Possible Futures for Indigenous and community-based organizations' self-determination in land and water-based projects in Perú and Colombia

Gonzalo’s machete sliced through a handful of vines that reached down to us from a Ceiba tree canopy 200 feet above. Our eyes met and his face lit up with a giant smile. “I will bring this home to mymomsothatshecanmakeusanewbroom--wedon’t find these vines as easily anymore so she will be happy.” Gonzalo passed the vines to me and went on to explain how these vines gave the river its name, Amacayacu, or hammock river in Quechua. For a moment I paused to think about the waves of colonization that have shaped the lands and way of life of Gonzalo and other Ticuna people in the region.