The jaguar has a special relationship in the western hemisphere. The connection between the ancient Maya’s and the jaguar holds strong. They were revered as ancient Gods. The Mayan people understood the importance of the jaguar in the western hemisphere. Jaguars were excellent hunters as they kept prey population under control. They are the balancers. Jaguars could be found until the early 1900s. Colonialism and human migration has affected not only people but the environment and ecosystem. As the Colonialism moved in, the Jaguar population dropped down 50%. They are no longer in El Salvador or the so-called U.S. If you want to see a Jaguar today, you come to Belize as 35% of the country is protected Human and Jaguar conflicts are on the rise as the corridor in Belize losing their rainforest. This corridor is key for Jaguar’s to maintain genetic diversity and stop inbreeding. If we do not decrease deforestation, we will lose more jaguars and potentially more devastating effects to the environment. Colonialism not only destroyed civilizations and people but destroyed the environment and beautiful animals. Colonialism doesn’t seek to work with the Earth but to destroy it for profit. Indigenous people have always been at the forefront of protecting the planet. Decolonization is the only path forward for an equitable society and a balancing ecosystem.
Historical Territory: Prior to colonization Jaguar would have ranged from “Luisiana” to “Arizona” and all the way to the Amazon rainforest.
“Colonialism is causing the desertification of the entire planet” – Invisible Warrior
Implications Of A Colonial Border: In the 1990s the Jaguar began reappearing in mountain ranges in “New Mexico” and “Arizona” The border wall made by the empire is likely interfering with Jaguar populations.
Religion And Spirituality: Information about the importance of jaguar and spirituality of Mayans, Aztecs and others are resurfacing and this will be an ongoing topic pertaining to decolonization. Colonizers burned the books and erased the knowledge of the people thru missionaries and assimilation. An ember remains in the Jaguar.
Who’s to thank for the return of the Jaguar: Gratitude is owed to the process of decolonization itself. Those who contributed thought and ideology, those who galvanized anticolonial politic, the land defenders, the indigenous peoples themselves who’s way of life means defending the living world. The assassination and imprisonment of indigenous land defenders has increased. We are the land itself. Gratitude is owed to the Jaguar itself for being tenacious and capable of survival. For being highly resilient.
Future restoration: Everyone will be needed to protect the future of the planet. A revolutionary indigenous government will be needed and exists at I.S.R. The same threats to humanity also continue to threaten the jaguar. The top two threats at this time are climate catastrophe and global conflict. Life intertwines.
Written By: I.S.R Treasurer Eduardo Ochoa
Edited by: War Chief Mko Vieux (Invisible Warrior)
Illahee Spirit Runners 