7/30/2019 info imp!

1/2

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 policyinitiatives, some of which are highlighted below:

Indigenous Peoples' Lands

The President of Brazil ratified sixty indigenous lands and the Minister for Justice demarcatedanother 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 peopleslands were of great political importance. Some examples: the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous

Lands in the state of Roraima, the Mariwatsde Indigenous Land in Mato Grosso as well as

various indigenous lands in Mato Grosso do Sul. Currently, Brazil is close to recognizing andguaranteeing 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 thebeginning of 2003 to 480,000 at the end of 2006.

There have been improvements in the health services provided in most of the indigenouspeoples 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 werefewer 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 municipalindigenous schools.

Indigenous Peoples' Participation in Public Policy

The first Indigenous Peoples National Conference (Braslia, 12-19 April 2006), sponsored byFUNAI, was preceded by nine preparatory regional conferences in which more that 3,000

indigenous leaders participated.

7/30/2019 info imp!

2/2

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 indigenouspopulations.

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 sectorinitiatives that affect the lands or their material or immaterial assets.

No initiative was undertaken without prior approval from the interested indigenouscommunities; 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 bodiesof 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 tostate 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 theBrazilian 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 theOrganization of the American States (OAS).