The indigenous movement in Ecuador was one of the most influential social movements in Latin America during the 1990s. It had a high mobilization capability, formed broad alliances, and had a clear discourse. However, since the early 2000s, it has been in crisis due to problems with national leadership. This only changed in October 2019 when a national uprising led to the movement's reappearance in political attention, the reconstruction of alliances, and a renovation of its discourse. A national uprising in June 2022 further strengthened this development, producing a struggle around neoliberalism.

With this book, Philipp Altmann helps readers understand the evolution of the Indigenous movement in Ecuador. In his chronological presentation, he emphasizes the position and perspectives of the activists and organizations of the indigenous movement and delves into the movement's history and the exploration of its crises and its uprisings.