota), here is the declaration from the indigenous people of the Northwest and Central Pacific Regions of the National Indigenous Congress of Mexico. In it, representatives from the Yaqui, Mayo, Comca’ac, Triqui, ñu Saavi, Zapoteco, Wixáritari, Purhépecha, Nahua and Coca Nations address local and national concerns, promising Mexican society to “defend that which belongs to us by any means within our reach, as we have in the last five hundred years”. In addition, showing solidarity for their brothers and sisters of the North, these Nations include a request to the United States Government to respect the Treaties made with the indigenous Nations, and the State of South Dakota to respect Bear Butte.

SOOCAIX DECLARATION

9 of July of 2006

We, the representatives of the Yaqui, Mayo, Comca’ac, Triqui, ñu Saavi, Zapoteco, Wixáritari, Purhépecha, Nahua and Coca Nations have gathered in the indigenous Comca’ac (seri) community of Soocaix (Punta Chueca), Sonora, Mexico.

In this meeting of words between fraternal nations of North and South we drew attention to the fact that in spite of a history of over five hundred years of destruction, land theft and exploitation, our peoples are still alive, standing and resisting.

Neither the war of extermination unleashed by the yori (European invaders) against the tribes and nations of the North, nor the forced integration imposed by the liberal governments of the central region were able to kill our voice and our culture.

Today we realize that the extermination attempt by the powerful, against the Yoreme (indigenous) tribes and the Comca’ac (Seri) nation, has become a new war of neoliberal conquest and extermination against all the original peoples of Mexico that has as a goal stripping us from our territories in favor of the capitalist interests always supported by the Mexican government at all its levels.

In this meeting we agreed to join our resistance and efforts to defend ourselves against our common enemy to reach the integral liberation and reconstitution of our peoples.

In the same way, we make a pact to strengthen the National Indigenous Congress in the Northwest and in the whole country as the space of unity for the indigenous peoples of Mexico.

With all the programs, money and tricks that the government throws at our peoples to divide and weaken us, we reaffirm our will to continue our struggle and firmly reject the tourist “mega-project” called “Escalera Nautica” (Maritime Stairway) or “Mar de Cortes” (Sea of Cortes), the expropriation of Tiburon Island, heart of the Comca’ac Nation, the privatization of water and of indigenous territories, the construction of gas pipelines, the intensive contamination of Mother Earth with agro-chemicals, and the exploitation and disrespect for the Triqui, ñu Saavi, and Zapoteco agricultural workers living in the communities of Miguel Alemán y Pesqueira of the municipalities of Caborca and Hermosillo.

Supported by the historical right derived from our existence as original peoples of Sonora and other regions of this country, we demand all municipal, state and federal governments respect our territories, autonomy, culture, history, traditions, traditional governments, labor rights, human and social rights, making clear to the national society that we will defend that which belongs to us by any means within our reach, as we have in the last five hundred years.

In this way, we also ask the government of the United States of America to respect the Nation to Nation Treaties made with the Native peoples, the ceremonial places of the original peoples, and specifically we ask de government of South Dakota to respect Bear Butte, a sacred place for over thirty different indigenous Nations. The destruction of these sites for profit is a grievous offense to the spiritual life of the original peoples.

Lastly, we call on the indigenous peoples of the Mexican Northwest to be a part of this historical process of unification amongst fraternal nations.

SOOCAIX (PUNTA CHUECA), TERRITORY OF THE COMCA’AC NATION, SONORA, JULY 9TH, 2006

RESPECTFULLY

NEVER AGAIN A MEXICO WITHOUT US

FOR THE INTEGRAL RECONSTITUTION OF OUR PEOPLES, NATIONS, TRIBES, COMMUNITIES, AND INDIGENOUS ORGANIZATIONS OF THE NATIONAL INDIGENOUS CONGRESS OF THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL PACIFIC REGIONS

