21. South America - Rainforest Portal Website of the indigenous peoples of the Confederation of indigenous Nationalitiesof Indigenista Missionário (CIMI) brazilian indigenous rights organization http://www.rainforestweb.org/Rainforest_Information/Indigenous_Peoples/South_Ame

Home Add a Site Gallery Take Action ... Indigenous Peoples South America Rainforest News Action Alerts Protect an Acre of Rainforest Rainforest Information ... What You Can Do South America Topics: South America@ Uwa South America Links: Amazon Alliance for Indigenous Peoples Hot - General information about the Amazonian Indigenous peoples. History, background, links, working groups, and photos. Amazon Conservation Team - ACT is dedicated to creating new conservation strategies by combining indigenous knowledge with Western science to understand, document and preserve the biological and cultural diversity of the Amazon. Amazonia Suriname - Various news articles on developments surrounding Suriname's rainforest and indigenous people. Arutam: Jivaro Indians in the Ecuadorian and Peruvian Rainforest - Relief for Jivaro Indians in the Ecuadorian and Peruvian rainforest. A non profit organization focused on the safe-keeping of the Shuar, Achuar and Zaparo's traditional medicine and promotion of Amazonian traditions in Europe. Ashaninka Website - Website of the Ashaninka peoples of the Peruvian Amazon.

22. Brazil's Giant Step Backward On Indigenous Rights and Rights of indigenous peoples. Posed by brazilian Presidential Decree 1775 http://linux.soc.uu.se/~jorge/fakta/brazil.htm

URL:http://www.soc.uu.se/mapuche Brazil's Giant Step Backward on Indigenous Rights The Threat to the Natural Environment and Rights of Indigenous Peoples Posed by Brazilian Presidential Decree 1775 [When the Committee for Human Rights takes up a specific case of human rights abuse, it may prepare a Briefing Document, written by one or more of its own members, or commissioned from a knowledgeable colleague. The briefing document is reviewed, perhaps edited, and adopted by the Committee as a whole and then, together with recommended actions, transmitted to the president of the American Anthropological Association. A Briefing Document is not an official document of the Association, but provides essential information supporting the action recommendations the Committee recommends to the Association president.] Executive Summary The signing of Decree 1775 by Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on January 8, 1996, marked a drastic reversal of Brazilian policy toward the protection of the human rights of indigenous peoples and the natural environment throughout the country, but especially in the Amazon region where most indigenous lands are located. Indigenous areas now make up 11% of the total area of Brazil. Over half of these areas have potentially been opened up to claims by private or local state development agencies by the new Decree, in apparent violation of the Brazilian Constitution's guarantee of the rights of indigenous peoples to their traditional territories. The economic interests that benefit by the Decree are of the most environmentally and culturally destructive kinds: mining, logging, and ranching. Since it is principally in indigenous areas that natural ecosystems such as those of the Amazon region survive relatively intact, the Decree poses as grave a threat to the survival of environmental diversity as to cultural diversity.

23. Brazil - Rainforest Portal seeks to reduce the rate of destruction of the brazilian rain forests Chico Mendes,voice in government for rubber tappers, indigenous peoples, landless workers http://www.rainforestweb.org/Rainforest_Regions/South_America/Brazil/

Home Add a Site Gallery Take Action ... South America Brazil Save indigenous lands in Brazil Rainforest News Action Alerts Protect an Acre of Rainforest ... What You Can Do Nearly 40 percent of all the tropical rainforest left in the world is in the Brazilian Amazon. Brazil, the largest country in South America, has perhaps the best opportunity remaining to save large tracks of tropical rainforest. Although Brazil has lost approximately 58 percent of its frontier forests (large tracks of relatively undisturbed old growth forest), the country still has are over 772,200 square miles of frontier forest, among the largest amount of any country worldwide. [more] Brazil Links: Brazil Deforestation and Logging Hot - Case study from American University's Trade and Environment Database (TED). Brazil Rainforest Conservation Editor's Pick Hot Global Forest Watch: Brazil Hot - General information on Brazil's forests. amazonia-e-poesia - Poetry by Marcia Theophilo about the Brazilian Amazon. Apremavi - A Apremavi dedica-se à defesa, preservação e recuperação de áreas degradadas da Mata Atlântica e matas ciliares, enriquecimento das florestas secundárias, educação ambiental e agricultura orgânica. Base de Dados Tropical - Brazilian Tropical Database contains scientific data on the biomes, ecosystems, and species of Brazil.

