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Statement from the Indigenous Delegates to the "Arctic to Amazonia"
Conference
"We the indigenous delegates attending the "Arctic to Amazonia"
Conference have come from many lands and cultures. We share the common knowledge
that we are now facing extinction of our peoples, cultures and ways of life,
along with the desecration and contamination of our sacred mother Earth. As
indigenous peoples, we have always lived in accordance with the sacred and
natural laws, in balance with the natural world. We are now seeing the
destruction of this sacred natural world through many forms of resource
exploitation and industrial contamination. All life is threatened.
"As indigenous peoples, we stand on the front lines of the struggle to
defend the natural world. We call on all peoples and nations ... to join us
through direct and committed action, so that we all may again live in balance
and so that our future generations can survive...
"We recognize that 1992 will be celebrated by many ignorant people as
the 500th anniversary of the so-called Discovery of the Western Hemisphere. We
feel that 500 years are enough. We call upon organizations and the general
public to stand in solidarity with indigenous people and from this point forward
to struggle against oppression, racism and colonialism for a respectful way of
living...
"We delegates at this conference recognize that indigenous people
harvest resources in a sustainable manner. Hunting, fishing and trapping are a
central part of the way of life in many indigenous communities. We call on
environmental, conservation and animal rights groups to respect our lifestyles
and support our right to harvest animals in accordance with the instructions of
our ancestors...
"The implementation of so-called 'developmental projects' by
transnational corporations ... is destroying the environment and the life of
indigenous people. We call upon environmental groups and citizens to join in
efforts to stay the terracide of this planet."
Source: Kayapó Support Group Newsletter, Fall/Winter 1989-90,
p. 7.
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