Sonia Guajajara, the native leader who will assume the first Ministry of Indigenous Peoples

In the last years, Guajajara was among the fiercest critics of the Bolsonaro (PL) government, which she says has driven a “genocidal agenda” in the Amazon rainforest and towards indigenous peoples.

Promecontinue to be vigilant with the new president when he takes office on January 1st, ensuring that Lula (PT) complies promesses of protection of indigenous lands and environmental policies.

Activism

Former leader of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), Sonia Guajajara served as a federal deputy for the PSOL of São Paulo, and was an ally of Lula during the campaign.

The presence of a respected indigenous leader reinforced Lula's credentials as a pro-environmental candidate after deforestation in the Amazon soared by 60% during Bolsonaro's term.

But Guajajara also fought Lula's policies in two previous terms (2003-2010). He traveled the world denouncing the Belo Monte hydroelectric project, which was carried out despite warnings that it would be catastrophic for the environment and indigenous peoples.

Life's history

Sonia Bone de Sousa Silva Santos was born on March 6, 1974, in the Araribóia indigenous reserve, in Maranhão. Her parents, belonging to Guajajara ethnicity, they didn’t know how to read.

She left home at the age of ten to study in the nearest city, Amarante, working as a maid and nanny when she was not in class.

At the age of 15, he won a scholarship from the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) to attend high school in Minas Gerais. She later graduated in literature and nursing from the State University of Maranhão (UEMA) and did a postgraduate degree in special education.

Guajajara emerged as a leader with international projection and was invited to a United Nations forum on Indigenous Peoples in 2008.

And she gained national prominence when Boulos chose her as his running mate in the 2018 presidential elections for PSOL.

Both obtained just 0,6% of the vote, but Guajajara became the first indigenous woman to run for a federal executive position.

(Source: AFP)

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