Final Document from the Indigenous Peoples of Rodonia and North Mato Grosso
11/7/91
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/** rainfor.genera: 148.0 **/
** Topic: From the Indians of Rondonia **
** Written 2:41 pm Nov 7, 1991 by cimi in cdp:rainfor.genera **
THE FINAL DOCUMENT OF THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF RONDONIA
AND NORTH MATO GROSSO
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We, three hundred and ten representatives of sixteen
indigenous peoples of Rondonia and the North of Mato Grosso -
Arara, Arua', Ajuru, Cinta Larga, Canoe', Gaviao, Jabuti,
Karitiana, Makurap, Sakirabiar, Nambikuara, Oro Wari, Surui',
Tupari, Tenharim e Zoro'- met together at our First General
Assembly from the 17th to the 21st of october 1991 in the town of
Ji-Parana', Rondonia. To accomplish this, we had the support
of seven representatives of indigenous nations from the state of
Amazonas (Baniwa, Cambeba, Bare' and Tucano), Acre (Apurina~ and
Kaxinawa') and Roraima (Wapixana) whom represent The Federation of
Indigenous Organizations of Rio Negro (FOIRN); the Union of
Indigenous Nations of Tefe' (UNI-Tefe'), the Coordination of
Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB); the
Union of Indigenous Nations of Acre and South Amazonas (UNI-Acre);
the Indigenous Organization of Envira River (Opire) and the
Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR).
We also counted with the solidarity of various entities and
popular moviments of the town and countryside.
During the Assembly, we discussed our problems and the
possible solutions, conscious of the fact that our rights are
guaranteed by the Federal Constitution of 1988.
We decided to from an articulation of representatives of the
indigenous peoples of Rondonia and North Mato Grosso that will
coordinate the formation of our organization. The objective of
the articulation is to deepen our knowledge of the problems of
our people ond other peoples of Brazil in order to try and solve
them together with other indigenous organizations that already
exist.
The problems in Rondonia and North Mato Grosso are very
serious. Of the 35 indigenous lands here, only nine have been
regulated; two are homologated; two are delimited; six are
interdicted; one identified and fifteen are without any decision
by the Federal Government.
Until all our lands, without exception, are regularized we
will not be free of threats.
It is painful for us to know that Zoro' lands (only delimited)
are invaded by seventy families (colonizers), a situation that has
caused epidemics and conflicts.
Since they were contacted in 1977 the Zoro' people have been
reduced from six hundred people to two hundred. In 1.983, Funai
authorized the owner of Muiraquita~ farm to build a road that
crosses Zoro' territory thus causing more conflict.
Despite repeated demands by the Zoro', Surui' and Cinta Larga,
the road has not been interdicted.
We demand of the authorities the interdiction of Zoro' lands
and the immediate removal of the invaders. We also demand rapid
demarcation of the area according to the Federal Constitution.
Another problem that preoccupies us is the projected
construction of the River Machado dam that will flood eleven
thousand hectares of Arara and Gaviao~ land. Their land has
already beem drastically reduced. If the dam is build, our
brothers will be without sufficient land to guarantee their
survival.
We demand that this project be amply discussed with the Arara
and Gaviao~ peoples and also with the population of Ji-Parana'
and Jaru' who will be affected by the flooding. The Constitution
guarantees us the right to discuss and even reject those projects
that will affect our survival. We were not consulted about the
construction of the BR 421 road that links Vila Nova do Mamore' to
the town of Ariquemes. If this road is built according to the
projected scheme, it will cut through part of Karipuna land,
complicating their lives. We call attention to the fact the
Karipuna people are now reduced to ten persons after being the
victims of massacres, the last one accuring in the eighties. The
road will also affect two isolated groups and also the land of
the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau whose demarcation was criminally revoked by
ex-president Jose' Sarney.
We are no langer disposed to tie because of projects that only
benefit big farmers, timber merchants, the owners of gold miners
and also politicians who need our votes.
We are also preoccupied by the way the Planofloro project is
being implemented. Why are we not being called upon to
participate in the discussion? How will the project be implanted?
How will it be administered? Will the Planofloro project not be a
repeat of the Polonoroeste which instead of benefitting the
indigenous peoples, brought land reduction and invasion by every
sort of adventurer?
These adventurers - big farmers, timber merchants, owners of
gold mines, have caused enormous demage to the Brazilian
indigenous peoples. We decided to organize ourselves in order to
resist their attacks, their violence and corruption. The
indigenous peoples cannot be hunted by these people. The law
guarantees us our rights and we demand that our rights be
respected by all the brazilian people.
To end this document that synthesizes our main discussions at
the Assembly, we convoke the popular organizations of the towns
and countryside to join forces with us so that we can build a
happier Brazil for ourselves and our children.
Ji-Parana', 21st October, 1991.