24. OneWorld News Service - Indigenous Peoples ENVIRONMENT/indigenous peoples Strong Winds Stoke Fires in brazilian Yanomami Reserve http://www.oneworld.org/news/world/indigenous.html

INDIGENOUS RIGHTS/MALAYSIA: Villagers slam dam plans Malaysian villagers have pledged to stand their ground in the face of plans for a giant dam project. From Inter Press Service, featured on the OneWorld News Service 20 May 1999 INDIGENOUS RIGHTS/CHILE: Cross-border police squad arrests tribal leader A leader of Chile's Mapuche indigenous community has been arrested by an international police squad after speaking out against human rights abuses. From Environment News Service (ENS), featured on the OneWorld News Service 17 May 1999 INDIGENOUS RIGHTS/US: Whale hunt piles pressure on prosecutor A prosecutor in Washington state is seeking federal help to deal with a battery of legal actions against a controversial whale hunt which began this week. From Environment News Service (ENS), featured on the OneWorld News Service 12 May 1999 INDIGENOUS RIGHTS/CANADA: Makah whale hunt gets underway Members of the Makah Indian Tribe of northwest Washington State have set off on a controversial whale hunt. From Environment News Service (ENS), featured on the OneWorld News Service 11 May 1999

25. CTI - Centre Of Service For The Indigenous Peoples of public policies relating to the indigenous peoples of Brazil on behalf of the rightsof indigenous people in history and became part of brazilian legislation http://www.trabalhoindigenista.org.br/eng/ctiinfo.asp

Lider WaiWai e o mapa da terra. Foto/D. Gallois How we work We work directly with indigenous communities, providing them with resources and technical advice through projects which have been developed and discussed together with the communities concerned. More than simple beneficiaries of the projects, the Indians are their co-authors and co-executers. The coordinators and advisors of the projects listen, learn, critically discuss and facilitate activities, while respecting the cultural particularities and expectations of the community. Our work is long term and characterized by continuity whilst at the same time being punctuated by various activities defined by the political and social context of the indigenous group. Our goal is to contribute so that indigenous communities effectively take control of each and every kind of intervention occurring within their territory. Furthermore, we strive to clarify for them the role played by the State in the protection and guarantee of their constitutional rights. Basic conditions for the implementation of projects MAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITY Monitoring of land tenure regulations and programs of territorial and environmental control These involve activities related to the identification and delimitation of indigenous territories in order to set in motion and monitor the regulation of land tenure and environmental preservation.

26. NATIVE-L Mailing List: EU And Indigenous Peoples/Nov 1996 on the industrial countries to review their economic relations, and demanded fromthe brazilian government to protect its indigenous peoples, to finalise the http://nativenet.uthscsa.edu/archive/nl/9612/0040.html

EU and indigenous peoples/Nov 1996 eaip@gn.apc.org 05 Dec 1996 11:13:51 +0000 (GMT) Articles sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ] Next message: eaip@gn.apc.org: "EU and indigenous peoples/Dec 1996" Previous article: eaip@gn.apc.org: "EU and indigenous peoples/Oct 1996" EUROPEAN ALLIANCE WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES EAIP NEWSLETTER INFORMATION BULLETIN ON EUROPEAN POLICIES TOWARDS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ISSUE 2 - NOVEMBER 1996 Bonn: Meeting on the Brazilian Pilot Programme The Third Meeting of the Participants of the 'Pilot Programme to Conserve the Brazilian Rain Forest' took place from September 10-12, in Bonn. Donors, representatives of the nine Amazonian State governments, as well as Brazilian and international NGOs were invited to review progress and constraints of the Brazilian Pilot Programme (BPP). One of the main items discussed during the meeting was the position paper "Lessons Learned and Implications for the Years to Come", jointly prepared by the Brazilian government and the World Bank. In this paper the World Bank along with the Brazilian government take a positive attitude, pointing out that the success of the BPP should be

27. New Page 1 My delegation has repeatedly reaffirmed the brazilian Government’s commitment tothe promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples, which in Brazil amount to http://www.un.int/brazil/speech/01d-del-56agnu-indigenous-peoples-2910.htm

