Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador - History

History

CONAIE was founded at a convention of some 500 indigenous representatives on November 13-November 16, 1986.

Initially explicitly rejecting the use of the electoral process, CONAIE developed an economic and political strategy to redefine and implement participatory democracy. Simultaneously, CONAIE called for the conversion of Ecuador into a multi-nation state recognizing the national autonomy of 12 indigenous nations, run by "popular parliaments".

Throughout the 1990s, CONAIE repeatedly mobilized thousands of indigenous campesinos to shut down Quito, clogging the streets with traditional dance, art and song while making demands of the political structure via direct negotiation. These protests often came in response to International Monetary Fund (IMF) policies.

CONAIE adopted a programme with these 16 demands:

1. A public declaration that Ecuador is a plurinational country (to be ratified by the constitution)
2. The government must grant lands and titles to lands to the nationalities
3. Solutions to water and irrigation needs
4. Absolution of indigenous debts to FODERUMA and the National Development Bank
5. Freezing of consumer prices
6. Conclusion of priority projects in Indian communities
7. Nonpayment of rural land taxes
8. Expulsion of the Summer Institute of Linguistics
9. Free commercial handicraft activities
10. CONAIE protection of archaeological sites
11. Officialization of Indian medicine
12. Cancellation of government decree that created parallel land-reform granting bodies
13. The government should immediately grant funds to the nationalities
14. The government should grant funds for bilingual education
15. Respect for the rights of the child
16. The fixing of fair prices for products