The first day of the 52nd General Assembly of Indigenous Peoples of Roraima began with the election for the Secretariat of the Indigenous Women's Movement of the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR). Promoted by the CIR, the Assembly began today (11) and ends on the 14th, at the Lago Caracaranã Regional Center, in the Raposa region, in the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Land, municipality of Normandia.
After the official opening of the Assembly, with traditional songs and dances, and the presentation of the regional delegations, the electoral commission opened the proceedings for voting, counting, and announcing the results.
Kelliane Cruz, 31 years old, from the Wapichana people, from the Canauamin indigenous community in the Serra da Lua region, was elected with 143 votes and will replace Maria Betania Mota de Jesus, from the Macuxi people, who served in the position for 6 years and is stepping down after taking up a public teaching position. Kelliane holds a degree in Indigenous Territorial Management from the Insinkiran Institute of the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR), and worked as a teacher. From 2019 to January 2023, she served in the Department of Territorial and Environmental Management (DGTA) of the CIR. The Wapichana will assume the position until March 2025.
Once elected, Kelliane thanked the regions, not only the 5 that nominated her, but all of them for believing in the capacity of young people, according to her. "I thank you for believing in us, and we, young people, can occupy these positions," she said in her first words.
Alcineia Pinho, from the Campinho indigenous community, who ran for election, received 90 votes. She thanked the regions for the nomination and wished the new secretary strength.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at the close of the Assembly, on the 14th.