Torimbo where they nominated their own native leaders. This nomination was ratified by the Indigenous Sentence through the exercise of the Justice System in the Community of the Jandiayacu, with the participation of the Sápara elders who served as judges. This sentence was recognized by CONAIE and CONFENIAE, the Sápara's own government, in addition to CODENPE, the Council of Development of the nationalities and peoples of Ecuador. The Ecuadorian government however, through the Secretary of Political Management, is now pressuring CODENPE to not recognize this Indigenous Sápara Sentence. Critics believe that in order to exploit oil blocks 79 and 83, part of the Sápara territory, the Ecuadorian government is committing the offense of contempt towards indigenous justice (Article 171 of the Constitution of the Republic amongst others). Films Talking with Fish and Birds – The Záparo Indians in the Ecuadorian Jungle, documentary, a film by Rainer Simon (1985 Golden Bear at the International Berlin Film Festival and GDR critics' award for the feature film "THE WOMAN AND THE STRANGER"), Director of Photography: Frank Sputh, Germany 1999, 43 minutes, A Simon/Sputh-Production The Last Guardians, Social & environmental documentary, by "Tierra Productions" (Joe Tucker, Adam Punzano), 44 minutes, The Last Guardians offers a unique insight into the way that indigenous people live and see the world, and also a warning of what the world stands to lose if their rights and beliefs are not respected. The film tells the story of two tribes in the Ecuadorian Amazon as they struggle to preserve their culture and way of life against the encroachment of oil companies. Shot with the Sapara and Kichwa Nations, their messages resonate strongly in our era of climate crisis and environmental degradation, adding to the rising tide of awareness on the great value of indigenous knowledge at this time for the global community. Videos A Message of Bartolo Alejandro Ushigua Santi – a former president of the Sápara Nation of Ecuador – in Spanish with the title “Becario Zapara ONU 2007 – Ecuador” you can find in YouTube, June 2007, 2 minutes. A Message of Manari Kaji Ushigua Santi, son of Bartolo Alejandro Ushigua Santi – the current (2016) president of the Sápara Nation of Ecuador – in Spanish, subtitled in English, with the title "Sapara leader Manari speaks from the Ecuadorian Amazon 22.02.2106” you can find on YouTube, February 2016, 4 minutes, Author Susannah Darling Khan. References External links