9.1 Indigenous Movements and Ethnic Politics

Indigenous movements in Latin America have fought against centuries of oppression and discrimination. From land rights to cultural autonomy, these groups have used various strategies to assert their identities and demand recognition.

These movements have reshaped politics in many countries, achieving constitutional recognition and legal reforms. However, challenges persist, including ongoing land conflicts and political violence against indigenous leaders.

Indigenous Movements in Latin America

Historical Context of Indigenous Struggles

Top images from around the web for Historical Context of Indigenous Struggles

• 

  File:Frederick William Woodhouse - The first settlers discover Buckley, 1861.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Remember/Resist/Redraw #20: National Parks, Colonial Dispossession, and Indigenous Resilience ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Indigenous Struggle and the Fight for Socialism: Revolution, Not Reconciliation! – Orinoco ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Frederick William Woodhouse - The first settlers discover Buckley, 1861.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Remember/Resist/Redraw #20: National Parks, Colonial Dispossession, and Indigenous Resilience ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Historical Context of Indigenous Struggles

• 

  File:Frederick William Woodhouse - The first settlers discover Buckley, 1861.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Remember/Resist/Redraw #20: National Parks, Colonial Dispossession, and Indigenous Resilience ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Indigenous Struggle and the Fight for Socialism: Revolution, Not Reconciliation! – Orinoco ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Frederick William Woodhouse - The first settlers discover Buckley, 1861.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Remember/Resist/Redraw #20: National Parks, Colonial Dispossession, and Indigenous Resilience ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Indigenous peoples in Latin America have faced centuries of colonization, discrimination, land dispossession, and cultural suppression since the arrival of European colonizers in the 15th century
• The formation of nation-states in Latin America in the 19th century often excluded indigenous peoples from full citizenship rights and political participation
• Agrarian reforms and modernization policies in the 20th century frequently resulted in further land loss and economic marginalization for indigenous communities

Emergence of Indigenous Rights Discourse

• The emergence of international human rights norms and discourses in the late 20th century provided new opportunities for indigenous peoples to assert their rights and identities
• Factors driving contemporary indigenous movements include struggles for land rights, cultural autonomy, political representation, and resistance to extractive industries (mining, logging) and development projects (dams, highways)

Strategies of Indigenous Groups

Grassroots Organizing and Mass Mobilization

• Indigenous movements have engaged in a range of strategies, including grassroots organizing, mass mobilizations, legal challenges, and participation in electoral politics
• Indigenous groups have often formed alliances with other social movements, such as peasant organizations (landless workers' movements), labor unions, and environmental groups (conservation NGOs)

Engagement with National and International Institutions

• The formation of indigenous political parties and electoral campaigns has been a key strategy in some countries, such as Bolivia (Movement for Socialism) and Ecuador (Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement)
• The use of international forums, such as the United Nations (Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues) and the Inter-American human rights system (Inter-American Court of Human Rights), has been an important tactic for indigenous groups to gain visibility and support for their causes

Cultural and Symbolic Strategies

• Indigenous movements have employed cultural and symbolic strategies, such as the revitalization of indigenous languages (Quechua, Aymara), dress (traditional textiles), and spiritual practices (shamanism, earth-based ceremonies), to assert their distinct identities and resist assimilation

Impact of Indigenous Movements

Constitutional Recognition and Legal Reforms

• Indigenous movements have succeeded in achieving constitutional recognition of indigenous rights and identities in several Latin American countries, such as Bolivia (2009 constitution), Ecuador (2008 constitution), and Mexico (2001 constitutional reform)
• The assertion of indigenous cultural rights has led to the incorporation of indigenous languages and knowledge systems into national education policies (bilingual intercultural education) and the recognition of indigenous customary law (community justice systems) in some countries

Political Representation and Electoral Participation

• The mobilization of indigenous voters and the formation of indigenous political parties have reshaped electoral politics in some countries, leading to the election of indigenous representatives (Evo Morales in Bolivia) and the inclusion of indigenous demands in national policy agendas
• Despite these gains, indigenous peoples continue to face significant challenges, including ongoing land conflicts, political violence (assassinations of indigenous leaders), and the implementation gap between legal recognition and actual practice

Land Rights and Territorial Autonomy

• Indigenous movements have pushed for the creation of autonomous territories and the recognition of collective land rights, leading to the titling of millions of hectares of land to indigenous communities
• Examples include the recognition of Indigenous Territories (TIOCs) in Bolivia, the creation of Autonomous Regions in Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast, and the demarcation of Indigenous Lands (TIs) in Brazil

Indigenous Groups: Comparisons

Demographic and Political Differences

• The size and demographic weight of indigenous populations vary significantly across Latin American countries, from a majority in Bolivia (62% in 2012 census) to small minorities in Brazil (0.5%) and Argentina (2.4%)
• The degree of political organization and mobilization of indigenous movements differs across countries, with some groups achieving significant national influence (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador - CONAIE) while others remain marginalized (Mapuche in Chile, despite representing 9% of population)

Strategies and State Relations

• The relationship between indigenous movements and the state varies, with some groups engaging in armed struggle (Zapatista Army of National Liberation in Mexico) while others pursue electoral or legal strategies (Nasa people's Indigenous Authorities movement in Colombia)

Intersectionality and Transnational Dimensions

• The intersection of indigenous identities with other social cleavages, such as class (peasant or working-class backgrounds), gender (indigenous women's movements), and region (Andean highlands vs. Amazonian lowlands), shapes the priorities and strategies of different indigenous movements
• The transnational dimension of indigenous rights activism has fostered the exchange of experiences and solidarity among indigenous groups across borders (Pan-Amazonian coordination), but has also generated tensions and debates around issues of authenticity and representation (who speaks for indigenous peoples in international forums)