The Future Genocide Of The Awa Nation In The Amazon- Mya

The Future Genocide Of The Awa Nation In The Amazon

Who are the Awa People? 

The Awa people are Indigenous peoples who live within the Amazon. They are a group of nomadic hunter-gatherers who live in the forested areas of northeastern Brazil. They are also skilled hunters, and while some have taken to using confiscated shotguns from illicit poachers, others still hunt with 6 foot (2 meter) longbows. Being Indigenous they also have an intimate relationship with and a deep understanding of the forest, animals are only eaten at certain times of the year to ensure the survival of the forest. They are self-sufficient people, and everything they need from baskets to bow and arrows comes from the forest and without the forest they are unable to do so. The Awa people are being threatened by illicit loggers and ranchers pose the biggest threat to the Awá, because they are cutting down and burning the land with which they coexist. Who is behind most of these illegal ranchers and loggers? Who is making it acceptable for this to happen? 

President Bolsanaro  

President Jair Bolsanaro is making it almost impossible for the Awa Nation to flourish on their land. It is no secret Bolsanaro is against anything to do with Indigenous people, environmental and social groups have referred to him as the Amazon’s worst enemy or the Trump of the Tropic. According to the New York Times, in the first six months of Bolsanaro’s term measures to protect the Amazon (fines, destroying logging equipment in protected areas) dropped by 20%. It is clear that he does not care for the Amazon nor for the people who live within. Bolsanaro is quoted saying in an interview “If it were up to me, Indigenous people would not even have a millimeter of land”. Do you think this man should be the president of Brazil?. Why is he able to impose a threat by threatening to take away the rest of their land? Have they not given us enough?. 

Deforestation

The Awa nation lives on lands which are rich in natural resources like gold, zinc, copper, silver, platinum and other minerals because of this they are subjected to threats. FARC, an arms group, has claimed the lives of 8 members of the Awa Nation and two bodies of 8 months long pregnant women. Government officials tried to remove local crops of Mafia members meanwhile the aftershock of the fumigation also destroyed Awa nation land as well as killing their animals and their women are more prone to miscarriages or premature births. An anonymous Awa Nation leader was quoted saying “We hate the fact that now our forests are being viewed by others as financial commodities. The notion that outsiders can place a price on our resources is ridiculous. Our forests and our lands mean so much more to us. Without them we are nothing. Outsiders simply don’t understand this”. In the past 50 years, 17% of the Amazon has been destroyed which is the tipping point of no return is 20-25%. If the Amazon hits the point of 20-25% it’s water cycle will no longer be able to support the ecosystem. Many developing countries get loans from more prosperous countries, like the United States of America, in order to function properly. Cutting down the Amazon’s trees allows these developing countries to repay their debts as deforestation is profitable.

Connection to Canadian Indigenous People 

Everyone knows that Indigenous people all over the world have been affected by colonization. In Canada we do not have uncontacted nations like the Awa NAtion in the Amazon but that does not mean there is still no connection between the two. For example, Indigenous people who hunt seals in the North West River. They are being affected by climate change as seal hunting has hit an all time low in 50 years as a result of ice conditions being iffy and it not worth risking their lives. The Awa Nation are facing climate change as well as loss of food due to deforestation. The Awa nation’s food supply has drastically dropped as a result of Amazon fires, deforestation and invasion of farmers and loggers. Their animals have no homes so they are unable to repopulate, their fruits and vegetables are being burned and this is leaving them helpless just like the Indigenous people in the North West River. These two nations may not face the exact same problems but again they are similar and out of their nations control. So you may ask, what can I do to help Indigenous people in Canada or even around the world? 

Inquiry questions:

How can we as young adults help protect the amazon and protect the Awa people from genocide? As this is hard for any young adult there are still smaller ways we can do to spread awareness. Some ideas could be posting issues on our social media, yes social media is an effective tool that sometimes gets messed around with but millions of young adults all over the world have it and this is effectful for our generation. Finally, we can donate. It does not need to be monthly nor does it have to be hundreds of dollars but any donations help. These donations will go towards putting laws into place to protect ancestral lands or even help land defenders with legal fees.

Why are the Awa Nation being targeted by brazillian president Jair Bolsonaro and his followers? Deforestation brings money into the pockets of farmers and members of the government. Farmers are following Bolsonaro’s lead by targeting the Awa Nation in order to clear them from their lands in order to create pastures for their animals as they want to eat the lush leaves and fruits of the rainforest. More land cleared out means more space for farmers. Deforestation also helps provide a source of income to repay debts, everyone needs lumber. We use it for things like paper or furniture. Every country needs lumber so if you have plenty why not share right? Wrong, this is a detrimental way of repaying your debts. 

How are the Awa Nation protecting the Amazon? Well many resources have been put into place in order to help the Awa Nation like different organizations but the nation themselves have created an army. They are called Land Defenders, they are a group of Awa people who defend their homes from illegal loggers. They don’t use guns or any present day protection, they use homemade tools like knives, bows and machetes. They stay up all hours of the night just protecting their lands. More often than not illegal loggers do not know the Land defenders are there until they strike, they are amazing at staying silent and hiding within the forest. This is a great honor within the community and they accept it with pride. 

Political Thinking Concepts: 

Political concept: There is so much evidence to back the claims that president Bolsonaro has no emotion towards Indigenous people. He has been quoted in an interview saying if he had the choice then Indigenous people wouldn’t even have a millimeter of land. He is not ashamed of his hate towards the Indigenous community and with this comes his followers. Just like Bolsonaro his followers disrespect Indigenous land and it’s people. Having such an influence on the country like Bolsonaro he has the ability to wave convictions for any illegal logging or any illegal thing done towards the Indigenous Community.  

Stability & change: I believe that there needs to be a change within the government of Brazil. They have a long history of corruption and with this corruption comes the mistreatment of minority groups as well as nature. Policies need to change meanwhile they have stayed the same throughout many presidents who have been proven to be corrupt. Corruption is the main idea why other countries have changed certain laws or indicted members of government. I believe that this corruption needs to change for the benefit of the world and the benefit of the Indigenous people.  

What can we do to help?

First of all we can always educate ourselves on the issues. Education is key to truly understand what is happening to these nations, how it is detrimental to their culture and their values. Secondly, if you are wanting to donate research the organization you are donating to so that the money is truly going towards these Indigenous nations. An organization that I personally like is called “Survival International. Org”. This organization gives you background information about who you are donating to, what their goals are as an organization, their campaigns, and they keep their website updated with current and relevant news and information. Lastly, if you are unable to donate just bring attention to these issues. Whether it’s making posters, making a post on social media or even just informing yourself and others.