Land rights for indigenous communities are central to the struggle for autonomy, cultural identity, and environmental preservation. Despite international legal frameworks protecting their territories, these communities face dispossession, violence, and the expansion of extractivist projects. This document explores the relationship between territory and culture, current conflicts, resistance movements, and the role of art in making these issues visible.
Indigenous communities view land not merely as an economic resource, but as a space for life, spirituality, and collective memory. In many instances, their territories have been occupied or expropriated by states and corporations, triggering socio-environmental conflicts and forced displacement. This study analyzes the current situation and the forms of resistance that have emerged to defend the right to land.
The right to land for indigenous communities is grounded in various international treaties and declarations, such as:
Despite these regulatory frameworks, the enforcement of these rights remains limited due to political and economic interests.
Communities face the expropriation of their lands due to the expansion of mining projects, agribusiness, hydroelectric plants, and urbanization. A prime example is the conflict of the Yaqui people in Mexico, who have been displaced for the construction of aqueducts and industrial projects.
The exploitation of natural resources, such as mining and deforestation, severely impacts community ecosystems. In the Amazon, indigenous peoples have resisted deforestation caused by the expansion of the cattle and oil industries.