"Third Committee - Programme of Activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People" Statement by the Brazilian Delegation New York, 29 October 2001 Mr. Chairman, Indigenous communities constitute differentiated cultural groups whose dignity should be respected. The empowerment of such communities to exercise their rights and freedoms has proved be the best way to promote harmony in a national setting. We have learnt by experience that national societies benefit immensely from cultural diversity as a source of mutual respect and promotion of universal human rights. My delegation has repeatedly reaffirmed the Brazilian Government’s commitment to the promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples, which in Brazil amount to around 350 thousand individuals. Over 210 ethnic groups and about 170 different languages compose the extremely rich mosaic of indigenous cultures in Brazil. Contrary to what was predicted in the 50’s, the Brazilian indigenous population has not decreased over the years. In fact, we have witnessed a steady increase in the indigenous population, whose demographic recovery is due to not only higher birth rates but also higher life expectancy.

28. New Page 1 beliefs, traditions and grants to the indigenous peoples the original rights tothe lands they traditionally occupy. brazilian indigenous lands cover 947,011 http://www.un.int/brazil/speech/02d-mlrv-57agnu-indigenas-2110.htm

Third Committee - Item 106 - "Programme of Activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People" Statement by Mrs. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti Minister Plenipotentiary of the Permanent Mission of Brazil to the UN New York, 21 October 2002 Mr. Chairman, Brazil reaffirms its support to the implementation of the Programme of Activities of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People and welcomes the Secretary General’s report A/57/395 The establishment of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which held its first historic session last May, has put this important topic in its rightful place in the international agenda. The Forum will be a catalyst for a broad-based partnership, involving governments, specialized agencies of the UN system, other relevant international and regional organizations, indigenous peoples as well as civil society at large. The unique and innovative features of the Forum will allow its members to offer a decisive contribution to the realization of indigenous rights and to the sustainable development of their communities. Given the importance of its work and the wide scope of its mandate - provide expert advice and recommendations on indigenous issues, raise awareness and promote the integration and coordination of indigenous activities in the UN system, disseminate information on indigenous issues -, it is essential to ensure as a matter of urgency that a firm and predictable institutional basis be put in place to support the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. We have already agreed that a secretariat within the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN Secretariat in New York will assist the Forum in carrying out its mandate.

29. Brazil - BRAZZIL - Brazilian Indians Ask For Help - May 2001 indigenous communities held demonstrations and drafted documents expressing theirdiscontent over the health care model adopted for indigenous peoples in Brazil http://www.brazzil.com/p10may01.htm

Brazzil May 2001 Indians Careless The Xerente Indians have already reported deficiencies in the provision of health care services to the Federal Prosecution Service, Funai and the National Health Foundation (Fundasa), but nothing has been done to resolve their concerns. Throughout the first three months of this year, indigenous communities held demonstrations and drafted documents expressing their discontent over the health care model adopted for indigenous peoples in Brazil. The facts reveal a growing dissatisfaction with the outsourced model implemented by the federal government. In January, the indigenous peoples from the states of Alagoas and Sergipe occupied the National Health Foundation building in Maceió, Alagoas, to protest against efforts being made by the state to privatize the system. They spent fifteen days camped in the building until they secured a decree from the Federal Justice system suspending the outsourcing initiative and forcing the Federal Government to continue to provide health care services. At the 3 rd National Indigenous Health Conference held on May 14-18 in Brasilia, the current health care model was assessed.

30. Brazil - BRAZZIL - Being Indian And Feeling Great - Brazilian Indians - February indigenous peoples surprised Brazil in the year 2000. Old indigenouspeoples have reemerged as well as urban indigenous communities. http://www.brazzil.com/p07feb01.htm

Brazzil February 2001 Indians Native Pride It's still difficult to determine the exact number of reemerged peoples, since reaffirming their ethnic identities involves a long process. Indigenous peoples surprised Brazil in the year 2000. In the northeast, southeast, and northern regions, indigenous peoples and communities that had been forced to live in hiding or to disguise their ethnic identity in the past because of the colonialist repression, have shown that they are intent on resisting and building a different history of Brazil. Old indigenous peoples have reemerged as well as urban indigenous communities. Ten peoples that are not included in the records of official population censuses claimed the right to have their ethnic identity respected and their lands demarcated. The indigenous peoples living in cities, who have been suffering acts of prejudice and have been discriminated against by the surrounding society, resent the fact that Funai has not registered their existence. According to official data, there are 366,778 indigenous individuals belonging to 215 indigenous groups in Brazil. According to the results of a survey carried out by CIMI and reported to the Human Rights Committee of the Organization of American States (OAS), which covered the reemerged peoples and individuals living in cities, the indigenous population in Brazil amounts to 551,210 people belonging to 225 groups. Of these, 358,310 live in villages, 192,000 live in cities or their outskirts, and about 900 live in isolation or have never been contacted by the agency officially in charge of indigenous affairs.

