COORDINATING BODY FOP INDIGENOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND NATIONS OF THE CONTINENT

The Continental Coordinating Body has arisen due to the need to, consolidate the bonds of union and communication between organizations and nations 'native to this continent, which include: North America, Mexico, Central America, the Andean region, the- Southern Cone, and the Caribbean.

We understand the CONIC to be a communication instrument for the indigenous Peoples of the continent and not a representative organization.

Our objectives am the following:

1. To seek Indigenous unity, on a continental level, recognizing that we have a
common past and present, and that we have decided to work together beyond the
years 1992, respecting the situation and strategies which each Indigenous Nation
may adopt to reach their liberation and self-determination.

2. To develop a continental, communication network which would directly
involve the grass-roots communities in order to strengthen our ties and make
known the critical situation in which we the native Peoples live, and seek
solutions for our future.

3. To promote a process leading to dialogue and consensus based on our
spiritual values, life styles and millennial knowledge.

4. To form a common alliance to reconstruct our Nations which were
dispersed by colonization and to fight to curb the destruction of our Mother
Earth and her harmony.

Given that one of our objectives is to promote the participation of Indigenous Nations of the continent in this process, those peoples who are in agreement with these basic principles may incorporate themselves and participate in the activities of the Continental Coordinating Body.

Therefore whoever participates in the Continental Coordinating Body:

1. May participate in the meetings organized by the Coordinating Body.

2. Will have the right to participate in the decision-making process, which will function by consensus. The Indigenous organizations and communities who are legitimately, represented will be sought out.

Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organizations and Nations of the Continent

CONIC

1492 marks the beginning of resistance of native Peoples against the invasion. During these five centuries we -have endured many forms of exploitation, ethnocide, genocide, and racial discrimination imposed upon us by the European colonizers and their descendants.

During the last 50 years the integrationist projects of colonial states have .tried new methods of despotic rule. Nevertheless, the deeply-rooted struggle carried out by our peoples has grown strong, therefore governments' policies have failed.

The last 10 years mark the beginning, of a new stage, for the struggle and the re-encounter of Indigenous Movements allowing analysis and exchange of the diverse experiences related to the resistance during, these 500 years.

In 1986, the Indigenous Movement initiated a campaign to disseminate information about the state of oppression under which our peoples live. The
movement has taken the opportunity of the Quincentenary as away to let the world know about the situation of repression under which indigenous Peoples live; and to show our rejection of 'the celebration of the so called "V Quincentenary of the Discovery of America or the Encounter of the Two Worlds," led by the Spanish government and the Vatican and supported by the governments of the colonial states of the continent.

Among the initiatives of the native peoples of ABYA YALA have been to invite the different sectors of the society to make a common front, based in mutual respect of the differences and characteristics among sectors. This indigenous proposal has been distorted, and usurped by sectors which have always carried out discriminatory practices. Their policy has failed in our region and in other parts of the world, because their projects are far from the reality of native peoples, because they tried to impose a system of a homogenous society which is based in centralized and bureaucratic power which ignores, the right of Indigenous Peoples to Self-determination.

In the Encounter in Quito Ecuador, in 1990, the popular sectors' invited. to participate boycotted the formation of an Indigenous Continental Coordinating Body, with the excuse of creating an Indigenous and Popular Unity.

These sectors saw the 500 Campaign of Indigenous. Resistance as a moment to, obtain political gains' and decided among themselves to organize the Continental Encounter of Resistance of Indigenous Peoples., Black and Popular sector, in Guatemala.

Since then, an international organizing committee was formed, called Operative Secretariat (Secretaria Operativa), which was mainly formed by non-Indigenous Peoples and which focuses on different specific political interests, which are far distant from our historical aspirations.

This Operative Secretariat made agreements with Indigenous organizations promising equal participation,. however these agreements were not kept.

Within this framework, the Encounter in Guatemala, took place., where the percentage of delegates clearly shows the marginalization of the., participation of indigenous delegates. 90% of the delegates represented the popular sector, and only 10% represented indigenous peoples.

Funds which added up to an. Amount of about 1/2 million dollars, were collected in the name of Indigenous Peoples. According to the Operative Secretariat of Guatemala. This amount of money was never before given specifically for an: Indigenous Continental Encounter. Let us remember that the Indigenous Continental Encounter of Quito, was held with only $42,000 majority of participants were Indigenous.

In the political spectrum, during the Encounter in Guatemala there had been a plan designed in advance to relegate Indigenous participants to merely attend in order to be present, to ratify resolutions which had been previously elaborated.

Therefore, this Indigenous Continental Coordinating, Body, does not form part of the "Continental Campaign of 500 years of Resistance Indigenous, Black and Popular Sector " because it was usurped by the popular sectors at the Encounter in Guatemala October 12, 1991.

Furthermore we, the members of CONIC, agree to respect the autonomy of each of the Indigenous Organizations to make alliances with other sectors if they consider it convenient, developing their own campaigns in each country and region.

In conclusion, the Indigenous, Black and Popular Sector Campaign, does not respond to the demands of Native Peoples of the continent. In addition, the form in which is structured does pot guarantee that Indigenous proposals will be respected in the future, nor does it follow for an honest alliance based on, the right of each people to decide their own destiny, no matter how small the group is.

Therefore, this Coordinating Body calls upon all the progressive, honest and committed people to join us in the struggle of the oppressed peoples, to join against the contracelebration of the colonialist plans. In the same form, we call upon the popular sectors and the racially discriminated to form an alliance to struggle against the oppression, respecting among ourselves our diversity.

Given in New York (Indigenous Land occupied by the United States). March, by 5th, 1992.

