Qopiwini facts for kids
Qopiwini Lafwetes (Qo.wi.pi.ni.) is a special group of native communities in the Formosa Province of Argentina. It brings together people from the Qom, Pilagá, Wichi, and Nivaclé groups. This group started in early 2015.
In February 2015, they set up a protest camp in Buenos Aires to show the challenges faced by native people from the Formosa government. They also wanted to gather support from citizens. About 40 representatives from 46 Qom, Pilagá, Wichi, and Nivaclé communities joined the camp.
The main leader of Qopiwini is Félix Díaz. He is a spokesperson for the Qom Potae Napocna Navogoh community. However, the group makes decisions together in meetings.
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Early Protests and Meetings
In 2010, native people protested on National Route 86. They were trying to protect their traditional lands. The Formosa Police responded, and sadly, some native people were hurt or lost their lives. After this, Félix Díaz started organizing meetings for native groups in Formosa between 2014 and 2015. He worked with other leaders to teach people about their rights. They held five meetings in different places to help people defend their rights.
In January 2015, members of the Poate Napocna Navogoh community again blocked National Route 86. They asked for an end to violence and neglect in their community. They also wanted to know about new buildings like houses, hospitals, and roads in their area. Amnesty International, a group that works for human rights, said the road block was to "claim their rights and promises unfulfilled by the government." They also said that what happened in 2010 "must not happen again." Amnesty International asked the government to protect the Qom people, as ordered by the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights in 2011.
The Consciencia Solidaria NGO was at a meeting in Cacique Colorado. There, they started talking about forming a group called Qopiwini. After this meeting, they planned another meeting for March 2015 in Félix Díaz's community, but it did not happen.
First National Summit
From May 27 to 29, 2015, Qopiwini organized the First National Summit of Native Peoples. It took place in Buenos Aires. They talked about human rights and how people resisted during a difficult time in Argentina's history. About 100 leaders and representatives from 25 native communities attended. They came from 17 different provinces across Argentina.
During the summit, representatives shared their experiences and challenges. On the last day, they announced their conclusions and plans for the future. Members from the Confederation of Native Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) and human rights groups were also there. After the summit, many native leaders marched through Buenos Aires. They were joined by Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, and Pablo Pimental from the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights. A small group tried to give a petition to the government, but they were not received.
Qopiwini is Formed and Camp in Buenos Aires
Because the Formosa government did not respond, Félix Díaz decided to return to Buenos Aires. In 2010, he set up a camp at a major intersection. After five months, they had some discussions, but not much changed. The Argentine National Gendarmerie, with other groups, eventually made them leave the camp. Díaz said that none of the agreements made four years earlier had been kept.
In 2014, there were several meetings in different places in Formosa. Many communities took part, including:
- Pilagá communities like El Perdido, La Linea, and El Simbolar.
- Wichi communities from Isla Colón and Saint Martín.
- Qom communities like Bartolome de las Casas and Potae Napocna Navogoh.
- Pilagá communities like Rincon Bomba, Oñaidee, and Laq Fasanyie.
- Nivaclé Community of Río Muerto.
- Wichí communities from Pozo del Mortero, Mission Laishi, and Nanqom.
- Other Wichi communities from Tres Pozos Bazan, Lagoon Yema, and El Potrillo.
- Qom community of Mission Tacaglé.
- The Pilagá Federation.
Between January 23 and 24, 2015, a meeting happened in the Wichi community of Colorado, Formosa. This is where the Organisation of the Native Peoples, Qopiwini Lafwetes, was officially started. After many meetings and discussions, the native groups in Formosa province came together as one.
Later, it was announced that the protest camp would be taken down on Sunday, December 6. This happened after Mauricio Macri won the presidential elections on December 1. Díaz was able to meet with Claudio Avruj, the Secretary of Human Rights. Avruj promised that the new government would listen to the requests of native peoples. Another reason the camp was taken down was fear of attacks.
On December 17, President Macri met with Félix Díaz.
See also
In Spanish: Qopiwini para niños
