Huicholes Win Court Injunction Suspending All Mining in Sacred Territory Angelica Enciso L. - La Jornada
go to original September 15, 2013

HUICHOLES: THE LAST PEYOTE GUARDIANS is a story about the mystical Wixárika People, one of the last pre-Hispanic alive cultures in Latin America, and their ongoing struggle against the Mexican government and multinational mining corporations to preserve Wirikuta, their most sacred territory and home of the famous peyote cactus. (HuicholesFilm)

In a decision that will set precedent for recognizing the spiritual rights of an indigenous people, the Wixárika (named Huicholes by the Spanish) obtained the suspension of mining authorizations awarded to Canadian corporations and to Frisco in the region of Wirikuta, their holy land. Representatives of the Regional Wixárika Board for the Defense of Wirikuta confirmed the suspension decision from the district court of San Luis Potosí.

In a press conference they explained that with this judicial resolution things are to be maintained as is; the corporations will not be able to realize explorative nor exploitative activities until the heart of the issue is resolved, now that the authorities should not give any type of permission.

The document also indicates that “all authorities are obligated to insure ample protection of fundamental rights” with respect to the people and communities, that includes “the preservation of the elements that constitute their culture and identity.”

Read the rest at Mexico Voices

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