The Huaorani were the last indigenous people of the Ecuadorian Amazon to be contacted by the outside world. They have a reputation, both inside and outside the Ecuadorian Amazon, for being a fiercely independent people who will resort to violence to defend their territory, and they are proud of their reputation for never being conquered.

In 1956, the Huaorani speared five missionaries to death from the Summer Institute of Linguistics in the United States who were on their way to evangelise the Huaorani. Some sub-groups such as the Tagaeri and Taromenane have moved deeper into the forests to avoid all contact with the outside world.

Since the outside world came into contact with the Huaorani, they have battled for their lives, culture and territory. Outsiders brought diseases with them that the Huaorani had no immunity to, causing hundreds of deaths.

The Huaorani territory is also home to some of Ecuador's biggest oil deposits. Since the discovery of oil, the Huaorani have had to deal with development by oil companies and the associated impact to their land and community.

In 1990, the Huaorani formed the Organisation of the Huaorani Nation of the Ecuadorian Amazon (ONHAE) to defend their interests. In 1995, they made international news by taking non-violent direct action and seizing oil wells belonging to the American company Maxus, in a dispute over previous agreements between the oil company and the Huaorani.

The Huaorani are now looking at alternatives such as ecotourism to safeguard their future. Change has been forced upon the Huaorani but they know now they must adapt to the new order or perish.