Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva resumed This Friday indigenous land recognition processcreated by law and paralyzed since 2019 by the decision of the previous president, the far-right Jair Bolsonaro.

Lula visited the Free Land camp, which this week brought together several 6,000 natives who have condemned V violence And invasion his territory mafia miningand influence changing of the climate on the Amazon and their lives.

“We’re going to re-legalize indigenous lands” because “to reach 2030 with ‘zero deforestation’ in the Amazon,” as the government promised, “we’ll need you as custodians of the forests,” he said.

The progressive leader ended the rally by signing a decree that arranges six new indigenous lands in the states of Acre, Alagoas, Amazonas, Ceara, Goiás and Rio Grande do Sul.

Largest, Indigenous Land Kariri Hokoin Alagoas (northeast), has 2300 inhabitants. The so-called Ava Canoneiroin the central state of Goiás, is the smallest, only nine settlers.

These lands extend approximately 560,000 ha and add to some 600 indigenous reserves already recognized by the state, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich is almost equal to 14% of the country’s territory.

On this extension Lula noticed in his speech that “before the arrival of the Portuguese (colonizers) indigenous occupied He 100% territory“.

Around 90% of these landsinhabited by some 500,000 nativesare ecological reserves determined by law, but still Bolsonaro pulse policy For promote exploitation minerals and other economic activities.

Sonia Guajajara, the first head of the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs created by Lula when he came to power on January 1, referred to the Bolsonaro government (2019-2022) and assured that it was pursuing “a policy that is completely aimed at denying the rights of indigenous peoples” . peoples.”

He condemned mining in the Amazon, which polluted rivers And compromised feeding Indigenous Peoples and affirmed that “this applies to everyone, as we all breathe the same air, drink the same water and need it to live.”

According to Guajahara, this led to a “tragedy” by the Yanomami, in whose lands were found last January hundreds of indigenous with grave pictures malnutrition.

In action next to Lula was Chief Raoni, 93, who had championed the defense of the Amazon for decades.

Raoni, in Kayapo, one of Brazil’s 247 indigenous languages, emphasized that there are some 800 territories pending regularization.