Within the last several years, conflict in the Mexican state of Sonora over the construction of a one hundred mile aqueduct to transport water from the Yaqui River basin to the capital city, Hermosillo has been growing problematic day to day.

Ignoring  of Indigenous rights, Racial prejudice and discrimination, Violation of domestic and International commitments dating from 1937, Taking away of Land, Theft and poisoning of water, to include contamination of earth and food, Poisoning of children, mothers and family's, Violatioin of nullifying water rights and access from 1955 which has ncludes theft of water and the significant depletion of Yaqui land., et al.

The Yaqui are indigenous people who occupy their ancestral homeland around the Yaqui River. This region is one of the country’s main agricultural areas. The Yaqui people have been interconnected with the Yaqui River water for their economic survival, and stewardship over the resource has upheld their cultural integrity. Taking their water supply is illegal and violates their human rights, threatening the social, economic, and ecological stability of the tribe.

Water has become an increasingly scarce resource in arid regions. The continued diversion and construction of aqueducts will worsen environmental conditions, and amplify social, economic, and health issues associated with stripping indigenous people of their precious water resource in order to benefit industries in the city that waste forty percent of it.

Despite legal, ethical, and environmental concerns including an order by the Environmental and Natural Resources Secretariat to halt the project, It is clear that the government is acting in its own interest to be a major player in global economies instead of honoring its duty to serve the needs of its indigenous people and in keeping its promises and treaties.

Water in this region needs to be responsibly conserved, not drained.
The aqueducts currently in operation, taking more then 634 gallons of water per second through eighty-one miles of pipeline from the Yaqui River basin to Hermosillo. The Yaqui tribe has protested the government robbing them of their water by maintaining a blockade of the main highway from the border of Arizona to the Mexican state of Sinaloa and have continued caravans throughout the region. 

Sign this petition to condemn the Sonoran Government and Mexican Government  for irresponsibly allowing themselves to make money and continuously violate indigenous law and treaties,  while also allowing international companies to take water from the Yaqui territory/ Yaqui River basin, violating the rights of the indigenous people of Sonora.

PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor Claudia Pavlovich of Sonora, Mexico

This petition is to criticize and condemn your constituents for ignoring the laws that protect indigenous people and the environment in your support of the ‘Acueducto Independencia.’ As water flows through the aqueduct from the Yaqui River basin to Hermosillo for industrial use where much of it will be wasted, it robs the Yaqui people of a precious resource that is increasingly scarce in your region. It is socially and environmentally irresponsible for you to have encouraged this project during your administration.

This projectwill have negative environmental impact in the arid region of Sonora as all other diversions of water from Rio Yaqui have shown - some cases catostrophic. Your state would have benefited from water conservation efforts and the development of sustainable economic practices instead.

The Yaqui people have depended on the water from this River which has shaped their culture and economic livelihood. The Yaqui River has made Sonora’s agricultural productivity one of the highest in the country of Mexico but this economy is now threatened by the aqueduct.

It is time that you step in and take measures to assist reversing the damage caused to this region’s water supply. We ask that you make retribution to the Yaqui people and work to dismantle the disastrous operation of the aqueduct. In the future, please consider the human rights of the people you represent and serve. 

#NAMAKASIA

#USANATIVESFORYAQUIS

#YAQUISSUPPORTINGYAQUIS

#STOPTHETHEFTOFRIOYAQUI

#NONOVILO

#NOMINING

#NOMOREMEGAPROJECTS

#GIVEBACKTHEYAQUILAND

#WATERISLIFE

#ANIMO