Indigenous Peruvian Communities in This Pandemic

Turns out the epidemic is just another reflection of our societal paradigm of inequality. We know that COVID isn’t necessarily “prejudice,” so why these results? 

Why are places in the US with higher populations of Native American, African American and Latino-American, at higher risk than others? (For example, Navajo Nation is the HARDEST hit area in all of the US, see how we can each help protect native families that now make up less than 1% of the US population below!)  

As we know, service jobs (aka ability to work from home, or not), proximity of living and working to other people and access to health care are correlated with risk of covid exposure. Low-risk covid jobs, isolated living environments and full access to all health care services are privileges disproportionately enjoyed by white families. 

A few observations that our Fashion for Conservation co-founder, Ava J. Holmes has made personally here in Peru include 1) dependency of the average family on day-to-day income and lack of a “plan b” such as savings or credit cards 2) concentrated living and larger families 3) Scarcity of medicine for reducing COVID symptoms, oxygen in hospitals and overall common disinfectant supplies. 

Over the past few weeks, Ava has been interviewing people taking a stand for indigenous communities and organizing various relief efforts in the US and Peru, countries in which FFC has strong roots (you can listen and watch these interviews on Instagram @ava.j.holmes).

So what can we do? 

You can always support artisans through our FFC shop, directly funding a sustainable economy of artisan craft within indigenous communities. 

Additionally, here are 3 inspiring projects by our allies in the US and Peru to support: 

RELIEF ON NAVAJO NATION 

“Our elders are living in the Rez without electricity, clean water or cleaning supplies…we [indigenous citizens] already make up less than 1% of the entire population, yet we are the most at risk right now with COVID.” — Ivy Tso 

Providing life straws to combat limited access to clean water (requires an hour drive to retrieve water for some families), truckloads of hay to feed their animals (with decreased income opportunity, it is harder to find basic feed and farm supplies), propane and medical/cleaning supplies (soap, alcohol, etc). 

This effort is lead by young Navajo activist Ivey Tso, single-handedly raising funds and driving supplies back to the reservation.

Venmo or PayPal Ivey-Tso: ctbookworm@gmail.com 

PHOTOS & ACTION 

Which photo would you choose? Order any of these 10 gorgeous original photos of the Amazon to support the Ese Eja people in getting food, medical supplies and transportation back to their communities from various places they got stuck without income from their normal jobs in selling artisan craft to tourists since the pandemic hit and Peru’s four months quarantine went into place.

Check out more of the PHOTOSxACTION photos in use here: http://www.avajholmes.com/diary/2020/6/23/5-ways-quarantine-is-changing-the-world

Organized by Xapiri cultural center and NGO: https://www.xapiri.com/covid19

FEEDING PERU

“We have fed over 400 families in the mountains and jungle in the last month.” — Pauline 

Also started entirely as a grassroots movement to support families traditionally supported by the now flat tourism industry, this movement has saved many families from food scarcity and in some cases starvation. “I have seen very sad cases of men abandon their wives with newborn child…they will have something to eat this week”.

Gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/peru-community-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link-tip

We are inspired by the people taking a stand for indigenous communities during the epidemic and who are organizing various relief efforts in the US and Peru. We hope you consider supporting these 3 amazing projects by our allies and checking into our FFC shop that directly supports artisan craft within these communities.

To learn more, watch the “live chat for change” series on Instagram @AVA.J.HOLMES