Mexico Promises to Protect Huichol Indian Lands Associated Press
go to original May 25, 2012

In this photo taken on Monday Feb. 6, 2012, Huichol Indians gather at the sacred Cerro del Quemado, or the Burned Mountain, on the Wirikuta reserve near Real de Catorce, Mexico. The Huichol Indians made the seven day walk as part of an annual pilgrimage to the site they consider the center of the universe and where the sun was born. This year they are asking their deities to guide them as they try to stop a $100 million mining project that is part of a mining concession granted to Canada-based First Majestic Silver Corp. The reserve is one of UNESCO's World Network of Natural Sacred Sites and the Huichols beleive the project would devastate their cultural and religious heritage. (AP)

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s government says it will protect a half-million acres held sacred by the Huichol Indian tribe that inspired a protest movement against a Canadian company’s silver-mining concessions in the northern desert.

First Majestic Silver Corp. is giving up concessions in the area, and the government says it will not authorize new mining permits there.

Huichol Indians received backing from a wide variety of Mexican artists, intellectuals and civic groups objecting to mining in the area known as Wirikuta. A protest concert was scheduled for Saturday in Mexico City.

The area involved is home to the Cerro Quemado, a mountain where the Huichol believe the sun was born. The Huichol still conduct ceremonies and make an annual pilgrimage to the Wirikuta reserve near the town of Real de Catorce.

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