Victory for Indigenous Community in Ecuador: Reclaiming Ancestral Land After 80 Years

A court ruling has granted ownership of ancestral land in the Ecuadorian Amazon to an indigenous community, the Siekopai nation, who were displaced over 80 years ago due to war. The decision by an Ecuadorian appeals court supports the Siekopai's claim over the biodiverse territory of Pëkëya, located in northwest Ecuador near the Peru border. This ruling was provided to CNN by Amazon Frontline, a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending the land rights of indigenous peoples.

During the 1940s Peru-Ecuador war, the Siekopai community was forced to relocate. Last September, the community of only 800 members filed a lawsuit against the Ecuadorian state, alleging that their ancestral property rights were being violated, as reported by Amazon Frontline.

The Provincial Court of Sucumbios has ordered Ecuadors Ministry of Environment to provide the Siekopai people with a property title for over 104,000 acres of land within 45 days, according to court documents released on Friday.

Elias Piyahuaje, President of the Siekopai Nation of Ecuador, hailed the ruling as a historic moment for his people, declaring, "The land of Pëkëya has always been and will always be ours. For over 80 years, we have been fighting to get our land back."

This ruling signifies the first instance of the Ecuadorian government granting a land title to an indigenous community with ancestral territory in a protected area, according to Amazon Frontline. They also stated that this decision will serve as a significant precedent for indigenous peoples globally who are fighting to reclaim their lands. Piyahuaje expressed that their fight for their culture's preservation is essential, as without their territory, the Siekopai people cannot survive on this planet.