31. Amazonia In spite of this, the brazilian indigenous National Fund (FUNAI), instead of protectingthe indigenous peoples' rights as it is mandated to- is now trying to http://www.amazonia.net/Articles/344.htm

Brazil: Pataxo recover traditional lands - WRM August 1999 Brazil: Pataxo recover traditional lands WRM Bulletin 26 August 1999 Brazil will soon celebrate the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the Portuguese. Nevertheless, for the indigenous peoples living in what later became Brazil, this is not a day for celebration. The arrival of the Europeans meant the beginning of their genocide and the destruction of the environment in the rich land of the "pau Brazil". When Brazil became an independent state, the situation of indigenous peoples did not improve and in many cases became even worse. The Federal Constitution of 1988 finally recognized the indigenous peoples' cultural and territorial rights, but they are in fact more often than not ignored. Last August 19, the Pataxo indigenous people, who live in the southern region of the state of Bahia, decided to recover Monte Pascoal National Park, which is part of their traditional territory. The presence of the Pataxo in the region was already documented in year 1500 and later by several historical testimonies from 1805 on. They had lived in that area until 1951 when they were victims of a massacre. The survivors were expelled from their land and confined in areas where they lived in misery and humiliation. This was yet another dark episode in Brazilian history which, as many others where the victims were black slaves or landless peasants, was soon hidden and forgotten. The Pataxo's traditional territory was later transformed into Monte Pascoal National Park, allegedly with the aim of protecting the Mata Atlantica forest.

32. Amazonia This is especially worrying, since several draft law bills contrary to the interestsof indigenous peoples, guaranteed by the brazilian Constitution, are http://www.amazonia.net/Articles/307.htm

Brazil: Concern over new President of FUNAI From World Rainforest Movement - Bulletin 20 , February 1999 Click here for Portuguese The ex-congressman and vice-governor from Mato Grosso state Marcio Lacerda is the new president of the Brazilian Indian Foundation (FUNAI). He succeeds in this post Sullivan Silvestre, who died on February 1st in an air crash while he was on duty. Mr Lacerda is one of the chief proponents of the system of waterways, including the Tocantins-Araguaia Hidrovia which would negatively affect the territory occupied by 10,000 indigenous people. During his first public declarations he defended gold mining, and biodiversity and timber exploitation in indigenous lands. In a report dated 25/2/99 CIMI (Conselho Indigenista Missionario) expresses its concern and indignation over Mr Lacerda's approach, that is not focused on indigenous peoples' cultures and needs but on the natural resources of their territories. This is especially worrying, since several draft law bills contrary to the interests of indigenous peoples, guaranteed by the Brazilian Constitution, are waiting to be discussed in the National Congress and can now be promoted by FUNAI's new approach. Regarding mining activities menacing indigenous peoples' traditional lands it is to be mentioned that Jose Lacerda -brother of the new President of FUNAI- enthusiastically supported the invasion of the indigenous area of Sarare in 1996, that resulted in the genocide of the Kithaurlu indigenous group.

33. VIDEO BY AND ABOUT INDIANS - Indigenous Peoples - Brazil And Mexico to meet the Zo'e, an isolated indigenous group whom the cultural exchange betweentwo brazilian tribal groups and the Itzá, the conquering peoples who changed http://www.lavavideo.org/LAVA/featuredtitles/index.cfm?Features_ID=2

34. BRAZILIAN RAINFORESTS In 1988, in its new democratic constitution, the brazilian state finallyagreed to recognize the rights of its indigenous peoples. http://www.lightparty.com/Economic/BrazilianRainforest.html

