ONU lança documentário ‘Guarani e Kaiowá: pelo direito de viver no Tekoha’

Summary

This video script highlights the struggles faced by indigenous communities in Brazil, particularly the Guarani and Kaiowá peoples. It details their ongoing fight for land rights, the consequences of forced removals, and the violent conflicts they endure, including threats, killings, and suicide rates among the youth. The script also discusses government policies, such as the creation of indigenous reservations and the underfunding of FUNAI, which affects indigenous rights. It underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing historical injustices, emphasizing the need for land demarcation and indigenous self-determination.

Takeaways

• 🌍 In 2017, the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples' Rights marks 10 years, reminding the world of their rights and struggles.
• ⚠️ Indigenous groups in Brazil face ongoing threats that destroy their lives, history, and culture, particularly in Mato Grosso do Sul.
• 💔 The Guarani and Kaiowá peoples have experienced significant human rights violations, especially since the early 20th century with forced relocations.
• 🌱 The Brazilian government created Indigenous reservations, which became areas of confinement, such as the Dourados Reserve, now overpopulated and strained.
• 🏞️ Loss of land has led to limited resources for Indigenous peoples, causing poverty, violence, and rising suicide rates among the youth.
• ⚖️ Despite legal protections, Indigenous territories are under constant threat from agribusiness, leading to murders of Indigenous leaders.
• 📉 Budget cuts and a lack of support from the government, like the reduction of funds for FUNAI, weaken efforts to protect Indigenous rights.
• 🔗 The UN Declaration aims to ensure Indigenous peoples' rights to their lands and resources, but implementation remains slow in Brazil.
• 🏫 Efforts are being made to educate and empower Indigenous communities, such as the creation of intercultural faculties and increasing numbers of Indigenous teachers.
• 💬 Indigenous voices call for unity, preservation of their culture, and recognition of their historical rights, especially regarding land demarcation.

Q & A

What is the significance of the year 2017 for Indigenous Peoples?

2017 marked the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which highlights the importance of Indigenous populations and their struggle to secure and protect their rights.

How has the Brazilian government historically dealt with Indigenous lands?

From 1910 to 1960, the Brazilian government implemented policies to forcibly remove Indigenous populations from their lands, relocating them to reservations. This was part of a broader policy to assimilate Indigenous peoples by transforming them into poor citizens, often at the expense of their land.

What is the significance of the Dourados Indigenous Reservation?

The Dourados Indigenous Reservation is notable for being the largest area of Indigenous confinement in the world. Over 16,000 people live on approximately 3,000 hectares, facing cramped conditions and limited resources.

What are the current challenges faced by Indigenous peoples in the Dourados region?

Indigenous peoples in Dourados face severe overcrowding, lack of access to resources such as water, and the destruction of their natural environment. This has led to psychological stress, particularly among the youth, with high rates of suicide and violence within the community.

How has violence affected the Guarani and Kaiowá peoples in recent years?

Between 2000 and 2011, more than 750 Guarani-Kaiowá individuals committed suicide, and almost 400 were killed in violent conflicts, often related to land disputes. Indigenous leaders have been targeted, with several being murdered, including prominent figures like Genivaldo Vera and Simão Ílhavo.

What is the role of FUNAI (Fundação Nacional do Índio) in protecting Indigenous rights?

FUNAI is responsible for identifying and protecting Indigenous lands, acting as a mediator between the federal government and Indigenous communities. However, recent budget cuts and a lack of resources have significantly hampered its ability to carry out its mission.

How has the Brazilian government responded to calls for land demarcation?

The Brazilian government has been slow in demarcating Indigenous lands, often favoring the interests of agribusiness. While most demarcated lands are in the Amazon, areas in the central and southern regions remain contested, with communities struggling to reclaim traditional territories.

What educational initiatives have been developed to support Indigenous communities?

In 2012, the Federal University of Grande Dourados created the Intercultural Indigenous Faculty, which collaborates with Indigenous leaders and educators to provide education that is relevant to Indigenous realities. This initiative aims to empower Indigenous teachers and students within their communities.

What are some of the major obstacles Indigenous communities face in terms of education?

Indigenous communities often face difficulties accessing education due to conflicts over land, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of resources. In many areas, there are still insufficient schools, especially for higher education, and the communities lack support from local governments.

What do Indigenous leaders believe is necessary for their survival and recognition in Brazil?

Indigenous leaders emphasize the importance of land demarcation, respect for their cultural and territorial rights, and greater political representation. They believe that the government must recognize their historical claims to land and that international declarations like the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples should be upheld.