"We native peoples want to show we are not part of the past, that we exist, have held out for 500 years and will continue to resist for our right to live". Such is the thriving spirit which is currently mobilising most of the indigenous peoples from Argentina. Three separate marches are touring across the largest towns of Argentina for 8 days and will finally join together in Buenos Aires on May 20, 5 days before the bicentenary celebration of Argentina's independence from Spain.

The Marcha Nacional Indígena (Spanish for Indigenous National March) has been organized by the Kolla, Guarani, Mapuche, Diaguita and Quom-Toba nations with the backing of several social indigenous-oriented organizations. Their motto is "Multinational State and National Redress", and their main demands can be summarized as follows: territorial reparation; cultural and educative reparation; reparation of the Pachamama (usually translated as "Mother Earth"), and economic reparation.

More specifically, the demands include the recognition and redress of the native land, official status for indigenous languages, the setting up of indigenous universities and other educative centres, the declaration of the glaciers as intangible heritage and the creation of a financial fund to implement pro-indigenous policies.

It is estimated that thousands will demonstrate in Buenos Aires, where indigenous leaders will meet with President Cristina Kirchner. There the natives also expect to side with "social movements and Argentinean brothers who acknowledge the country's autochthonous original inhabitants; with those who are critical with the bicentenary celebrations and challenge them, those who do not identify with feasts and fireworks and are aware we remain steady against traditional and colonial powers".

However, some nations and institutions are not giving support to the march. That is the case of the Mbya Guarani people and the Mapuche Parliament of Rio Negro. Both consider that the previous process has not included the participation of all indigenous nations.

According to the 2004-05 census, about 400.000 people declare themselves as members or descendants of any of the original nations. The largest groups among the 19 different indigenous nations are, according to Minority Rights Group, the Mapuches (105.000), the Toba (60.000), the Wichi/Mataco (36.000) and the Mbyà Guarani (4.000). Most of them live in the north and the west of the country.

Més informació:

• Website of the Marcha Nacional Indígena
• Línea Capital: Los guaraníes se suman a la Marcha de los Pueblos Originarios
• IndyMedia Argentina: Bienvenidos a la Marcha de los Pueblos Originarios
• El País: Los indígenas argentinos exigen un Estado plurinacional