What does "territory recovery" mean?

What are territory repossessions? The recoveries by the different indigenous peoples are not limited to recovering "farms" or "parcels" of land, it is based on the recovery of their own indigenous territory, which implies the recovery of identity, knowledge, spirituality, practices cultural and human rights.

The land is the essence of indigenous peoples, without it, they are destined to disappear. Everything that exists on this earth is a being, and must be respected. It is not defended because the Indigenous Law exists, it is defended because the land "is part of us and we are part of it." Hence the importance of understanding what the territory means. It is based on the existence of a sense of belonging, an identification with the space, and, therefore, an appropriation to develop practices linked to their own worldviews.

What does land reclamation represent? There is a territorial conflict around these lands caused by the invasion of non-indigenous people and by the lack of political will on the part of the State and its institutions that do not apply the law. These lands, historically belong to the indigenous societies, but due to the inaction of the State to enforce the law, the indigenous people have decided to apply the recoveries by law and fact, the land recoveries are a decision that represents self-determination on the part of the indigenous peoples. If it does not resist and does not recover, the towns are doomed to disappear. In addition. It is recovered for a matter of identity and dignity, defending the autonomy of indigenous peoples and guaranteeing food security.

In this way, land recuperation signifies a process of re-territorialization that implies the consolidation of social relations, the re-appropriation of the symbolic-material elements of the territory, and freedom of transit or mobility and organization. This freedom allows spirituality to be palpable, strengthening the identity of indigenous peoples with their lands.

What is the role of the State in recoveries? The lack of political will to defend indigenous peoples and their rights is not a present situation, but a long-standing legacy. Power relations with indigenous peoples have not changed in any way to benefit these ancient peoples.

The State has been in charge of criminalizing indigenous groups, in addition of leaving the murders of Mapuche community members unpunished. Despite the existence of legislation to provide sovereignty and rights to indigenous peoples, there is no political will. Although a tragic degree of violence has been generated by the recoveries, the violence has been generated for years and "every time the indigenous peoples want to exercise their rights."

To guarantee autonomy, the indigenous peoples have advocated for their own organization, where the use of common goods, as well as the decisions of ordering and use of the territory, are decided by and from the communities themselves.