On April 29, the Day of the Indian is commemorated, an important date for celebrating the richness and diversity of the way of life of these original peoples of the Americas. Throughout their history, these peoples grounded their life in the principles “of reciprocity among people, fraternal friendship, co-existing with other beings of nature, and a profound respect for the earth.” Through these principles, which are part of what they call ‘Good Living’, they built their sustainable way of life that can be an example for all the peoples of the planet.
According to the report presented by the United Nations (UN), there are around 45 million indigenous people in 826 communities in Latin America, that represent 8.3% of its total population. Of these, many live in the lands of the Amazon and other regions of South America. People who constantly struggle for the survival of their tribes, their culture, and their customs.
The Fraternity – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF), through the Roraima Mission, helps the indigenous peoples who are in a vulnerable situation and who have experienced a forced relocation from their communities and their country. The institution manages shelters specifically for the natives, both in the capital Boa Vista, and in Pacaraima, a region on the border. In these shelters, they receive immigrants of the Warao and E’ñepa tribes, groups that walked for miles from their homeland, Venezuela, until arriving in Brazilian territory.
The indigenous shelter Janokoida, located in Pacaraima, holds 494 natives of the Warao tribe. In the indigenous shelter Pintolândia, in Boa Vista, there are 528 natives of the Warao and E’ñepa tribes. In both shelters, playful and integration activities are carried out so as to motivate them to maintain their identities and cultures, which can be perceived through the paintings on the walls and in their handicrafts.
In Argentina, there is work being done with the Qon tribe through a recurring mission taken on by the Light-Network of the country. The activity takes place every three months and they are provided with educational health care services in dentistry and personal hygiene, vaccination, artistic activities with children, besides donations of school materials and food.
The Fraternity – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF) is grateful to the indigenous peoples that are taken care of by the missions because of their allowing an exchange in knowledge that contributes to the development of the organization and encourages us to keep on with the work and believe in the positive change of this planetary moment.
