Indigenous people expect continued support from new government in Mexico

MEXICO CITY (EFE).— The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was celebrated yesterday with a large parade through the streets of the Mexican capital, on a day marked by the debate on the constitutional reform of indigenous rights defended by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his successor, Claudia Sheinbaum.

Wearing colourful traditional costumes and playing music to celebrate their day, different indigenous communities came to Mexico City from all corners of the country to show off their customs and proudly spread their cultures.

The parade started at the Angel of Independence and from there to the Zócalo, and became a striking human river of great animosity in which children and adults, women and men alike participated, watched with admiration by hundreds of curious spectators from the sidewalks.

“Today we are reclaiming the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, considered by the UN as an important day to honor the roots of where we come from,” explained Ana Vadillo Tapia, representative of the indigenous people of San Juan Ixtayopan, who performed music from a Sinaloa band.

There was no shortage of dances and costumes such as the catrina, “proudly Mexican,” as Esmeralda Cortés, representative of the “regional Catrinas,” boasted.

“We are demanding less discrimination for people who belong to indigenous communities, that is the idea of ​​this event,” said Esmeralda about the demands of an event that has been taking place in the streets of the capital for 15 years.

Edgar, dressed in beautiful feathers and with paint covering his body, spoke about his participation in the festival. “We perform pre-Hispanic dance and it is a way to ensure that our traditions are not lost,” he said.

“They knew more…”

He also stressed the importance of celebrations like this, since in the past “foreigners knew more about traditions than we did,” something they are trying to reverse through events like yesterday’s.

While this was happening on the street, the National Assembly of Indigenous Peoples was taking place at the Expo Reforma Hotel, where the celebration, although different, was no less.

And while the presentations were taking place, where leaders and representatives of the indigenous communities discussed political issues to improve the life and representation of their peoples, the favorable result of the debate in Congress on the constitutional reform on indigenous rights presented in February by López Obrador was announced.

Amid praise for the president and cheers for the president-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum, the director of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), Adelfo Regino, highlighted: “I am sure that this path that has been started will continue,” referring to the transition in power that will culminate with the inauguration of Claudia Sheinbaum as president on October 1.

During the meeting, major projects were highlighted, which indigenous communities hope will continue to develop under the new government.

These include plans for justice and development, which aim to provide recognition and historical reparation to indigenous peoples by the Mexican state, as well as the comprehensive development of communities and the protection of their cultural heritage.

Likewise, the promotion of the paving of artisanal paths, the dissemination of indigenous languages ​​and the preservation of sacred sites for native communities.

Indigenous Reform Opinion

Former opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez says that the indigenous reform does not address priority issues for the sector.

Unfavorable points

He says that the reform on indigenous peoples that legislators are discussing in the Chamber of Deputies lacks some points in favor of the communities, and one of them is access to public resources to guarantee the full exercise of their rights.

With progress, but…

“The reform certainly has made progress, but the proposal does not address the following issues: access to public resources, recognition of indigenous authorities as equals to other authorities, and the right to political representation in Congress,” among others.

Related