"Hidden tribes of the Amazon", "free peoples", "uncontacted tribes", "indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation." While society is quick to cast labels, in most cases their true name is known only amongst members of their group.
Brazil
OAS Asks Brazil to Suspend World’s Third-Biggest Dam in Amazon
Bloomberg | The Organization of American States requested Brazil suspend work on the Belo Monte hydroelectric project in the Amazon, echoing the protests of Indians and Hollywood director James Cameron who oppose what is set to be the world's third-biggest dam.
The Last Stand of the Amazon
Novelist Edward Docx has spent almost a decade travelling to the Amazon, watching as multinational companies ravage the land he loves. Here is his heartfelt dispatch on the forest's final frontier – still home to as many as 100 tribes of uncontacted Indians
The Guardian | Every time there is oil exploration, there is major disruption and destruction to the forest, starting with seismic testing and following through with helicopters, roads, oil wells, crews and so on; each development brings a chaos of unplanned settlement and more deforestation. And inevitably, whenever oil is found there are catastrophic spills...
Belo Monte Dam May Lead Brazil to OAS High Court
Local communities and NGOs deliver petition exposing human rights violations to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Brasilia, Brazil—Local communities and NGOs delivered a petition to the Organization of American States’ (OAS) human rights body today claiming that Brazil has steamrolled human rights in its rush to fast-track construction of the controversial Belo Monte Dam, slated for construction on the Xingu River in the Amazon interior.
Brazil’s "Avatar" CEO Pens Letter to Arnold and Cameron
Carlos Nascimento wrote a letter to Schwarzenegger and Cameron offering to discuss the controversial Belo Monte Dam
Forbes | In the ongoing debate that is Brazil's massive Belo Monte hydroelectric dam in the Amazon, the president of Brazilian power company Norte Energia has gone the old fashion route of letter-writing to win the hearts and minds of two of America's greenest celebrities. Nascimento is spearheading the most controversial environmental project on the...
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Bill Clinton Urges Alternatives to Dams in Brazilian Amazon
Former U.S. president cites indigenous rights and calls on Brazil to lead the world in the 21st century in forging a sustainable energy path
Manaus, Brazil – During a speech at the World Sustainability Forum in Manaus over the weekend, former U.S. president Bill Clinton signaled he was against the construction of massive new hydroelectric dams in the Brazilian Amazon.
B-Roll of James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Amazon
Cameron Joins Kayapo Chief Raoni and Other Indigenous Leaders in Advocating for Energy Alternatives to the Belo Monte Dam.
James Cameron Brings Arnold Schwarzenegger to Amazon
Cameron Joins Kayapo Chief Raoni and Other Indigenous Leaders in Advocating for Energy Alternatives to the Belo Monte Dam
Manaus, Brazil – James Cameron held a press conference yesterday with Amazonian indigenous leaders and environmental experts following his return with Arnold Schwarzenegger from a visit to the Xingu River.
Chaos on the Madeira: The Trouble with Dams in the Amazon
The Madeira River: Life Before the Dams is a beautiful example of the power of film to capture natural beauty and human emotion, mostly through the play and laughter of children.
James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger Visit the Xingu
The two met with members of the Kayopo and other Amazonian communities before speaking events at the World Forum on Sustainability.
Organization of American States Questions Belo Monte Dam Project
Human Rights Body of the OAS Solicits Official Inquiry While Amazonian Communities Stage Major Protests
Altamira, Brazil – The Organization of American States (OAS) officially requested the Brazilian government to clarify information on the Belo Monte Dam's licensing process, which moved forward without ensuring proper consultation with local indigenous groups.
Belo Monte Hydroelectric Dam Construction Work Begins
Infrastructure Work on Access Roads to the Site of the Hydroelectric Dam in the Amazon Began on Monday
The Guardian | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – With most Brazilian eyes firmly fixed on the country's annual carnival, construction work officially started this week on the controversial Belo Monte hydroelectric dam in the Amazon.
Regional Judge Overturns Ban on Construction of Belo Monte Dam
Decision Allows for Forest Clearance and Start-Up of Dam Construction to Begin, Despite Violations of Human Rights and Environmental Legislation
Brasilia, Brazil – In yet another turn of events in the increasingly heated legal and political battle over the controversial Belo Monte dam complex, on Thursday the president of a federal regional court in Brasilia, Olindo Menezes, overturned a decision by federal judge Ronaldo Destêrro that prohibited initial construction to commence on...
If You Must Build A Mega Dam: Lessons for Brazil from China
Time Magazine | This week environmental activists in Brazil – and Hollywood – are celebrating a victory over what may become the world's third largest hydroelectric plant. Some doubt, however, this week's ruling will ultimately stand in the way of Belo Monte getting built.
