Ecuador and Oil

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Having witnessed the beauty of the Ecuadorian Amazon and its people, I am sickened and dismayed that industrialized countries, including the United States, continue to destroy the lives of indigenous people for the love of money, oil, and continued development. 

People tend to think about the "Indian wars" as something from a bygone age, or something from the "wild west," but people don't realize that the US simply exported its Indian wars to other countries like Ecuador. They've been doing this for the last 500 years: they see resources, they make up their minds to take them, and when "talks" fail with the indigenous people who stand "in the way of progress," they use brute force to get what they want. As the video suggested, this is a human rights issue, no doubt about it. Make no mistake; the Indians of Ecuador may very well face their own Wounded Knee in our lifetime. 

What is interesting to me is that people often say to me, "The atrocities that your people (the Native Americans) suffered is regrettable, but that was a long time ago. What can we do about it now?" 

To them I say, think about every bloody massacre on the American frontier, every treaty violation, every people driven to the brink of extinction, every act of violence in the name of progress - remember these things and know that it happened because of greed. To them I also say, it is still happening. Nothing has changed. Society is no more enlightened now regarding indigenous issues than it was 100 years ago. Indian people are still dying for land; our ways of life are still being trampled so that other people can get rich.  

I'm angry and heartsick. 

A hundred years from now, will people look back and wring their hands with remorse and say, "What happened to the Indians of Ecuador is regrettable, but that was a long time ago. What can we do about it now?" 

Victor

Four years ago, I had the distinct privilege of helping to facilitate a cultural exchange with nine students from Ecuador, along with three adult leaders. We collaborated on several cultural experiences and traveled as a group to Washington DC. During our one month together, we established friendships that will last forever.

Victor was one of the students from that group. This week, he returned to Spokane as a guest speaker at the Institute for Extended Learning and addressed one of the ESL classes (English as a Second Language).

This particular class is comprised almost entirely of ethnic Nepali refugees who were expelled from Bhutan and forced to live more than ten years in a refugee camp. They have come to the United States having suffered discrimination, displacement, and tremendous loss. Many are now struggling to maintain a sense of cultural identity as they also strive to adapt to life in America.

Prior to the presentation, I wondered how Victor would relate to a group whose experience has been so radically different from his own, and yet he spoke powerfully about the need to adapt while still preserving one's own culture. Without any previous knowledge of their experience, Victor spoke directly to one of the pressing questions of their current struggle. Many of the students were visibly moved as they received an affirmation of their hopes for the future.

Beyond the timeliness of his message, the students discovered many similarities between the Bhutanese and Ecuadorian cultures. At one point, Victor displayed his a collection of artwork that included 'talismans' that are used to protect children from spiritual harm. Without any previous explanation, the Bhutanese students immediately recognized the items! They create the same kind of items in Bhutan, and they do so for the same purpose. The parallels are amazing.

At the end of the class, one of the women raised her hand and asked his age. When he answered, she said, "You are very young, but your message is very powerful. Thank you for doing this work."

Alexander

This video represents my first experimentations with Windows MovieMaker and YouTube subtitles. It features Alexander Mosquera from Otavalo, Ecuador on the evening before their return home.

When you watch the video, English subtitles should automatically appear, but if not, make sure to click on the Closed Caption (CC) option. Let me know what you think.

La Mujer Indigena

La Mujer Indigena, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

Reflecting upon the Ecuador Youth Leadership Exchange, the youth created a dance that portrayed various aspects of indigenous history in South America. I've written somewhat about this already, but I have not yet mentioned the roles played by Margarita and Flor. They specificaly represented indigenous women in Ecuador.

When Rhonda and I traveled to Ecuador in the summer of 2008, we observed many women still use the traditional form of dress. In fact, this was more true for women than for men, though we certainly observed both.

This photograph also makes me reflect on an activity we did as a group. Inspired by the Iroquois Constitution, the Ecuador youth created an activity where the women got to vote on who would carry the flags during the powwow. They were allowed to select one woman and two men. The women judged the candidates on such characteristics as honor and trustworthiness, and then voted according to who they believed most exemplified these traits.

By separating the powers between men and women, men got to hold most positions of honor, but they did not get to vote. Women held a remarkable power of selection and veto in the affairs of the tribe. It is an interesting variation on democracy that created a separation of powers that pre-dates the three branches of US government. In fact, we studied this issue precisely because we wanted to learn more about the indigenous influence on American democracy.

I'm glad to say this group handled the exercise with much dignity and respect for everyone involved.

La Virgen del Quinche

La Virgen del Quinche, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

Going backward just a little, my fiend Paola played the part of La Virgen del Quinche during the Ecuadorian cultural presentation. This particular photograph was taken during their exhibition dance at the Pullman Powwow.

An interesting thing happened, in fact, something changed for me when I saw them playing their various parts. Whoever they might have been normally gave way to the people they became on the stage. In my mind I knew Paola was playing a part, but when I saw her dressed in her robes, something genuine and real channeled through her.

