Leadership Exchange with the Xavante

At the end of May, 2024, the head of the Treesistance forest guardian program Chief Dadá of TI Maró was invited by the Xavante leadership to discuss the forest protection and have an exchange about leadership, guardianship and education.

Dadá was invited by the Xavante leadership to discuss the forest protection and have an exchange about leadership, guardianship and education. The visit was facilitated by Marco van der Ree, Treesistence Strategic Advisor, and Frans Leeuwenberg who is a trusted partner of the Xavante and has been working with them for 35 years on sustainable wildlife management, food security, education and culture.  

The trio was joined by 20 Xavante leaders from 14 different villages. They participated in two long days under the mango trees in fruitful and deep conversations, the importance of integrating culture in the formal and traditional education system and how the culture relates to the territory, the land, the animals, and nature as a whole. The third day was spend travelling around the TI to get to know the terrain and the Eastern border.

The Xavante expressed how inspired they were from Dadás visit, as they have never received a leader from another Indigenous territory to share experiences in dealing with these most important issues of cultural and territorial preservation. It was a profoundly valuable exchange. 

It was obvious that the friendship built in this visit, is the beginning of a much longer journey where these two groups of Indigenous peoples will continue their exchange and mutual learning. We look forward to supporting the Xavante in forming their own groups of forest guardians to protect this incredibly important and strategically positioned territory from extractive industries. Watch this space…

Formation of Kumaruara Guardians Group

After a successful training the Kumaruara people now have their own group of forest guardians. Thus ensuring their lands situated on the banks of the Tapajós river are patrolled and protected from illegal activities. Chief Dadá Borari (the Head of the Treesistance Forest Guardians program) led the training and this was made possible, thanks to the financial support of New York-based investigations company Illume Investigations.

In collaboration with the Mapirizinho Community, Chief Dadá and selected members of the Maró Indigenous Territory trained upwards of 20 individuals. The group of new forest guardians consists of men and women of all ages. During their lessons they learned the ins and outs of territorial defense. Secondly map creation and field work, using mobile phones and GPS cameras. And lastly safe confrontation techniques are discussed extensively during the training days. As this is a very important aspect of the work of forest guardians.

Kumaruara people: key players in regional Indigenous resistance

The Kumaruara people live on the banks of the Tapajos river and are overall known protagonists in the Indigenous resistance in the region. As they are resourceful and passionate in protecting Indigenous territories. One of their leaders actually hit headline news and went viral on social media by protesting a huge railroad. Leader Naldinho Kumaruara, from the Solimões village, painted the faces of the people present with annatto paint. Watch the the video of indigenous leader Naldinho Kumaruara. The railroad is planned to cross threw multiple Indigenous territories. If this plan succeeds, it will make it even easier to illegally extract and transport materials out of the area.

Legal protection of Indigenous lands

Additionally to actively protesting threats to the precious nature of the Amazon. The Kumaruara people also protect their lands and culture in different ways. For example they launched their Free, Prior and Informed consent (FPIC) consultation protocol. A very important legal right won by Indigenous peoples, that contributes to protecting their culture, customs and autonomy. With a FPIC governments cannot simply implement a policy or program on or concerning Indigenous Peoples’ lands. They first have to have the consent from the Indigenous community. This also includes any state policy or program, seeking to grant permission to a company to conduct any activity on such lands. 

Evidently the Kumaruara forest guardians group is a fantastic and essential addition to the existing multidisciplinary efforts. In order to protect the invaluable nature on their lands from illegal invaders and harmful activities.

Welcome and specials thanks

We welcome and thank the new group of forest guardians. Wishing them lots of strength and wisdom in the challenges that they face, in protecting a large and vital area of primary rainforest on behalf of us all. Also a special thanks to the New York-based investigations company Illume Investigations, for sponsoring this formation.

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