The Enawene Nawe live in an area of savannah and tropical rainforest in Mato Grosso state, western Brazil. Although most of their land was officially reconised in 1996, a crucial area called the Rio Preto, where the Indians gather each year to trap and smoke fish, was left out.
The area is being heavily invaded by ranchers, and in a further blow the Mato Grosso state government has announced it will build a vast complex of hydroelectric dams upriver of the Enawene Nawe’s land.
Please write to the Brazilian government using the text below or your own words.
I am extremely concerned about the Enawene Nawe Indians of Mato Grosso state. Their ancestral land in the Rio Preto area is being rapidly cleared and polluted by cattle ranchers. It is crucial that the Rio Preto be demarcated urgently before it is too late.
I also urge you to take immediate action to halt the planned hydroelectric dams on the Juruena river, which will destroy the Indians’ livelihood.
Minister of Justice
Ministério de Justiçia
Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco T
70064-900, Brasilia DF
Brazil
Fax: +55 61 3322 6817/3321 1565
Email: gabinetemj@mj.gov.br
Begin: 'Sr Genro'
President – FUNAI
SEP Quadra 702 Sul
Edificio Lex, BI A, 3° andar
70390-025, Brasilia DF
Brazil
Fax: +55 61 3226 8782
Email: marcio.meira@funai.gov.br
Begin: 'Dr Meira'
