We came together in the midst of a pandemic, due to all the projects of death that only seem to increase more and more in our territory. Who will defend us if it is not us? Our territory is suffering the consequences of the invasion of loggers and miners, our people are in poor health, and our culture and our social organization are in danger.
In , the Jacareacanga municipality had a high number of malaria cases, and we are seeing many sick relatives as a consequence of illegal mining. Even though this practice is illegal, it is supported by the federal government, with the arrival of Minister of the Environment Ricardo Salles, they used a small group to say that all indigenous peoples support illegal mining.
And there are still studies in progress for the construction of new hydroelectric plants near the Rasteira Rapids. Our people who are still there suffer from the proposed reduction of the Kayabi Indigenous Territory, but we will not accept any negotiations over our lands. We are against the large hydroelectric projects that are planned in our region, and we fight so that the state and companies take responsibility for those that are already built.
The pariwat whites continue to bring us all their ills and their plans for death. The federal government is anti-Indigenous. Illegal mining affects our entire territory, and from the lowlands to the upper regions our rivers are contaminated. The health of our people is in danger. We are ingesting up to 18 times more than the safe limit of mercury in fish.
In addition, illegal mines bring to our people an increase in the consumption of drugs, alcoholism, prostitution and sexually transmitted diseases. This can be made worse by the approval of what we call the Death Bill bill We, the majority of the Munduruku people, are against this bill, and we want our territory free from both wildcat and corporate mining, along with all ventures that cause destruction and environmental and social impact, all of which are detrimental to the way of life of Indigenous peoples.
