Ajareaty Waiapi, one of the few female chiefs of the Waiapi in the northern Amazon, has been on a mission to tell the world that saving her community's lands also saves the earth.
Most Waiapi women do not speak Portuguese, which is why there are not many female Waiapi chiefs, she explained. Her three sisters did not go to school.
In other areas of Brazil where mining is taking place, people have high levels of heavy metals in their blood, especially children, he said. By the time the Brazilian government heard of the health crisis and made contact with the Waiapi for the first time in 1973 to vaccinate them, there were only around 150 of his people left. Without those vaccines, Tzako said he believes the Waiapi would be extinct.
“If we do not clear the demarcation the miners and lumbermen can go in hiding,” she explained. “I tell all this to my family, and they are listening to me. It's true, everyone listens to me.”But finding her voice took time. Nazaré started school at age 38, much to the dismay of one of her teachers who, she said, called her “an old parrot who does not know how to learn.” But such name-calling did not deter her.
“Watch out for snakes,” she warns repeatedly. She navigates narrow jungle trails with her infant granddaughter resting quietly on her hip in a colorfully woven sling while her 5-year-old grandson, Heron, and his dog trail behind.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
As EU threatens trade retaliation, Brazil sends army to fight Amazon firesAgainst the global chorus of condemnation, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been mobilising the army to help combat the blazes, while his administration launched a diplomatic charm offensive to try to mend bridges.
Read more »
Trump offers Brazil help with Amazon firesPresident Trump offers to help Brazil contain forest fires raging in the Amazon rain forest
Read more »
Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro authorizes military to battle massive Amazon rainforest fireThe Amazon rainforest is vital in that it not only provides so much oxygen, but that the burning of the forest is also a roadblock in the battle against global warming.
Read more »
As EU threatens trade retaliation, Brazil sends army to fight Amazon firesBolsonaro to send troops to Amazon amidst international pressure over wildfires. More here:
Read more »
Bolsonaro to send army to fight huge fires in the AmazonUnder international pressure to contain fires sweeping parts of Brazil&39;s Amazon, President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday authorized use of the military to battle the huge blazes while thousands took to the streets to protest his environmental policies. Brazilian forces will deploy starting Saturday to
Read more »