Regaining ownership of their ancestral land: a historic victory for the Siekopai indigenous community in Ecuador
In a long-term legal battle, the Siekopai community, indigenous people of the Ecuadorian Amazon, has just won an important victory. After more than 80 years of exile caused by war, they finally obtained recognition of their property rights to their ancestral territory.
The Ecuadorian appeals court recently ruled in favor of the Siekopai nation in its claim to Pë’këya, an area rich in biodiversity located in northeastern Ecuador, on the border with Peru. This historic decision was issued after a lawsuit filed by the Siekopai community last September against the Ecuadorian state for violating their right to ancestral property.
According to court documents seen by CNN, the Sucumbios Provincial Court gave Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment 45 days to issue a title deed to the Siekopai community for more than 42,000 hectares of land.
“This moment is historic for the Siekopai Nation,” says Elias Piyahuaje, President of the Siekopai Nation of Ecuador. “The land of Pë’këya has always been and always will be ours. For more than 80 years, we have been fighting to get our land back.”
This decision is all the more important as it marks the first time that the Ecuadorian government has issued a property title to an indigenous community whose ancestral territory is in a protected area. This victory opens the way for other indigenous peoples fighting to reclaim their lands in Latin America and around the world.
“We are fighting for the preservation of our culture on this planet. Without this territory, we cannot exist as the Siekopai people,” adds Piyahuaje.
This victory is the result of years of hard fighting by the Siekopai community and the help of the non-profit organization Amazon Frontline, which defends the land rights of indigenous peoples. It demonstrates the importance of protecting the rights of indigenous peoples and providing them with justice after decades of oppression and forced displacement.
By recovering their ancestral land, the Siekopai community will not only be able to preserve their traditional way of life, but also contribute to the preservation of the region’s biodiversity. Their victory is a powerful reminder of the importance of respecting the land rights of indigenous peoples and recognizing their essential role in preserving the environment.