Yanomani Indians Of Brazil

The Brazilian army is increasing its presence in the traditional lands of the Yanomani. The government was thwarted in its takeover of Yanomani territory back in the eighties, when a decade of goldmining and genocide attracted a storm of international protest.

Despite their homelands being declared a “park” and the cessation of mining activity, the Indians there are still under threat. Colonial governments the world over, and in South America particularly, have a poor track record of honouring constitutional guarantees and international treaties they sign promising the protection of native title.

Although “progress” has been temporarily thwarted on Yanomani land, this will not last for long. 50 thousand years of occupation by traditional owners means little to a colonial government in comparison to 50 billion dollars in gold.

So the Brazilian government continues to deny the existence of Yanomani native title, and the military presence there continues to grow.