The indigenous-led occupation of the main Belo Monte dam construction site is a key battleground for the future of the entire Amazon rainforest. It is powerful to be here on the ground supporting indigenous peoples in amplifying their voices.
Eye on the Amazon
Day 11: Parakana Leaders Join the Belo Monte Occupation
Today was marked by the arrival of nearly 30 Parakana leaders. In all, 17 indigenous villages from six different ethnicities are currently represented at the occupation demanding that construction of the Belo Monte dam stop.
Day 10 of the Indigenous Occupation of the Belo Monte Pimental Dam Site
The meeting with Norte Energia failed to reach any agreement. The Xikrin, the Arara and the Juruna of the Big Bend are still occupying the site, and we are calling for support to allow us to bring more of our people to join the occupation.
Belo Monte Occupation Continues After Failed Talks
The indigenous occupation of the Belo Monte construction site entered its ninth day today. More indigenous people are reportedly joining the occupation each day, demanding that the construction stop.
Accompanying Sheyla Juruna at Rio+20
Imagine that your livelihood, community, and entire culture are facing imminent destruction from the Belo Monte dam. International bodies have repeatedly sounded the alarm, yet the project advances with the force of a thousand bulldozers. What do you do?
Support Indigenous Occupation of the Belo Monte Dam Site
In the final days of the Rio+20 Earth Summit, several hundred indigenous people affected by the Belo Monte Dam began an occupation of the construction site. The occupation is gaining strength as more inhabitants join the blockade.
Quechua Turn Pastaza Oil Protest into Watershed Deal with Government
Alianza Arkana Blog | After more than a week of peaceful protests, indigenous Quechua residents of the Pastaza River basin finally pushed the Peruvian government to launch a high-level investigation of foreign oil company operations.
Living Art Resistance at Rio+20
Nearly 1500 people used Rio's Flamengo Beach as a canvas. Their bodies formed the lines of an enormous image promoting the importance of free-running rivers, truly clean energy sources like solar power and including indigenous knowledge as part of the solution to climate issues.
Freeing the Xingu
Seeing the majestic Xingu River being dammed is heartbreaking; this morning, there was hope. Today's daring grassroots action was one of the most inspirational acts of resistance I have witnessed in 15 years as Executive Director.
