I’m reflecting today on my country’s in human legacy Manifest Destiny. Land grabs through intimidation and brutality repeat themselves in the Amazon where the Waorani resist the unwanted encroachments of conquistadores, oil companies and missionaries.
Implicated and indicted I mounted an exhibition of paintings that drew from photos of the tragic 1957 evangelical mission attempt (called Operation Auca) and media of that time.
Mapping acrylic paint on panel, 2011
“Our spears are no longer enough to defend our territory from oil threats. We, the Waorani of Pastaza, recognize the importance of tools like video, digital campaigns, political advocacy and legal strategies in the defense of our ancestral homeland. Although we live in the Amazon and many of you who read this live far away - together, we can achieve great things for the protection of our forests and our cultures, and the planet we all share.”