Resguardo Cañamomo y Lomaprieta (RCMLP)

The Cañamomo and Lomaprieta Indigenous Reserve is located in the municipalities of Riosucio and Supía Caldas, and is one of the oldest such reserves in Colombia. Created on March 10, 1540, with defined boundaries since 1627, its public deeds and title were legally recognised in 1953. Cañamomo and Lomaprieta is one of the six legally constituted indigenous reserves in the department of Caldas, and it encompasses 32 Embera communities. The territory covers 37.6 sq km.

Key programmes

Promotion of cultural identity

As indigenous Embera people, the RCMLP has taken on the historic challenge of strengthening its cultural expression, with the full support and input of its younger generations. Of note is RCMLP's development of artistic and cultural schools, through which it intends to transcend conventional educational institutions and be more fully embedded in the community.

Indigenous Guard

The Indigenous Guard is a body that supports the Reserve's own justice system, as recognised in articles 7, 246 and 330 of the Political Constitution of Colombia. The Guard is a mechanism of social control, a symbol of indigenous resistance and a measure of support in the defence of indigenous territories.

Under the motto "Open Eyes and Awaken Ears", the Guard carries out monitoring activities within the territory with the aim of detecting and preventing actions that could put both the community and its resources at risk. In addition, the Guard provides support in resolving conflicts both within the community, and with external actors.

Natural heritage

Despite a history of colonisation, systematic segregation of the territory, and plundered resources, the Embera community has maintained its ancestral traditions in balance with its relationship with Mother Earth. These practices are being affected by the pursuit of damaging economic activities, which also put pressure on forest areas for cultivation due to the lack of available land.

It is possible for the RCMLP to restore its environment, but to do so it is necessary to raise awareness of the importance of caring for the natural heritage of the territory. The RCMLP is therefore developing an Environmental Management Plan that allows for the recovery, protection and conservation of nature, leading to a healthy environment. In order to achieve this, a strategic plan is being developed with the following themes: Water, adequate management of solid waste, risk management, environmental education, biodiversity, climate change and mining.

Integral Indigenous Health

The RCMLP Health programme is centred on the fact that we are chosen by nature to fight for the defence of our traditional, ancestral principles and strengthening of our spiritual knowledge. Through this programme, we attend to the basic needs of the community, based on the traditional medicine, cosmogony and cosmovision of the Embera people in different fields:

• Training in traditional and Western medicine, recovery and recognition
• Protection of sacred sites and good management of medicinal plants.