In 1975 a watershed moment captivated Mexico as indigenous peoples from across the country came together on the Island of Janitzio for the First National Congress of Indigenous Peoples. The congress was a federal government initiative intended to preempt an independent indigenous movement. But indigenous groups circumvented the intended containment policies of the congress and made bold demands for political self-determination.
Using previously unavailable documents, Maria L. O. Munoz examines the events that led to the congress, the meeting itself, and developments after the assembly....