Avatar meets the Amazon: how to support indigenous movements?

A new ‘Power of Civil Society’ working paper

Tags: Ecuador , Civil Society Building
Additional tags: Amazon , Indigenous movement , Ecuador

Movies can prove to be a powerful tool to raise awareness for a certain cause. Recently the buzz around blockbuster Avatar is being used by environmental, indigenous and human rights organizations to create global media attention for their struggle. In Avatar the indigenous Na’vi people fight to save their land and traditional way of living on planet Pandora from human beings who want to destroy it to extract minerals for energy supply on planet Earth. The story in Avatar is based on fiction, but many film critics and social movements have made the comparison to the real life struggle of indigenous people in the Amazon. This has resulted in lively debates on the internet.

For example, in the past 16 years the Ecuadorian Achuar people are trying to sue Texaco for illegal dumping practices in their environment, which resulted in massive environmental degradation and human health impacts (read more on this case here ). Representatives of the Achuar people actually watched the 3-D screening, and commented that although they prefer dialogue over violent protest, they recognize the problems of the Na’vi and hope that the movie will radiate more attention for their own struggle (watch the YouTube video of Achuar people watching and commenting on Avatar here, and watch James Cameron comment on the screening to Achuar people here) Palestinians on the Westbank have also used the analogy to give attention to their plight and dressed up like blue Na'vi people and protested on the streets of Bilin against Israeli occupation and the ongoing construction of a barrier in their town (watch YouTube video here)

A movie like Avatar might be an empowering tool for indigenous movements. But how effective is donor support to change their vulnerable position in society? Does it strengthen the position of indigenous peoples, or does it divide their leaders and undermine their claims, while imposing ‘western’ agenda’s? Our new Power of Civil Society Working Paper by Brian Wallis feeds into this ongoing discussion and explores the role of donor support to indigenous movements in the South Central Amazon region of Ecuador. Wallis first takes us on a theoretical ride, positioning different authors on the question what is or should be the role of civil society organizations (CSOs). Second he debates whether donors should support these CSOs? The author then presents his research findings, based on semi-structured interviews with Achuar and Kichwa leaders, NGO staff, academics and local government officials.

Wallis analysis shows that international support to the Amazonian movement has indeed given leverage and power to its leaders. Within indigenous communities it has also internalized the notion of ‘indigenous rights’, as formulated on an international level. This has empowered them to hold local and national government accountable and has made the movement a ‘vehicle for change’ in a historically troubled region, writes the author. On the flipside, external support is just one more actor in an already tense arena of power seekers, and the risk exists it divides people more than desired. Clarity on what the goal of the CSO is, and what support to this organization should realize, are vital questions that should be posed before funding, suggests Wallis.

Brian Wallis graduated from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS, The Hague) with a Master of Arts in Development Studies, specializing in local and regional development. Brian holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland, Maryland, United States. His research was funded by the Hivos/ISS Civil Society Building Knowledge Programme in 2006. Currently Brian Wallis is associate professor of Local Development at the Facultad Latino Americana de Ciencias Sociales (FLASC) in Quito, Ecuador.