BRAZIL – On December 30, 2022, Brazilian President-elect Lula da Silva announced Sonia Guaxashara as minister of the country’s new ministry of indigenous peoples, which will oversee policy, land restriction, health care and all affairs of the indigenous tribes, who live in the Amazon and the rest of Brazil.
“The establishment of a ministry for indigenous peoples is a reaffirmation of Lula’s commitment to these tribes and our protection. This is not a personal achievement for me, but the achievement of the collective efforts of indigenous peoples.”
Guajajara is an activist for the rights of indigenous peoples and the protection of their areas. She is the founder of the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB). She was elected to Congress in October.
Lula da Silva was re-elected president of Brazil from 2003 to 2010 after promising to establish a ministry for indigenous tribes during her election campaign.
