Since the Americas were conquered, the Native inhabitants face serious problems. Wars for territory, diseases, prejudice, acculturation… difficult to say what has killed the most.

In Brazil – maybe the last country in the world where some Natives have not seen an airplane yet – the situation is not different.

Century after century, the indigenous peoples are being annihilated silently. More than 2,500 indigenous languages were reduced to 180 still spoken within Brazilian territory.

“Indians (Native Brazilians) were gone!”, I’ve heard. But I say NO, they weren’t! For some strange inner power this people have been resisting, despite all prejudice, despite corrupt governments, despite armed farmers and despite indifference.

Today we are witnessing a new-born movement in Brazil. Very late if compared with North-American-Indian ones. But late is better than never.  The coming of Internet and the international concern about environmental problems have put the Native Brazilians among the topics of every serious agenda.

Now we are witnessing Native leaders learning how to use computers and net. Movement such as “Arco Digital” (digital bow) are gathering Native youth from all tribes and making them discuss about their own problems.

This is a victory. But there are many battles taking place and many others to come.

I intend to use this space to tell you some of their problems, some of their victories and to promote some action.