Brendan’s comparative research explores the struggle of indigenous peoples’ of the Predio Putumayo in Colombia for protection from and justice for the impacts of extractive industry activities during the rubber boom in the early 1900s and today. His research is multidisciplinary intersecting genocide, human rights, anthropology, history, social psychology and digital media studies. It’s a story of genocide, resilience, reconciliation and the role of indigenous peoples’ own laws and cultural practices in their revival as peoples. It is also the story of the Irish humanitarian Roger Casement who travelled to the region in 1910 to investigate the activities of the British Registered Peruvian Amazon Company (PAC), and his continuing significance for the peoples of the region today.

Research is being carried out at the Moore Institute under the supervision of Dr. Sean Crosson of the Huston School of Film and Digital Media. Professor William Schabas at the Irish Centre of Human Rights is providing guidance on human rights, genocide and international criminal law. The project proposal was developed in conjunction with the Bora, Huitoto, Muinane and Ocaina peoples of the Rio Igaraparana in the Predio Putumayo, Amazonas, their local government AZICATCH and the Casa de Conocimiento their secondary school. The project includes a secondment at the Forest Peoples Program and collaboration with International NGO’s Picture People and WITNESS in digital storytelling training. Research also benefits from the support of the Departments of Anthropology at Maynooth University, Universidad de los Andes and Universidad Nacional de Colombia.