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OBREGON, Mexico - Yaqui from Sonora, Mexico, are seeing an increase in birth

Defects, while young people are dying from cancer after working without

Protective clothing with pesticides in agricultural fields near their

villages.

Francisco Villegas Paredes, Yaqui from Vicam village, said doctors have

Confirmed that the birth defects and cancers are the result of Yaquis

working in

Fields where these dangerous pesticides and chemicals - which have been

banned

In other countries - are being used by farmers who lease Yaqui lands

primarily

For wheat and corn crops.

Describing the deformities of a 9-year-old child who sleeps face-down

because of

A bone growth on his spine, Paredes said, ''It would make you so sad to see

These Yaqui children.''

Pointing out that most of these pesticides and chemical fertilizers are

banned

In the United States, Canada and Europe, Paredes said the government of

Mexico

Is allowing dangerous pesticides and chemicals to be imported and used in

Mexico

Without warnings.

''Mexico knows these toxic chemicals are banned, but allows other countries

to

Come in and violate the laws,'' Paredes told Indian Country Today, speaking

Through a translator.

''In Mexico, there are no strict regulations or environmental laws to

protect

The people. The chemicals imported into Mexico should have warning signs on

Them. The farmers should inform the workers that these chemicals are

dangerous

And they should supply the workers with gloves, masks and protective

clothing.''

de Los Angeles Verdia Matus, from Potom village, said four Yaqui

youths

From her village died during the past five years from working with the

Pesticides without wearing protective clothing or masks.

The youths worked in the fields at home spraying pesticides on weekends and

Vacations from their studies at the universities in Obregon and Hermosillo.

When doctors confirmed that the brain tumors and cancers of these youths

were

Caused from the chemicals used in the fields, Yaqui communities began take

Action.

Struggling to find strength and support, Paredes and Matus attended the 2006

International Indian Treaty Council Conference at the Independent

Traditional

Seminole Nation in Okeechobee, Fla., the second week of February.

Matus said, ''All of this time, we thought we were alone and we felt we

couldn't

Continue to struggle alone. But I saw that so many Indian people have the

same

Problems and some people came with problems worse than ours.''

Worldwide, she said indigenous are struggling for their land rights. ''We

Thought we were the only ones fighting for our territory, but we found out

that

Indigenous people are fighting for their territory all over the world.''

Around the world, indigenous are being exposed to dangerous pesticides which

Contaminate the air and waters. Those pesticides migrate and penetrate the

food

Chain, causing cancer, birth defects and other health problems, according to

the

International Indian Treaty Council.

The United States, Canada and Europe continue to allow the production and

Exportation of various toxic chemicals, including some prohibited in their

own

Countries, to Mexico, Guatemala and other countries.

Pesticides, chemical fertilizers and other man-made poisons are used

Increasingly on crops where indigenous people work. Between 1996 and 2000,

the

United States exported 1.1 billion pounds of pesticides, that is, 16 tons

per

Hour, that were identified as suspected carcinogens, according to the IITC.

Calling for intervention by the United Nations, IITC is pressing for new

Policies that would prohibit countries from exporting toxins known to be

Dangerous in their own countries. Also, IITC is calling on governments to

take

Into account the disproportionate impact of pesticides and toxins on

indigenous

Peoples.

IITC supported the North/South Indigenous Network Against Pesticides and

passed

A resolution at the anniversary of the IITC hosted by the Confederacy of

Treaty

6 First Nations at Ermineskin Cree Nation in Alberta in August of 2005.

Denouncing the North American Free Trade Agreement and other multi-lateral

trade

Agreements, IITC said the push for free and fast trade has increased the

abuse

Of indigenous peoples.

''The use of pesticides in agriculture contributes negatively to climate

change.

The farmers have been encouraged by governments and free trade agreements to

Over-fish, over-farm and use an excessive amount of chemicals in order to

Over-produce goods,'' IITC said.

Persistent organic pollutants bioaccumulate in humans, disperse in the

Environment and contaminate foods, especially dairy products, meats and

breast

Milk.

Among the threats is ne, a highly toxic POP. In North America, ne

is a

Treatment for agricultural food crops and used for head lice and scabies.

Worldwide, indigenous people are suffering from mercury emissions,

industrial

Pollutants and other toxins as they work and live in areas where their own

Governments have ignored their basic human rights, according to IITC.