Indigenous Peoples of Mesoamerica
Over 25 million Indigenous persons live in Mesoamerica, which includes Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Belize and Mexico. They live in mountains, rainforests, dry forests, and coastal areas. Their livelihoods include farming, fishing, hunting and gathering.
The Indigenous Peoples of Mesoamerica are under threat from land grabs by: extractive industries; fortress conservation programs; large-scale infrastructure projects, including dams, energy projects and highways; cattle ranching; industrial agriculture; and commercial fishing. Repressive governments in the region carry out policies of oppression, and Indigenous Peoples’ rights defenders face harassment, threats and killings.
Land is Life works with Indigenous Peoples’ communities throughout Mesoamerica; strengthening governance and territorial management systems, supporting rights defenders, and reestablishing traditional food systems.
