First Meeting of Guarani Leaders of West and Central-West Paraná
We, the Guarani people of West and Central-West regions of Paraná, met from the 4th to 7th of June, 2010 at Tekohá Vy `a Renda Poty in the town of Santa Helena. Present were caciques [chiefs], leaders, and Xamõi and Xaryi Kuery of theTekohá Vyá Renda Poty – Santa Helena; Aldeia Estiva (state of Rio Grande do Sul); Ocoí Village – São Miguel do Iguaçu, Tekohá Palmital do Meio – União de Vitória; Tekohá Y’Hovy – Guaíra; Tekohá Araguajú – Terra Roxa; Tekohá Marangatú – Guaíra; Tekohá Nhemboeté – Terra Roxa; Tekohá Porá – Guaíra; Aldeia Itamarã – Diamante do Oeste; Tekohá Anhetete – Diamante do Oeste; Aldeia Lebre (Tapixi) – Nova Laranjeiras, Pinhal – Espigão alto do Iguaçu,all of the state of Paraná (Brazil). The objective was to address key issues affecting the Guarani People: Land, Health, differentiated and specific Education, as well as self-sustainability in the Tekohás [traditional villages]..
We present below the main claims of the Guarani Communities:
1 – Right to Land
We demand of the FUNAI [Federal Agency of Indigenous Affairs] the creation of the Working Group [GT] to identify and delimit the Indigenous Lands of the communities Tekohá Vyá Renda Poty, Santa Helena, Tekohá Y’Hory, in the municipality of Guaíra, Tekohá Nhemboeté and Terra Rossa.
We demand that the Funai conclude the reports of the Working Group of the Indigenous Lands Tekohá Porá, Tekohá Marangatu in the municipality of Guaíra, Tekohá Araguajú, municipality of Terra Rossa and Tekohá Palmital do Meio, municipality of the União da Victoria.
2 – Right to Health
The Tekohá of the municipalities of Santa Helena, Guaíra and Terra Roxa, require of FUNASA [Federal Agency for Indigenous Health] the construction of Health Posts in each indigenous area, a medical team, an indigenous health agent, basic sanitation – potable water, sanitation modules and electric power -, means for medical transport and the contracting of an indigenous driver.
3 – Right to Specific and Differentiated Education
We require of the State Secretary of Education the construction of schools, contracting of indigenous teachers and access to differentiated education as provided by law.
Considering the dramatic situation being experienced by all communities, especially those encamped of Guaira, Terra Roxa and Santa Helena, we hold FUNAI accountable for the URGENT monthly delivery of basic food packages.
The caciques, leaders, Xamõi and Xaryi Kuery of these Tekohá who were present in the event created the Organization that represents all of our Tekohá: COMMISSION OF GUARANI LANDS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL-WESTERN REGIONS OF PARANÁ.
Given the problems discussed during the meeting, we Guarani restate the URGENCY of the demarcation of our traditional lands.
We need land to plant, cultivate, nourish ourselves and to be able to sustain our communities, our families and so that we are able to raise our children, thus ensuring a dignified present and a better future for all of the Guarani.
Tekohá Vy`a Renda Poty
07 June of 2010
Photo: Eating corn – Guarani children of the Ararexakã camp community that is waiting for the demarcation of their ancestral lands
by Marline Dassoler, CIMI
