The recent dissemination of an institutional video by the National Government, which presents the arrival of Christopher Columbus as one of the «most transcendental feats in history», provoked indignation and rejection from indigenous communities. References from Salta consulted by Página/12 raised their voices to dismantle the official story and reaffirm that the October 12 it’s a day of memory, grief and resistance.
Marianela Menalawyer and president of the Ava Guaraní Los Constituciónntes Community, was categorical when pointing out: «This date, for us, does not represent civilization or progress. It’s a day of mourning«. He explained that the date marked the beginning of territorial dispossession, massacre and attack on ancestral ways of life and cultures. Rosa Rodriguezfrom the Wichí Carboncito Community, reinforced this vision, remembering the date as a «day of massacre» and terror for the native peoples of America.
The questioning was not limited to the institutional video. David Torrespresident of the Lule Community of Finca Las Costas, considered that the president of the Nation «initiated an act of grievance and degradation towards indigenous rights, returning to the concept of race.» Nelson Camposfrom the Wichí El Algarrobal Community, regretted that the president seems to share the thoughts of «those who destroyed our lives» with the arrival of Columbus, seeking the benefit of «large corporations.»
Indigenous voices also focused on the setback in terms of rights. They denounced the dismantling of key organizations such as the HENNA and the repeal of territorial protection laws, leaving communities «adrift from evictions and state abandonment». There is great concern about the possible elimination of the bilingual intercultural educationwhich, according to Rosa Rodríguez, would mean eliminating their culture and language.
In the face of discursive violence, such as the statements of the deputy Emilia Orozco (LLA) regarding the supposed difficulty of «aboriginals» in «getting ahead», Mena highlighted that indigenous peoples advance with «struggle, education and organization», mentioning the existence of numerous indigenous professionals. In a message of resistance, Cacique Torres warned that regulations such as RIGI (Large Investment Incentive Regime) violate the constitutional right of people to participate in the management of natural resources in their territories.