FOR YOUR INFORMATION FROM THE LIGHT PARTY BRAZILIAN RAINFORESTS The New Threat Brazil's indigenous peoples are the guardians of the ancient rainforests. But they could soon lose their lands. The indigenous peoples of Brazil have one of the most tragic histories of any of the world's peoples. Since the arrival of the first European invaders 500 years ago, they have seen their lands stolen, their traditions destroyed and their people murdered. More than 80 indigenous cultures have been wiped out in the Amazon since the beginning of this century. Only recently has real hope appeared for their future. In 1988, in its new democratic constitution, the Brazilian state finally agreed to recognize the rights of its indigenous peoples. 'Decree 22/91' guaranteed Brazilian Indians' permanent rights to lands traditionally occupied by them, and required that all these lands be 'demarcated' by 1993. Indians living in demarcated areas have the right to live, free from outside interference, according to their own customs and laws. Demarcation is not only a question of land rights, it is also one of the best ways to protect the Amazon rainforests. The Indians have the skills, the knowledge and the incentive to preserve the forests they have relied on for their livelihoods for thousands of years.

35. Brazilian Rainforests - An Action Toolkit From EARTHACTION Today the forests of the brazilian Amazon, and the indigenous peoples who have livedthere for thousands of years, face a new threat one of the most serious http://www.earthaction.org/en/archive/96-02-forbra/letters.html

BRAZILIAN RAINFORESTS - The New Threat Sample letters you can write SAMPLE LETTER TO PRESIDENT CARDOSO Your Excellency, I am writing to express my concern about the demarcation of indigenous lands in Brazil, following your recent signing of Decree 1775. This new Decree, by allowing for challenges to demarcations, could represent the biggest single threat to Brazil's indigenous peoples, and their forest homes, for decades. Brazil's indigenous peoples are appealing for international help to protect their raditional lands. I urge you to immediately revoke Decree 1775, and to honor your constitutional commitment to demarcation. I know that you have publicly committed yourself to the demarcation process. I wish to express the strongest support for this commitment, and I very much hope that you will endeavor to complete the process by the end of your Presidential term in 1998. At the same time, I urge you to take whatever steps are necessary to protect all identified and demarcated indigenous lands from invaders, and to expel any loggers, miners or ranchers who are illegally occupying indigenous lands at the present time. By safeguarding the future of Brazil's indigenous people and their lands, you will be making a historic contribution to protecting cultural diversity, human rights and the natural environment, things which are of value not only to Brazil but to the whole orld. In doing so, you will have the support of concerned people everywhere.

36. Brazil's Treatment Of Indigenous Peoples brazilian government recognizes slave labor From Indianist Missionary Council CIMI,Newsletter One of the worst judicial decisions against indigenous peoples. http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/42/index-eba.html

Brazil's treatment of Indigenous Peoples Hartford Web Publishing is not the author of the documents in World History Archives The contemporary political history in general of Brazil The history of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil New President of Brazil Will Have to Face Anti-Indian Interests CIMI - Indianist Missionary Council, Newsletter, 5 January 1995. Cardoso has not announced his Indianist policy so far, but several measures must be taken to solve the problems which Indians have been facing for centuries: the demarcation and guarantee of Indian lands, which economic, political, and military groups have been resisting. Brazilian government threatens Indian rights Indianist Missionary Council (CIMI), Newsletter, 11 May 1995. Whether demarcation of Indian lands to ensure private property rights is adjudicated or constitutionally based. CAPOIB takes a stand against changes in Demarcation Decree Cimi Newsletter No. 161, 2 June 1995. The Brazilian government should not promote any amendments to decree 22/91, which provides for the procedures to be adopted in the demarcation of Indian lands. The participation of private individuals and corporations in the administrative procedure for the demarcation of Indian lands will cause serious consequences to Indian peoples. Brazilian government recognizes slave labor From Indianist Missionary Council - CIMI

37. Brazil: The Struggle Of The Pataxó Indigenous Peoples In Bahia More than a year ago, the Pataxó indigenous peoples retook an important part suchcontext, it is important to highlight the brazilian Anthropologic Society's http://www.wrm.org.uy/bulletin/41/Brazil.html

