Indigenous Peoples
Uncontacted Tribe Survival International
https://www.survivalinternational.org/tribes/uncontacted-brazil
There are 385 known ethnic groups living in the Amazon rainforest, and this doesn’t even include the many uncontacted peoples (Amazon Aid). Together, these communities make up an estimated 1.5 million Indigenous people across the region (Amazon Aid).
Now, I shouldn’t have to say this—but I feel it needs to be said: Indigenous people are people. They have rights. Their territory is their land, and they hold legal rights to it. In fact, as the original inhabitants, their legal rights to their land should supersede any other claims.
Most Indigenous communities live through a mix of hunting, gathering, and small-scale agriculture. This agriculture is typically done without clearing the forest—often in the shade—and their main crop and dietary staple is cassava. These communities are usually organized into tribes, which function as small, informal political systems rather than formal governments.
It’s important to recognize that Indigenous peoples have chosen their way of life. They could adopt modern ways, but they value their traditions. Their lives depend on the forest, and in turn, they work to protect and restore it. In fact, studies show that Indigenous territories experience significantly less deforestation and more reforestation when damage does occur (Baragwanath, 2023).
Many communities now use technology—like GPS and drones—to monitor their forests and catch illegal loggers (Romo, 2020). Indigenous leaders have even testified before national governments to fight for environmental and territorial rights.
One example of sustainable economic activity is the harvesting of Brazil nuts. This not only provides income, but also gives intact forests economic value—turning conservation into a source of livelihood (Harari, 2021).
References:
Indigenous People Amazon Aid
https://amazonaid.org/resources/about-the-amazon/peoples-of-the-amazon/
Baragwanath, Kathryn. Bayi, Ella. Shinde, Nelish. (May 22, 2023) Collective property rights lead to secondary forest growth in the Brazilian Amazon PNAS
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2221346120
Romo, Vanessa. (June 30, 2020) Using technology, indigenous monitors in the Amazon combat environmental crime Mongabay
Harari, Isabelle Deister, Jaqueline (December 3, 2021) For indigenous Zoro, the Brazil nut is a weapon against deforestation Mongabay