PUEBLOS INDÍGENAS DE MÉXICO PIDEN A ESTADOS UNIDOS Y DAKOTA DEL SUR SE RESPETEN TRATADOS Y LUGARES SAGRADOS

Con la Cumbre de Naciones Indígenas para proteger Bear Butte, todos los lugares sagrados y toda tierra indígena, a punto de comenzar, presentamos aquí la declaración de los pueblos indígenas del Noroeste y Pacífico Central del Congreso Indígena Nacional de México. En esta declaración, representantes de los pueblos yaqui, mayo, comca’ac, triqui, ñu saavi, zapoteco, wixáritari, purhépecha, nahua y coca disponen sobre temas locales, regionales y nacionales que los afectan, prometiendo a la sociedad Mexicana que “aquello que nos corresponde y nos pertenece lo defenderemos por todas las vías a nuestro alcance, tal como lo hemos hecho en los últimos quinientos años”. También, en una muestra de solidaridad para con sus hermanos y hermanas del Norte, exhortan al Gobierno de Estados Unidos a respetar los tratados firmados con las naciones indígenas y al gobierno del Estado de Dakota del Sur a respetar la montaña sagrada Bear Butte.

PRONUNCIAMIENTO DE SOOCAIX

El día 9 de julio del 2006 nos hemos reunido en la comunidad indígena comca’ac (seri) de Soocaix (Punta Chueca), Sonora, representantes de los pueblos yaqui, mayo, comca’ac, triqui, ñu saavi, zapoteco, wixáritari, purhépecha, nahua y coca.

En este encuentro de la palabra entre pueblos hermanos del norte y del sur hicimos patente que a pesar de existir una historia de mas de quinientos años de destrucción, despojo y explotación, nuestros pueblos siguen vivos, en pie y resistiendo.

Ni la guerra de exterminio desatada por el yori en contra de las tribus y naciones del norte, ni la integración forzosa impuesta por los gobiernos liberales del centro lograron matar nuestra palabra y nuestra cultura.

Hoy nos damos cuenta que el exterminio intentado por los poderosos en contra de las tribus yoreme y la nación comca’ac se ha convertido en una nueva guerra de conquista y exterminio neoliberal en contra de todos los pueblos originarios de México que tiene como fin despojarnos de nuestros territorios para provecho de los grandes intereses capitalistas siempre apoyados por el gobierno mexicano en todos sus niveles.

En este encuentro acordamos juntar nuestras resistencias y esfuerzos para defendernos de nuestro enemigo común y alcanzar la liberación y reconstitución integral de nuestros pueblos.

Asimismo pactamos fortalecer al Congreso Nacional Indígena en el noroeste y en todo el país como el espacio de unidad de los pueblos indígenas de México.

Con todo y los programas, dinero y trampas que el gobierno tiende a nuestros pueblos en la idea de dividirnos y hacernos débiles, reafirmarnos nuestra voluntad de seguir luchando y rechazamos tajantemente el megaproyecto turístico “Escalera Náutica” o “Mar de Cortés”, la pretendida expropiación y despojo de la Isla del Tiburón, corazón de la nación comca’ac, la privatización del agua y de los territorios indígenas, la construcción de gasoductos, la contaminación intensiva de la madre tierra con agroquímicos, así como la explotación y desprecio de los trabajadores agrícolas triquis, ñu saavi y zapotecos asentados en los poblados Miguel Alemán y Pesqueira y en los municipios de Caborca y Hermosillo.

Apoyados en el derecho histórico que deriva de nuestra existencia como pueblos originarios de Sonora y otras regiones del país, exigimos a los gobiernos municipal, estatal y federal el respeto a nuestros territorios, autonomía, cultura, historia, tradiciones, gobierno tradicional, derechos laborales, humanos y sociales, haciendo del conocimiento de la sociedad nacional que aquello que nos corresponde y nos pertenece lo defenderemos por todas las vías a nuestro alcance, tal como lo hemos hecho en los últimos quinientos años.

Asimismo solicitamos del gobierno de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica el respeto a los tratados nación a nación firmados con los pueblos nativos, que se respeten los centros ceremoniales de los pueblos originarios, específicamente al gobierno del estado de Dakota del sur solicitamos se respete el sitio de Bear Butte por ser un lugar sagrado de aproximadamente treinta tribus, el dinero como destrucción de estos sitios es una ofensa grave para la vida espiritual de los pueblos antiguos.

Por último llamamos a los pueblos indígenas del noroeste a ser parte de este histórico proceso de unificación entre pueblos hermanos.

SOOCAIX (PUNTA CHUECA), TERRITORIO DE LA NACIÓN COMCA’AC, SONORA, A 9 DE JULIO DEL 2006.

