The Eagle Meets the Condor to Discuss Indigenous Water Rights

By Kahneratokwas

Lorraine Gray and other founders and board members of the Four Bridges Traveling Permaculture Institute, organized a service learning trip to Bolivia in January of 2013 to unite students in sustainability programs with youth organizations in Bolivia. Organizers and students met with Jathe, managed by Marcelino Machicado, and Fundacion Abril (April Foundation) co-founded by Oscar Olivera. These meetings were the ground work for developing partnerships and future projects that will involve college and high school students and elders traveling to Bolivia to do service work and cultural exchange in indigenous communities there.

Oscar Olivera is well known for his involvement in a revolution in Cochabamba now known as The Water Wars. In 1999, the Bolivian government developed a plan to privatize the water system in Cochabamba. This plan involved Western Corporations including Italian-owned International Water Limited and U.S. based Bechtel. The newly privatized water company immediately raised prices. With the minimum wage at less than $65 a month, and water bills of $20 or more, many of the poor were faced with the choice between food and water. Water collection also required the purchase of permits, which threatened the access to water for the poorest citizens. These permits were required to collect even rain water coming from the sky on private property. A film entitled "Even the Rain" (Tambien la Lluvia) was inspired by this event.

Oscar Olivera was instrumental in organizing thousands of citizens who protested for weeks. The Bolivian army killed one, injured hundreds and arrested several Coalition leaders. Olivera, who had been forced into hiding, emerged to negotiate with the government. In April 2000, the people's voices were heard, when the government cancelled the privatization contract and expelled the international corporations from Bolivia.

Olivera is now working with Fundacion Abril named in honor of the April 2000 victory. They recently built La Escuela del Agua Andina, Water School of the Andes, a gathering place for the community to meet and discuss issues regarding water rights, hold cultural events, and conferences on issues of importance to the community. Last year's gathering with Four Bridges members included participation by Percy Schmeiser and his wife Louise who are known worldwide for their fight against Monsanto when their canola fields were contaminated by GMO seed.

Olivera recalls the day the Four Bridges delegation arrived to meet with his community; "En un día de sol, en lugar rodeado de verdes maizales y campos de papa, con la gente reunida al rededor de la Escuela Andina del Agua, se encontaron activistas y luchadores de varias partes del mundo y juntos con los comunarios de Flores Rancho, prometieron a la Pachamama cuidarla y defenderla, para que ella siga cuidando de nosotros y nosotras, eso dijimos , eso hacemos y eso haremos." -Oscar Olivera. Translated into English, his comment means: On a sunny day, in a place surrounded by green cornfields and potato fields, with people gathered around the center of the magnificent Andean School of Water, were activists and fighters from various parts of the world, and together we met with the residents of Flores Ranch, to make a promise to the Pachamama (Our Mother Earth) that we would take care of her and defend her, so she can continue taking care of us. We said, that we would, and we will." -Oscar Olivera.

Ten months later the two organizations are now coordinating a second meeting in Cochabamba, Bolivia, scheduled for January 2014. Four Bridges is hoping to connect youth and leaders from Akwesasne and Kahnawake to bring these communities together in solidarity for the rights of indigenous people around the globe. This will also be a cultural exchange of language, music, and traditions to be shared by all participants. The tour will begin in La Paz, Bolivia with Jathe, and a hike through the Andes Mountains. Participants will also visit the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku, site of the Gateway of the Sun. It will continue with a bus ride to Sucre and an exchange with Roberto Sahanero and the cultural group Los Masis, and conclude in Cochabamba with community service activities and gatherings with local speakers.

Organizers are hoping for a commitment of 5 to 10 participants from Kanien'kehaka territories to join this historical summit. For more information, or to donate funds to sponsor an elder or youth, contact Lorraine Gray, [email protected], or 518-332-3156, or http://www.4bridges.org.