sábado, 28 de agosto de 2010

Huichol Route through the sacred sites to Huiricuta (Tatehuari Huajuye)

Huichol Route through the sacred sites to Huiricuta (Tatehuari Huajuye)

Mexico (Latin America and the Caribbean)

Date of Submission: 06/12/2004
Category: Mixed
Submitted by: World Heritage Office (INAH) Mexico's National Commission for UNESCO (CONALMEX) Puebla 95, Col. R
Ref.: 1959













Unesco (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) along with the State of San Luis Potosi´s Natural Protection act has recognized the area of this pilgrimage land of 450 by 173 kilometers as being a cultural route, with important flora and fauna and animal species which live exclusively in the area. It became protected land under Unesco on October 27th, 2000 and on June 9, 2001 was declared a National Sacred Site.

Although this land is under legal protection, a Canadian Mining Company called “First Majestic Silver Corp” has claimed to have purchased a concession of old mines, on November 13th, 2009 with 80% of their interest laying in protected land. Part of their land claim includes half of the Huichol Holy Mountain it`s self as well the town of Real de Catorce and La Luz as well as 11 other small villages. These towns are historic mining towns of Mexico that were abandoned in the early 1900`s and have now become recognized as historical monumental sites of the country. The ancient buildings, roads, churches as well as mine sites have been preserved and cared for by the local population for over 100 years and has provided the only industries in the area, tourism and film sets. Over the years Real de Catorce has become famous around the globe and has recently be given the title of “Magic Town of Mexico” for it`s preservation of historical infrastructures and it`s attraction to spiritual seekers as well artists, catholic pilgrims, geologists and tourists in general.

First Majestic Silver Corp. Lays claim to this land by purchasing “Normabec”, another Canadian Company who purchased the land prior to the protection laws being put in place. They have managed to get a permit for exploratory mining, and state they are planning to launch a program of aggressive exploration and excavation in the 2nd half of 2010”. The company uses a method of open pit mining and lixiviation through the flotation in cyanide. This chemical is highly polluting and deadly requiring only 0.2 of a gram to kill a person (this is what the Nazi`s used in the 2 World War genocide in the deadly showers in concentration camps). Mines such as that which First Majestic Silver Corp plan to open require tones of Cyanide each day to operate. The waste is either released into rivers or lakes or put into pits where it is allowed to dissolve through the soil.
In the case of this “Real de Catorce Project” (as it is called by First Majestic) the intention is to use the local water supply, which is the only source for the region, for it`s lixiviation process.
This will require the same quantity of water each hour which a family will use in 20 years. Additionally the waste toxins will be sent either down the river vein to the lower communities or through the soil taking directly to the Huichol Holy Mountain and seriously compromising the protected plant and animal species. It will dislodge contaminants into the soil and water systems, alter ecosystems, will interrupt, refill, dry, and divert hydraulic streams; will substantially alter the landscape and geologic cuts, and will provoke serious consequences for the local inhabitants.

While the Huichol people, inhabitants of Real de Catorce and surrounding communities as well as concerned people around the world are working to have the Mexican Government enforce the already existing laws which protect this land, it is also important as citizens of the world that we take a stand against this kind of blatant dis-respect not only for United Nations Protection Laws but also for that of Native Sacred Lands and Human Rights around the world. There are very few places left in this world with the rich and continuing history of Aboriginal traditions and we must do all within our power to protect and keep these areas for this and future generations. Thousands of years of history and tradition are on the brink of being stripped from the Huichol people in the name of a small foreign company who has never lived on or with this land, who wish to exploit and abuse it for the financial gain of a few.

