Thread by @Survival

On New Year’s Day, #LulaDaSilva was sworn in as president of Brazil.

Raoni Metuktire, a leader of the Mebêngôkre (Kayapó) people, together with other representatives, walked up the ramp and took part in the ceremony to hand over the presidential sash.

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👉 @GuajajaraSonia was named minister of the newly founded Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, whilst @JoeniaWapichana was announced as the next president of FUNAI, #Brazil’s Indigenous affairs agency.

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It’s the first time that an #Indigenous woman has been appointed as a minister, and the first time that FUNAI will be presided over by an Indigenous woman.

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The new government has already announced new measures to strengthen Indigenous rights, like revoking a decree by #Bolsonaro that encouraged mining, a frequent, destructive and illegal activity on Indigenous lands.

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✊ This is a moment of strength & great inspiration for the struggle for #Indigenous rights, lands & lives - especially after the last four years, which saw Indigenous peoples across the country suffering under the most anti-Indigenous government since #Brazil’s dictatorship.

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We hope it'll allow for a desperately needed shift from the devastating onslaught of the last 4 yrs. It’s a matter of life or death for Indigenous ppl nationwide, & for #UncontactedTribes in the Amazon, it could mean the difference between survival & total destruction.

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#Indigenous peoples, their allies including Survival, and their supporters around the world, will hold #LulaDaSilva’s government to account.

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