As part of the 6th General Assembly of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA), being held in Bogotá, Indigenous leader Ernestina Afonso de Souza, of the Makushi people, is participating as a delegate from Brazil, representing the Indigenous peoples of the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Territory in the state of Roraima.
With joy and a sense of responsibility, Ernestina stated that her presence at the Assembly is an opportunity to share the experience of indigenous peoples in caring for the territory and our Common Home.
“I am here with great joy and honor, participating as a delegate, representing the indigenous peoples of Roraima, bringing our hopes and the work we carry out alongside the Church.”
A vision of life deeply connected to nature
During her remarks, the indigenous representative highlighted the deep relationship that indigenous peoples maintain with nature, understood as a source of life and an essential part of their identity.
“We, indigenous peoples, work in an interconnected way with nature because it is our mother. As Pope Francis says, everything is interconnected.”
This vision, she explained, guides the indigenous communities’ commitment to defending the land, water, and life.
Land, water, and life
Ernestina emphasized that defending the land is a fundamental condition for the survival of Amazonian peoples.
“Without water and without land, there is no life. Without land, there is no health, no education, no sustainability.”
For this reason, indigenous peoples seek to contribute their experience and ancestral wisdom to the Assembly’s forums for dialogue, sharing their concerns and proposals for the future of the Amazon.
Sharing experiences and walking together
The delegate also highlighted the importance of this gathering as a space for exchange among different peoples, Churches, and realities within the Amazon region.
The Assembly brings together representatives from various countries, communities, and pastoral ministries working for the care of our Common Home and the defense of life in the Amazon.
In this regard, Ernestina expressed her hope that this forum will strengthen the joint work between the Church and indigenous peoples, promoting paths of dialogue, respect, and commitment to the territory.
Her participation reflects the importance of the voice of indigenous peoples within the synodal journey of CEAMA, where their experiences, knowledge, and struggles contribute to the building of a Church that walks alongside the peoples of the Amazon and in the service of life.