On December 3, approximately 700 indigenous delegates from throughout Peru gathered
at the first Indigenous Peoples Summit in Huancavelica. Summit leaders created
the Declaration of Huancavelica to highlight their collective anger toward what
they perceive as Peru's submissive stance in global politics and the application
of a neo-liberal state. The Declaration demanded the need for a new constitution,
complete autonomy, and the end to all mining and oil projects on indigenous land.
The summit was the result of the efforts by the Permanent Coordinator of Indigenous Peoples of Peru (COPPIP). Panelists discussed the impacts of Peru’s Free Trade Agreement with the United Status on indigenous lands and natural resources, in addition to identity, education, development, autonomy, economics, and politics. A spirit of unity and liberation was present among indigenous representatives who hope to convene a second National Indigenous Summit next year.
