OCR Text |
Show 13 to undertake integral investigations and to determine the forms and methods that make it possible to begin, with the adaptations necessary in each particular case, the various processes of change. In other words, the necessary presence of the social anthropologist, both for the investigation and understanding of the true situation of the Indian community as well as to get underway the development programs. And since, in addition, the Indian community cannot be considered as an abstract unit,artificially separated from the cultural, socio-economic and political situation of a much larger region-province, state, national and even international-it is necessary to have the participation of a great many technicians, specialists in various subjects, capable of understanding the cultural situation in which they will have to work. These and other equally important criteria are those that have supplied the starting point for the theory and practice of Indianism. During the last 25 years, as all of the continental countries with an Indian population have affiliated with the Inter-American Indian Institute, there has been created in each of them their own national organizations that work and act in accordance with these criteria and in close contact with the Inter-American. The bonds have strengthened over the years, particularly in the principal fields of activity. Inter- American Indianist Congresses have been held periodically since the first in Patzcuaro 25 years ago, the most recent being that held last year in Quito, Ecuador. Others have been held in Cuzco, Peru; La Paz, Bolivia, and Guatemala City. In all these Congresses, the theory and practice of Indianism on the continent have been more precisely determined, and evaluations have been made of the projects and programs under' |