OCR Text |
Show 17 specific case of the Indian communities, the cultural differences that must be taken into account in any process of change. Obviously it is not a question of doing away with cultural traits of pre-Columbian origin, sometimes of great value such as their popular art, their ancient esthetic and moral criteria, etc. It is basically in the technical field, in sanitation and in education where, with the adaptations required by the Indian cultural differences, change and transformation are to be promoted. With ingenious optimism we recognize the limitations Indianist action has had. But, also rising above any kind of pessimism, we believe the time has come to reaffirm the necessity for taking into account, on the regional, state or national development plane, the Indian groups with their special and distinct characteristics. Without doubt there are concrete and positive achievements, among which are the preparation of technicians trained to understand and undertake processes of change; the organization of the centers of integral development like those existing in various regions of Mexico and other countries; the positive action of different government agencies, Ministries or Secretariats of State. But, if the so-called Indian problem is not to continue existing as it has until now as the shame of the Americas, joint and integral action by the various national and international organizations, by government and private enterprise is necessary. Now is not the time to think in terms of partial remedies capable of affecting a few hundreds or thousands of Indians. Account must be taken, within national programs, of the presence of the descendants of the oldest Americans in order to do away with barriers and to make trulv |