I am not sure how to explain it, except to say that these young people were simply messengers.

Sinceridad

Sinceridad, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

The kids have been home for almost a week, but I'm still catching up on the important stories. Well, there's too much to include even the basics, but I will do my best to highlight the people as much as possible. Jenyfer impressed me always with her strong insight and deep sincerity. She connected emotionally to just about everyone, and yet never faltered from asking difficult questions. The world will greatly benefit from her sincerity and intellectual strength.

Belleza

IMG_2644, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

Speaking of beauty, the indigenous cultures of Ecuador offer many rich artistic and spiritual traditions to the world. Margarita is an example of one who values her culture and continues to wear the traditional clothing of her region. It's inspiring to see people who continue to honor their roots in this way.

Wisdom

Wisdom, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

Yicela comes from an indigenous group in Ecuador known as the Awa. Their lands are still very remote, without modern means of transport to connect their villages to the rest of society. As a result, much of their lifeways have remained intact across the centuries.

Throughout our exchange experiece, Yicela demostrated quiet wisdom and leadership. For example, during the sweat lodge ceremony, she noticed some of the other young people expressing powerful emotions. It was nothing bad, but she instinctively knew to lend herself as a support for the spiritual process of others. She gathered the group into a circle and led us in a ritual from her people designed to give strength and courage. She told us where to stand, how to act, and what intention to hold in our minds. She took complete control and provided a beautiful, calming influence to the people.

This photograph was taken during our return trip on the edge of the Clearwater River.

Gifting

Ecuador - Seattle and Kooskia 759, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

After the sweat lodge ceremony, the gifts and the speeches began to flow. In gratitude for his experience, Santiago gave his mask of the Ayauma to Janet and Arrow. It was a very touching moment that brought tears to both Janet and Santiago. This gesture was especially meaningful because Santiago made this mask with his family before coming to the United States. It was a gift twice blessed.

Los Bellos

Los Bellos, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

This story has an older origin.

When I was a Mormon missionary in Guatemala, my official title was "Elder Moses." At one point during the mission, someone asked my name, and when I told them my title, they mistook the name for something else. As it turns out, "Elder Moses" sounds a lot like "El Hermoso," especially if the words are not spoken clearly. "El Hermoso" means "the Beautiful." This became something of a longstandng joke for people who heard the original story.

I'm not sure how it began, but the joke continued with the Ecuador group, though it shifted somewhat. To this group, I became "El Bello," which is just another name for the Beautiful. In another version, I became "El Mero Bello," which would be something like a slang term for the most beautiful of all. In time, the joke morphed into a whole story about me being some kind of king of the beautiful people, complete with a court and the royal wave. After a while, I had my vice-beautifuls waiting in the wings to take my place.

As the joke grew, Alexander became my first "Vice-Bello," like a vice president waiting for the coup d'etat to overthrow my reign. It sounds silly, but it was actually quite hilarious. Every time I saw him standing behind me, I would make a comment about always having to watch my back and we would all burst into another fit of laughter.

After the sweat, we had an opportunity to present gifts. In that moment, I gave Alexander a band of apple branches and crowned him the new "Mero Bello." We laughed, but then we cried because he presented me with his mask of the Ayauma. It was a beautiful experience.

Valentina

Ecuador - Seattle and Kooskia 772, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

Ever since we planned for this year's exchange, I knew Valentina needed to connect with Janet Blackeagle. I didn't know how or why; I just knew that she deserved to make that contact. On an intuitive level, the powers just seemed to move in that direction.

During our drive to Kooskia, Valentina rode in Janet's car, so I know they got a chance to talk.

Then after all the ceremony, my cousin Arrow gifted Valentina with a genuine arrow made by a relative or friend of their family. It was a powerful gift, no doubt shooting a stright line to connect our cultures.

Medicina

Medicina, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

During our preparations for the sweat lodge ceremony, I was moved by how much my aunts included the youth. It would have been so easy to do everything themselves, but instead, they enlisted their support as a means of instruction.

This particular scene touched me.

My auntie Barb asked David to prepare some of the herbs used during the ceremony. I won't give any specific details of the methods they used, but I will simply share that the scene transported me to other levels of being. On one level, the simple wood structure surrounding the lodge reminded me of the homes we visited in the Ecuadorian Amazon. I could almost picture Casimiro making medicine in his jungle house.

On another level, I was moved to see David making medicine for the people. Again, I seemed to see the faint glimmers of ancestral knowledge channeling through his body and into the stone.

By the way, this photograph is actually a re-enactment. We didn't take any pictures during our preparations for the ceremony; it just seemed out of place in that sacred setting.

Vision Quest

Ecuador - Seattle and Kooskia 731, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

Ever since the 2009 Euador exchange began, I sensed a kind of spiritual movement stirring within some of the youth. This is especially true for Santiago. More than once I found him up late at night pondering the mysteries of life on both a personal and collective level. In quiet moments, he often expressed a sense of vulnerability and deep inner change.

