The ruling marks the first time that an Ecuadorean court has ordered the return of land stolen from Indigenous people. On both sides of the border, the Siekopai are currently waging legal battles to recover more than a half-million acres of land that were stolen from their ancestors. The Siekopai’s court victory recognizing Pë’këyamarks a major stepping stone in this binational struggle for the reunification of their ancestral territory. “For over 80 years, we have been fighting to get our land back,” Piyahuaje said. “This groundbreaking precedent paves the way for other Indigenous communities who dream of recovering their territories within protected areas.”

Source: CNN February 01, 2024 13:52 UTC