Brazil Dam Energises Environmentalists
Financial Times | São Paulo, Brazil – Those passing by the London office of Brazil's development bank, BNDES, on Wednesday would have seen an unusual protest by a group of 50-60 Amazonian Indian tribal leaders.
Indigenous Leaders Complete European Tour Warning of Risky Mega-Dams
Stakeholders listened as delegation revealed Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES) is bankrolling Amazon destruction
London, UK – Indigenous leaders from the Amazon toured Europe to rally public, governmental and press support for their communities' fight against destructive mega-dams slated to be built in the Amazon.
Amazonian Indigenous Delegation's Actions in Paris and London
Indigenous leaders traveled to Paris and London to protest the construction of mega-dams in the Amazon.
Brazil Judge Blocks Amazon Belo Monte Dam
BBC | Para, Brazil – A Brazilian judge has blocked plans to build a huge hydro-electric dam in the Amazon rainforest because of environmental concerns.
Amazonian Leaders Tour Europe to Warn Investors of Risks of Large Dams
Delegation Exposes the Role of Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES) in Bankrolling Amazon Destruction
A two-week delegation of Amazon indigenous leaders and their allies to Europe will highlight socially and environmentally destructive mega-dams planned for the Amazon basin while highlighting greener alternatives for meeting Brazil’s energy needs.
Judge Suspends Partial License for Construction of the Belo Monte Dam
Judge Orders Immediate Halt of Construction Plans Until Preparatory Conditions Are Met
Para, Brazil – A Federal Judge in the Brazilian state of Para has ordered the immediate suspension of the partial installation license for the commencement of construction of the Belo Monte Dam Complex on the margins of the Xingu River in the Brazilian Amazon.
"A Message from Pandora" Wins International Cinema for Peace Award
The 20-Minute Feature Spotlights the Battle to Stop the Belo Monte Dam in the Brazilian Amazon
Berlin, Germany – At today's Cinema for Peace film festival Gala, the International Jury announced James Cameron's "A Message from Pandora" as the winner of the Cinema for Peace's international Award.
Belo Monte and Brazil's "Pandora"
Can a Massive Dam Project in the Amazon Be Stopped?
In These Times | Brasilia, Brazil – It's the biggest forest battle on Earth. The plot: a big government, in this case Brazil – armed to the teeth with unlimited executive and financial powers – takes on a rag tag group of river-dwelling tribes and around 20,000 poor people who happen to be in the way of what might become the world's largest...
Indigenous Tribes Protest Against Amazon Dam
BBC | Brasilia, Brazil – Hundreds of indigenous Brazilians have been protesting in the capital against the construction of what will be the world's third biggest hydro-electric dam.
Brazilian Protesters Criticize Dam Project
CNN | Brasilia, Brazil – Environmentalists and indigenous-rights supporters gathered in the Brazilian capital Tuesday to protest a hydroelectric dam project that they say would be devastating to the Amazon region.
Over 600,000 Petitions Delivered to Brazilian Government This Week
If you are one of over 600,00 people who signed the global petition to stop the Belo Monte Dam in the Brazilian Amazon, you should know that your signature didn't get lost in cyberspace somewhere. It was delivered to the Brazilian government on Tuesday afternoon here in Brasilia by a delegation of indigenous and community leaders from the Xingu...
Hundreds Protest Against the Belo Monte Dam
Outside the Brazilian Congress and Presidential Palace, hundreds of people gathered in protest, including indigenous chiefs and community leaders from the Xingu River basin.
Dam-Affected People Deliver Half a Million Signatures to Stop the Belo Monte Dam
Several Hundred Amazonian Indigenous Leaders and Dam-Affected People Participate in Colorful Demonstration and Deliver Signatures to the Office of the President
Brasilia, Brazil – Over half a million people, most of them Brazilians, are calling on newly-elected President Dilma to halt plans to construct the Belo Monte Dam. Outside the Brazilian Congress and Presidential Palace, several hundred people gathered in protest, including indigenous chiefs and community leaders from the Xingu River basin.
Developer Backing Out of Loan for Construction of Risky Belo Monte Dam
After Last Week's Green Light to Begin Construction, the Dam Consortium Faces Another Hurdle as BNDES Reveals It Will Not Release Funds Until Full License Granted
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – After learning that the Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES) will not release funds from the $640 million bridge loan issued in late December unless Brazilian legislation is honored, the dam consortium Norte Energia, S.A. (NESA) is threatening to drop the loan and is now seeking private funders to finance...
China and Brazil Inundate Latin America with Dams
Inter-Press Service (IPS) | The growing presence of Chinese and Brazilian capital in Latin America's energy sector is facilitating the construction of hydroelectric complexes, but is also the fuelling nationalist stances that are adding to the environmental criticisms of those major projects.
