Many tribes like the Tzotzil in Chiapas, Mexico, and the Purepecha are struggling with the Mexican political structure. This project aims to understand the challenges, barriers, and disconnect in the Mexican government with Indigenous leaders. Some claim it’s a mix of discrimination, corrupt political structures, language barriers, and a lack of representatives who understand Indigenous rights.
The Frontline Defender Leadership and the Frente Nacional de la Lucha por el Socialismo (FNLS) are two organizations advocating for Indigenous rights. They have been on the frontlines helping the Purepecha tribe fight for basic civil rights. In this project, Selena Cecilio meets with local leadership in Santiago Azajo, a small village belonging to the Purepecha, to report on their efforts and challenges for political survival.
Image caption: Roll call takes place during a town hall meeting in Santiago Azajo. Image courtesy of Instituto Electoral de Michoacán, Santiago Azajo. Mexico, 2021.
