Indigenous Terra Madre 2020 – Pueblos de America, Mexico
Indigenous Terra Madre Pueblos de América took place from February 21 to 24, 2020, in the Nahua indigenous community of Tlaola (Puebla – Mexico). It was the first Slow Food meeting of indigenous peoples of the American continent. The central theme of the event will be the role of indigenous women and youth in the protection of traditional food systems.
The event was organized by the Nahuas women and youth who safeguard the Slow Food Ark of Taste of the Serrano de Tlaola Chile, (created in 2016 to preserve the native seed of the Serrano Chile and achieve recognition for the indigenous women’s role in peasant labor), together with the Network of Tlaola indigenous women’s organizations (created to develop productive projects that improve the living conditions of women), alongside the Slow Food Mexico, the Indigenous Terra Madre network and Slow Food.
“Indigenous women live in a constant struggle to be recognized as possessors of great knowledge and traditions, in our hands it is protected the earth, seeds and history, when we cook, sow and harvest, we share all these treasures through the food that our grandmothers taught us and in each season a Good, Clean and Fair Ancestral Flavor is protected. ” said Dalí Nolasco, Terra Madre Indigenous Network Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, as she emphasizes on the importance of women hosting this event.
80% of the most biodiverse places on Earth are found within Indigenous peoples’ territories, a figure that has shown their importance in safeguarding life on the planet to the international community. From a holistic perspective, Indigenous Peoples’ food systems can provide answers to global issues such as climate change and food sovereignty. Latin America alone has 40% of the Earth’s biodiversity and indigenous peoples make up 8 to 10% of its population. Unfortunately, this role of life protectors is threatened by several factors such as migration due to lack of opportunities, cultural assimilation, land grabbing and violence against Mother Earth protectors.
The meeting brought together more than 60 delegates from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and the USA.
The event started with a public conference with cultural activities and forums on the rights of indigenous peoples, and protection of their territories; seed conservation, biodiversity and resilience to climate change; and the safeguard of traditional knowledge.
After the first day, indigenous youth took a comprehensive four days training process, with the aim of strengthening the Terra Madre Indigenous network (ITM) in America and the leadership abilities of young people for the defense and promotion of food heritage.
During the meeting, participants created an Action Plan for the continent, and committed to implement it when they return to their communities.