Report by the National Foundation for the Indian (FUNAI) (2002-2006)
FUNAI has released a report about the activities implemented by the Federal Government in order to promote the rights of indigenous peoples between 2002 and 2006.
One remarkable aspect of FUNAI's activities during that period was the intense and continual dialogue with the indigenous peoples, who have been participating in the decision-making process.
About four billion Brazilian reais (over 950 million pounds) were allocated to indigenous policy initiatives, some of which are highlighted below:
Indigenous Peoples' Lands
• The President of Brazil ratified sixty indigenous lands and the Minister for Justice demarcated another nineteen lands. Another forty-three lands were either declared as indigenous lands or are being studied for future demarcation.
• The long-awaited ratifications, demarcations and devolutions of some indigenous peoples’ lands were of great political importance. Some examples: the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Lands in the state of Roraima, the Marãiwatséde Indigenous Land in Mato Grosso as well as various indigenous lands in Mato Grosso do Sul. Currently, Brazil is close to recognizing and guaranteeing 13% of its total territory and 24% of the Legal Amazon as indigenous peoples' lands.
Demographic Growth and Improvements in Health Services
• There has been a significant increase in the indigenous population from 370,000 at the beginning of 2003 to 480,000 at the end of 2006.
• There have been improvements in the health services provided in most of the indigenous peoples’ areas, despite the fact that there are still grave problems in specific areas, which is of great concern to the Government.
Indigenous Presence at the Brazilian Universities
• Approximately 2,500 indigenous youths currently attend Brazilian universities. There were fewer than 1,000 in 2003. This reflects an improvement in school education for indigenous peoples despite the fact that significant challenges still remain at many of the municipal indigenous schools.
Indigenous Peoples' Participation in Public Policy
• The first Indigenous Peoples National Conference (Brasília, 12-19 April 2006), sponsored by FUNAI, was preceded by nine preparatory regional conferences in which more that 3,000 indigenous leaders participated.
• The main outcome of both the regional conferences as well as the National Conference was the drafting of a document on the current status quo and the aspirations of the indigenous populations.
• Over the past four years, there were various specific conferences on health, education, the environment and food security of these peoples.
Consultations on State and Private Sector Activities
• The indigenous communities were consulted with regard to all state and private sector initiatives that affect the lands or their material or immaterial assets.
• No initiative was undertaken without prior approval from the interested indigenous communities; indeed, various works had to be discontinued as a result of the lack or scarcity of results in the consultation process.
Indigenous Participation in the Public and Private Sectors
• Participation of the indigenous peoples as public servants or contracted staff in various bodies of the State, and at FUNAI in particular, as well as at the National Health Foundation (FUNASA) has increased. Other indigenous peoples have taken up posts as health or sanitation workers, heads of unit or administrations, action coordinators for FUNAI, teachers, advisers to state and municipal secretariats, mayors and councillors; and, in the private sector, they manage various indigenous peoples' rights associations.
International Participation
• Both the participation of indigenous and FUNAI representatives has been strengthened in the Brazilian delegations to meetings under the aegis of the United Nations Organisation (UN), such as at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Human Rights High Commission of the Human Rights Commission, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), as well as of the Organization of the American States (OAS).