Three years of activity and many stories to tell. Since its creation in 2019, the Indigenous Volunteer Brigade of the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Land in Maranhão has been reaping the positive impact of its work, even without government support. Operating in one of the most degraded Indigenous lands in the Maranhão Amazon, these Indigenous brigade members play a strategic and necessary role, facing a wide range of challenges to ensure the integrity and recovery of their ancestral territory.
Demarcated in 1982, the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Territory covers 15,2 hectares and is located in the northwest of the state of Maranhão. Its population is made up of Guajajara indigenous people, totaling 1,7. The Indigenous Territory is also part of the Gurupi Mosaic, a group of protected areas comprising six indigenous territories and a conservation unit, extremely important for environmental conservation in this portion of the Amazon biome. It is bathed by the Pindaré River, which is one of the main sources of livelihood for indigenous families.
For years, the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Territory has been suffering from deforestation and environmental degradation resulting from pressures caused by invasions by non-Indigenous people. They enter the territory illegally to extract timber, hunt, and fish. The consequences of these invasions are a constant state of tension between the Guajajara and the population surrounding the Indigenous Territory. Furthermore, the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Territory is impacted by its proximity to urban centers and by the BR-316 highway that bisects the territory. The highway also facilitates access by malicious individuals into the territory, which often triggers arson attacks. Fires are often carelessly set to clear vegetation growing on the side of the road, as the brush narrows the road and obstructs visibility. However, this vegetation (brush) is highly flammable, and the fire quickly evolves into a large fire. Furthermore, especially during dry periods, invaders light fires during fishing trips and set fire to vegetation to facilitate the capture of game. With extremely dry vegetation, fires spread easily, causing fires that compromise large areas within the territory.
The complexity surrounding the issue of fire in the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Territory demonstrates the care that Indigenous people themselves take in distinguishing traditional use from criminal and irregular use. In the management of farms, for example, fire is used, but there are rules that must be followed to prevent this resource from becoming a problem, especially during the season and in climatic conditions. Criminal use, on the other hand, occurs intentionally, usually associated with invasions and attacks by non-Indigenous people. These practices have significantly altered the environment; what remains today are very few remnants of native forest and wildlife. Without forest, there is no hunting, no farming, and no food, resulting in significant food insecurity for many families in the region.
A job that goes far beyond putting out fires.
Working with their representative organization, the Mainumy Indigenous Community Association, the Indigenous people have implemented several strategies to address these problems. They created a group of environmental agents, made up of men and women who spearhead forest restoration and territorial surveillance efforts. This is a veritable task force that was expanded with the creation of the Indigenous Volunteer Brigade. The group arose from the need for specific, specialized work to combat forest fires, especially in areas undergoing recovery.
In order to carry out their work as firefighters appropriately, the indigenous people contacted Prevfogo/IBAMA/Maranhão to receive training. It is worth noting that Prevfogo (The National Center for Forest Fire Prevention and Control (Centro Nacional de Prevenção e Combate aos Incêndios Florestais) is the agency responsible, within the structure of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), for preventing and fighting fires throughout the country, including activities related to educational campaigns, firefighter training, monitoring, and research. After training, they were ready to begin their activities.
With only a short time since its creation, the importance of the firefighters' work has proven crucial. Fires have significantly decreased in the region, allowing forest growth, the resurgence of springs, and the return of hunting. "Before, there was a lot of pastureland with only babassu palms, but today, when monitoring the territory and using drones, we see that the trees are taking over the palm trees. That's why we have three groups for protection: the group of women who talk to relatives and surrounding villages, the environmental agents who oversee territorial protection, and we, the firefighters, who control the fires," said Richardson Caragiu, squad leader of the Volunteer Brigade of the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Territory.
In addition to observing the impacts of climate change on the territory, which has altered rain cycles, the firefighters argue that fire is a gift that cannot be misused. "Our Maíra (creators) established fire as something good, so it cannot be misused. When we put out fires, we are giving life to animals, forests, and the enchanted," says Taynara Caragiu, coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Women of Maranhão-Amima.
