Brazil Dam Project Halted

The Belo Monte dam project (which was also the subject of the preceding post) has been halted, at least temporarily.

Judge Carlos Castro Martins barred any work that would interfere with the natural flow of the Xingu river.

He ruled in favour of a fisheries group which argued that the Belo Monte dam would affect local fish stocks and could harm indigenous families who make a living from fishing.

The government says the dam is crucial to meeting growing energy needs.

Judge Martins barred the Norte Energia company behind the project from "building a port, using explosives, installing dikes, building canals and any other infrastructure work that would interfere with the natural flow of the Xingu river, thereby affecting local fish stocks".

Norte Energia, of course, plans to appeal, so this is by no means over.

Brazil Approves Mega-Dam, Displacing 40,000 People

Dam building seems to be one of the most consistent threats to Indigenous lands; Brazil just approved a new mega-dam project in the Amazon.

In the face of fierce opposition from indigenous peoples, social movements and scientists, IBAMA issued an environmental licence on 1 June, which will enable the Norte Energia consortium to start construction work.

COIAB, an alliance representing many indigenous organizations in Brazil’s Amazon said it ‘rejected IBAMA’s decision vehemently and with profound indignation’, stating that the government will not consult with indigenous peoples and treats their interests with ‘an authoritarianism never before seen in our young democracy…. In truth it wants to destroy indigenous communities with its model of development.’

This photo, of "Chief Raoni crying when he learned that the President of Brazil approved the Belo Monte dam project on the Xingu indigenous lands," really is worth a thousand words in getting across how devastating this is for the communities, and honestly just breaks my heart.

Wampanoag Powwow in Bermuda

In 1675-1676, during and after King Philip's War (that link goes to Jill Lepore's book The Name of War, which is an excellent read), victorious colonists sold members of the defeated Wampanoag tribe into slavery in Barbados. (Slave owners and traders tended to prefer slaves who were not native to any given area, as it decreased the likelihood of successful escapes.) Centuries later, the descendants of those Wampanoag people still celebrate their Native American heritage.

Malaysian Indigenous Tribes Lose Case Against Dam

Indigenous tribes in Malaysia brought a lawsuit against the seizure of their lands to make way for a giant hydroelectric dam. The nation's highest court decided that their eviction was legal and did not violate their rights.

"It is an unfair decision. I have not been fully compensated," said Ngajang Midin, 50, of the Ukit tribe, as tears rolled down his face. He has already moved to higher ground and the multi-billion-dollar dam has begun operations.

"My cocoa and pepper trees are underwater. My ancestors' graves are buried under the sea of water," he said.

About 15,000 people were forcibly relocated to make room for the dam and a reservoir about the size of Singapore, which began generating power last month. Many have made an unhappy transition to life in drab resettlement areas, and representatives of the evicted indigenous people launched a series of legal appeals.

Colin Nicholas, founder and coordinator of the Center for Orang Asli Concerns -- whose name uses the Malay term for indigenous people -- said..."The fear now is these people will become internal refugees because they can be forced to relocate," he said.

Sounds familiar - Chippewa Flowage anyone?