Defense of Territory
We support the rights of Indigenous people in regards to access to land and determination over their territories including Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. Our efforts focus on supporting communities defending their territories, natural resources and livelihoods in the face of mining and other extractivist industries. We echo our Guatemalan partners who see the defense of ancestral and Indigenous language, culture, historic memory, as well as individual and collective bodies as an important continuation of the defense of territory.
Some subthemes in this area include support of communities impacted by Canadian mining companies and other extractive industries; food sovereignty; land access; and support for criminalized land defenders.
Related posts about defense of territory
Where development and genocide go hand in bloody hand
Seven lay catechists and three priests murdered four decades ago in Quiché were beatified by the Roman Catholic Church on April 21, 2021. Among them was Fr. Juan Alonso (right), a Spanish missionary priest who served the parish in Lancetillo. Second in a series by Jim Hodgson Read [...]
Seventy years after land reform promise, Indigenous Guatemalans struggle for land rights
President Arbenz achieves: ‘Farmer, here is your land. Defend it, care for it, cultivate it.’” (C.P.R. Urbana from LIFE magazine). President Jacobo Arbenz (Cubadebate). Bitter Fruit tells the story of the 1954 coup. Tanks in front of the National Palace after the coup (TeleSUR). Seventy years after land reform promise, [...]
And the 7th Topacio Reynoso Pacheco Award Goes to…
We are very excited to announce the recipients of the 7th Topacio Reynoso Pacheco Award!Since 2016, this award has recognized and supported the efforts of youth groups in Guatemala using art to defend their territory and protect the environment. This award was created to honour the memory, life, and legacy [...]
The Trial against María Cuc Choc, Criminalized Q’eqchi’ Land Defender from Estor, Izabal Begins
By Laura Robinson and María Reyes The court room in Puerto Barrios where Maria Cuc Choc's trial was held. Photo Credits: Laura Robinson On April 21st, 2022, BTS accompanied María Cuc Choc, who for the past 16 years has dedicated her life to defending the land and [...]
The Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute Presents the Biodiversity and Ancestral Knowledge Law
IMAP joins with organizations representing Indigenous Peoples from across Guatemala to present the Biodiversity and Ancestral Knowledge Law before Congress in the National Capital Photo Credits: Imap Guatemala Originally Written by the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute Translated by Martha Schmitz Organizations representing Indigenous peoples in Guatemala will present the [...]
Meeting with IMAP & CCDA, March 2022
Last week we visited Lake Atitlan and two of BTS’s partners, the Mesoamerican Institute for Permaculture (IMAP) and the Highland Small Farmers Committee (CCDA). During the visit, we had the chance to sit, connect over cups of Cafe Justicia, and discuss recent success and challenges with both IMAP and [...]