Agreements of the Meetings of CONIC

Meeting in New York, from March 2-7, .1992, we the representatives of the Organizations representing. North and Central America, Andean Region and South Cone, agreed on the following:

1. To distinguish ourselves from the 500 Years Continental Campaign of Indigenous Resistance, Black and Popular Movement and to state the position of this Coordinating Body see enclosed, Declaration).

2. To organize regional workshops in the North in Columbia River, Oregon, from the 3-7 of June; in Mexico from June 24-27; in Central America, in Guatemala, from April 29 to May 1st Andean Region, in Quito, Ecuador from, 23-27; and in the Southern Cone in July (to be confirmed). All of these meetings will take place in 1992.

3. A Commission of management and finances was formed with a delegate from each region: for the North, Chris Peters; Central America, German Curruchiche (Consejo Maya de Guatemala); Andean Region, Luis Macas (CONAIE) South Cone, Domingo Koliko Y (Consejo de Todas las Tierras, Chile).

4. We acknowledge as continental centers of communication: Kunas of Panama South and Meso American Indian Information, Center (SAIIC) and Tonantzin Land Institute of North America, the Confederation of Indigenous Nations of Ecuador (CONAIE), and Sovereignty Network of Alaska.

5. We agreed to carry out the Second Continental Encounter of Indigenous' Peoples and Organizations in Mexico at the beginning of 1993.

6. We Proposed to the organizations that are members of the Coordinating Body, to study the principles and objectives which were elaborated by -the delegates at the meeting in, New York.

7. We agreed to begin and to implement a continental communication network which will mean to establish a computer with modem and fax in each country, in addition to providing technical, and administrative training.

8. We agreed to send a letter to the United Nations Economic and Social Council to demand direct communication among this. council and the Continental Coordinating Body in order to find I a way of incorporation for 1993, year which has been declared the "International Year, of Indigenous Peoples of the World."

9. We created the "Continental Indigenous Fund," under the administration of the Continental Coordinating Body. Chris Peters of the North American Alliance will work to establish it.

10. The Kunas will present a proposal for the publication of a magazine on CONIC at the next meeting of the Coordinating, Body. Meanwhile, information about the Continental activitie's will be periodically disseminated.

11. We agree to carry on the next meeting of the Continental Coordinating Body in Chile, in the month of September 1993 sponsored by the Consejo de todas las Tierras.

12. We propose to discuss within each member organization of this Coordinating Body the request for consultative status of this body before the UN.

13. The delegates 'adopted the name of this organization as: Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organizations and Nations of the Continent, and its acronym is: CONIC.

Presented in New York, March 7th, 1992

letter

from: Coordinating Body for Indigenous Organizations and Nations of the Continent

New York, March 6, 1992

General Secretary of the UN
New York, NY

Dear Mr. Secretary:

The Coordinating Body for Indigenous Organizations and Nations of the Continent has gathered together, in New York City and is represented by the following organizations: ONIC, National Coordinating Body for Indigenous Women of Bolivia, the Association Kunas, United for Nabguana, the Council of Maya Organizations of Guatemala, the National Indigenous Association of El Salvador, SEJEKTO of Costa Rica, CONAIE of Ecuador, Council of All the Land, Independent Front of Indian Peoples, Union of Yalateca Women, Sovereignty Network, Tonantzin Land Institute, Indigenous Peoples Alliance, First Nations Women "1992 and Beyond," South and Meso American Indian Information Center, and the Coordinating Committee of Indigenous Women of 'Central and South America.

We have discussed and analyzed the treatment, characterized by disregard, oppression, marginalization and discrimination, which the United Nations has' afforded Indigenous Peoples to date.

After 500 years, colonialist and paternalistic policies towards Indigenous Peoples which consider us incompetent and unnecessary continue. The traditional practice of ignoring our voices and our hopes while using other persons and organizations unconnected to our process and our reality as intermediaries continues as well.

Thus we have an ongoing grievance over our lack of representation, and the absence of our peoples or of our legitimate representatives in the UN and other institutions.

Solidarity work with organizations and institutions committed to the Indigenous struggle is of great importance to us. Nevertheless, we I consider it our right to be able to deliberate, discuss, formulate our own strategies , and hold meetings in which only indigenous representatives may participate , independently of any alliances which may exist with other sectors at a given time.

Solidarity Organizations:

Solidarity organizations and institutions may participate in meetings specifically organized to exchange information, coordinate activities, or promote dialogue with members of the coordinating body. These -general principles, and guidelines will continue to be discussed within each organization and in the Regional Workshops.

Presented in New York on March 7, 1992, International Year of the Indigenous Peoples.

The Continental Indigenous Coordinating Body is the result of the effort and struggle of the organizations and peoples of Central, North and South America with the objective of consolidating our continental unity, by searching for common elements through a continual exchange of our experiences. These experiences constitute the fundamental basis for our unity.

When this process is consolidated, the conditions will exist for the process of constructing, a representative space in international forums and institutions. like the UN.

The grievance which we the Indigenous Peoples have is that our proposals have not been given due importance by the United Nations. When this institution adopts certain decisions and resolutions, our representative and legitimate organizations are never consulted; moreover, many of the agreements made are directed against our interests and realities. Therefore we propose:

1) A work session with the respective bodies of the United Nations to discuss the structure and contents which would allow the Indigenous Peoples to have our own expression.

2) That the mechanisms of consultation between the Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations be analyzed.

3) That policies to be adopted by the United Nations with regard to Indigenous Peoples be a reed upon with our organizations. Our sincere interest 9 is to establish authentic relations between the United Nations and Indigenous Peoples in search of true human coexistence with peace and justice.

4) That a working relationship be established with the Coordinating Committee.