"I was forced to leave my family's land and move to a new village, where I was given only a small plot of land to live on," Nixiwaka Yawanawa told me in an interview. "The Brazilian government promised us that our land would be protected, but it was just a promise."

Indigenous Communities In Brazil

For decades, indigenous communities have faced forced relocation and marginalization in Brazil. The country is home to over 900 indigenous groups, but they make up only around 3% of the population.

"The Brazilian government has passed several laws that have been used to justify our displacement," Nixiwaka Yawanawa explained. "For example, the Law Ofigã (1976) allowed for the seizure of ancestral lands without compensation. And the Law Of Regionalization (1988) forced many indigenous communities to move to new areas, where they were given only small plots of land and poor living conditions."

Consequences Of Forced Relocation

"The consequences of our displacement have been devastating," Nixiwaka Yawanawa said. "Many of my relatives did not survive the journey to their new homes, and those who did suffered from poor health and malnutrition."