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.