Protecting Ancestral Lands: Drones and the Indigenous Guard of Sinangoe
My name is Nixon Andy Narváez, and I am 26 years old. I am a member of the A’i Cofán community of Sinangoe in Ecuador, and also serve on the Sinangoe Guard. Our responsibility is to patrol and protect our ancestral territory, which involves surveillance and monitoring activities. My specific role in the guard focuses on territorial monitoring and documentation, including the production of documentaries.
Over the past five years, I’ve been learning how to use drones to strengthen the guard’s work. Drones allow us to see much more of the territory and provide valuable information about intrusions and illegal mining. This technology has greatly improved our ability to defend our land.
Recently, we received new drone equipment and conducted training sessions in Sinangoe. This training was designed to provide our colleagues with increased knowledge of the equipment and to allow for greater autonomy in its use. During the training, we practiced how to power up the drones, replace propellers and batteries, and begin the documentation process. It brings me great joy to teach my knowledge and encourage my community. It is inspiring to see the enthusiasm of the women and young people who want to join the guard and learn about this technology.
The Sinangoe Guard, the oldest in Ecuador, has been active for almost seven years. During that time, we have monitored approximately 63,000 hectares of forest. The incorporation of this technology has been a key tool in strengthening our work in the rainforest.
As my colleague Edison Lucitante, the coordinator of the Indigenous Guard, pointed out, “By knowing how to handle this equipment, I feel stronger, because the ancestors have never done it this way. In my heart I feel that with these technological tools, we have managed to gain more strength and power, because they are useful to us. Wherever we need to be, we can now get there. If we reach a dangerous part of the territory for example, we can now fly there, which is much easier than walking.”
We continue to learn to get the most from drones, and to discover how best to use this technology to address the needs of our community and our guard. Each person in our community brings their own interests along with them. Another colleague, Mario Criollo, shared his thoughts: “For me it is the first time I have handled a drone. I don’t want it to be the last. I want to continue having these workshops, every month, to learn more. For me as a guard, it is important to be able to handle the equipment. On a patrol, it is almost essential to fly the drone. Many colleagues are encouraged to participate and learn more.’
As Edison relates, “With the drone, what interests me most is topography, how to select points with a drone. That is why I am interested in learning the ins and outs of this equipment, so I can also collaborate with people who know how to map or select points. I hope to open a learning space with other colleagues.”
Ana Lucitante, also a member of the Sinangoe guard, is especially interested in using the drone to document community life: “I want to learn more so I can fly the drone, record videos, and take photos. That motivates me – being able to document and support the community.”
