Dialogue between indigenous peoples, criollo settlers and the state resolves land conflict

Location: Salta province, Argentina

Principal organisations: FUNDAPAZ

The relationship between indigenous peoples and criollo settlers, living in northern Salta, Argentina, has always been contentious. Incompatible strategies of natural resource use and different legal frameworks prevented them from living together harmoniously. A conflict with the state came on top of that in the 1990s, when the provincial government launched an ambitious plan for public works, without consulting the indigenous communities. Through a long process of dialogue and consensus building, supported by FUNDAPAZ, together with international legal action, the indigenous peoples and the criollo settlers were finally granted formal land titles for the 643,000 hectares they inhabit.