Brazilian Indians: 'Nobody has consulted us about dams'

Brazilian Indians holding a mass rally this week in the Amazon town of Altamira say they have not been consulted about a series of huge dams that the Brazilian government wants to build on the Xingu River.

Around a thousand Indians from the Kayapó, Ikpeng and other tribes, along with riverbank dwellers and small farmers, have gathered in Altamira to oppose the hydroelectric dam project. ‘We’re here to tell the government we’re against the dam’, said one Kayapó Indian.

The leader of COIAB, the umbrella organisation for indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon, Jecinaldo Sataré Mawé, said, ‘What Indians do not accept is that these projects are imposed upon them.’

The Xingu River is one of the main tributaries of the Amazon. The Indians say that damming it will destroy their way of life, ruin their health and kill the fish and animals they eat.

Amazon Indians and environmental activists rallied against proposed Amazon dam projects in the city of Altamira, Brazil on Tuesday. Environmentalists say these developments could displace 15,000 people and destroy traditional fishing grounds of Indians living nearby. As a result of economic growth in Brazil in recent years, the government is spending $296 billion to develop the hydroelectric projects.

Transcript

VOICE OF ZAA NKWETA, PRESENTER: At least 1,000 Amazon Indians and environmental activists rallied against proposed dam projects on Tuesday in the city of Altamira, Brazil. The protesters say these developments could destroy the traditional fishing grounds of Indians living nearby and displace as many as 15,000 people.

BEKWAJ KAYAPO, INDIAN LEADER (SUBTITLED TRANSLATION): The Xingu River has lots of fish for us. If the dam is approved, the fish will all go under and we won't be able to catch any more fish.

TARCISIO FEITOSA, ACTIVIST (SUBTITLED TRANSLATION): Afterwards thsoe people will become peasants who will have to destroy the forest to plant food crops.