Xingu Encounter

Julie McCarthy, NPR’s South American correspondent filed this in-depth, detailed and evocative feature about the struggle of the Amazonian Indians to stop the damming of the Xingu River. Her eyewitness report on the Xingu Encounter aired May 31 on Weekend Edition—NPR’s most widely listened to show.

The Real News interviews Glenn Switkes and Amazon Indigenous Indian protesters who say the social and environmental costs of the Belo Monte dam, the world's third largest proposed dam, will destroy their way of life and wreck the Xingu river's ecosystem.

Sonia Legg of Reuters reports on the angry reaction from environmentalists and tribal Indians to Brazilian plans to build a hydro-electric complex on the Xingu River.

Xingu Encounter participants joined together to create three powerful documents voicing their concerns and demands in regards to the proposed dam projects.

• Final Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples Participating in the Xingu Forever Alive Encounter
• The Xingu Forever Alive Letter
• Letter submitted to a federal judge in Altamira
  

Kayapó women bathe their children in the Xingu River (Glenn Switkes)

Read an article about the protest swim in which Brazilian Indians participated to register their objection to the construction of major dams in the Xingu basin (Associated Press).

Closing rally (Glenn Switkes)

• Amazon Indians lead battle against power giant's plan to flood rainforest by Patrick Cunningham, The Independent(UK), May 23, 2008
• Indians protest Brazil hydro dam project by Alan Clendenning, Associated Press, May 24, 2008

Kayapó leader Tuira receives Tenotã-Mõ book from women activists

The attack on the Eletrobrás official set off a series of recriminations, aimed at discrediting the movement. But, the Kayapó re-oriented their actions towards moving forward in their defense of the Xingu.

Calling the regional Federal Attorney to the table, the Kayapó brought all their chiefs to address him, saying "we are authorities of our people, too. We want to make it very clear how we stand regarding the dams planned for the Xingu."

One chief brought his daughter with him. Embracing her, he said "What I am saying is not for me - it is for her, and for my grandchildren. We want the waters of the Xingu to be clean, and full of fish."

Yesterday, Amazon Indians and other Encounter attendants took part in dialogues focused on indigenous participation in infrastructure planning and also on environmental sustainability. Today, they are marching in the street together in one final act of solidarity and protest.

Kayapó with homemade anti-dam signs (Glenn Switkes)

The Xingu Encounter 2008 has already helped to place international attention and pressure on the Brazilian government, which is being criticized for prioritizing economic growth over protection and preservation of its fragile environment and even human life. Indigenous groups have traveled from all over the Amazon to convene in Altamira, and there is a fantastic energy emerging from this unification of ideas and actions. The Encounter provides them with the opportunity to educate the world and garner international support in protest of the government-sanctioned projects. Additionally, these five days are critically important because they will cause the Brazilian government to pay attention to the needs of its people.

Another great video about the event and what's at stake, from the Real News Network.

• More on the Xingu Encounter 

Patrick Cunningham blogs daily from Altamira, Brazil. His words and photographs capture the participants' enthusiasm as well as the tension felt during the first couple of days at the Encounter.

Check it out: Encontro Xingu '08