A T E N T A M E N T E

NUNCA MÁS UN MÉXICO SIN NOSOTROS

POR LA RECONSTITUCION INTEGRAL DE NUESTROS PUEBLOS, NACIONES, TRIBUS, COMUNIDADES Y ORGANIZACIONES INDIGENAS DEL CONGRESO NACIONAL INDIGENA DE LAS REGIONES NOROESTE Y CENTRO PACIFICO

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Summit of Indigenous Nations/Cumbre de Naciones Indigenas

August 1-4, 2006 at Mato Paha: Bear Butte

Hosted by the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council
(the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota people known historically as the Great Sioux Nation of the 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaty Territory)


A Gathering from the Four Directions to Protect our Collective Destiny as Spiritual, Sovereign Indigenous Peoples’ of the Sacred Red Earth

Sacred Land Desecration & Protection Work by NGO’s:
· Bear Butte: Intertribal Coalition to Defend Bear Butte, Lakota Action Network, Bear Butte International Alliance
· Western Shoshone Defense Project: Ruby Valley Treaty Land Struggle & Divine Strike
· Save the Peaks: Sacred Mountains of the Southwest
· Black Mesa Water Coalition: Sacred Water
· Bring Back the Way: Crying Earth Rise Up! Contaminated Water on the Pine Ridge Reservation
· Tona Tierra: Protecting Sacred Lands/Ways of Life
· Ecuador Indigenous Peoples
· Snow Bowl in Canada: Sacred Mountain Desecration
· Buffalo Field Campaign
· Six Nations: Sovereign Land Protection
· Human Rights & Sacred Sites: American Indian Law Alliance & Owe Aku
· Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Indian Law Resource Center
(more delegations are being confirmed daily)

Indigenous Issues: Ancient Way of Life Protection Work
· Papal Bull Doctrine of Discovery
· Principles of Agreement: International Covenant
· Indigenous Peoples’ Trade Agreement
· Treaty Making and Treaty Reaffirmations
· International Trade & Borders Between Indigenous Nations

GOALS of the SUMMIT
· Collective Decision to Work Together: Principles of Agreement Covenant, International Diplomacy
· Collective Action to Protect Sacred Land & Ways of Life*
· Treaty Councils: International Treaty of Peace and Friendship
· Tribal Government Action to Support the Goals of the Summit

East of Sturgis, SD on Highway 79: two miles north of the bear butte state park entrance, primitive campground at the rosebud sioux tribal lodge. bring your tipi, sleeping bag, chair. meals provided. Vendors Welcome. Security provided by Bring Back the Way.



*Umbrella to include several action items


CUMBRE DE NACIONES INDIGENAS
1-4 AGOSTO, 2006 EN MATO PAHA (BEAR BUTTE, DAKOTA DEL SUR)

Anfitrion: Consejo de Tratados de la Nación Sioux de las Colinas Negras
(los pueblos Lakota, Dakota, y Nakota, historicamente conocidos como la Gran Nacion Sioux del territorio del Tratado de Fort Laramie de 1868)

Conclave de los cuatro puntos Cardinales para Proteger Nuestro Destino Colectivo como Pueblos Indígenas Espirituales Soberanos en la Sagrada Tierra Roja


La desecración de tierra sagrada y el trabajo de protección de ONGs:
· Bear Butte: Coalición Intertribal para defender Bear Butte, Red de Acción Lakota, Alianza Internacional Bear Butte
· Proyecto de Defensa Western Shoshone: Lucha por la tierra del Tratado de Ruby Valley & el Ataque Divino (Divine Strike)
· Salvemos los Picos: Montanas del Sudoeste
· Coalición del Agua de Black Mesa: Agua Sagrada
· Restituyamos el Sendero (Bring Back the Way): Levántate Tierra Herida! Agua Contaminada en la Reservación de Pine Ridge
· Tona Tierra: Protegiendo Tierras Sagradas/Formas de Vivir
· Pueblos Indígenas de Ecuador
· Snow Bowl en Canada: Desecracion de Montana Sagrada
· Campaña del Campo de Búfalos
· Seis Naciones: Protección de Tierra Sagrada
· Derechos Humanos y Sitios Sagrados: Alianza de Ley Indigena & Owe Aku
· Declaración de los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas
(Hay mas delegaciones adhiriéndose a diario)


Temas Indígenas: Trabajo de Protección de Antiguas Formas de Vivir
· Doctrina Papal de Descubrimiento
· Principios de Acuerdos: Convenciones Internacionales
· Tratado de Comercio de Pueblos Indígenas
· Construcción y Preafirmación de Tratados
· Comercio Internacional y Fronteras entre Pueblos Indígenas

