DECLARATION OF O'ODHAM TRIBE IN SONORA
November 29, 2015
We the O'odham of Sonora. . .
We recognize as O’odham we are part of a people living in an archipelago of communities, just like the rivers flowing through these arid lands, living in an area marked by ONK AKIMEL (EL RIO SALADO) and GAWK SU: D (EL RIO SAN PEDRO); from Kippur the Sierra Madre Occidental, and GE PISIN (Hermosillo) to GE KA: CK (Gulf of California).
We recognize as O’odham we are part of a people living in an archipelago of communities, just like the rivers flowing through these arid lands, living in an area marked by ONK AKIMEL (EL RIO SALADO) and GAWK SU: D (EL RIO SAN PEDRO); from Kippur the Sierra Madre Occidental, and GE PISIN (Hermosillo) to GE KA: CK (Gulf of California).
From time immemorial, and with all O’odham who are now separated by the artificial physical barriers erected as legal boundaries for the United States of America as a result of the Treaty of Mesilla in 1852 after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, and the creation of separate governments on the reservations in 1874 and 1917 by the United States, the Illegal Colonization of our territories by successive Mexican federal governments since the regime of Porfirio Diaz and the administration of Plutarco Elias Calles, along with the insidious corruption of the SGDATU (Secretary of Agricultural, Territorial and Urban Development) and the Commission for Indigenous Development (CDI); These organizations of application, just as does the CONAGUA, and the State of Sonora violations of our Sovereign Rights as we continue living in the desert land where we were born since the time immemorial.
We recognize that many members of the tribe of the Nation of the Tohono O’otham are descendants of O'odham families of Mexico. Just as we are. We as O’odham support the O’odham to be able to enter O'odham Communities in Mexico and the United States though our our mobility is restricted by the border fence and the paramilitary forces of the United States of America which has increased out physical insecurity due to all forms of violence, while increasing drug trafficking in our country.
We recognize that the descendants of the O’odham in Mexico historically came from the AKIMEL, TOHONO, HIA CHED AND O’OB long before European contact and still are our origins up to and including till today.
Therefore, we declare our O’odham communities as a tribe of the O’odham in Sonora as determined by our own political, economic, and social policies.
The O'odham in Sonora, which is recognized under international law with our right as such is indicated in the United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples (articles: 3,4,5, 6,7,8, 9 AND 10), and Convention 169 of the International Labor Organization. We were never a product of the Doctrine of Discovery of other peoples, which we reject categorically and permanently.
As we meet today as O’odham we learn how our families documented our own census and community records. We call on all O’odham to uphold their traditional O'odham communities and recover the communities of our descendants as we are all descendants of O'odham.
We will continue cooperating with our relatives of the Tohono O’odham Nation in matters of common interest in an equitable relationship of mutual recognition given that the as individuals and communities we share a history of living in sedentary communities, semi-nomadic and nomadic, in tune with the seasons and the climate of our Sonoran Desert environment which eclipsing all our political organizations.
By this Declaration, we reject any attempt to sell, manipulate, trade or in any way denigrate our traditional O’odham government by schemes of short vision and lack of profundity, which we in presenting ourselves for democratic election represent our leadership according to the traditional form of O’odham government and we continue continue despite attempts of the past to undermine our legitimate historical evolution by individuals with less firmness than water in the wind.
We make this call to establish the maximum level of autonomy possible, and not to become supplicants of our oppressors. Because we have been the guardians of these arid lands since the disappearance of the Huhukam, removal of the Jesuits, the arrival of the Franciscans, before the establishment of the independence of Mexico, before Spain, and before the independence of the United States from England.
We, the O'odham in Sonora use our Knowledge and Customs as the Himdag in defense of this land against those who try to uproot us.
We remain faithful to the teachings of our Elders, to I'Itoi.
We accept the wise counsel of the National Indigenous Congress of Mexico, and participate in the Peace and Dignity Journeys and other unifying actions because we recognize the sharing of other ways of knowledge and wisdom of other Indigenous Peoples. We shall continue to support other struggles that are similar to the fight for autonomy including the San Andres Accords which the Mexican federal government has failed to implement.
From earlier times our communities of O’odham were displaced from our lands during the expansion of the territorial governments.
The division of our territories in two countries scattered our tribe into smaller communities some in the United States and others in Sonora.
At this time, it is necessary that the O’odham tribe recognize we exist as such and requires that our rights are be respected.
It is also necessary to establish a site where each tribal member can link and solicit support with which to strengthen their community and quality of life for their families.
Therefore, we conclude this declaration with our commitment to teach our children the values of our Himdag, tell the truth as we live and respect all forms of life.
We, the O’odham Tribe of Sonora.
Having completed the agenda, we declare the closing of this GE: E JUNIG: DA O'ODHAM (O'ODHAM REGIONAL MEETING).
Not having any other matter to discuss the assembly is terminated at 16:30 on the 29th of November 2015, at the direction and municipality mentioned earlier.
SIGNATURES OF TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES
GABRIELA LIZARRAGA JUAREZ (SONOYTA)
SALAS RODRIGUEZ FRANCISCA (PITIQUITO)
MARTIN MARTINEZ (Imuris)
SOSA ANA MARIA VALENZUELA (PENASCO)
ELVA ROSA MIRANDA MIRANDA (CABORCA)
LUISA MARIA VARELA (WELL PRIETO)
JAVIER FIGUEROA TRANSLAVI NA (Ocuca, SAN MANUEL)
SONIA LORENA MARTINEZ FIGUEROA (SAN MATILDE)
TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY OF THE COMMUNITY
TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY OF THE COMMUNITY
JOSE GARCIA MARTIN LEWIS
ALTERNATE
ALTERNATE
NORA JUDITH CANEZ PARRA
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