On the night of August 12, the general coordinator of the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR), was at the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR) for the Seminar: "The Future is Indigenous: 30 Years of the Yanomami Indigenous Land," along with him were Davi Kopenawa and Dario Kopenawa, leaders who fight against illegal mining and the invisibility of the Yanomami people's struggle to protect their Territory.
Edinho congratulated UFRR for bringing the debate into the institution, so that everyone could understand and listen to indigenous peoples. He also highlighted that remembering their entire context of struggle is very difficult, but still little compared to the history of Jacir Souza, Leaders of the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Land, Clóvis Ambrósio, Leadership of the Serra da Lua Indigenous Land, as well as the Shaman Davi, stressing that a lot of blood was shed for the protection and guarantee of Indigenous Lands.
"In these 522 years we know what the history of Brazil has been like, and this behavior of the people who call themselves Brazilian, with the lives of indigenous peoples, I would like to say that today in this house, those who once thought they would exterminate indigenous peoples were wrong. With this, I want to say that we are very organized, united and prepared for any challenge that comes to compromise our lives. I have always said, I will die honoring this flag, because for us to talk about territory is to talk about the quality of life that we have to have. We defend the land, we are the land, water, we are the forest, which feeds, and gives life to our people."
Shaman Davi highlighted the importance of being invited by UFRR for the first time to talk about his trajectory and his territory, spoke of the title of Doctor Honoris Causa, given to him by the University, for his battle against mining and protection of his people.
"I'm not a city doctor, I'm a Forest doctor, I take care of the Soul and the Lung of the Forest." Said the Shaman, who continued.
"We protect the territory not only for indigenous people, but for you, I felt stronger because some non-indigenous people are recognizing our struggle. Let's fight Together relatives, because (...) the Branco River rises in the mountains, keep an eye out, and be smart, a lot of people up there (miners), poisoning our water"
The Yanomami Indigenous Land completes 30 years, but there is not much to celebrate, leaders estimate that about 20 to 30 thousand miners are in the IT, actions to combat the practice have been carried out sporadically by the Federal Police and IBAMA, and have had a slight effect, however a continuous action of these forces will ensure that the indigenous land resumes its peace.
The event was organized by the Graduate Program in Communication (PPGCOM) of the Federal University of Roraima from August 11 to 12.