A group of Tembi and Urubu Kaapor Indians are in Brasi'lia to denounce
that marijuana (cannabis sativa) is being planted and trafficked in their
lands, located in the states of Para' and Maranha~o, Brazilian Amazonia. The
lands which have been invaded are located in the Alto Rio Guama' Indian Area,
particularly, and in the Alto Tirua<u Indian Area. Six Indian leaders
denounced this situation to the Federal Police.
The weed is probably being cultivaded in the Alto Rio Guama' Area by
squatters who invaded the Indian territory and were persuaded to do so by drug
traffickers. According to the Indians, several families of squatters have
switched from food crops to planting marijuana.
No precise information is available on how much marijuana is being
planted, but the Tembi say that there are several plantations both inside and
outside the Indian area. One of them occupies about 10 hectares. Marijuana
crops have grown so much that one of the plantations is located at only two
kilometers from one of the villages and the drug is being used as currency to
pay for freight and boat trips across the Alto Guama' river.
The Tembe' say that "it is impossible to live together" with marijuana
planters and traffickrs. They invade their hunting areas, kill animals and
damage the environment. They said they will take care of the situation
themselves if the Federal Police do not take prompt measures. In this case,
violent acts could occur, as the Indians told the Police that the traffickers
are providing the planters with weapons. Last year, the Tembi arrested three
of them, but released them after being threatened with reprisals.
PARESI
Forty Paresi Indians who were about to be expelled from the Esta<a~o
Rondon Indian Area, in the state of Mato Grosso, were allowed to remain in
their lands, according to a decision of federal judge Rubem Martinez Cunha. In
April, CIMI (Indianist Missionary Council) launched a campaign in support of
the Paresi. Letters and telegrams were sent to the judge, asking him to annul
the decision to evict them from their lands.
Brasi'lia, June 23, 1994
CIMI - Indianist Missionary Council