Background:   Indigenous territories are critical in Ecuador because they cover a fifth of the country, and globally because they contain some of the world’s richest biodiversity. Ecuador’s natural environments have been shaped and are intensely used by a diverse array of ancestral indigenous groups that have intricate relationships with and a complex knowledge of their surroundings.  Many indigenous peoples have a long-term vision that combines biodiversity conservation with sustainable use of renewable resources in a strategy to improve the quality of their lives. However, these territories are threatened by illegal logging, incursions, and drug-related violence.  

Objective:  This program will provide lowland indigenous groups with the technical and institutional resources needed to maintain their traditional territories and to determine their own futures.  The work helps the Awa, Cofan, and Waorani indigenous groups, to secure their lands, strengthen their institutions, improve their livelihoods, and support the long term conservation of their cultures and territories of 1,400,000 hectares. 

Activity description:     USAID support aims to: 1) consolidating indigenous territorial rights through; the establishment of legally defined boundaries, legal titles and permanent boundary makers in place; 2) improving the institutional capacity of indigenous organizations by training in administrative, technical and logistical procedures:; and leadership and governance systems; and 3) implementing ecologically sustainable economic activities consistent with cultural standards and long-term sustainable land use.  Specifically, with Awa and Cofan groups, conflict mitigation and cross-border issues will be addressed.

Results as of 2007:More than 1 million hectares gained strengthened legal status: clearer and stronger legal rights, clearly demarcated boundaries, and regular patrol of territory. One benefiting partner, the Awa Indigenous Federation, received title to 99,427 hectares near the northern border. With USAID support, then-President Palacio signed a decree establishing boundaries for a 780,000-ha wilderness area for “uncontacted” indigenous groups, safeguarding these vulnerable groups and the natural resources on which they depend. These results help maintain the long-term viability and preserve the potential of these lands to meet the needs of future generations.

Major expected results through 2008: Additional 170,000 ha of Awa, Cofan, and Waorani indigenous territories will be placed under improved management by establishing indigenous territorial boundaries, implementing control and vigilance systems, facilitating legal land titling, and mitigating conflict. 

Our stories: Felix Nastacuaz, like many other Awa, had little incentive to practice ancestral woodworking.  He and other Awa joined a group of indigenous artisans and were trained on advanced carving techniques, tools, finishing and quality control.  He found that masks mythology were sold very well and decided to learn more.  Now, Felix makes up to 20 masks per month.  Twenty-five other families joined this initiative. The program helped to preserve their ancestral skills and mythology as well as their environment.

Partners: Awa, Cofan, and Waorani indigenous federations; Altropico Foundation; The Nature Conservancy 

Implementing partner: Wildlife Conservation Society (WSC) 

Project duration: Two years (2007-2009)  

Investment: $4.4 million 

Contact: Monica Suquilanda, CTOUSAID/Ecuador Tel. (593-2) 398-5571, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it