KAYAPO' INDIANS EXPEL 2,000 MINERS
FROM THEIR LANDS IN BRAZIL
Last week, about 2,000 miners were expelled from the Kayapo' Indian Area,
located in the state of Para', Brazilian Amazonia, by older leaders of the
Gorotire village, who are against the agreements which some younger leaders
and the invaders have been entering into. These agreements have not brought
any financial benefits to the community and have given rise to a higher rate
of diseases among the Indians, particularly malaria. Moreover, because of
them, the rivers are being more and more polluted with mercury. A large part
of the equipmente used by the miners was destroyed by the Kayapo'.
The first contracts for the exploitation of gold in Indian areas were
singned in the early 1980s, with the participation of the government.
Contracts were also signed with woodcutters around the same period. However,
few leaders are deriving any benefits from the exploitation of these
resources. The Kayapo' Indian Tapiete, according to FUNAI (National Indian
Foundation), owns four airplanes.
Many sectors are pressuring for the return of the miners. Most of them
stayed near the Indian territory, and about 500 were taken to Reden<a~o,
a city located close to the area and whose economy depends on the gold
and timber taken from the kayapo' territory. The miners are armed and
threatened to destroy FUNAI's headquarters in Reden<a~o. Four Indians
were victims of aggression. The miners might have been taken to Reden<a~o
by the mayor of the city, who has been accused of exploiting gold in the
Indian area.
The Kayapo' Indians Tapiete and Kubei' proposed an agreement under
which the miners would be allowed to return to the area and stay there
for a period of six months. But there is no means to ensure that they
would leave the Indian territory after that period, and no one can tell
whether the proposal will be accepted by the community of the Gorotire
village.
Even the Indians who decided to expel the miners know that it will
not be easy to settle the conflict. Gorotire depends on the resources
derived from the trade of gold and timber taken from the lands surrounding
it, which are used, among other things, to pay off debts in Reden<a~o. If
the exploitation of gold and timber is interrupted, economic alternatives
will have to be devised to ensure the survival of the community.
Brasi'lia, September 22, 1994
CIMI - Indianist Missionary Council