Brazil: The struggle of the Pataxó indigenous peoples in Bahia More than a year ago, the Pataxó indigenous peoples re-took an important part of their traditional territory located in the state of Bahia (see WRM Special Bulletin May 2000). Since then, they have been struggling to have their rights recognized by the government, with little support from environmental organizations, many of whom seem to deny them their capacity to manage the forest that rightly belongs to them. Within such context, it is important to highlight the Brazilian Anthropologic Society's position, which has recently criticised the Ministry of the Environment for its promotion of projects in the area before the demarcation of the Pataxó's lands is finalized. In a letter addressed to the government, the Coordinator of the Commission for Indigenous Affairs of the Anthropologic Society anthropologist Silvio Coelho dos Santos expressed that "without even knowing the extention and demarcation of the territory traditionally occupied by the Pataxó there cannot be sufficient information on which to base the adequate support to self-sufficiency for the indigenous villages." This position is extremely important at his moment, when there appears to be a systematic movement against the indigenous presence within conservation areas. This is the case of the Pataxó, whose traditional territory was declared the Monte Pascoal National Park following their violent expulsion in 1961. After the indigenous people re-took their land in August 1999, the government established a Technical Working Group to carry out the demarcation of the Pataxó areas. However, due to political pressures, the work of the Technical Group was never finalized.

38. Brazil: Tupinikim And Guarani Indigenous Peoples Vs Aracruz Cellulose Since 1934 the brazilian Constitution guarantees the rights of indigenous peoplesto the possesion of their traditional lands, which cannot even be handed over http://www.wrm.org.uy/bulletin/1/Brazil.html

Brazil: Tupinikim and Guarani indigenous peoples vs Aracruz Cellulose Source: WRM's bulletin Nº 1, May 1997 top Go to Home Page World Rainforest Movement Maldonado 1858 - 11200 Montevideo - Uruguay tel: 598 2 413 2989 / fax: 598 2 418 0762 wrm@wrm.org.uy

39. Pilot Program To Conserve The Brazilian Rain Forest the German government, and brazilian counterpart funds. The German government isalso providing technical cooperation. Involving indigenous peoples in land http://www.worldbank.org/rfpp/projects/pptal.htm

Overview Projects Funding Organization ... Home Pilot Program to Conserve the Brazilian Rain Forest Indigenous Lands Background Objectives Activities Participants ... The project in field: Involving indigenous peoples in land demarcation Background Indigenous people in the Amazon have long used the rain forest ecosystem without causing major environmental degradation. Their specialized knowledge and stewardship of natural resources are considered by many scientists to be exemplary and could provide a foundation for the development of more sustainable approaches to rain forest use and management. As a result of colonization, warfare, and disease, the number of indigenous people in Brazil has fallen from an estimated 8 million in the 1500s to about 300,000 today. In addition, there are believed to be 2,000 or more indigenous people living in isolated tribes who have not yet had any significant contact with Brazilian society. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, Brazilian law has accorded legal recognition to the rights of indigenous people to their lands, which constitute about 82 million hectares, or 16.4 percent of the Legal Amazon. Legalization of indigenous lands requires that they be formally identified, delimited, demarcated, decreed, and registered. When the Pilot Program’s Indigenous Lands Project was prepared in 1994-95, only 50 percent of 556 indigenous lands recognized by Brazil’s National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) had been legalized.

40. Pilot Program To Conserve The Brazilian Rain Forest Rain Forest Trust Fund, the German government, and brazilian counterpart funds. Involvingindigenous peoples in land demarcation The indigenous Lands Project. http://www.worldbank.org/rfpp/projects/pptal/pptal.htm

Overview Projects Funding Organization ... Home Pilot Program to Conserve the Brazilian Rain Forests Indigenous Lands Background Objectives Activities Participants ... The project in field: Involving indigenous peoples in land demarcation Background Indigenous people in the Amazon have long used the rain forest ecosystem without causing major environmental degradation. Their specialized knowledge and stewardship of natural resources are considered by many scientists to be exemplary and could provide a foundation for the development of more sustainable approaches to rain forest use and management. As a result of colonization, warfare, and disease, the number of indigenous people in Brazil has fallen from an estimated 8 million in the 1500s to about 300,000 today. In addition, there are believed to be 2,000 or more indigenous people living in isolated tribes who have not yet had any significant contact with Brazilian society. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, Brazilian law has accorded legal recognition to the rights of indigenous people to their lands, which constitute about 82 million hectares, or 16.4 percent of the Legal Amazon. Legalization of indigenous lands requires that they be formally identified, delimited, demarcated, decreed, and registered. When the Pilot Program’s Indigenous Lands Project was prepared in 1994-95, only 50 percent of 556 indigenous lands recognized by Brazil’s National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) had been legalized.

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