Calls on the Land: South American Indigenous Resistance
In the unyielding landscapes of a continent in South America, a deep fight continues — (a fight both premodern and fighter than everything). Indigenous groups, responsible for the land for thousands of years, are still battling for independence, land rights, and political representation. This struggle takes place in a context of systemic marginalization, corporate invasion, and an unfolding but undeniable awakening of indigenous voices in Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia.
Central to these movements is a deep relationship to the land, not just as resource but as a living, spiritual being entwined in culture and identity. In Bolivia, a country where almost half of the population identifies as indigenous, this connection has helped shape political landscapes. When Evo Morales took office as Bolivia’s first indigenous president in 2006, many saw him as a beacon of hope. His administration had made progress — laws recognizing indigenous territories had finally passed. But his administration was also criticized for not openly responding to grassroots demands, especially when development projects threatened sacred lands.
Ecuador tells a story of the same line — the indigenous threaten to rebel, led by a group called the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE). In 2019 nationwide protests erupted after the government tried to cut fuel subsidies as part of an IMF deal. Indigenous groups took a leading role, mobilizing thousands to Quito in a dramatic display of force. They were demanding things of environmental respect, preservation of communal lands and an end to the extractive practices that multinationals engage in.
Indigenous activism, too, in Colombia, has not been without violence. In places like Cauca, indigenous people protect their lands from armed groups, illegal mining and land grabs. I guess it is a common enough problem for leaders, and some pay the final price for standing up to the powerful interests. As we saw in the case of the Indigenous Guard, which leans only on its ceremonial staffs and little else in their hunt for justice, movements like these continue to exist despite the dangers.
Political representation has been central to the attacks. Indigenous leaders throughout South America are pushing for more than a seat at the table; they want real change. That effort is paying off. For example, Colombia’s 1991 Constitution recognized this autonomy for indigenous territories, which was a milestone in recognizing indigenous rights. Ecuador adopted a plurinational Constitution in 2008 that recognized the cultural coexistence of diverse identities.
But hurdles still exist, and triumphs are frequently tenuous. Governments often juggle Indigenous demands and market pressures, like for oil extraction and mining, which are industries that raise funds but also destroy people’s ancestral lands. Further, divisions in indigenous movements sometimes harm their collective effectiveness, as disparate priorities and approaches rub together.
Still, hope persists. The determination of South America’s Indigenous peoples to protect their heritage, not to be silenced, is a reflection of their strength and fortitude. or against a political commodification of the essence of life there.
As the world struggles with environmental crises and the legacies of colonialism, the struggle for indigenous sovereignty in South America reverberates around the world. Their resistance is not merely a local endeavor of the West; it is a universal demand for justice, sustainability, and respect for the sacred connection between people and the land we inhabit.
