“This COP-30 will only happen if we allow it,” says Brazilian Indigenous leader

Belém is experiencing a moment of tension and intense political clashes amid the occupation of the Department of Education (Seduc) by Indigenous leaders. At the center of the standoff is a tense dialogue between representatives of Indigenous peoples and an emissary from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI), who was held by protesters after a heated debate. “Because this is the image of Brazil, this is where COP is supposed to happen—if we allow it. You’ve seen that we are amplifying the fight,” said an Indigenous leader. Another leader, Luana Kumaruara, added: “If the governor wants to host COP-30, he needs to engage in dialogue with the people of the rivers and forests.”

The criticism also extends to the government of President Lula, who has yet to comment on the occupation of Seduc by 400 Indigenous individuals representing over 20 Indigenous groups in Pará. The weak and nearly nonexistent involvement of Sônia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples, has further fueled dissatisfaction.

Rather than contributing to a resolution, the minister, via a video conference with the Indigenous group, caused additional discontent. Her proposal to reinstate Article 2 of an old law, while the government buys time to create new legislation for education in Indigenous schools, was met with rejection and criticism. The movement is demanding the complete repeal of Law 10.820/2024.

The sharp criticism also targeted Pará Governor Helder Barbalho, who was accused of negligence and apathy toward the historic demands of Indigenous communities. “Helder doesn’t engage in dialogue and avoids accountability. He spent 15 days abroad on vacation and then extended his break to pose as a defender of the Amazon at Davos, at the World Economic Forum, where his presence had no relevance,” one leader accused.

Meanwhile, at Seduc, tensions escalated during an impassioned speech by Indigenous leaders. Addressing the MPI representative, protesters accused him of a lack of commitment. “You stayed here on the first day and then disappeared. I even thought you had left. Yesterday, we saw you at a press conference. If you came to stay with us, from now on, you will stay here,” one leader said in a defiant tone.

The representative, who attempted to justify his actions and promised support, was immediately met with sharp criticism. The Indigenous group accused him of negligence and demanded that he remain with them, using his direct connections to contact Minister Sônia Guajajara and President Lula. “The minister needs to talk to Helder. Isn’t she friends with Helder? Doesn’t she go around taking pictures with him?” they pressed.

The weeks-long crisis has exposed not only a gulf between official discourse and the realities of Indigenous territories but also widespread dissatisfaction with Governor Helder Barbalho. Harsh critiques accused him of abandoning Indigenous issues in favor of superficial and ineffective policies. “This is the image of Brazil. You broadcast to the media that everything looks good, that progress has been made, but the miners are still there. Enough! I don’t want to stay here another week. My relatives are complaining,” another protester emphasized.

The situation escalated further when protesters made it clear they would not allow the MPI representative to leave the building. They conditioned future negotiations on the presence of Sônia Guajajara and Lula, as well as concrete responses from the state government. “If the police come in here, arrest our leaders, or attack any Indigenous person, the blame will fall on the relatives in government who fail to mediate,” they warned.

The criticism also extended to the management of former Education Minister Rosieli Soares, now head of Seduc. He was accused of racism and of adopting practices that divide the Indigenous movement. One protester voiced their indignation: “The secretary has never set foot in our territory. These past two days, he’s taking pictures to pretend he’s friends with Indigenous people. He’s a racist.”

Struggle, pressures, and risks

This confrontation underscores the exhaustion with a dialogue that, according to protesters, is limited to superficial gestures and fails to address the structural issues plaguing Indigenous communities. The dissatisfaction with governmental inaction serves as a clear warning: Indigenous peoples are prepared to intensify their struggle, even under pressure and risks.

The conflict places Governor Helder Barbalho and the federal government in a precarious position. The urgency for concrete actions is evident, lest it further erode trust in institutions and deepen the conflicts in a state that is the epicenter of Brazil’s socio-environmental issues.

The term “Hispanic government,” used by protesters to criticize a colonialist stance, carries a symbolism that goes beyond words, evoking a history of violations and resistance that continues into the present.

At stake is not just the resolution of specific demands but the reaffirmation of the State’s commitment to the historic struggles of Indigenous peoples. Failure to act risks turning Seduc into a symbol of a dialogue that never takes place.

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