Cacique Quiteria Pankararu, indigenous chief of the tribe Pankararu,
attends a ceremony in commemoration of the Indigenous National Day
in Brasilia, April 2005.
Steadfast and Determined
Indigenous women of Brazil take on the government
to protect their land, livelihoods, families
and communities
by Meghan McKinney
Every day, entire sections of Amazon rainforest are cleared in the name of development. Pristine ecosystems—the homes of undiscovered insects and plants as well as the source of many medicines—are also the homes of indigenous peoples whose ancestors inhabited the region for centuries. Among their diverse cultures and language groups, indigenous women play a crucial role in the protection of the environment and their traditional territories, protecting their ways of life and ensuring safe futures for their children.
For five tribes of the territory Raposa Serra do Sol (pronounced Ha-posa Say-ha do Sul and meaning “Fox of the Sun Mountain”), in the state of Roraima, Brazil, the struggle to secure ownership of their traditional lands has lasted 30 years. For the women of the territory, physical violence, as well as spiritual and emotional attacks, have presented enormous challenges to maintaining their unity and health.
How have indigenous women worked to secure rights to their traditional land? What obstacles slowed their progress? Plus, learn about how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is involved in environmental issues in Brazil.
Call 800/524-2612
or
to Horizons Magazine
or
the March/April 2006 issue now.
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Meghan McKinney is a program assistant for the Amazon Alliance and holds a master’s degree in international peace and conflict resolution.
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