In 2004, the Sani community located in oil block 12 (Orellana and Sucumbíos provinces), decided to strike against the Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY), which at the time wanted to negotiate access to do seismic, perforation, and oil extraction in Kichwa territory. Sani’s leadership believed OXY’s offer was irrelevant compared to the livelihood changes the community would endure if extraction took place. Thus, the community blocked a few days of access to the Napo River to bring OXY’s officials to the negotiation table.

My collaboration with Sani aims to empower and aid the youth in documenting the story of negotiations between Sani and OXY and its aftermath. For Sani, it meant the community would commit to protecting 40,000 hectares of the forest while running touristic activities as an alternative to extraction. Sani’s youth is working on keeping Sani’s history of resisting extraction alive and motivating the children to continue to fight extraction in the future. This project’s outcome includes publishing a book with Sani’s history for children’s use in the local schools.

For more information about Sani’s touristic initiative the link below will provide further Information: 

https://www.sanilodge.com/