At some point during the bonfire, his eyes adjusted to the dark and he suddenly noticed the mountains standing watch over the Kooskia Valley. Janet looked on with approval. She smiled and said, "The grandmothers have shown themselves to you." From that moment he made a plan to arise early the next moment to climb the mountain. Again I felt that same stirring within his spirit.

The alarm went off at exactly 5:30 the following morning and Santiago began to wake the others. "Let's go," he pressed, but no one made a move. Everyone who agreed to climb the mountain now refused to leave their warm beds. I was tempted to get up and share the journey with him, but something inside told me to stay. "You go alone," I said.

And so he did.

I could not even begin to call his experience a vision quest, at least not in the fullest sense, and yet a hint or a shadow of that old archetype emerged. Santiago was the one who had expressed some of the deepest spiritual changes, and now he found himself climbing the very mountain others had used to find their visions. Once again, I find myself humbled to witness the ancestral spirits manifesting in the youth.

By the way, this is a photograph he took from the mountaintop using my camera.

Arrow

Ecuador - Seattle and Kooskia 716, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

During our visit, we also became better acquainted with my relatives from the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. I've known Janet for many years, but to be quite honest, we only see each other once a year during the winter dance. I see my cousin Arrow even less than that. In fact, after all these years, I've only been to Janet's house one other time.

Of course the Ecuador youth got a once in a lifetime experience by visiting the lodge, but their presence also opened the door for me to know my own relatives better. In my heart, I have to thank them for bringing me closer to my own family identity.

La Flauta

Ecuador - Seattle and Kooskia 700, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

Santiago rested on the back of a vehicle while the light of the bonfire cast a warm orange glow over his face. His small reed flute lifted a haunting melody into the black night sky, like sparks of ash rising up into the darkness. And like Valentina, I could feel a movement of spirit within him reflecting changes on a personal level and all around the world.

Charango

Ecuador - Seattle and Kooskia 691, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

Valentina rested on the tailgate of a pickup truck while she contemplated the bonfire and held a charango within her arms. Between the moments of laughter, I could almost sense her thoughts floating between the worlds, north and south, spirit and stone.

Mas Danza

After a full week of travel across the western portion of the state, we returned to Pullman, and then continued on to Kooskia, Idaho. My auntie Janet Blackeagle invited the group to her home to spend the night on Saturday and then to experience a sweat lodge ceremony the following morning.

We arrived in Kooskia at about 9:00 Saturday night, exhausted from the long drive back from Seattle. As Janet invited us into her home, all the kids proceeded to crash on couches or just about any available spot on the floor. "We want to sleep," they repeated over and over again. But then Janet's son Arrow arrived on the scene and built a bonfire on the back field. Exhaustion gave way to another round of energy, followed by singing, dancing, and laughter.

The Ecuadorian youth are always ready to sing. They can make a dancing ritual on the drop of a hat, in parking lot, a conference room, or an empty field. They brought the spirit of Inti Raymi (their Sun Festival) to the quiet fields of Kooskia, and created a connection between the indigenous peoples of both North and South America.

The Capitol Steps

IMG_2092, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

Two days ago we visited the state capitol in Olympia to learn more regarding the workings of government and to meet our elected representatives. The capitol visit gave the Ecuador youth a unique opportunity to see the democratic process up close, but I also learned a few things about my home state. For example, I never understood the degree to which Washington State divided the executive branch to prevent the abuse of power.

La Danza

This is an example of the type of experience we have shared with the Ecuador youth.

The youth presented two exhibition dances during the Pullman Powwow. During the first dance, the youth presented a dramatized history of Ecuador spanning the last 500 years, beginning from the creation of the world, passing through the conquest, and ending with the present time.

The second dance was performed by only one of the youth.

Santiago danced with a traditional Ecuadorian mask inspired by an ancient spirit known as the Ayauma. The original music suffered some kind of technical difficulty, but in order to not lose the experience, he asked the Dancing Horses Drum to sing for his performance. Obviously, he wouldn't normally perform this kind of dance with singing from the Spokane Tribe, but the combination of cultures sent a powerful message of indigenous unity.

After all the events at the powwow, the youth left with bright, glowing faces. No doubt they will treasure this experience for many years to come.

Exchange

I'm writing from Port Townsend, Washington as a translator and cultural guide for the Ecuador Youth Leadership Exchange.

We left Pullman early Sunday morning to make our whirlwind tour of the west side of the state, passing through Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Olympia, and finally Port Townsend. Later, we will continue our trip to Seattle, and finally back to Pullman.

So far, I'm not in a good position to download my photographs, but I hope to do so when I return.

Too much has happened to express in detail, but suffice it to say that we have shared an amazing experience. The group has focused much of its attention on ecology, sustainability, leadership, and indigenous cultures. The youth possess a level of insight and sensitivity that will empower them to become great leaders in the future.