With their languages, cultures, beliefs and traditions, indigenous leaders gathered in the Krehawa village, TI São Domingos, in Luciara (MT), for the IV Assembly of Indigenous Women of Mato Grosso, between July 4 and 7 of this year. One of the objectives of the meeting was to strengthen relations between women, their organizations and allies in the search for Good Living.
It was organized by the Federation of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of Mato Grosso (Fepoimt). The event brought together 16 indigenous peoples of the state. In addition to representatives of Cimi Regional Mato Grosso, the State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), the Union of Indigenous Women of the Brazilian Amazon (UNIAB), Funai, the Sesai Team and Sebrae and our sister Verônica Hergesell, CCV, Cimi missionary in São Félix do Araguaia. “These indigenous women went to great lengths to get to the event site and bring their demands to the assembly.”
During the four-day assembly, the women discussed issues related to territory, health, education, culture, natural medicine, the work of healers, handicrafts, agriculture and the self-sustainability of the territories. The debate on violence against women took center stage throughout the assembly. Situations named as defamation, slander, libel, injury, prejudice, institutional violence, guardianship, sexual violence, harassment, mutilation, retaliation, psychological violence, in addition to other violations that generate insecurity, fear and suicide.
The neglect of indigenous education was listed as one of the challenges to be overcome. It is necessary for pedagogical training to have a greater presence in the school for the development of student learning.
Another concern, brought to the debate, is the paralysis of the demarcation of indigenous lands. The defense of the time frame by the National Congress with Law 14.701/2023 and the federal government’s speeches on “conciliation”. “When the government does an interview defending the time frame, it bothers us and violates our rights, because we need the forest standing, and we are concerned about the generation of now and the one yet to be born,” he argued . one of the Kayapó leaders in the assembly. The lack of demarcation of indigenous lands has intensified conflicts in the territories and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, water, forests and biodiversity. According to Rosneis, “they come in and destroy everything, ignoring the fact that indigenous peoples have the right to prior, free, informed and consensual consultation, a right won by indigenous peoples”.
The women also discussed the illnesses of children and the elderly, due to water and fish contamination, lack of assistance and access to basic health medicines. The waste coming from the city, the drying of the rivers and the death of the fish are making us sick and causing deaths due to the contamination of the river with mercury from illegal mining. It is a violence that affects our people and sometimes leads to suicide.”
For more information click on the link below cimi.org.br
Sr. Veronica Hergesell, CCV