OBJETIVOS de la CUMBRE
· Decisión Colectiva de Trabajar Juntos: Principios de Acuerdo, Convenio, Diplomacia Internacional
· Acción Colectiva para Proteger Tierra Sagrada y Formas Sagradas de Vivir*
· Consejos de Tratados: Tratado Internacional de Paz y Amistad
· Acción de Gobiernos Tribales para Apoyar la Cumbre

Al Este de Sturgis, Dakota del Sur, Ruta 79 (Highway 79): dos millas al norte de la entrada al parque estatal de bear butte, campamento primitivo en el alojamiento tribal rosebud sioux, trae tu tipi, bolsa de dormir, silla. habra comida. puedes vender tus artesanias y otros articulos. seguridad proveida por Owe Aku.



*A incluir varios puntos de acción.

Paramilitary Attack on Radio Universidad in Oaxaca

Compas in Oaxaca tell us that yesterday evening, around 9 PM Radio Universidad, the local University radio station, was attacked by armed government goons. The people poured in to protect the station and the mostly women, children and elders that were there in support of the teachers’ strike. Transmission was temporarily interrupted by the attack but they managed to record the events and posted them on indymedia radio. As our small contribution to their struggle, here is a translation (paraphrased to some extent) of that recording, links to the recording itself and articles in Spanish about it.

INTERRUPTED TRANSMISSION:
Loud thuds, people screaming, phone busy signal, silence...voices trying to re-establish transmission. Transmission comes on, lots of background noise. A male voice: “To the people of Oaxaca: 50 heavily armed paramilitaries with machine guns, and pistols tried to take by force Radio Universidad, the people are congregating here to defend the radio. We are asking the people to come join the resistance, the people, university students the teachers. The attack was carried out by goons of –the Oaxacan Governor- Ulises Ruiz Ortiz. A teacher was on the air when the assault happened. Let’s denounce 3 trucks full of paramilitaries we’ll stay here until they are stopped, they have AKs, machine guns, military armament, we are telling you the truth because we know other media might not say the truth about what is happening here. They were repelled by the students, teachers and community. We call on all the media to come here to see what is happening.”
The teacher that was on the air when the radio was attacked: “People of Oaxaca, the government of Ulises Ruiz came through with his threat, a few days ago we had denounced that they had been threatening us. Today they attacked to silence us because we are telling the truth, we are carrying the voice of the people. I was on the air when we were interrupted by their attack. If today they were not able to silence us, the radio of the people by the gun they will not be able to do it. We are asking everybody to concentrate here while still keeping guard on our encampment in the center of the city. If there were teachers, community people, thinking of abandoning the struggle, with this assault Ulises Ruiz has to leave Oaxaca today more than ever. It is him or the people of Oaxaca. We were on the air, we had children and elders who came to accompany us, you don’t know the critical moment we just lived here with these children, women, and elders that were with us. We ask you to gather here to take actions and necessary mobilizations to get rid of Ulises Ruiz.”
A male voice: “We want to reach out to the compañeros nationally, the Coordinadora Nacional de los Trabajadores de la Educacion (the National Teachers’ Organization), in Durango, Puebla, of the sections 9, 10 and 11 of Mexico DF, Jalisco, to tell them that Ulises was not true to his word and once more tried in a stupid way to assault the people of Oaxaca, we repudiate his actions and attitude. We call the Oaxacan people to come and see what the murderous government has tried to implement here (the crowd can be heard chanting). We pass the microphone to the compas that were on the air when the attack happened:
Another male voice: “Three trucks full of paramilitaries, heavily armed, attacked Radio Universidad, our compañera had been on the air for about an hour accompanied by women, children and elders when they were attacked, they were shot at while they were on the air. Where is the Mexican military that allows these paramilitary groups to act with impunity. Jorge Blanco Vargas, Secretary General of Oaxaca, attacks once again with his paramilitary forces. Fox’s government is an accomplice of this assault, once more they tried to massacre us...Transmission interrupted.

Link to the actual transmission (radio.indymedia.org has been difficult to reach lately but try later if you can access the link right away, it is worth the extra effort)
http://radio.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/10657.php

Artículos en español:
http://colectivozape.blogspot.comhttp://mexico.indymedia.org/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=140