Remote Amazon tribe to travel to Brasília

The remote Enawene Nawe tribe have dismantled their three day blockade of one of the main highways in Mato Grosso state and are set to travel to the Brazilian capital, Brasília, to meet government officials.

The Indians mounted the blockade on 31 May to protest against plans to build a series of hydroelectric dams along the Juruena river, which they say will destroy their vital fishing grounds.

According to local press reports, several neighbouring tribes joined the protest and about 100 Indians armed with bows and arrows effectively isolated the northwestern part of the state.

A commission composed of government officials and the police negotiated with the Enawene Nawe who agreed to halt their blockade if they could meet with the president of FUNAI (the Brazilian government’s Indian affairs department) to raise their concerns.

A delegation of Enawene Nawe set out today on the long journey to Brasília.