Notícias
INDIGENOUS LANDS
Brazil demarcates seven Indigenous Lands in state of São Paulo
Signature ceremony of seven declaratory administrative orders that ensure the advancement of Indigenous Lands demarcation process - Credit: Washington costa/MPI
The Brazilian Federal Government recognized this Thursday, October 23, seven Indigenous territories in the state of São Paulo after a meeting with representatives from the Guarani, Guarani Mbya, Guarani Nhandeva, and Tupi-Guarani Indigenous peoples. The administrative orders (portarias) ensure the advancement of the demarcation process of the Jaraguá, Peguaoty, Djaiko-aty, Amba Porã, Pindoty - Araça-Mirim, Tapy'i/Rio Branquinho, and Guaviraty Indigenous Lands. Together, they occupy 18,614 hectares and are home to approximately 982 Indigenous persons.
Since 2018 there had been no demarcations and now 11 Indigenous lands have already been recognized. This is a record and we will continue demarcating, always with much safety, respecting what is determined by our Constitution” — Ricardo Lewandowski, Brazil’s Minister of Justice and Public Security
According to the Minister of Justice and Public Security Ricardo Lewandowski, the demarcation administrative orders are an important official act that institutionally recognizes the right of Indigenous peoples to permanently own the lands they traditionally occupy. "Since 2018 there had been no demarcations and now 11 Indigenous lands have already been recognized. This is a record and we will continue demarcating, always with much safety, respecting what is determined by our Constitution”, he declared.
Demarcations encompass the municipalities of Sete Barras, Osasco, Miracatu, Cananéia, Iguape, and the state capital, São Paulo. All documents pertain to the Indigenous Lands located inside the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) and the advancement of the demarcation process also represents a guarantee for the preservation of the biome, the most devastated in the country, as well as a historical reparation for the Guarani and Guarani Mbya peoples, who traditionally occupy these territories.
“We must reaffirm, more and more, that the state of São Paulo is an Indigenous Land and that the Indigenous peoples are strong and their culture is very much alive. We have the duty to protect this rich and diverse culture, which only makes our country greater,” stated the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara.
GUARANTEE OF RIGHTS — The Attorney General's Office (Advocacia-Geral da União / AGU) stressed the commitment to defending the rights of Indigenous peoples, as well as their right to land, health, and to a dignified and fulfilling life that corresponds to their practices, knowledge, and beliefs. "Through robust and well-founded legal work, we will continue guaranteeing that the demarcation processes are conducted fairly and in accordance with the current legislation, respecting the constitutional rights of the Indigenous peoples in particular," stated Deputy Attorney General Paulo Ceo.
DEMARCATION PROCESS — The process of demarcation of Indigenous lands is highly complex and occurs in successive stages that still require administrative acts from the National Indigenous Peoples Foundation (Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas / FUNAI), the Ministry of Justice, and the Presidency of the Republic. The next step is the physical demarcation performed by FUNAI. The final stage is attributed to the President of the Republic, who will confirm the demarcation procedure through the issuance of a decree.
Learn more about the Indigenous Lands:
JARAGUÁ — In the municipalities of São Paulo and Osasco, the area that was recognized through the administrative decree has 532 hectares and is occupied by the Guarani Indigenous people. The territory is bordered by the Bandeirantes Highway, the Anhanguera Highway, and the Mário Covas Beltway. About 58% of its area overlaps with the Jaraguá State Park.
The demarcation adequates the limits of the Indigenous land, ratified in 1987 with only 1.7 hectare, to the parameters described in the Federal Constitution. The new decree repairs the illegal situation that derived from the annulment of the declaratory decree, which occurred in 2017, by re-establishing the effects of the declaratory decree published in 2015. “Now we can feel secure on our land, knowing that our children will be able to protect the territory. We will have greater assurance to confront real estate speculation, intruders, and all the violence we have suffered,” stated the Jaraguá Indigenous Land representative, Jandira Paramirim, with heartfelt emotion.
PEGUAOTY — The territory has 6,230 hectares and is located in the municipality of Sete Barras. It integrally overlaps the State Parks of Intervalares and Carlos Botelho. Another 7% is contained in the Serra do Mar Environmental Protection Area (Área de Proteção Ambiental / APA), declared as a Conservation Unit (Unidade de Conservação).
DJAIKO-ATY — In the municipality of Miracatu, the area has 1,216 hectares and belongs to the Guarani Nhandeva, Guarani Mbya, Tupi, and Tupi-Guarani. The territory is located in the Vale do Ribeira region and is completely contained inside the Serra do Mar Environmental Protection Area, declared as a Conservation Unit.
AMBA PORÃ — With 7,204 hectares, the land is located in the municipality of Miracatu, where the Guarani-Mbya Indigenous people live. Integrally contained inside the Serra do Mar Environmental Protection Area, it has a mining site at its border. “We have been waiting for this demarcation for over 20 years. We know that the struggle does not end here, but we still believe in our country’s Justice system and in our Constitution,” stated Saulo Guarani, a leader from the Amba Porã Indigenous Land.
PINDOTY-ARAÇA-MIRIM — The land is occupied by the Guarani-Mbya Indigenous people and has part of its territory inside the Cananéia–Iguape–Peruíbe Environmental Protection Area. With 1,030 hectares, it is located in the city of Cananéia.
TAPY'I/RIO BRANQUINHO — Belonging to the Guarani-Mbya, the land has 1,154 hectares and is located in the municipality of Cananéia. The entire territory is contained inside the Cananéia–Iguape–Peruíbe Environmental Protection Area.
GUAVIRATY — With 1,248 hectares, the area is divided between the cities of Iguape and Cananéia. It is fully occupied by the Guarani-Mbya Indigenous people and its territory is completely contained inside the Cananéia–Iguape–Peruíbe Environmental Protection Area.
HISTORY — The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, signed 11 declaratory decrees in the second semester of 2024. On September 25, Minister Ricardo Lewandowski signed the declaratory decree of the Sawré Muybu Indigenous Land located in the state of Pará (PA), owned by the Munduruku People, a demarcation process that had been paralyzed for 17 years. On September 5, the decrees for the Maró and Cobra Grande lands, in Pará, and Apiaká do Pontal e Isolados, in Mato Grosso, were signed. Together, these territories occupy over 1 million hectares and are home to 1,250 Indigenous persons. Six ethnicities— Borari, Arapium, Jaraqui, Tapajó, Apiaká, and Munduruku — as well as isolated peoples have been benefitted.