Mexico
There is a strong and vibrant Indigenous identity and Indigenous movement in Mexico. However, Indigenous territories are under constant attack from numerous megaprojects and fierce competition for natural resources that are located in Indigenous lands. The Christensen Fund officially began supporting partners in Mexico through its Northwest Mexico program in 2013, with a focus on the guardians of biocultural diversity in the state of Chihuahua. Now, we work with Indigenous Peoples on a local and national level in the Mexican and Latin American philanthropic spaces.
We are committed to supporting our partners’ efforts to secure Indigenous territories through the following strategies:
Legal defense and strategic litigation: supporting Indigenous-led and long-term processes that involve the creativity of communities, lawyers, experts and allies. Its biggest challenge was, and still is, to be able to endure the length of legal battles. When done, it has been successful. Advocacy: supporting our partners in organizing, connecting, building networks, and strengthening feedback loops among Indigenous Peoples and decision makers, governments, and movements. Strategic communications: to address the clash of narratives between Indigenous worldviews and the Western view of infinite development and endless growth. Indigenous Peoples are not anti-development, but are proposing a different paradigm that does not base “development” on the destruction of nature. Indigenous community-based work: strengthening social tissue and diverse leadership of communities to grow and foster unity and collective power. Security and self care: providing the tools and resources needed by Indigenous Peoples to safely defend their rights. Two-way Indigenous Peoples’ rights education: law enforcers need to know and be able to implement UNDRIP; Indigenous Peoples need to know and be able to exercise their collective rights.
Meet Some of our Mexico Partners
Meet Some of our Mexico Partners
Colectivo Maya Los Chenes is led by Maya Indigenous beekeepers who stood up to Monsanto in the face of impending bee extinction.
Colectivo Maya Los Chenes is led by Maya Indigenous beekeepers who stood up to Monsanto in the face of impending bee extinction.
This Chontal Indigenous Peoples legal defense organization fiercely promotes Indigenous Women’s rights. They are committed to working with women and men from indigenous communities in the collective defense of their territories, supporting their autonomy and respecting the community. Tequio has bravely stood up to mining corporations in their territory.
This Chontal Indigenous Peoples legal defense organization fiercely promotes Indigenous Women’s rights. They are committed to working with women and men from indigenous communities in the collective defense of their territories, supporting their autonomy and respecting the community. Tequio has bravely stood up to mining corporations in their territory.
Awé Tibúame is a Rarámuri Indigenous organization in Sierra Tarahumara, which is facing a group of businessmen who want their territory to make a golf course that faces the Copper Canyon.