Colectivo de Mayores Camino de los Ancestros
An Indigenous collective uniting territories and wisdom to strengthen leadership and self-determination in Colombia
Since 2020, with the support of Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI), leaders from grassroots organizations across different regions of the country: La Guajira, Sierra Nevada, Caquetá, Cauca, Nariño, Chocó, Amazonas, and Antioquia, have come together to form the Elders’ Collective “Path of the Ancestors.” This space emerges from our own agenda, shaped by the situations, challenges, and realities we face within our territories.
Our actions have been carried out autonomously, independent from institutional strategies, and address a wide range of issues related to the protection of our culture, territory, and life, including initiatives that strengthen the unity of Indigenous Peoples throughout the country.
We believe that spirituality protects Indigenous communities — shielding us from violence, criminalization, crime, and impunity. Amid threats and acts of violence, including crimes against humanity committed against our peoples, the spiritual work guided by our elders has been the safest path to protect leaders, authorities, and communities.
Likewise, the ancestral wisdom of our elders maintains the natural balance within our territories and ensures that our lands remain fertile and suitable for our collective survival.
Main areas of work
Communities with which they work:
- Nasa Cauca People (Caldono, Calderas)
- Nasa Caquetá People (Altamira Indigenous Resguardo, San Vicente del Caguán)
- Arhuaco People (Communities of Jimaín, Gunchukwa)
- Wayuu People (Ranchería Yotojorotshi, Media Guajira)
- Embera People (Embera Alto Bojayá Indigenous Resguardo)
Achievements and Milestones
Formation of the Colectivo de Mayores (March 2024): the result of strengthened participation of spiritual leaders and traditional knowledge keepers in the process of Unity of Indigenous Peoples.
Support for the training process carried out by Nasa ÛUS FX WAS U'JAKA, in the municipality of Caldono, San Lorenzo Reservation, aimed at strengthening ancestral knowledge among children and youth in communities exposed to recruitment and various forms of violence. (2025)
Institutional coordination to promote the involvement of the Presidential Council for Human Rights in the pilot plan for Territorial, Community, and Spiritual Healing of the Embera Alto Bojayá Indigenous Reservation, focused on preventing and addressing suicide among children and youth. (2023)
Links of interest:
Our path:
Space established in 2024
Collaboration and Interests:
- Strengthening the unity processes of Indigenous Peoples in Colombia, promoting dialogue, coordination, and collective action for the defense of their rights and territories.
- Support for processes to prevent violence, forced recruitment, and deaths, through the spiritual and cultural strengthening of Indigenous communities affected by violence in Colombia.
- Empowerment of grassroots Indigenous leadership, promoting self-protection actions against criminalization and violence.
- Support for peaceful territorial recovery processes led by Indigenous Peoples in their ancestral lands, reaffirming their spiritual, cultural, and political connection to the territory.