But this work goes far beyond fighting fires. The firefighters also work to raise awareness about proper waste disposal, both within and outside the territory. They guide villages on fire management during the preparation of their fields. "We talk to relatives, teach them how to make firebreaks, and burn the fields with them—all to prevent fires from starting during these traditional activities. We are trained and use prescribed burning (controlled fires) to burn only what is necessary. When we burn brush along BR 316, we notify Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) and the Highway Patrol, who set up a barrier and signage due to smoke to prevent accidents. But sometimes the brigade doesn't have enough fuel to load into transport and reach the burning site, especially when traveling by river," said Rogério Nonato, squad leader.
It is precisely at this point that one of the biggest challenges for the Volunteer Brigade of the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Territory lies: lack of resources. Although recognized as a Volunteer Brigade, the group was unable to federalize due to a decision by Prevfogo itself. This means the brigade members are not paid and there is a lack of financial support to organize operations and the necessary logistics. "There is a very misconception about us; some argue that our land is too small and doesn't have enough forest to fight fires. But we want our forest back, and we are working towards it. Even without PPE (personal protective equipment), we managed to get the brigade members into the field. We obtained some equipment with support from WWF, but we need more supplies. Arson is decreasing in our territory, this is evident, so we urgently need support to continue this work," stated Arlety Viana, president of the Mainumy Association.
The brigade currently has 15 volunteers. All decisions are made in conjunction with leaders and communities. The brigade's actions are primarily focused on directly fighting fires, but with community support, preventative activities such as environmental awareness and education are also developed. Due to the pandemic, women were unable to raise awareness in schools and surrounding areas. Since its creation, the brigade has put out fires in the villages of Piçarra Preta, Areinha, Tabocal, and Lake Bolívia. They have also reforested Lake Bolívia and collected seedlings and seeds in the Araribóia Indigenous Territory. They recently began construction on their base of operations, with space to set up a nursery for seedling production.
More forest, more culture
Along with environmental agents, the brigade members' work also enhances the ritual practices of the Guajajara people of the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Land. The effects of this work are directly reflected in the increase in the restored forest area, the return of springs that had previously dried up, and the return of many animal species important to the communities' food security. This also strengthens many rituals that depend on hunting. This is the case with the Moqueado festival, or the Ritual of the Young Girl, a moment that marks the transition from adolescence to adulthood for young Guajajara women. The moqueado is a symbol of commensality, and the sharing of this food celebrates Tenetehara ancestry regarding health and the protection of the physical and spiritual body. Previously, the indigenous people of the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Land had to move to other territories with more forest, and with the permission of relatives there, they hunted for the festival. However, hunting for this occasion has been carried out within the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Land itself for some time now.
Another ritual affected by environmental degradation was the Cassava Festival. "The fire devastated the riparian forest and destroyed a very important crab used in the Cassava ritual, which is one of the most important in our culture," says Cosme Alves. However, adds José Domingues Neto, "with this work, we aim to raise awareness among future generations, reduce these fires, restore the forest, and strengthen our culture. Our main objective is to protect and preserve the territory, as we need the forest and its animals to survive and keep our culture alive, for the well-being of our communities."
How has ISPN been supporting the issue?
The Institute for Society, Population, and Nature (ISPN), through its Indigenous Landscapes (NICFI/CTI/ISPN) and Integrated Environmental and Territorial Management of Indigenous Lands in the Eastern Amazon (USAID/CTI/ISPN) projects, is seeking support to contribute to and strengthen the work of Indigenous fire brigades in the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Lands. Furthermore, the formation of community fire brigades or fire management agents has also been encouraged within ISPN's strategy to promote Ecosocial Productive Landscapes (PPP-ECOS). Integrated fire management (IFM) is the approach that guides fire brigades and managers throughout Brazil, encompassing everything from planning activities to evaluating their results. This approach is being developed by various ISPN communities and partners, and a bill (PL 1818/2022) establishing the National Integrated Fire Management Policy is currently under consideration in the Federal Senate. Learn more HERE.