Real de Catorce can be seen online at:
http://www.realdecatorce.net/ (also on google earth).
The President of First Majestic Silver Corporation is Keith Neumeyer and the Cheif Operating Officer is Ramon Davilla.
First Majestic Silver
925 West Georgia St.
Suite 1805
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V6C 3L2
Phone: 604.688.3033
Toll Free: 1.866.529.2807

More information about the Real de Catorce project can be found at: http://www.firstmajestic.com/s/RealDeCatorce.asp

Further information about the impacts of cyanide:

7 comentarios:

  1. Thank you for posting this! There is a petition that people can sign to support a PROCLAMATION IN DEFENSE OF WIRIKUTA


    and a Facebook group too (with a link to your article here by the way) at the following address:


  2. El 28 de abril del 2008, con el PRESIDENTE FELIPE CALDERÓN como testigo, firmaron el PACTO HUAUXA MANAKA PARA LA PRESERVACIÓN Y EL DESARROLLO DE LA CULTURA WIXARIKA los gobernadores de San Luis Potosí, Durango, Jalisco, Nayarit y Zacatecas, y el presidente de la Unión Wixárika de Centros Ceremoniales. Fueron testigos el Presidente de la Comisión de Asuntos Indígenas de la Honorable Cámara de Senadores y el Director General de la Comisión Nacional para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas. Con este documento los gobernadores tradicionales, y los gobernadores de los estados, así como el Gobierno Federal, se comprometieron a proteger y fortalecer la continuidad histórica de los lugares sagrados y las rutas de peregrinación del pueblo Wixárika (huichol). Comprende acuerdos para establecer derechos de paso, el cuidado corresponsable de recursos naturales, la preservación de plantas y animales necesarios para los rituales, y la divulgación de su cultura como patrimonio de la Nación.

    Aquí está la prueba, en las palabras de Calderón, de la inminente violación de los derechos de la cultura Wixárika al ser aprobado el proyecto de minería en el Sitio Sagrado Wirikuta, a ser llevado a acabo por la compañía canadiense First Majestic Silver Corporation, de Keith Neumeyeren.

    La aprobación de este proyecto es inconstitucional.


  3. Hola,

    Me gustaria hablar con Jesus Hernandez de Wirikuta o un amigo de él. Gente en Vancouver (Canadá) quieren que ellos ir allá pronto (porque ellos quieren ayudar ellos). Tambien gente tienen el dinero para el viaje norte para Jesus y un otra amigo (Huichol). Quieren que ellos vienen para reuniones y foros. Por favor contactarme pronto:


  4. Esto servira como el principio de un movimiento ya esperado en lo que respecta a las comunidades Huicholas, que son patrimonio unico y universal de nuestra raza. Pero este movimiento de inconformidad tendra que abarcar a todas las demas culturas que se han servido de esta para adjuntarse la medicina sagrada a sus ceremonias, hablamos de las de Norte-America, Lakotas, Navajos, etc. Ahora es cuando reclamar al remedo de gobierno que tenemos todos y cada uno de sus abusos, a nuestros mexicanos, y demas hermanos, se esta llegando a un punto de intolerancia que puede ser drastico para nuestro pais y sus habitantes. La raza Huichol es nuestra autentica presuncion, de que hemos y somos una raza con compromiso cosmico en este espacio de vida. !Ahora es cuando" !Viva Mexico! y !VIVAN LOS HUICHOLES HERMANOS!

  5. hola¡¡¡¡ gracias por poner esta informacion es muy importante asi sabremos que la tierra sagrada huichol esta en peligro VAMOS SALVEMSO WIRIKUTA:D

  6. Creo que este proyecto es absurdo porque la forma de extracción minera de la compañía canadiense está prohibida en Canadá, pero si pueden hacerlo aquí porque no hay la autoridad suficiente para detenerlo, ya después de cinco año, siendo una zona protegida, estando habitado por muchas personas a las que les quitarían parten de su cultura, prometiendo empleos sólo a unos pocos, habiéndose firmado decretos y después de todas las propuestas que se han hecho aún no se puede parar este proyecto, porque las autoridades mexicanas no lo quieren.
    Creo que hay que buscar la forma de apoyar a este pueblo y este lugar sagrado.

  7. PROFEPA and SEMARNAP tienen el poder en esta situacion...