American Indian Day: Maká People Demand Titling of Their Ancestral Lands

On April 19th, the Maká people of Paraguay joined the commemoration of American Indian Day by strongly reiterating their long-standing demand for the complete titling of their ancestral territories. This day, established to recognize and uphold the rights of indigenous peoples across the continent, serves as a crucial platform for the Maká to assert their historical claims and cultural significance.

Despite being historically allocated 335 hectares, the Maká community laments that the Paraguayan state has only officially recognized 104 hectares. This discrepancy fuels their ongoing legal and cultural struggle, as they view the full extent of the land as an inalienable right, deeply connected to their heritage and identity as traditional inhabitants of the Chaco Boreal.

The recent construction of the Héroes del Chaco Bridge has further exacerbated their grievances. The project, undertaken without the mandatory prior, free, and informed consultation, has encroached upon sites of profound spiritual importance to the Maká, including their ancestral cemetery and a monument honoring Juan Belaieff, a figure instrumental in their community's establishment. This disregard for their sacred spaces underscores a persistent pattern of marginalization and a failure to respect indigenous rights, even as they seek to revitalize their community and return to their ancestral lands.

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the recognition of the territory is the basis for preserving our culture and we will not accept changes or exchanges, because we see in that soil a legacy of incalculable value.