[NYTr] Mexico tribe faces modern threats
 
Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 00:11:04 -0600 (CST)

Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
sent by Milt Shapiro (mexnews)

Source: CCTV.com - Dec 28, 2007

Mexico tribe faces modern threats

Urban development in Mexico threatens one of the country's last 
remaining independent indigenous tribes. The Seri have resided for 
centuries in the state of Sonora off the Gulf of California. The 
tribal villages of these ancient people, Punta Chueca and Desemboque, 
lie directly in the path of a huge tourist development that will see 
hotels and apartment complexes spring up all along the coastline.

Semi-nomadic, hunter-gatherers, the Seri vigorously guard their 
culture against Spanish and Mexican influence.

As northern Mexico's coastal desert region develops, bringing new, 
modern influences, the traditional life of the Seri is at risk.

Guillermo Palma, Seri fisherman, said, "Then the life of the 
community began to move. Our own customs and the customs from outside 
began to blend. The impact of what has entered here becomes more 
visible, clothing, food and even the way people speak, all have 
changed a lot."

Conflict between the Seri and the outside world dates back to the 
Spanish colonial era. Spain made several attempts to exterminate the 
tribe and failed.

Change has come slowly to Punta Chueca. The changes started with the 
introduction of electricity in the 1990's. As tourist developments 
begin to encroach on the Sonoran coastline, the cultural clash of the 
Seri with their Mexican neighbours is likely to intensify.

Tourist developments in Puerto Libertad, to the north, will end the 
isolation of the Seri. A new coastal highway is under construction. 
Even more United States tourists are expected to crowd in. That is 
likely to spur further developments of hotels and resorts along the 
pristine coastline.

Mexico's National Commission of Protected Areas works with the Seri 
to conserve this area.

Ana Luisa Figueroa, director of National Commission of Protected 
Areas, said, "Sometimes I always question, what's the best. I mean, 
if it's our running and rushing for things, and in that respect, I 
always invite any agency that works with marginalised communities or 
isolated communities or indigenous people to think really twice 
before acting. I think that they deserve our best in terms of getting 
the best of both worlds. But we have to ask before if what we are 
offering them is our best, or the best that we have."

Aside from its breathtaking natural surroundings, Punta Chueca offers 
noting in the way of attraction. Most of its houses are shacks made 
from concrete, cardboard, and even piles of rubbish.

There are few visible indicators of the traditional Seri culture 
outdoors in the village, apart from some traditional symbols on the 
school building and a structure made of twigs and adorned with 
ribbons nearby.

The Seri are divided about how they want to interact with the world
outside.

Some want to bring in tourists and visitors as a source of revenue, 
while others are content to stick with the old ways and remain 
isolated.

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