‘We want respect’: indigenous people protest for neglect and deny kidnapping of Funai official in Manaus

Ívina Garcia – From Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – Indigenous leaders of the Mura, Kokama, Sateré and Kambeba ethnic groups protested on the morning of Wednesday, 23, at the headquarters of the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI), located at Avenida Maceió, south-central zone of the Amazon capital, against the neglect of the agency and disrespect for indigenous women.

The leaders accused the indigenous expert and Funai employee Márcio Rojânio da Ponte Sales of distributing expired food and insinuating that indigenous women get pregnant “just to receive benefits“. In addition to the request for respect, the indigenous people are asking for the removal of the official.

The demonstration was peaceful and agents of the Special Operations Company (COE) Amazon Military Police were on site to mediate agreements. A stretch of Avenida Maceió was blocked by agents of the Municipal Institute of Urban Mobility (IMMU) with support from the COE servers.

Earlier, information about the kidnapping of servers circulated on social networks, but according to the chief Melquides Kambeba, it was nothing but a fake news propagated by Márcio. “Who said this was Márcio himself, to defend his right […], Indigenous do not take hostages! What an indigenous wears is his headdress, his spear, which is his prop! It’s a lie that he was being held hostage, our demands were peaceful”, he affirmed.

According to the protesters Márcio Rojânio da Ponte Sales received the baskets from the National Health Foundation (Funasa) and waited until the expiry date was near before distributing them to those registered. According to the Indians, sour milk, rice with an expired date and beans that would not cook were distributed.

Chief Agenor, of the Kokama ethnic group, also took a stand against the server. According to the indigenous leader, Márcio was trying to take away the power of the chiefs to lead the people. “I want my right back, my basic baskets back to serve my people. His attitude was bad, […] giving the individual basic baskets, he took away my power and he can’t do that because he is a white man”, he said.

“He is a liar, we don’t want him here! Because if he doesn’t leave, we’ll come back here with more people and take him away by force!”, shouted the cacique. In the background, other indigenous people called for Márcio’s dismissal with the chorus of “Get out, liar!”.

Mura indigenous representative, Chief Candiru said that the rights of indigenous peoples are being violated in what should be their home, Funai. “We are here peacefully claiming our rights in which we receive expired food. We are not animals, we are not animals. We want respect! We came in this house because this house belongs to the Indians, and if it belongs to the Indians we have to claim our rights for the better”, he said.

Photos: Ívina Garcia/Cenarium Magazine