A girl from the indigenous group the Arhuaco in Colombia. Photo by: Rhett A. Butler.
The indigenous peoples of the Colombian Amazon have faced centuries of abuse, exploitation, and land-grabbing. In the past few decades however indigenous people have begun to win not only recognition from the Colombian government, but title over their traditional lands. Mongabay.com recently interviewed ethnologist Martin von Hildebrand,who has been instrumental in pushing for indigenous rights and land in Colombia.
To read our interview with Hildebrand: Taking back the rainforest: Indians in Colombia govern 100,000 square miles of territory.