Joy took hold of the indigenous Yaponã Guajajara, 21 years old, when, this Wednesday (1st), he stepped on the National Congress building for the second time, in Brasília (DF). The young man left Maranhão to accompany his mother, Sônia Guajajara (PSOL-SP), who took a temporary leave of absence from the post of Minister of Indigenous Peoples to take office as a federal deputy.
Yaponã told the report that, in 2019, when he came to the place for the first time, it was to fight against the Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) 215, which formalizes the thesis of the temporal framework and therefore became one of the worst nightmares of indigenous peoples in recent years, amid threats from the Bolsonaro government. Now, the feeling of Sonia’s son when stepping on the Chamber has changed.
One of the main and most influential voices of traditional peoples in the country, Guajajara has already crossed national borders to publicize the afflictions and demands of the segment in other parts of the world. For this reason, this Wednesday strengthened the climate of hope for Yaponã.
“From a very young age, we knew that her mission was to be a mother of all indigenous peoples. So, it is a very strong representation and for us, as children, it is just pride, a lot of pride. We are very happy to be participating of this historic moment”, celebrates.
For the young man, ownership facilitates the path for future generations of indigenous people in the political struggle in defense of the environmental agenda and all other agendas that mobilize the segment.
“I understand that she is planting seeds and that we will reap these fruits because we learn a lot from her. And it is very important, in the midst of this, that we take the opportunity to train new young people, new indigenous communicators as well. The youth will follow participating in these spaces”, says Yaponã.
He arrived at the Congress accompanied by his sister, Ywara Guajajara, 17 years old, who also went to honor her mother. “Seeing her occupying these positions of power, these positions that are so important for Brazil, for the indigenous peoples, for the Amazon, for the environment is something to be very proud of”, said the student.
Denunciation against mining was attended by Minister Sônia Guajajara during her inauguration this Wednesday (1st) at the Chamber of Deputies / Cristiane Sampaio / Brasil de Fato
Sônia Guajajara was among the political actors most harassed by the press and guests who mingled in the crowd that took over the Chamber on the opening Wednesday of the legislative year. In conversation with Brazil in fact, the deputy commented that she expects a “strong articulation” between the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples and the National Congress. Sonia’s expectations are especially concentrated on indigenous deputy Célia Xakriabá (PSOL/MG), who also took office on that date.
“I’m going to be in the ministry and she’s going to be here, but we’re going to add that strength. This articulation between Congress and the Executive is very important. We know that there are many challenges here, but we’re going to continue to face this bench (ruralist ), which remains reactionary and wants to pass measures against our rights.”
According to Sônia, the first step will be to recreate the Parliamentary Front in Defense of Indigenous Peoples. “We are in the joint for Célia to assume the coordination of the front. This moment excites me because it is a new moment in Brazilian politics, with this indigenous presence arriving in an articulated way, arriving to occupy these spaces in the Legislative and in the Executive, so, it is the beginning from another time”.
Editing: Thalita Pires
