Indigenous Movements in Bolivia and Ecuador

Indigenous Movements & Mobilization Ecuador and Bolivia

Ecuador: Naciones y Pueblos Highlands  Quichua nationality (95% of indigenous pop.)

◦ 16 pueblos

Amazon  10 nationalities (ethno-linguistic groups)

Coast  6 nationalities

Bolivian Indigenous Groups Aymara (25% pop.)  Altiplano (high plains)  Ayullus Quechua (30% pop.)  Temperate valleys – Cochabamba  Historically greater subordination to haciendas Amazonian Peoples  30 ethno-linguistic groups  Sustained contact with outside world only in 20th century

Evolution of Indigenous Movement & Political Organizations 1970s – Emergence of Indigenous Organizations & Discourses • Katarista Movement, Bolivia • CSUTCB – National Campesino Union, Bolivia - 1978 • Regional indigenous organizations, Ecuador 1980s – Unity in Ecuador; Failure of Indigenous Discourse to Transcend in Bolivia • Katarista Political Parties, Bolivia • CONAIE – Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador - 1986 1990s – National & International Actors; Incursion into Formal Politics • 1990 – Indigenous uprising, Ecuador • 1992 – First Continental Encounter of Indian Peoples, Quito • 1994 – Uprising against neoliberal agricultural law, Ecuador • 1996 – Pachakutik Ecuador & ASP/MAS in Bolivia • 1997 – Constitutional Assembly - Ecuador

Concept of Plurinationality As Quoted in CONAIE’s Political Project The oppression, exploitation and discrimination of the Indigenous Nationalities and Peoples has impeded Ecuador’s consolidation as a nation-state. The undeniable existence of various Indigenous Nationalities and Peoples, understood as sociocultural entities, that are fully constituted socioeconomically and politically; who share similar spiritual, linguistic, historical and cultural identities which differentiate us from other groups, is the essence and foundation of Plurinationality. That is why the new State must begin from the recognition of diversity as the basis of its structures.

Elements of Plurinationalism Self-determination,  Celebration of diversity  Anti-discrimination & affirmative action  Redistribution of resources  Share decision over natural resources  Territories with equal status as traditional state divisions  Ethnic quotas & representation in the state 

Interculturality Right to differentness & diversity, but more emphasis on unity & living together  Inclusion & equality over autonomy  Anti-discrimination & affirmative action 

The Indigenous Movement & Correa’s Citizen Revolution DINEIB – removal of indigenous organizational control over bi-lingual education & other gov’t agencies  Water & mining laws – source of conflict 

Racism in Bolivia

Indigenous Autonomies in Bolivia 

Article 1: ◦ “Bolivia is a united, plurinational, communitarian state, which is free, independent, sovereign, democratic, intercultural, decentralized and with territorial autonomies [municipal, departmental, regional, and indigenous], based on plurality and political, economic, judicial, cultural and linguistic pluralism.”

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Article 278: ◦ Indigenous assemblymen will be “elected by the indigenous, original, peasant nations and peoples according to their own norms and procedures.”