Young Yanomami are leveraging drones to protect their territory from illegal mining. Amidst a humanitarian crisis due to invasions, they are trained to use technology for land monitoring. The initiative, supported by HAY and international organizations, enhances their capacity to safeguard cultural traditions and ecological health. With new governmental support, they remain vigilant against threats while fostering self-reliance.
In Brazil’s Yanomami Indigenous Land, the youth are taking significant steps to uphold their ancestors’ legacy and protect their extensive territory, which is nearly the size of Portugal, amidst ongoing threats from illegal miners. Faced with the encroachment of approximately 20,000 illegal miners over the past seven years, the Yanomami realized that conventional means of surveillance were inadequate in this vast and remote area lacking police presence and technology.
In response to escalating humanitarian and environmental crises caused by mining activities, the Hutukara Yanomami Association (HAY) initiated a training project to educate Yanomami youths in drone technology. Maurício Ye’kwana, the project’s director, began this initiative during the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow after securing support from European funders via the humanitarian organization CAFOD. Equipped with drones, the Yanomami youth can extend their monitoring capabilities beyond what was achievable on foot or by canoe.
Through this program, young participants gain skills to act as multipliers of knowledge in drone operations and territory surveillance. 26-year-old Cidiclei Palimitheli expressed enthusiasm for the training, noting that he learned to automate drone flights and improve territorial mapping techniques. Other trainees, such as 24-year-old Alexandre Ye’kwana, reported significant progress in their ability to map mining areas and create effective flight plans for drones.
Since the initiative began, practical and theoretical workshops have been conducted within Yanomami communities, primarily in Roraima, which has been severely affected by illegal mining. Support from organizations like the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) has proven vital in enhancing the training sessions offered to the community. The successful turnout of participants highlights a significant shift towards self-sufficiency in monitoring their ancestral lands.
With the election of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2023, the Yanomami community’s hopes for intervention have been revived. The new government has promised to remove illegal miners and bolster protections for Indigenous territories against further encroachment. However, the ongoing presence of illegal miners necessitates that the Yanomami remain vigilant while continuing to enforce their surveillance and protective measures independently.
Giofan Erasmo, an agronomist involved in the training, has witnessed the impressive progress of the youth in using drones to monitor their environment. Participants are eager to share their newly acquired skills with others in the community, thereby solidifying a sustainable approach to environmental management. Erasmo noted the cultural significance of the training, emphasizing that Indigenous-led initiatives foster greater understanding and collaboration among participants.
Future training may also encompass Geographic Information Systems, allowing for more sophisticated cartographic skills. It is imperative that the Yanomami continue to lead educational initiatives in surveillance, as reliance on government actions may not be permanent. As Maurício emphasized, sustained efforts by the community will be crucial for lasting protection of their territorial rights and ecological heritage.
The Yanomami Indigenous youth have adopted drone technology as a critical tool in monitoring their vast territory, which faces significant threats from illegal mining operations. Supported by local organizations and recent governmental changes, the initiative equips the youth with essential skills for surveillance and environmental protection. Moving forward, continuous training and community engagement will be vital for sustaining their efforts to safeguard their ancestral land against ongoing challenges.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
