News · 1 January 2021
30 Wasikamas graduated after months of work in the environmental defense of the territory
In a ceremony, the Association of Inga Indigenous Cabildos (Indigenous traditional authority) (Acimvip) awarded diplomas to men and women of the Inga People who participatively strengthened their knowledge.
For years, the “Guardians of the Land” or Wasikamas have defended their territory. At first, from the colonization process, and later, from problems such as indiscriminate logging, the presence of illegal armed groups, drug trafficking, illicit crops, the activity of oil industries, among others.
Settled in Villagarzón, Colombia, the Wasikamas have worked tirelessly to have their ancestral territory respected and resist this situation continuing to affect their culture, traditions and rights. That is why the 30 people of the Inga People accepted Acimvip's invitation to reinforce the knowledge inherited from grandmothers, taitas, governors.
Through the “Knowledge Exchanges”, participants attended training sessions, drills and walks across the Nukanchipa Alpa Amukunapa Wasi territory in southwestern Colombia. These allowed the participatory development of a protocol for responding to and reporting violations of human, collective and territorial rights.
Likewise, they worked on building a legal protection route for individual, economic, social, cultural, collective, ethnic and environmental rights.
Sandra Chindoy took part in one of the territorial walks and said it helped her a great deal to strengthen her knowledge. “For me it was a very beautiful experience. I learned about compasses and medicinal plants”, said Chindoy, from one of the Indigenous Cabildos of Villagarzón.
However, these Knowledge Exchange Meetings not only contributed to strengthening the capacities of the people who took part in these spaces, but have also allowed the Wasikamas to pass on what they learned to their Cabildos.
Benilda Quinguanás is secretary to the Alguacil Mayor of her Cabildo and says that she has already been replicating what she has learned with her community. “They have found it [the information] very good because there have been several cases in which the Cabildo members have applied the route we prepared. Before they caught us off guard, but not anymore”, says Quinguanás, who is now graduating together with her partner, her son and her nephew.
The Norwegian Human Rights Fund supports organizations that, like the Association of Inga Indigenous Cabildos (Acimvip), have been working for the defense of and respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Colombia.
Originally published by Fondo Noruego para los Derechos Humanos (FNDH) in 2021
