propaganda press! state sponsored, people powered.

Our main natural resourcesare our forests. They have not suffered from the massive population pressure or economic exploitation prevalent in other places. However, this situation is rapidly changing. The eyes of those who destroyed resources elsewhere are now looking at our forests. In Regions 1, 7 and 9 local and foreign timber merchants and miners are depleting forest stocks previously reserved for the Amerindian communities. Uncontrolled mining in Region 7 is not only destroying natural resources and harming the environment but is also having serious consequences on the moral and social life of our people.

In view of the fact that these activities benefit from aid programs of other counties, we call on the donor agencies to ensure that their donations are used to develop and not destroy our land and peoples.

We call on the authorities to seek approval from Amerindian communities about developments which have repercussions on lands owned or claimed by these communities. Furthermore, consultation should take place with Amerindians regarding the development of the rest of the interior.

Economic and social development must promote a way of life which attracts qualified Amerindians back to their communities. Development must emphasize the well-being of the whole community, not simply quick profits.

We have to seek ways and means to promote the full human development of our people by appropriate training and education. We need to renew our culture as expressed through our languages, crafts, songs and dances. Amerindian crafts as a cultural heritage are endangered by the practice of selling raw craft material to outside producers. We need to re-establish craft as an expression of our cultural heritage and as a source of economic benefit.

We need to be trained in skills which will help us administer our communities more efficiently, learn technical skills and forestry practices which enable us to be more self-sufficient in many ways.

Urgent attention must be given to rectifying the many problems which exist over land titles. Titles in region 7 and 8 and other areas which are still withheld must be granted. The problems of encroachment must be resolved quickly before coastland investors make it impossible. We support the communities which have declared that lands allotted to them by the Amerindian Act of 1976 are insufficient and have asked for the extension of the boundaries.

This conference has dealt with the weaknesses of community Councils. Some Councils are not elected, others remain in place for years and most represent the government and not the communities. This selfish and uncaring attitude of Councils encourages similar attitudes in the Regional administration.

We have concluded that these threats, challenges and weaknesses all point to the need for independent organizations in our village communities. The Conference has, therefore, approved the establishment of the Amerindian Peoples Association and calls on all Amerindian communities to set up vigorous local units which will not only be the source of the Association’s strength but will also be a guarantee of the well-being of our Amerindian peoples.