Wixárika community takes back financial autonomy in historic vote
By Angelica Almazan, Tracy L. Barnett, Esperanza Project
After four years of struggle, the Wixárika community of San Sebastián Teponahuaxtlán in Mezquitic, Jalisco, will directly receive federal resources to manage amongst themselves without the intervention of local officials or political parties.
Sacred Earth: Gathering the voices of the protectors of Amerikua
By Tracy L. Barnett, Esperanza Project
The different speakers in the Sacred Earth series are deeply active and involved in addressing many of these issues and thus have an important message to share regarding the way that their culture, and indigenous culture in general, play a key role in generating solutions to environmental collapse.
Mexican Village Sets International Precedent in Water Conflict Resolution
By Tracy L. Barnett, Esperanza Project
After nearly 17 years of creative resistance and six visits from the man who is now Mexico’s president – three of them in recent months — the tiny colonial town of Temacapulín has become a model in the resolution of water-related conflicts.
The body as territory: The Arhuacos: A message from the Mamos, the prophets of the Sierra Nevada
By Tracy L. Barnett, Hernán Vilchez, Esperanza Project
As Mamo Camilo Izquierdo said, “The destruction of nature produces illness from the diseases that we see today.” The wellness of all beings — including the living water that springs from the earth — is essential for our own well-being.
The body as territory: The Misaks: Balance and harmony as medicine
By Tracy L. Barnett, Hernán Vilchez, Esperanza Project
Balance and harmony are so fundamental for the Misak people’s way of life that they are willing to go to the streets to fight for it, if necessary – but always peacefully, and with their face masks firmly in place.
The body as territory: The Kamëntšá Biyá: Land use planning in defense of the sacred
By Tracy L. Barnett, Hernán Vilchez, Esperanza Project
In this transmedia series, we will enter three very different emblematic indigenous communities in Colombia through the eyes of three different indigenous reporters — a journalist and two filmmakers— to tell their stories of community resilience.
Mexican President Offers Temaca a Compromise: A Shorter El Zapotillo Dam
By Tracy L. Barnett, Earth Island Journal
Obrador’s touted Fourth Transformation must include a balance between city and countryside, and a movement from the rapidly growing and unsustainable megacities back to the land. And megadams like El Zapotillo must become a thing of the past...
Defending the Birthplace of the Sun
By Tracy L. Barnett, Esperanza Project
It was the native Wixárika people—better known internationally by their Spanish name, the Huicholes—who galvanized a global movement with their call for help.