Brazil has 1.7 million Indigenous people, near double the count from prior census, government says

The government of Brazil revealed that the country’s Indigenous population has reached 1.7 million people, nearly double the count from the previous census. The Minister of Indigenous People, Sonia Guajajara, addressed a gathering at a colonial theater in the Amazon, celebrating the milestone of Indigenous participation. The increase in the Indigenous population is attributed to a greater willingness of people to acknowledge their roots and improved survey methods, including access to previously unreachable villages.

The event, known as the Amazon Summit, brought together representatives from the eight countries housing the world’s largest tropical rainforests. Indigenous groups, riverine communities, fishermen, and Afro-descendants discussed various issues, including harassment from carbon credit companies, deforestation, and illegal mining. One of their primary demands was to cancel new oil projects in the region.

The gathering marked a significant step for Indigenous representation, as civil society had been silenced and excluded from social participation in previous years. The increased number of attendees demonstrated the urgency and importance of addressing the social and environmental challenges faced by Indigenous communities.

The revised population statistics mean that more government resources can be allocated to invest in Indigenous people’s health, education, and security. The federal government also announced plans to expel invaders from 32 Indigenous territories, receiving enthusiastic support from the audience.

In conclusion, the Amazon Summit served as a vital platform for Indigenous voices, highlighting the need for cooperation among nations to protect the rainforest and advance the rights of Indigenous communities, with a shared goal of “Never again a Brazil without us!”

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More about Indigenous population growth

• Brazil’s Indigenous Population Sees 89% Increase in Census
• Amazon Summit Addresses Indigenous Rights and Environmental Challenges
• Minister Sonia Guajajara’s Speech on Indigenous Participation
• Challenges and Demands of Indigenous Groups at the Amazon Summit
• Government Plans to Expel Invaders from Indigenous Territories
• Implications of Increased Indigenous Population for Government Resource Allocation
• Relevance of the Amazon Summit in Advancing Indigenous Causes
• Indigenous Voices Revived: Social Participation in Brazil’s Governance