I support the Indigenous Cause

Copyright © Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

The model of development that Brazil was rising in the last years could have some strong positive points, but some issues related with the environment, sustainability, violence and disrespect of the Indigenous and Traditional Communities rights (as the Quilombolas - historic afro-brazilian communities) are just going worst.

Last July and August I traveled about 4000km on the Brazilian east boarder, between Bahia' South state and the North of Espírito Santo, visiting many Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian communities (Quilombolas). I was shooting for a research that will be published soon. The main picture is really bad. I also met and interviewed anthropologists, professors at universities and researchers, and what I've seen is disappointment when not revolt.
A meeting formed by a large national group of anthropologists to write a collective manifest for the government was recent planned to happen in Florianópolis. I'll updated about.

You've probably heard about Belo Monte Dam and other projects in the Amazon area, troubles with deforestation, monoculture, and lands issues in the country. The Brazilian Association of Judges for Democracy (www.ajd.org.br) released a campaign named "I Support the Indigenous Cause" and are asking for signatures.

I support the Indigenous Cause
Against the PEC 215 (proposed constitutional amendment)
Demarcation of the Indigenous Lands
Urgency in Court Decisions

There are more detailed information rolling the bar on this link.
I Support the Indigenous Cause
Check the link for other languages:
Português / Español / Français / Italiano / English


If you agree, you can sign the petition that will be sent to the Supreme Court,
the President of the Republic, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Please, share the campaign with your contacts.

________________________

Eu Apoio a Causa Indígena 

Photo: > Kayapó women were singing and dancing their traditions during the Indigenous National Festival, 2012. Bertioga, SP, Brazil.

Santiago, Chile: ACTIVISTA Exhibition

No, I'm not dead. I just have been very negligent with my blog, I now.

But here I am, filling the black screen with some news and not so news. 

First thing to tell you: I was featured at Citypulse ACTIVISTA issue, released in mid-March. The issue presented 16 pages with an overview of my photo work during protests from 2000 to 2011. I will add some on this blog soon, but now the most important: if you are around Santiago during September and first week of October, this should be the last weeks to visit the ACTIVISTA Exhibition at the PUMA LAB and check some of my photos there.

ACTIVISTA - The Exhibition

Santiago, Chile

Includes part of the Citypulse collection: conceptual photography, audio and video developed by this international group, portrays the social movements that are multiply throughout the world, gaining a decisive role in the expression of citizens locally and globally. The work is structured from the eyes of 44 artists from 16 countries, who shape multicultural track the phenomenon from an experimental perspective. This record includes a book, a video (pre-released in August this year at the Festival of Aarau, Switzerland), a photographic collection, a website, and geolocated platforms with audio and video recording. Additionally, the photographic pieces exhibited in PUMA LAB include augmented reality interface that allow viewers to explore the complete works pointing their mobile images displayed.

September 5th to October 7th
GAM - Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral - PUMA LAB
Avenue L. B. O'Higgins 227, UC Metro
Parking Subt. by Villavicencio 354
Santiago, Chile

activista.citypulser.com

Soon, more updates!

Inauguración EXPO ACTIVISTA! from PUMA LAB on Vimeo.
Inauguramos la exposición ACTIVISTA! en PUMA LAB que incluye parte de la colección conceptual de fotografía, audio y video desarrollada por Citypulse y que retrata los movimientos sociales que se multiplican a través del mundo, adquiriendo un rol determinante en la expresión ciudadana a nivel local y global. Ojo con la interfaz de realidad aumentada que contienen tanto las fotos como las postales de la EXPO, que permiten a los espectadores recorrer la obra completa apuntando sus móviles a las imágenes expuestas.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Copyright © Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

Take a moment to participate in the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
Send a letter to the White House in support of the United States endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
See this link from the Indian Law Resource Center.

Endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

> photo: Xavante People, at the Indigenous National Festival.

yanomami ritual

Copyright © Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

For the Yanomami, urihi, the forest-land, is not a mere inert space for economic exploration (of what we call 'nature'). It is a living entity, part of a complex cosmological dynamic of exchanges between humans and non-humans. As such, it today finds itself threatened by the reckless predation of whites. In the view of their leader:

"The forest-land will only die if it is destroyed by whites. Then, the creeks will disappear, the land will crumble, the trees will dry and the stones of the mountains will shatter under the heat. The xapiripë spirits who live in the mountain ranges and play in the forest will eventually flee. Their fathers, the shamans, will not be able to summon them to protect us. The forest-land will become dry and empty. The shamans will no longer be able to deter the smoke-epidemics and the malefic beings who make us ill. And so everyone will die."

