“I’m a Lake Titicaca Woman” is one of the many great songs played at the annual COPY LA concert in January. It is sung by Amy Waterman, who is an indigenous rights organizer and a member of the Lakota tribe. She is best known for her performances at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota as well as at other solidarity actions and drumming sessions.
An Overview
The title of the song seems to suggest that we are all lake people. That is true. We live on a lake and it is where we survive. However, our government and mainstream media often deny the existence of other Native tribes living in the area where we are located. That is unfortunate because there is more than one kind of native people in the Great Plains.
The title of the song, “I’m a Lake Titicaca Woman,” takes on two significant meanings for us. First, it implies that we need to find and express ourselves in a positive way. We must reclaim our honor and dignity as we move forward into adulthood. Second, it suggests that we have a responsibility to understand our place in the world and that we must work to protect it.
One can only guess what goes on in some of those remote, poor, and forgotten Indian reservations. It appears, however, that Lake Titicaca and its inhabitants–indigenous or not–have been left out of many of the celebrations and programs planned by various governments and institutions. Even when they do attend such events, most are only shown the stage set for a special presentation or photo opportunity and asked to stand or sit down in the spotlight. What a shame!
Main Components
Music, dance, and spirit are all important components of life. That is why we have celebrated, ignored and ridiculed those Native American groups that failed to live up to our expectations through the years. That is why we have continued to send representatives to Indian ceremonies only to find that they are wasted on empty promises.
There is a story behind the creation of this popular drinking song. It is a sad story of pain and misunderstanding. On the surface, at least, there appears to be agreement between the United States and Mexico on the desirability of Lake Titicaca (which is what it is called). But deeper below the surface is a tension that has been building for years. It is a tension that has reached a breaking point.
The reason the song mentions that the waters of the lake belong to Mexico is that it is part of Mexico. But why does the United States want a piece of that water? Is it that the area is American soil, which Mexico would surely reject? Why does the United States propose drilling for hydro-electrical energy in the lakebed and is that a violation of international law?
Recently, there was an attempt by the government of Mexico to build a hydro-electric plant in the area. The plan was blocked by various groups, whose members believe that the lake belongs to Mexico. Last week, President Felipe Calderon declared that if the project was approved, Mexico would not accept “an act of aggression” against the United States. Wow. I sure did not know that the lake was American land, or that the United States was trying to claim it for hydro-electrical purposes!
The History
I listened to a news bulletin on Fox News, which reported that a group of rare fish had been discovered in the lake. The fish migrate to the warmer waters as they mature, and the scientists believe that these fish mated with the local inhabitants over the past several years. Therefore, when the waters were warm, these fish had a place to live. However, when the waters started to get colder, they were forced to migrate to the warmer waters.
It appears that this is the reason that Lake Titicaca has such a slow growing population of migratory birds. One of the songs they sing when migrating is called “Isla Mujeres,” and according to the bird’s groups, these birds actually migrate to the lake to mate and to raise their young. This would mean that the slow growth rate of the lake’s fish population also contributed to the song.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it appears that the birds have a natural attraction to the Titicaca lake and that this is why they are seen so often together in its shallow water. However, there is also a secondary explanation for why the birds visit the lake, namely that the warm water keeps the fish warm. Also, it appears that the fish migration may help to keep the lake’s oxygen supply high. As you can see, there are a lot of conflicting theories regarding why the migration of birds into the lake occurs, but all theories agree on one thing – that human interference, especially the construction of man made islands and settlements near the water, has caused the decline of the lake’s fish populations. The reduction in the oxygen levels of Lake Titicaca and its dramatic decline in fish populations has resulted in the death of many migratory birds.
