By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter, April 24, 2018<\/p>\n
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL \u2013 With the theme \u201cUnifying the struggles in defense of Indigenous Brazil \u2013 For the guarantee of the original rights of our peoples,\u201d more than 2,500 indigenous representatives from over one hundred ethnic groups are expected to participate in the 15th edition of Terra Livre (Free Land) camp movement which began on Monday in Brasilia, Brazil.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe struggle is the legacy we indigenous people leave for our children,\u201d said Kret\u00e3 Kaingang coordinator of the indigenous populations movement of the South (ArpinSul) at the opening ceremony. The Terra Livre camp week is considered the largest annual mobilization of indigenous people<\/a> in Brazil.<\/p>\n The indigenous will be camping in Brazil\u2019s capital to pressure government authorities to maintain and enforce indigenous\u2019 constitutional rights and international laws and call attention to land demarcation<\/a>, health care and education of the indigenous populations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe illegitimate government of Michel Temer took a declared anti-indigenous policy, putting an end to the demarcation and protection of indigenous lands, leading to the invasion of these lands by governmental and private entities and person,\u201d says the statement issued by organizers.<\/p>\n During the week there will be plenary sessions, debates, hearings with lawmakers and representatives of the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary as well as protests in front of Congress<\/a> and traditional rituals performed by some of the tribes.<\/p>\n Indigenous Guarani Kaiow\u00e1 chief, Alberto Terena of the Terena Council thanked the young indigenous for being there and asked them to learn from their elders. \u201cNo one has (the right) to say how we should live, except ourselves. This government enters our lands to steal them. To tell you what to do with them. We do not accept that. The Guarani Kaiow\u00e1 are dying in Mato Grosso do Sul, \u201csaid Terena.<\/p>\n