Overview of the Colombian indigenous movement

Abstract

1. INTRODUCTION This essay examines the emergence of Colombia’s indigenous people as a political force, focusing in particular on the unequal relationship between indigenous communities (pueblos) and the state, as well as the effects of the half-century of violence. I first provide some general information about the pueblos and a brief history of indigenous organizing. A summary of changes brought about by the Asamblea Nacional Constituyente (ANC), and the Constitución Política of 1991 follows. I then provide a short overview of the Constitution’s successes and failures with respect to indigenous concerns, a brief comment on language loss, and, finally, Discussion and Conclusions.