Achuar Territory, Peru – In January, EarthRights International visited a remote area of the Peruvian Amazon to document the resistance of the Achuar people to oil development by California-based Occidental Petroleum. At an Assembly in the village of Wisum, on the Huitoyacu River, we interviewed, photographed and filmed leaders and members of the Achuar federations of ATI and ORACH, who reiterated unequivocally their official position rejecting oil development in their territory.
The Achuar President, Jorge Fachin, and his family. Jorge is a graduate of the Amazon School for Human Rights and Environment and was ERI's guide into Achuar territory. Nathalie Weemaels/EarthRights International
Achuar men preparing for "war dance" during Assembly. During the war dance, the men chanted, "If our grandfathers fought each other to defend their territory, then we have even more reason to defend it against outsiders, and we must. Nathalie Weemaels/EarthRights International
We, in our region, live in a healthy wilderness, a healthy environment. Once the company comes in, it all gets contaminated and the natural resources we have get destroyed. Those who come after us, how will they live? As we have had these experiences, the Achuar people will not allow the companies in!
The companies have sought a strategy of trying to deceive the people, but to this point they have not been able to deceive us. -- José Namuk Yampis, Presidente of ATI, one of the Achuar federations
Male Elder Yaur Masurash Chamik at the Assembly in Wisum. ©Nathalie Weemaels/EarthRights International
Because we live in the forest, peacefully, we don’t need money, If we get money, it will get spent. But our territory never gets spent. That’s why we won’t accept money, nor gifts, nor support from the companies. – Yaur Masurash Chamik, Elder from Wisum
|
Female Elder Mamayak Nanchiram Kintui at the Assembly in Wisum. Nathalie Weemaels/EarthRights International |
|
|
What we sing is so that our children will not tire of defending the territory, and we want to defend the territory together with our children. When we sing like this, we cannot be defeated. – Pitruna Urushap Titia, Elder Woman (Speaking about traditional song) |
|
The Pastaza River, gateway to the Achuar territory known as Lot 64 to the oil industry. Nathalie Weemaels/EarthRights International
Our ancestors left us this beautiful earth, this beautiful forest which gives us our daily bread. This they cannot buy ; we don’t want to sell what is ours, what our ancestors left us.
– Nukas Chumap Kumpanam, member of the community of Wisum
