Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sônia Guajajara, was on the Committee on the Amazon and on Original and Traditional Peoples of the Chamber of Deputies| Photo: reproduction

The Commission for the Amazon and Original and Traditional Peoples of the Chamber of Deputies received the Minister for Indigenous Peoples, Sônia Guajajara, this Tuesday (11), who explained, generically, the priorities of the portfolio in 2023. According to the minister, the government PT will recognize and defend the territories of indigenous peoples, combat illegal mining, inspect and remove invaders from these areas, as well as advance in the demarcation of lands. The minister did not announce new measures.

In the session, most of the deputies did not raise many questions, and the minister did not delve into the answers or the objectives of the portfolio. The humanitarian crisis of the Yanomami people was cited by government officials and there was a request for a greater investigation by the competent authorities. The meeting was also marked by the participation of a few deputies opposed to the government among the 28 parliamentarians present.

At another point, the minister mentioned a tea with marijuana components that would be part of the culture of a certain ethnic group. The parliamentarian Silvia Waiapi (PL), then, questioned whether Sônia Guajajara would be in favor of drug trafficking, because of that speech. The minister said that she is against drug trafficking, but that the indigenous people use this marijuana tea. She also claimed that it would be “scientifically proven” the effectiveness of the drink against some diseases. However, there is no evidence of the use of drug components. The Federal Council of Medicine itself restricted the use of cannabidiol and prohibited doctors from advertising the product.

The session was also marked by criticism by deputy Dorinaldo Malafaia (PDT) of parliamentarian Silvia Waiapi (PL), claiming that she could not represent indigenous peoples. The deputy countered: “I don’t need her recognition to be considered indigenous”. “You want me to accept someone who declares herself a woman, without being a woman – biologically male -, and I am obliged to accept it, but you don’t want to accept me?”, said Silvia. From the speech, deputies booed her and the president of the table, Célia Xakriabá (PSOL), said that she would not accept alleged transphobia in the session.