The Indigenous Karaja and Kanela Commission attempt in vain to speak with the president of Funai.

 
A commission formed by 12 indigenous leaders of the Karaja and  Kanela peoples of Araguaia has been in Brasilia since Monday (July 5) to speak with the president of the National  Foundation of Indigenous Affairs (FUNAI), Márcio Meira. The group seeks to discuss Decree 7.056/09, which restructures the agency. The Karaja live in Ilha do Bananal, Tocantins and the Kanela of Araguaia  live in the region of Sao Felix do Araguaia, in Mato Grosso.
The trip to the Brasilia headquarters of Funai  is to portray the various problems faced by communities with changes in to services provided by the agency. These services were previously provided through the Araguaia Regional Administration, located in St. Felix, which also served the people of the Ilha do Bananal region. However, since last year, when the decree was signed by the president, the calls have been paralyzed.

Regional administrations, according to the decree, will be eliminated and  regional coordinators created. The group calls for a coordinating body that would be responsible for services in the region, located at Palmas (TO) also serve communities of more than 28 municipalities. "It is practically impossible, because this coordinating body will not meet so many people, in addition, the municipalities are very far apart," they say.
"After this decree many Indians have died without treatment, due to alcoholism and other problems that affect our community as we are without any source of income, such as farming project," said John Werra, the people Karaja.
Also according to the natives, the end of the regional administration has caused a series of raids in the region of Banana Island. The invaders come steal the land and sell fish, turtles and other natural resources found in the region.
It’s been six months and technical staff of FUNAI does not appear in the region, so the group has come for a response from the body. "We want them to resolve the situation, because lives are at stake," said the representative of the people Kanela lenim Werra, who is president of the Association Wyky Mahadu Iny, JK Village.
They also criticize the process of construction and approval of the decree. "The whole process was flawed because it did not hear the people, not done a proper study to end with the authorities and create coordination. Everything was done from above, a total lack of consideration of the country’s president with indigenous peoples, "said Edmilson Moreira Karaja.
Meeting in St. Felix
While the group that came to Brasília can not talk with Marcio Meira and is greeted with fear and unwillingness by the Foundation staff in Brasília, Secretary of the President of FUNAI reported that it will meet tomorrow (9), Pedro Casaldaliga, in Sao Felix do Araguaia, in Mato Grosso.
Terena leaders denounce attacks on the MPF of Mato Grosso do Sul
In June this year Terena indigenous leaders of the people of the Indigenous Land Cachoeirinha, municipality of Miranda, sent letter to the Federal Prosecutor of Mato Grosso do Sul denouncing the numerous attacks that have been victims since regained part of their traditional land, known as Tumuné Kalivono on October 22, 2009.
08/07/2010 – 19:40 – Report No. 921: Indigenous leaders call for better care and respect

"Since the expulsion from our land resumed, this action made by the Federal Police and Military Police of Mato Grosso do Sul, we suffered a series of threats and intimidation of several people living in Miranda," say the leaders in the document.
Among the reported assault are the deterioration of traditional territory, the removal of timber from legal reserve which is in the area claimed by the community, harassment and attacks on indigenous people.
On June 16, Lindomar Terena Terena and Germano walked the bike through the city center, where, according to the community, were approached and chased by a local resident who was also on a motorcycle and the vehicle went on to play against them .
There are several situations of discrimination and disrespect experienced by the Terena who live in Miranda. Since the withdrawal group Tumuné Kalivono, the community is threatened and assaulted with foul language.
Also according to the leaders, on the expulsion of its people, an agreement was signed between indigenous and farmer who claims to be the owner of the area claimed by the group, it would return the belongings of the Indians who could not be evacuated at the time of withdrawal from the group ranch.
"The farmer said he would leave our things at the farm gate. However, after several days, nothing happened. We were simply informed that the agreement will not be fulfilled and that we will not back our horses, cows, stoves and documents ", say.
To the leaders actions are strategies to intimidate the community, which has jeopardized the peace and integrity of its people. They ask for the steps to establish the criminal acts committed against the people and to curb the threats that are imposed.