SMA PROGRAMS: INDIGENOUS RIGHTS:
Samachique

Since 2000, SMA has provided support to Tarahumara elder from Samachique, Patricio Garcia. Patricio has been working for decades against corruption in his ejido, but until recently, he was located outside of SMA’s project areas. Our associates frequently helped him set up appointments and accompanied him to meetings with authorities, but SMA had little to offer directly to his community.

Patricio was a key leader of a coalition of indigenous leaders and mestizos who finally took over the ejido in 2006. The new group conducted an ejido audit and found the former leaders embezzled over 5 million pesos over the past three years.  Tierra Nativa is now helping the group prosecute the two former ejido presidents, who are currently employed by other ejidos in the region and probably committing similar crimes.  One of the leaders was involved in the theft of 400 trees from the ejido.