Clouds at the Border: Threatened by the Wall

The border, imposed on the Tohono O’odham by the U.S. and Mexico in 1853 through the Gadsen Purchase, has been a core issue for the community ever since. The border divided and compartmentalized the Tohono O’odham and their sacred land, threatening their traditional culture and economy. Access to key natural resources depended on free and extensive mobility through the desert, which was disrupted by the border line. Family and communal ties also waned as the O’odham had to adapt to different languages and national idiosyncrasies. Border crossing regulations changed over the years, preventing O’odham from visiting family or sacred sites, as well as seeking education or attending medical appointments.In the past few years, Trump’s intention to build a border wall has increased the obstacles. Trump’s rhetoric feeds into an already critical situation for the O’odhams, exacerbating issues including forced displacements, aggressive resource extractive projects, rising surveillance and harassment by state forces, and smuggling activity. Faced with such challenges, the O’odham are struggling to defend the sacredness of the territory and the integrity of its nation, but the adopted course of action is stemming controversies along the Nation. The tribal administration has been collaborating with Border Patrol to militarize the border and has adopted part of Trump’s vocabulary and strategies towards illegal immigration. In opposition, concerned O’odham citizens have started advocating both for the environment and for welcoming immigrants, stressing the dangers of their government collaborating with border enforcement.

Jaar van publicatie:2019