President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with indigenous people from all continents of the world on November 17, and the message given by the peoples represented there was one: Lula must be their ally and take their demands to the international level, whether in bilateral meetings or global meetings with other governments.
This was Lula's last public appointment at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27. The president-elect was welcomed with indigenous songs and arrived arm in arm with the indigenous politicians and leaders Sônia Guajajara, Joênia Wapichana and Célia Xakriabá. "Taking the responsibility of representing the indigenous peoples is something I am not big enough for, but I have the will and the commitment," Lula said.
In his point of view, the rights of indigenous peoples are not a subject brought to the discussion table as it should be. "We have to change our understanding of the world. People who govern look under a totally different logic than you (indigenous people). Indigenous peoples and poor people are not treated as human beings, they are treated as numbers," he noted.
As has been his speech at COP 27, Lula called for greater international investment for the protection of traditional peoples. "How many trillions of dollars are spent on war, on weapons?", he questioned, saying that this money could be used to invest in socio-environmental agendas.
I have never held a meeting as significant as this one that I am holding today. I am a grain of sand compared to the importance you have to the world. A grain of sand alone makes nothing, but a million grains of sand make a beach" - Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Jennifer Lasimbang, representative of the Indigenous Peoples of Asia, was the first to make clear the role she expects Lula to play when he becomes president of Brazil: "I hope that you can stimulate our presidents as well. We count on your strong leadership.
Chief Terry Teegee, representing Indigenous Peoples of North America, asked Lula to show Joe Biden, president of the United States, and Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, the importance of taking this leadership role to recognize indigenous peoples around the world. "We need resources and we need to be part of the discussions," the indigenous man added.
It was what Lula promised: "I want to make governance an example for the world. If I can, I will represent you at some international event, taking your letters and your demands with me.
Rodion Sulyandziga, representative of the Indigenous Peoples of Western Europe and Russia, said that peoples of the whole world need Lula's solidarity "and his efforts to minimize the effects of the climate crisis.
Lula said he takes the demand of indigenous peoples seriously and responsibly. "I have already held a meeting with the Queen [of England], but I have never held a meeting as significant as this one that I am holding today. I am a grain of sand compared to the importance you have to the world. A grain of sand alone makes nothing, but a million grains of sand make a beach," Lula declared.
In addition to the creation of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, during the meeting Lula committed himself to resuming the National Council of Indigenous Policy, at the request of Sonia Guajajara, and defended that the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) be headed by an indigenous person.
