MANDATE OF THE KAMENTSA AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE

(Translated by Rolf Schoneborn, a CSN Volunteer Translator)

MANDATE OF THE CAMENTSA AND INGA FIRST NATIONS
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE

CACIQUE TAMOABIOY ANCESTRAL TERRITORY

CAMENTSA AND INGA TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES OF THE
SIBUNDOY VALLEY, PUTUMAYO – COLOMBIA

MANDATE

OCTOBER 16, 2014

The Ancestral Authorities and the Kamentsa and Inga people, who inherited their land from their ancestor the Cacique Tamoabioy, exercise their power and authority given to to them by their people and in accordance with natural law and our basic rights, practice, customs and traditions recognized by the Colombian Constitution/article246, the international convention169 of 1989 of the International Labor Organization/(ILO), ratified by ley (law) 21 of 1991 and in keeping with other norms based upon natural law of origin.

MANDATE OF THE INDIGENOUS CAMENTSÀ AND INGA

We the first people and heirs of the Cacique TAMOABIOY are not only heirs of the land but also of ancestral wisdom with the task of preserving our land and our well being according to the Bengbe Waman Juabn for the kAMENTSA and Suma Kwsai for the INGAS, where the spirits of our elders give us advice, protect us and show us the right way.

Therefore the Kamentsa and Inga came together on October 14 and 15, 2014 in Sibundoy/Putumayo to assert and demand our collective ancestral rights according to natural law and to also strengthen our culture and our attachment to the land.

Therefore we share the words of our traditional authorities, ancestral spirits, the taitas and mamitas, the sages, the young, the children with the national government, the Colombian society, the international community and other first peoples in their respective territories words of life and

CONSIDERING

that we as Kamentsà and Ingas are first nations, who have been in this land since time immemorial and preserve our own system of justice in accordance with our cosmic vision, habits, customs and traditions.

That in accordance with our system of justice, natural law, habits, customs and traditions at its most basic, we want to strengthen our principles and values of unity, solidarity, brotherliness as well as individual and collective respect which we consider to be basic pillars of governance and social control in our respective lands.

That article 246 of the Colombian Constitution recognizes all rights within the framework of self-government and demands: That indigenous peoples’ authorities are enabled to perform JURISDICTIONAL functions in their territories according to their own rules and proceedings, as long as they do not contravene the Constitution and Laws of the Republic and therefore the
Colombian State accords Traditional Authorities special functions.

That the Ley 21, article 4 number 1 orders the state to adopt special measures to be specified in order to safeguard persons, institutions, assets, work, cultures and environment of the peoples concerned.’

That Ley 21, 1991, in article 4 number 1 decrees, “The peoples concerned shall have the right to decide their own priorities regarding the process of development in as much as it affects their lives, beliefs, institutions, spiritual well being and regarding the land they rightfully occupy or make use of and in adition have the right to determine their economic, social and cultural development as they see fit. Furthermore, said peoples should participate in the formulation, application and evaluation of national and regional development plans and programs which may affect them directly.

WE DEMAND

of the SIBUNDOY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES to NUL and VOID Act number 010 of possession granted on January 1 to the group Sol de Los Pasto de Sibundoy and abstain from any and all recognition or certification by not legalized by authorities in Inga and Camentsa territory unless claim procedures of the First Nations are settled.

Of the SIBUNDOY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES acting on behalf of Mr. Mauricio Guerrero García to respond to this petition as soon as possible.

Of the SIBUNDOY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES to abstain from initiating possession procedures of cabildos other than those of the Sibundoy Valley Ingas and Camentsás

Of THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT that the judgment STC 12 85-2014, proceeding Nr. 8600 1-22-08-000-2014-0017 8-01 of September 24 2014 be revised.

Of the Office of Indigenous Affairs, Minorities and Rom, Incoder (Instituto de Desarrollo Rural – Rural Development Institute), of the Delegated Defender of ethnic minorities attached to the Ombuds’s office to guarentee the non-negotiable recovery of the Sibundoy Valley Inga and Kamentsá ancestral lands.

That the Sol de Los Pasto y Quillacingas show consideration for the Inga and Kamentsá, First Nations of Alto Putumayo and heirs of the Tamoabioy territory.

And therefore

WE REJECT

1. The 2014 Act of Possession Nr. 010 which was granted by the Sibundoy Municipality to the Sol de Los Pasto because it was granted by an authority without the right to do so, lacking the necessary legal recognition.

2. All legislative and administrative measures which contravene our basic rights as indigenous and first people and which threaten our continued existence.

3. All megaprojects suggesting LACK OF RECOGNITION, i.e. implying that the Inga and Kamentsá and their ancestral territory do not exist.

Therefore

WE VALIDATE

our tradition and cosmovision passed on to us by our elders: the concept of land as property is defined differently in non-indigenous languages; we tend to say that Mother Nature provides us with the fruits of the earth, the mountains, the valleys, the slopes, the waterfalls and lakes. A community or a people rather than other communities and people deserve this bounty based upon their knowledge and familiarity regarding the secrets of their land. We need to live in harmony with the powers and spirits that animate the earth in order to govern.

That we the Kamentsa and Inga do not give up our ancestral constitutional and legal right to organize in order to achieve and maintain self-government.

That only the Traditional Authorities in office and the legitimate Kamentsá and Inga Representatives have the right to enter into a dialogue and conduct consultations with the State.

That the Inga and Kamentsa territory is indivisible (soil, subsoil, air space), imprescriptible, inalienable and guaranteed against seizure in accordance with the word of life, which we have inherited so that we may live in time and space as an ancient people and culture.

WE INVITE

the National Government to to take steps to move forward in a clear, sincere and transparent manner any and all dialogue and consultation processes which should lead us to specifications of our fundamental rights for the good of this diverse country which is home to us all.

All indigenous peoples to reaffirm our struggles, we being defenders and protectors of our land and autonomy. In a harmonious and holistic relationship ensuring a continued existence for future generations.

FOR OUR LAND, FOR OUR LIFE, FOR OUR EXISTENCE

The UNITED NATIONS OF INGA – KAMENTSA

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