« Amnesty Canada has chosen to use photography as a vehicle to mobilize Canadians to press for action to protect the rights and survival of Indigenous Peoples in Colombia. »

“This is what we want to tell you”
Messages from Indigenous Peoples at risk of annihilation in Colombia
A photo exhibit brought to you by Amnesty International Canada

Opening Reception: Friday, October 19, 2012, 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Doors open at 6:45pm
Guest Speakers: Photographer Juan Pablo Guiterrez, and AI Canada Campaigner, Kathy Price
Live Music: Ruben Esguerra
Exhibition runs from October 18 to October 28, 2012
Where: Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham Street, Toronto, Ontario M6G 2L8

Event Details: « There are 102 distinct Indigenous nations in Colombia. Each with a unique culture, traditions and ways of life. At least a third of them are now at risk of physical or cultural destruction amidst violence linked to an ongoing armed conflict and imposed development projects on their resource-rich territory.

Amnesty Canada has chosen to use photography as a vehicle to mobilize Canadians to press for action to protect the rights and survival of Indigenous Peoples in Colombia. Earlier this year, the extremely talented and committed Colombian photographer Juan Pablo Gutíerrez visited some of the affected communities as part of a collaboration between the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia and Amnesty International Canada.

The end result is a powerful collection of photos entitled This is what we want to tell you: messages from Indigenous Peoples at risk of annihilation in Colombia.

The people in these photographs asked not to be named because of the danger involved. They did, however, want to speak directly to Canadians, face to face, and share with us their heartfelt, hand-written messages.

These portraits are a testament to the courage and dignity of Indigenous people, who face great risks as they struggle to protect their very survival. The subjects of these photos tell a story of pain and injustice but also of hope for a better future, for a future! They call out for our solidarity with a message that is impossible to ignore.

Music and refreshments. This is a free event. Everyone is welcome.

All photos used with permission by Juan Pablo Gutierrez
http://juanpablogutierrez.com/

Music – Ruben Esguerra:
http://www.newtraditionmusic.com/Bio.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oi1xVHouVg
For more information please contact, edumitru@amnesty.ca, 416.363.9933 ext.333″

-submitted by Katie Bresner, Amnesty International Canada