Pacari, Nina (1961–)

Ecuadorian politician and indigenous rights activist. Born Maria Estela Vega Conejo, Oct 9, 1961, in Cotacachi, Imbabura, Ecuador; dau. of José Manuel Vega (tradesman) and Rosa Elena Conejo.

Advocate for indigenous self-determination, land rights, preservation of cultural identity, values and language, was one of 1st indigenous persons in Cotacachi to attain higher education and 1st indigenous woman in Ecuador to earn a university degree in jurisprudence; became involved with student movement embracing indigenous roots; changed name to Nina Pacari, which in Quichua (indigenous language) means "light dawn" or dawning of new consciousness; worked with Federation of Indigenous and Country Peoples of Imbabura (FICI); used legal training to work with indigenous communities on land and labor rights as well as social problems; began to press for legal reforms that would recognize indigenous nationalities, officially recognize Quichua language, democratize access to political power and provide indigenous people with land; worked on national level (1989–93), as legal advisor with pan-indigenous Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE); helped coordinate CONAIE-led peasant uprisings (1990, 1994), which paralyzed nation and yielded substantive government consessions for reforms; appointed national executive secretary for planning and development of indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian groups (1997); served 1-year term as representative from province of Chimborazo in National Constituent Assembly, which wrote new constitution that recognizes multicultural and multiethnic nature of Ecuadorian state; was 1st woman elected to Ecuador's National Assembly and served as its vice president (1998–2000); enacted numerous reforms for women, children, adolescents, indigenous peoples, Afro-Ecuadorians, the elderly and disabled; served as national judge (1998–2003); named minister of external relations for Ecuador (2003).