On September 5, Latin America and the Caribbean observe the International Day of Indigenous Women, a commemoration established in 1983 during the Second Meeting of Organizations and Movements of America in Tihuanacu, Bolivia. The date honors Bartolina Sisa, the Aymara leader executed in 1782 after organizing, alongside Túpac Katari, a major uprising against Spanish colonial rule in the Andes.

The day is not only about historical remembrance. It underscores the role of Indigenous women in defending land, protecting cultural heritage, and confronting structural inequality. In a region shaped by colonization and racism, Bartolina Sisa’s legacy remains relevant in current struggles against extractivism, gender-based violence, and social exclusion.

In Bolivia, the National Federation of Peasant, Indigenous, and Native Women “Bartolina Sisa” reflects how her name has become a symbol of collective organization. Across Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru, Indigenous women have been at the forefront of movements against displacement and resource exploitation, while in the Caribbean, the date has renewed discussions around marginalized communities such as the Taíno and Garifuna.

The observance also resonates in the arts. Writers like Natalia Toledo (Zapotec, Mexico), Ch’aska Anka Ninawaman (Quechua, Peru), and Maya Cu (Guatemala) have brought Indigenous women’s voices into contemporary literature. Textile traditions in the Andes remain a cultural language passed down through women’s hands, while community cinema initiatives in Bolivia and Mexico allow Indigenous women to narrate their histories without external filters.

September 5 is marked by ceremonies, forums, and cultural events across the continent. Beyond symbolism, the date serves as a reminder that the struggles of Indigenous women are ongoing. It affirms that they are not only the keepers of ancestral memory but also central actors in shaping more just and inclusive futures across the Global South.

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