Sônia Guajajara: Bolsonaro denies territorial rights to indigenous people.

Cristiane Sampaio, José Eduardo Bernardes and Rute Pina, Brazil of Fact - Indigenous peoples carried out actions across the country, this Thursday (31), to denounce setbacks in the rights of native peoples and threats against their territories. The date marks the end of the activities of #JaneiroVermelho, a national mobilization of traditional communities against the genocide of the indigenous population in Brazil and the withdrawal of rights.

Under the slogan "Indigenous Blood, Not One More Drop," more than 50 protests took place in different parts of the country, including states such as Mato Grosso, São Paulo, Pará, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul, Ceará, Goiás, Amapá, Rio de Janeiro, and Bahia.

In Brasília (DF), the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) held a demonstration at the entrance of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) to protest against the removal of Funai from the Ministry of Justice (MJ) to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. The change is one of the alterations brought about by Provisional Measure (MP) 870/2019, issued by the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro (PSL), on the first day of his government.

The measure places various responsibilities under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture, including the demarcation of indigenous lands and environmental licensing.

Sônia Guajajara, from the executive coordination of Apib, reinforced the concern of traditional communities regarding the historical closeness that the ministry maintains with the Agricultural Parliamentary Front (FPA), the so-called "rural caucus".

"Bringing land demarcation to the Ministry of Agriculture is a clear demonstration by this government that it will no longer demarcate indigenous land in the country, because this ministry is handed over to agribusiness. It is not just a transfer, but a political decision to deny territorial rights, preventing demarcations," he stated.

The leader also recalled a statement made by Bolsonaro – before taking office – that he did not intend to demarcate indigenous lands during his administration.

She added that the Ministry of Justice would be the department best equipped to monitor policies aimed at indigenous peoples, including those related to security in their territories, which suffer constant attacks and threats of invasion from land grabbers and other actors.

"This withdrawal of the demarcation by the Ministry of Justice further weakens the territories and the lives of indigenous peoples in the field, in the villages. With this declaration that 'not a single centimeter more of land will be demarcated,' those people who are there and who already have this intuition to invade the lands are feeling supported by this discourse," he added.

The protesters also stated that they will intensify their efforts to engage with the Legislative Branch.

They intend to act jointly with parliamentarians who support indigenous agendas, according to newly elected federal deputy Joênia Wapichana (Rede-RR), who takes office this Friday as the first indigenous woman to win a seat in the Chamber of Deputies.

"I consider it fundamental that we, indigenous people, have an active voice so that we can move forward, to show all of Brazil that indigenous people are not an obstacle to the economic development of a country. They can be the solution, within the reality of our country," he stated.

More threats

Parapoty Nhendua, from the Paranapuã village, located in the municipality of São Vicente, on the coast of the state of São Paulo, fears the intensification of attacks with the Bolsonaro government's decision to transfer the authority for the demarcation of indigenous lands.

In January alone, according to Apib, at least six invasions were confirmed in the territories of traditional peoples in different regions of the country.

"It was already difficult to get a demarcation, and now it tends to get worse. It's very worrying. We are here so that our voice can be heard. We live inside a park, and for us it's even harder; how are we going to get the demarcation?" she questioned.

Parapoty participated in the National Day of Indigenous Mobilization event in the city of São Paulo. In the city, indigenous people gathered in front of the Museum of Modern Art (MASP), chanting songs and slogans.

Also present at the event in São Paulo, Karai Poty, from the Guarani village of Jaraguá, recalls that the struggle is a long one. "We have been fighting since our ancestors, my uncles, grandparents, fighting for demarcation. Jaraguá is the smallest indigenous land in Brazil and we are fighting to preserve the only forest we have in São Paulo."

In Tucumã, a municipality in the southern region of Pará, about 100 indigenous people of the MêbêngIôkré tribe marched along the city's main avenue towards the Funai building. They carried banners with slogans such as "The forest is our struggle" and demanded Funai's continued involvement in the land demarcation process.

In Santa Inês (MA), the demonstration brought together the Awá, Ka'apor, Guajajara, Tremembé and Gamela peoples, demanding respect for the Federal Constitution.

The indigenous movement also has international support. Thursday's protest was repeated in seven countries – the United States, Portugal, Scotland, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Switzerland.