Mexico, a vibrant nation celebrated for its rich culture and history, is also home to a profound and often overlooked treasure: its Indigenous peoples. Comprising 68 distinct groups, each with their own native language and cultural heritage, these communities represent a significant portion of the Mexican population and contribute immensely to the country’s diverse identity. Despite constitutional recognition and international agreements, the Indigenous People Of Mexico continue to face considerable challenges, making their story one that demands attention and understanding.
A Deep Dive into Mexico’s Indigenous Population
Recent data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), along with the National Population Council (CONAPO) and the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC), reveals that over 16.9 million individuals in Mexico identify as indigenous. This figure accounts for approximately 15.1% of the nation’s total population of over 112 million. This substantial demographic underscores the importance of indigenous communities within the fabric of Mexican society. Interestingly, the indigenous population is experiencing consistent growth, driven by higher fertility rates within these communities, though this is partially balanced by a higher general mortality rate.
Mexico stands out in the Americas for having both the largest indigenous population and the greatest linguistic diversity. The country boasts 68 recognized indigenous languages, further branching into an astonishing 364 dialectal variations. The 2020 Census by INEGI highlighted that 6.1% of the population aged three and above, roughly 7.36 million people, speak an indigenous language. While this is a slight decrease from the 6.6% recorded in the 2010 Census, it still represents a significant linguistic presence.
Furthermore, the 2020 Census indicated that 11.8 million people reside in indigenous households across Mexico, with a near-even gender split of 5.7 million men and 6.1 million women. Among the native languages, Nahuatl remains the most prevalent, spoken by 22.5% of indigenous language speakers, equating to 1.65 million individuals. Mayan follows as the second most spoken indigenous language with 774,000 speakers (10.6%). It’s also noteworthy that 2% of the national population identifies as being of African descent, and within this group, 7.4% are also speakers of an indigenous language, showcasing the intersectionality of identities within Mexico.
Key Challenges Endured by Indigenous Communities
Despite constitutional amendments aimed at recognizing indigenous rights, the indigenous people of Mexico grapple with persistent challenges. The 2001 constitutional reforms, while significant, emerged from indigenous mobilizations rooted in the “Acuerdos de San Andrés” – agreements stemming from 1996 negotiations between the government and the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN). These reforms aimed to address long-standing grievances and demands for greater autonomy and recognition.
Since 2003, the EZLN and the National Indigenous Congress (CNI) have been actively implementing the Accords in their territories, establishing autonomous indigenous governments in regions like Chiapas, Michoacán, and Oaxaca. While some states, including Chihuahua, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, and San Luís Potosí, have incorporated provisions concerning indigenous peoples in their state constitutions, full legal recognition of indigenous legal systems remains incomplete. This lack of comprehensive recognition hinders their ability to fully exercise self-determination and protect their traditional ways of life.
Health disparities represent another critical challenge. Indigenous communities are disproportionately vulnerable, experiencing higher maternal and infant mortality rates, elevated levels of both acute and chronic malnutrition compared to national averages, lower life expectancy, and significant barriers to accessing adequate healthcare services. These health inequities are often compounded by geographical isolation, poverty, and systemic discrimination.
Human rights concerns are also deeply pressing. Reports from organizations like Front Line Defenders highlight Mexico as a dangerous place for human rights defenders. Alarmingly, in 2017, Mexico ranked fourth globally in the number of murders of human rights defenders, with a significant proportion of victims being activists engaged in indigenous and environmental rights causes. This violence underscores the risks faced by those advocating for the rights of indigenous people and the protection of their ancestral lands.
UN Special Rapporteur’s Visit: A Spotlight on Indigenous Rights
A significant moment for indigenous rights advocacy in Mexico occurred in November 2017, with the official visit of Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the then United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. During her visit, she engaged with federal and state authorities, as well as representatives from indigenous communities and civil society organizations. Her mission was to assess the human rights situation of indigenous people in the country and to provide recommendations for improvement.
In her end-of-mission statement, Ms. Tauli-Corpuz raised several critical concerns. A primary issue was the inadequate consultation with indigenous peoples regarding projects and decisions impacting their rights, including the fundamental right to life. She emphasized that consultations must adhere to international standards to ensure free, prior, and informed consent. Furthermore, she highlighted a staggering 99% impunity rate in cases of human rights violations, disproportionately affecting indigenous individuals. The violence faced by indigenous groups defending their rights, particularly in the context of extractive megaprojects, was also a major point of concern. The Special Rapporteur’s report aimed to bring to light the principal violations of the rights of indigenous people and communities in Mexico, urging for greater accountability and protection.
The Exacerbated Vulnerability During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed and amplified existing vulnerabilities within indigenous communities in Mexico. Pre-existing issues of under-reporting of the indigenous population were worsened by the early disruption of census data collection due to the pandemic. Marginalization, discrimination, violence, land dispossession, and limited access to adequate housing and public health services made Mexico’s indigenous population particularly susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In response, indigenous communities demonstrated resilience and self-determination by developing and implementing their own strategies to combat the pandemic. These included disseminating crucial information in their native languages through community communication networks, implementing movement restrictions within their territories, and strengthening community solidarity. Despite these proactive measures, the virus inevitably reached most indigenous regions, underscoring the urgent need for equitable access to healthcare and resources for these communities.
The story of the indigenous people of Mexico is one of resilience, cultural richness, and ongoing struggle for recognition and rights. Understanding their history, challenges, and contributions is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and equitable Mexico, and for ensuring the preservation of their invaluable cultural heritage for generations to come.
