CONAIE  
                         Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador

 

 
 
 

CONAIE, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, was founded in 1980.  It is a non-profit, independent organization that encourages Indigenous peoples to come together and  discuss their plight.  By working together, they hope to create a single, consolidated voice that will finally be heard on a national level.  Presently, CONAIE represents ten different indigenous organizations within Ecuador and has become one the most prominent organizations in the country.

CONAIE meets every three years to evaluate the organization and to select  new members to the leadership positions.  The group is broken down into seven different leadership positions:

                               President
                                       Vice President
                                       Secretary of Territory, Natural Resources, Environment, and Development
                                       Secretary of Promotion and Organization
                                       Secretary of Health and Nutrition
                                       Secretary of Women and Family
                                       Secretary of Education, Science, and Culture
 
 

   

CONAIE believes the indigenous voice will be heard once the organizations focus on unification rather then separation.  The separation is a result of the difference of languages, a factor that CONAIE hopes to overcome.  In doing so, the organization can strengthen their presence and help the various groups realize that they share the same goals.
 

 

                               CONAIE's Missions:

                                modernization of the Ecuadorian constitution
                                to preserve the indigenous languages and cultures
                                defend indigenous territories
                                end racial discrimination
                                gain excess to resources
                                support specific community demands
                                educate
                                increase economic power
                                promote the celebrations of traditional indigenous ceremonies
 

CONAIE pushes for self identification so indigenous groups will be recognized, not as "Indians," but as individual groups.  CONAIE defines terms such as nationality, peoples, 'campesinos,' Indians, indigenous, and discusses the significance of of land versus territory.  By defining these terms, CONAIE further educates non-Indians about the indigenous cause.

   

CONAIE had an uprising that froze the country in June 1990 that lasted one week.  The protestors blocked major roadways, boycotted markets, cut off the water supplies in major cities , and kidnapped members of the military .  This uprising established  a new definition for indigenous organizations.  They were no longer considered to be an inactive Indian group, but an organization with political presence.  The government made an agreement to respond to the indigenous demands.

 

 

CONAIE has already, in the short amount of time it has been active, brought indigenous organizations together to fight for unification, and already their voice has been heard not only on a national level, but also an international level.  CONAIE has a mission and they will not stop until they succeed.

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Bibliography