Between oil and tourism – huaorani youth’s plans for the future

Abstract

This paper explores the occupational plans and prospects of Huaorani youth living in one of the most remote settlements in eastern Ecuador. A qualitative methodology was applied to assess how Indigenous young people negotiate their future and employment prospects. Our study demonstrates that youth living in the settlement studied do not plan to move to the city, but intend to lead a moderately traditional life while working in local tourism initiatives.