Davi Kopenawa Yanomami

Information by: ISA
>> photo of Yanomami shamans at the Indigenous National Festival, Bertioga, Brazil.

Please sign the letter to the Brazilian Senate and help.
They still need many signatures:
Rainforest Foundation / petition

_________

Saiba mais e participe assinando no link abaixo:
Instituto Socioambiental: Saúde Indígena

yanomami alert

Copyright © Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

"Healthcare programs for indigenous peoples in Brazil are overseen by a federal agency, called FUNASA, under the Ministry of Health. In Northern Brazil, the Yanomami have denounced an alarming increase in malaria cases, exacerbated by illegal gold mining. Currently, medical assistance is not getting to the communities because of bureaucratic hurdles around the approval of airstrips in the Yanomami Area – something that has never been a problem either there or elsewhere. Indeed, many of the scandals involving FUNASA have taken place within the Yanomami health program. In the Javari Valley, a vast indigenous area in the western Amazon, hepatitis and malaria epidemics are ravaging the Kanamari, Matis, Marubo Tsohom-dyapa, and Korubo, as well as isolated groups that live in the region. "

For these and other reasons, indigenous organizations, organizations on human rights, racial equality and policies for women are mobilizing for what the Senate does not change the Bill of Conversion and vote before the 4th of August, when expiry of the term MP 483.

We hope that through a new, independent government office, indigenous healthcare will receive the attention it deserves.

Please sign the letter to the Brazilian Senate

Learn more and participate by sending the signing the petition at the link!
We need a lot of signatures and we have only four days.
Thank you!

http://www.change.org/rainforest_foundation/petitions/view/indigenous_healthcare_under_threat_in_brazil

>> photo of Yanomami people at the Indigenous National Festival, Bertioga, Brazil.

mourning chant to Peru

Copyright © Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

Image: Ashaninka man watching fireworks at the Indigenous National Party, at Bertioga.

A week ago (June, 5), many people have died in clashes in Peru between the security forces and indigenous people in the Amazon region. Those killed included tribesmen and policemen. The violence took place as security forces tried to end a road blockade, a highway near the town of Bagua.
Peru is witnessing violent clashes between indigenous groups desperately trying to protect the Amazon and the government, who has pushed through legislation allowing intensive mining, logging and large scale farming in the rainforest.
If government and extractive industries have their way, the Peruvian rainforest and its people will suffer massive devastation.

More info about , here:
Laws criticized by Peru's indigenous groups

Sign the urgent petition below (from AVAAZ.org)
and support the courageous struggle of the indigenous peoples to protect the Amazon — a prominent and well respected Latin American politician will deliver it to President Alan Garcia on our behalf.

English: Protect Indigenous Rights - Save the Amazon

Português: Proteja os direitos indígenas e a Amazônia

Espanol: ¡Por los derechos indígenas y la Amazonia!

Also available in other languages, please check the links.

Spreading the history

James Nachtwey reveals his TED Prize wish.
The issue is Tuberculosis, which has been mutating because of inadequate treatment in a new form: Extreme Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.
James worked the past 18 months to document its impact, and now it's making a call.

Visit xdrtb.org for more details and to take action.

the last days

the last days, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

I've been visiting the Prestes Maia occupation these last weeks, to see how things are changing and give some pictures to the people. The progressive and pacific withdrawal of the families had started, and many had moved alredy to other buildings, at city's downtown. They will stay living in those new apartments for 6 months, with a government's fund help, until the "popular" (subsidized) buildings be finished to be inhabitable. Other group of families decided to move out of downtown, to a neighborhood that alredy have "popular" apartments, with the same government support.

Here is João, son of Severino and Roberta, still at his Prestes Maia's home during the lunch. They are going to stay until the last family leaves. They care about the Prestes Maia's library, and they have agreed that the library will be last thing to be moved out of the occupation. For where?
Well, this have been a theme of strong discussion between them,
but it's probably going to another occupation. Let's see.

They have asked to say that they are really thankful for all your support, all the faxes and letters you sent, and this really made a big difference here.

light in the darkness

light in the darkness, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Here are lady Romilda and the Prestes Maia's coordinator, lady Jomarina, cooking in an improvised kitchen at the encampment. Both of them live at Prestes Maia occupation, and they were cooking pasta for hundreds people of the Downtown Homeless Movement. They have been camping several times, on the streets, in front of the São Paulo's city hall, as a way to protest and pressure the mayor about their cause. Finally, I think it started to work.

