Discrimination against indigenous people in Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) and the lack of demarcation of lands were the issues highlighted. "Overhere a cow is worth more than a child!"

By Maíra Heinen
Campo Grande, MS

The Acampamento Terra Livre 2010 (Free Land Campment) began on Monday, 16, August in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) with a press conference. The indigenous leaders present explained the key points to be discussed throughout the event, which ends on August 19. The extensive agenda covers issues such as health, education, demarcation of indigenous lands, criminalization of indigenous leaders and discrimination among other topics.

Marginalized
The press panel was formed by the principal leaders of the national indigenous movement and presented a brief overview of the main revindications. Romancil Kretã, leader of the Kaingang people of Paraná, summarized the reasons for the event being conducted in Campo Grande. "This is the state in Brazil that most discriminates against indigenous peoples and we must show this reality to society! We are strangers in our own land because the Brazilian Constitution is not respected and the laws that come up only marginalize the indigenous peoples!" he said.

Irajá Pataxó spoke on behalf of indigenous peoples from the northeast and highlighted the problem of criminalization. "We are the proprietors of this land and I am from Bahia, a state where three indigenous leaders were imprisoned for standing up for their land and their rights! Our people need dignity!"

Land demarcation
Every speaker distinctly emphasized the question of demarcation of indigenous lands in Mato Grosso do Sul. "This is a state in which a cow is worth more than a child, a place where the sugar cane is worth more than all the indigenous people put together!" said Anastacio Peralta, one of the leaders of the Guarani Kaiowá. "The large companies are trampling us, but we cannot recoil from these things, we must stand our ground!" he said.

President Lula
During the press conference many journalists questioned whether there was progress on indigenous issues during the administration of President Lula. The indigenous leaders were emphatic that regarding the demarcation of land, the situation was worse than expected. "Of course there were achievements, but I want to stress that these were achievements of the indigenous movement. In reference to the demarcation of lands, we are hardly satisfied!" Kretã said.

The encampment ends on August 19 when the indigenous leaders will present a document with the main demands and should be delivered to the presidential candidates.