EN
This article tries to answer the question of whether or not Amerindian teachers as well as organisations’ leaders can be considered contemporary elites of Amazonian peoples. This issue is analysed through the examples of two Amerindian groups, the E’ñepá of Venezuela and the Matsigenka of Peru. They are examined on the basis of developmental programmes, opinions of the Amerindians concerned, as well as their social practices. The conclusion is that in the case of both groups, despite their different socio-cultural situations, the Amerindian teachers and organisations’ leaders constitute seeming elites for they are only perceived as such by representatives of nation-states.The analysis reveals that interpersonal relations during the transport to the USSR had various character. Such factors as: love, sympathy, solidarity, esteem, devotion and sense of mutual misfortune forced people to help and to support each other. On the other hand, bad living conditions in over-populated cattle carriages, the lack of personal, intimate space, constant and unwanted contact with others – made people feel traumatic and stressful.