Project Summary 1994 – 2000

1994

 

  • Provided mobilization expenses for representatives of the Secoya People to give a testimony to the Organization of American States, Human Rights Commission investigation in Quito, Ecuador
  • Provided transporation and logistical support to Secoya community for negotiations with government at Lagarto Cocha, the Secoya’s ancestral homelands
  • Built an ancestral lodge as a teaching and meeting center with the Amazanga Community
  • Collaborated with Rainforest Information Center on the demarcation of Huaorani Territory
  • Collaborated with Rainforest Information Center on the demarcation and protection of Napo Galeras National Park
  • Collaborated on the first album of Huaorani acapella chanting “Waorani Waaponi – The Good Way of the People
  • Organized hammock weaving project among the Secoya as an alternative economy for the elders
  • Organized meetings between UTEPA and the Secoya People, mobilizing commissions of Secoya representatives to Quito, the capital city

1995

 

  • Organized and purchasied supplies and gas for several trips to Lagarto Cocha: (2 days’ river travel) facilitating the Secoya People’s return to their ancestral homelands
  • Provided financial assistance to the Sacha Mama Ethnobotanical Garden and Teaching Center in Iquitos, Perú, for the legalization of their land title
  • Coordinated the de-colonization of an ancestral lagoon in the name of the Santi family (Quichua Indians) who live just outside of Puyo in Pastaza Province. The land borders the Sangay National Park and is preserved as a forest reserve of the Amazanga Community
  • Financed the planting of three hectares of native roof thatching palm for revival of traditional architecture with the Amazanga Community
  • Since 1995 over 100,000 native trees have been planted in the local region surrounding Agua Santa.

1996

 

  • Created a series of maps of Lagartococha, complete with Secoya names of the lakes, areas and rivers, to support the land recognition process
  • Purchased a 40 hp outboard motor and HF radio for the Secoya community of Sehuayá to support the community’s resistance to oil exploration on their communal lands
  • Constructed of the first Cultural Heritage Center in the Secoya community of Sehuayá
  • Provided recording equipment to Cahuitipe Cohuë, a Huaorani school teacher and organizer for recording oral tradition with the elders

1997

 

  • Produced bilingual education materials for the Secoyas: * Secoya history book * Secoya cosmology wall calendar * Flags with traditional symbols * T-shirts of Canco Huito Yai, Cicada Latex Jaguar * Stickers of traditional designs * Maps of Lagarto Cocha, Secoya Ancestral homeland
  • Organized The first Secoya Cultural Heritage Gathering, July 25 – August 1, with the Secoya elders, children and youth and inaugurated the Secoya Cultural Heritage Center, “Niantarasta Wu’e” – The Dawnstar Lodge
  • Organized plant collecting mission with Secoya ethnobotanists to Perú to gather medicinal plants for an ethnobotanical garden in the San Pablo Community, Secoya Territory
  • Provided transporation and logistical support to Secoya community for negotiotions with Government for Lagarto Cocha, the Secoya’s ancestral homelands
  • Conducted ethnobotanical investigations and research for the Huaorani Ethnobotanical Book, Ahueiri Teredanipa Eñengui (The Trees They Are Teaching Us)
  • Conducted ethnobotanical investigations and research for the Secoya Ethnobotanical Book, Huajëcohua’ipi Pa’iye (Salud y Vida; Health and Life)

1998

 

  • Published and distributed to Secoya and Siona schools a bilingual book on Secoya Ethnobotany, now being used as curriculum in the schools
  • Donated a 15 hp motor to the Secoya Community of Sehuaya to provide transportation for school children
  • Translated testimony by shaman grandfather Mengatue Baihua, Huaorani traditional elder, from a video interview by Nihua Enomenga, Huaorani youth
  • Provided financial assistance to the Sacha Mama Ethnobotanical Garden and Teaching Center in Iquitos, Perú to build a school house
  • Conducted ethnobotanical field studies with Indigenous and campesino communities in Amazonian Perú and deposited specimens at the Herbarium Amazonensis in Iquitos, Perú

1999

 

  • Donated equipment for FM radio station to the Agua Santa Community of highland mountain Quichua at the base of Mount Chimborazo,
  • Donated equipment for FM radio station to CONFENIAE, The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon
  • Trained five Agua Santa Community representatives in Apiculture
  • Provided educational scholarship to notable indigenous youth dedicated to community service

2000

 

  • Coordinated the sale of art from Usko-Ayar Painting School to purchase a 30-acre farm outside of Pucallpa, Perú for a second school house, offering training to 70 new students
  • Purchased 25 hp motor, repaired traditional house and constructed ceremonial lodge in the Secoya community of Sehuaya
  • Provided support to OMSE, The Secoya Women’s Organization. Purchased a 40 hp motor and a 25 foot canoe, typewriter, and office supplies to assist their organizational development
  • Built a Tui’que’wu-e, a Secoya ancestral lodge in the San Pablo Community. This lodge serves as a meeting place for workshops on ancestral knowledge among elders and youth
  • Completed construction of a water storage pond. It was constructed according to permaculture design in Agua Santa.

2001

 

  • Completed construction of the Secoya Tui’que’wu’e ancestral lodge.
  • Inaugurated the Secoya Tui’que’wu’e ancestral lodge.
  • Completed the Huaorani Ethnobotanical Book.
  • Collected over 75 species of useful medicinal plants and rare cultivars for Secoya garden.
  • Fundraising for the Llushin River Valley rainforest conservation project with the Amazanga community.
  • Repaired outboard motors for Secoya traditional leaders, Don Delfin and Don Cesareo.
  • Continued support to Patricio Pilco’s high school education fund.
  • Participation in the construction of the Guaria de Osa Healing Retreat Center, Ethnobotanical Gardens and Nature Sanctuary in the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. Proceeds from funds raised at the Center will benefit Grupo Osanimi.