The Union of Indigenous Communities of Pilcomayo (UCOP) has started the Third March of Indigenous Communities from Tartagal to Salta capital. This joint effort aims to demand an intercultural dialogue with Governor Gustavo Sáenz and to convey the communities' demands to the provincial government.
According to UCOP, this mobilization is crucial to unify the indigenous peoples of Tartagal, Embarcación, Pichanal, and other departments in a joint claim to the government. Participants in the march, who have already covered more than 400 km under high temperatures and an orange alert for rain along Route 34, include elderly people and children.
During the march, wiphalas and the Argentine flag have been seen as symbols of belonging and resistance. The fundamental message is to remind society, particularly those who practice racist foreignization, that indigenous communities are pre-existing in Argentina and that, therefore, their constitutional rights must be respected.
Simultaneously with this mobilization, a protest day was held in Salta capital with an indigenous march towards the government house and the Legislature against deforestation and evictions affecting the communities. The third march has managed to gather representatives from the Wichi, Guaraní, Tapiete, Chorote, Coya, and Toba Peoples from different departments in northern Salta, hoping to gain more support on their way to the capital.
"Olhamelh yhachajho ta ot'aschencha ta o'oyhe niyhat," which means in Wichi "we all unite and walk in search of our rights," is the motto that inspires the participants of this journey. The initiative began on January 27 from Tartagal and is expected to culminate with the delivery of the indigenous communities' demands directly to the provincial government in Salta.