Sir. Gilberto Kassab, the actual mayor from the city in person, went friday night (april, 13th) to Prestes Maia building and talk to with the families. The eviction is alredy suspended, 60 days again. But now I think they have something new.

There happened an representative meeting last thursday,12th, that joined Marcio Fontes, Minister of the city, the city mayor, and other representants from federal, state and municipal sphere to resolve the problem of the Prestes Maia families. They are planning a progressive and pacific withdrawal of them, to move groups of families for other buildings, mostly of them still inside the downtown city area, with the support of the federal governament who will reform and rent popular habitations for immediate moving.

fire on eyes

fire on eyes, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Mr. Nature, very angry, with all the damage
we've been doing to mother earth.

A performance of an enviromental activist, protesting at the opening
march of the VI World Social Forum, at Caracas, Venezuela.

Women's Day slideshow

Brazilian Women's Day was celebrated with the World March of Womem and joined protests against war and G. W. Bush politics, at his brazilian visit. During the walking, a small group of "punks" and protesters, not more than 15 young, tryied to close the avenue lying down in front of some cars and provoking disturbs.
São Paulo's Military Police Force chose to explode gas bombs and shoot plastic bullets in a crowd of almost 10.000 protesters, hurting people and causing panic, as a way to control this group of young.

Mostly of the brazilian editorial media focused only the violence, accusing all the protesters of an "infantile, bizarre and innocuous spectacle".

Well, I tell a different story about this day.

Click at the portrait above for more images.

home sweet home

SUSPENDED!!
Eviction is now suspended!

SUSPENSO!!
O despejo está suspenso!!
(click e leia aqui em português)

Yes, the eviction of the Prestes Maia Occupation is now suspended for 60 days!

I'm trying to find the more details about the cancelation, but I had just a talk with a lawyer representant of the Movement, and he told me that the judge went with the Military Police Commander to the area of the building, and saw how dificult, dangeours and insecure it could be the withdrawal of almost 2000 people... so the judge decided to suspend the eviction for this sunday and gave them 60 days for a new negotiation.

Thank you so much, all of you!

your name, my rights

your name, my rights, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

This petition on the UN draft declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has now a bit more than 5700 names.

I wish we would make thousands.
Please, send this link to a friend,
let's make it grow.
Thank you.

GLOBAL PETITION
(click above to sign it)

“Indigenous peoples the world over continue to be among the most marginalized and dispossessed sectors of society, the victims of perennial prejudice and discrimination.”

Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"An estimated 370 million Indigenous women, men and children worldwide face racism, discriminatory laws and eviction from lands central to their cultures and livelihoods.

After more than two decades of negotiation and debate, the United Nations is moving forward with global human rights standards to protect the rights of Indigenous peoples."

More details about this campaign at
Amnesty International (english)
Amnesty International (espanhol)
Amnesty International (français)
Amnesty International (Arabic)

> This is a Gavião boy. Gavião People lives at the Maranhão state, in Brazil.
They were about 250 (in 1998) .

when?

when?, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Indigenous peoples have the right to the full enjoyment, as a collective or as individuals, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms as recognized in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law.

This image is dedicated to the activist bishop Dom Luciano Mendes de Almeida, who passed away this week, and who fighted so much for the Indigenous Rights, respecting their own religion and traditions.

This Kayapo child picture was taken on the VI Indigenous National Party,
realized by the Intertribal Committee (ITC)
with the town hall's Bertioga City support.

A state of mind

Tatiana Cardeal © All photographs

Thank you, all of you that joined the Ceasefire Campaign.
This were words at Mundo Uno group, about how the Campaign developed. Click at this link to read.

The picture above were Mothers who had lost their children by violence of gun fire, doing a symbolic ritual during the opening
of the Urban Outcries II. A project from Chidren At Risk Foundation, CARF.

............................................................................................................

Children and young of the Sao Paulo periphery
send letters for Lebanon and Israel
16/08/2006 São Paulo -

Two thousand children between 12 to 18 years cared by the Social Center Ours Lady of the Good Childbirth ( Centro Social Nossa Senhora do Bom Parto), on to the Pastoral of the Minor, had produced correspondences for inhabitants of the same age of Lebanon and Israel. The Brazilians live in the periphery at the zone east of the São Paulo capital. In this thursday (august, 17), a group of adolescents and young - the majority of which already had assassinated next relatives and already was violence victim - will make the symbolic delivery of the correspondences in the office of UNESCO in São Paulo. The letters are part of an activity developed in the 54 centers of attendance from the project. The objective is to work the subject of solidarity daily enters the peoples from the violence, problem faced for the majority of the children and young of the Social Center Ours Lady of the Good Childbirth. The temporary representative of UNESCO in Brazil, Vincent Defourny, will direct the correspondences to the ambassadors of the Lebanon and Israel next to the headquarters of the Organization, in Paris.

World Ceasefire Vigil

Please, sign the petition:
ceasefire campaign


originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal. All photographs © 2003-2006.

Those are mothers who had lost their children by violence of gun fire, doing a symbolic ritual during the opening of the Urban Outcries II, a project from Chidren At Risk Foundation, CARF.

We also are needing to work for the ceasefire in my country too.

Ceasefire: No more war crimes

Join the black ribbon MUNDO UNO campaign,
wearing it as your icon.
Why the black ribbon? Here are some words.
* MUNDO UNO it's a call for peace.
* MUNDO UNO means ONE WORLD.
* MUNDO UNO is a virtual protest against
the madness of the all the wars.
* MUNDO UNO is a way for us to say:
stop the killing of civilians, in both sides.

Shall we be ONE, one world, one face,
one people to change this.

....................................



"Civilians have been targeted in Lebanon by the Israeli
Defence Forces and in northern Israel by Hizbullah
leaving hundreds dead.

After weeks of fighting, bombs and rockets continue to fall indiscriminately on women, children, ambulances, rescue workers and other innocent victims of this escalating conflict. These deliberate attacks violate international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes.

Only an immediate, full and effective ceasefire will protect civilians on both sides, but calls for the warring parties to obey the laws of war and protect civilians have fallen
on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, governments that could exert their influence to end the crisis have chosen instead to prioritize their own political and military interests over innocent lives of civilians.

We, the international community, are not powerless in the face of this crisis. We must stand up together to protect the lives of civilians and to ensure no more war crimes are commited."

What can you do? Take action now!

1. Join Amnesty International in our Ceasefire vigil on Monday 7th August, around sunset

* We call for a ceasefire;
* We demand that all governments stop the supply of arms to the conflict; and
* We stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors on both sides of the Israel/Lebanon conflict.

Read more details at the banner link, from Amnesty International.

silence

originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal. All photographs © 2006.

when my eyes open, the world will be fine

IV World Social Forum

originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal copyrights © 2006.

I've started to publish the photographs of the WSF at my Flickr's page first, and day by day I'll be uploading new images from the Social Forum. Just follow this link.

> Marching for the women rights and against violence, at the opening march at Caracas, Venezuela.

the NO face

originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

In my country, in my heart.

That's a late reflexion. I made this portrait from Jason at the Children's day celebration, with CARF (Children at Risk Foundation). But this image became a symbol of my personal thoughts and feelings about the last gun's referendum we had in Brazil. I see a kind of mortuary mask.
I was remembering the emotions I felt while photographing those brave Mothers protesting at the II Urban Outcries Project, the communication program about firearms from CARF, at Diadema.

But with a two-thirds majority vote against banning the trade of firearms to the public.

And who pay the price of the right to have a gun?
Well, in the brazilian's lands: the poors, the street kids, the indigenous people, the black people, the landless workers... they pay it with life and tragedy. Will be only them who will really enlarge the numbers of gun's shot deaths. That's a very sad truth for us.

The news today, were telling that the NO Campaign (against the prohibition from the weapons free commerce) was totaly paid from only two industries of weapons, the Taururs and the CBC, who made an oficial donation of $2,4 millions to cover all the campaign after the vitory. There is no irregularity on that, just the moral and ethic questions. Did the brazilians vote for their own rights and certainties or for the results of this industries profit?
The YES Campaign hadn't received not even a half of this amount to their publicity; and in a country with a so large deficiency of schooling, the critic sense to evaluate all this is rare and a loss.

I understand that many were disappointed with the social politics of the governament, and that many voted as a protest against this. But the real consequences are that brazilians voted to stay exactly at the same place we are.
We didn't change anything.

We voted for the fear.

"I believe it to be a choice that goes far beyond a decision to whether or not we prohibit the trade of firearms in Brazil.
We are choosing what kind of society we want to be: turned towards individualism, an “every man for himself” attitude, or an organized society with social justice and citizenship"

Words from Carlos Eduardo Zuma, from Instituto Noos