Meet the 16 Indigenous Leaders of the 2nd FMIB Cycle

Claudia da Silva

Espírito Santo

Claudia da Silva, a Guarani from Ka’aguy de Pora/Nova Esperança in the TI Tupinikin Guarani region of Espírito Santo, was nominated by the Guarani Yvyrupa Commission. Her work focuses on strengthening the local community by empowering women who hold traditional ecological and cultural knowledge. As a community leader, Claudia fights against violence toward Indigenous women, offering support to victims and promoting women’s rights. She conducts workshops on crafts, traditional choir uniforms, and domestic violence while producing audiovisual content on the issue.

Erica Gabriele

RIO GRANDE Do NORte

Hailing from the Indigenous community of Marajó in João Câmara, Erica Gabriele is deeply inspired by the powerful women in her life, including her mother, grandmother, and other local leaders. Erica has always contributed to her community’s development, helping to preserve its traditions and support both Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. She draws strength from the women around her and aspires to follow in their footsteps, carrying forward their legacy of resilience and leadership

Luana da Silva

RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Luana da Silva is an environmental activist engaged in international climate change discussions, focusing on Indigenous rights, women’s issues, and youth. A dedicated researcher, she advocates for Indigenous well-being, inspired by her grandfather Aristides Komag and her aunt Maria Rosangela, a trailblazer in Indigenous health in Rio Grande do Sul. Luana’s work connects climate advocacy with Indigenous knowledge, aiming to ensure the sustainability of both her people and the planet.

Shirley Krenak

MINAS GERAIS

Shirley Djukurnã Krenak, founder of the Djukurnã Krenak Institute, has been an advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental preservation since the age of 13. Her institute promotes activities rooted in Indigenous ancestry and spirituality, with a deep connection to the earth. In her participation in the Brazilian Indigenous Women’s Fund, Shirley seeks collaborators who understand the indigenous cause and the diverse biomes of Brazil, pushing for greater recognition of Indigenous environmental defenders.

Vanessa Pataxó

Espírito Santo

Vanessa Pataxó is a physiotherapist and integrative community therapist from the Pataxó village of Coroa Vermelha in southern Bahia. She works with youth and women’s groups, providing both individual and collective care through therapy circles, massages, and the use of medicinal herbs and teas. Nominated by the Association of Indigenous Women of the Far South of Bahia, Vanessa continues to support the physical and emotional well-being of her community, focusing on self-care and healing.

Ariane Galeano

PARANÁ

A leader from the y’hovy village in TI Guasu Guavira, Guaíra, and Terra Roxa, Ariane Galeano focuses on mental health within her community. She runs workshops addressing suicide, violence against women, and sexism while facilitating discussions on territorial issues and organizing handicraft workshops. Ariane believes that open conversations about seeking help, both from within and outside the Indigenous tradition, are crucial in the face of the mental health challenges her community faces.

Maria Deusdete

ALAGOAS

Maria Deusdete de Souza, from the Kariri-Xocó people in Alagoas, leads the women’s collective of the Sabuka Kariri-Xocó Culture Centre Association. As a mother, grandmother, and lifelong resident of the Kariri Xocó village, she continues the tradition of pottery making. Maria also promotes women’s rights and supports victims of violence, organizing workshops on communication through photography and video to empower women to share their stories and raise awareness about their realities.

Maria Eduarda da Silva

MINAS GERAIS

At just 20 years old, Maria Eduarda da Silva is already making an impact in her community as an Indigenous Tabajara woman from Piripiri, Piauí. Appointed by APOINME, Maria works on Territorial Protection, supporting Indigenous women in defending their lands and confronting sexism. Her action plans include body painting, handicrafts, health issues, and creating productive backyards, all aimed at fostering community resilience and protecting their cultural heritage.

Iracema Garcia

RIO DE JANEIRO

Mrs Iracema is a community leader who was nominated by the Guarani Yvyrupá Commission because she is one of the best known women in her community for her strong work with Guarani women and youth. Today her challenge is to get political and financial support to resolve the lack of water, the lack of internet and a physical space to hold meetings.

Janna Crajaca

MARANHÃO

Jamile Santos Da Silva

PERNAMBUCO

‘There is a lack of support from the leaders of each village within the territory.’ Janna was nominated by the Krikati Indigenous Women’s Association A’pyhnre/AMIKA, and her action plan talks about internal and external threats. ‘I would start to gather the women of the territory to listen to each one of them and find out what is happening inside the house.’

Daniela Alves

CEARÁ

Daniela Alves de Araújo was appointed by the Jenipapo-Kanindé Indigenous Women’s Association to work on strengthening the local community.

One of her challenges today is to find the financial incentive to buy everything from teaching materials to use in the workshops to the raw materials themselves, as not all the handicrafts produced are taken from the territory.

‘I actively participate in the indigenous movement, and I follow the feminist movement and the MST. I develop activities aimed mainly at the women and young people of my people. With actions aimed at cultural strengthening, contributing to the growth and strengthening of financial income through the production of handicrafts. I also seek to promote education through workshops, providing inclusion for young people who live in idleness within the territory, and encouraging our women to practise the art of handicrafts.’

Karine Santos

SERGIPE

I started my activism in the indigenous movement at the age of 21, when I came to live in the village. I was brought up with my parents in the city and then went to live in the village with my aunt. As soon as I arrived, I was invited by the Cacique and the women of the community to take over the Women’s Association, which I served on for two consecutive terms. I took part in the Gate Project, which opened doors for me to the PNGATE movement, and then I joined Apoinme and I’m still there today, for the Xocó people.

Ivanilda da Rocha Silva 

PARAÍBA

I’m inspired by women like Sônia Guajajara, Cida Potiguara, as well as the chiefs Caboquinho Potiguara and Capitão Potiguara, because they are sources of inspiration and resistance. My greatest pride is the resistance of my people, who have been resisting since colonisation, facing Swedish immigrants (the Lundgren family) who set up the Rio Tinto textile factory, causing major ecological problems in the region. We fought against mill owners when they invaded our land in the 70s. I fight for my people, for the conquest of our demarcated lands. 

ASÉ O-AR (WE ARE BORN)

ASÉ O-IKOBÉ (WE LIVE)

ASÉ O- MANÕ (WE DIE)

ÎANDÉ ANAMA-TE (BUT OUR PEOPLE)

O-IKOBÉ IKÓ IBY-PE (YOU WILL LIVE ON THIS LAND )

AUIERAMANHENE (FOREVER)

Rosineia Alves

Santa Catarina

I am a Kaingang indigenous woman, a survivor of domestic violence. I’m a father and mother of five, from the Xapecozinho-Ipuaçu-SC indigenous land. I bring my story of overcoming violence against women to discussions organised by the Amioeste organisation. I want to produce material to prevent violence against women and train them to deal with this situation, together with Amioeste, which has already translated the Maria da Penha Law (a law that assists women who are victims of violence) into the Kaiagang language, thus informing indigenous women.

‘There is a lack of support from the leaders of each village within the territory.’ Janna was nominated by the Krikati Indigenous Women’s Association A’pyhnre/AMIKA, and her action plan talks about internal and external threats. ‘I would start to gather the women of the territory to listen to each one of them and find out what is happening inside the house.’

Arajú Apolinário

SÃO PAULO

Arajú works on the maintenance of the community organic garden, is the coordinator of the Guarani Choir, organises and holds women’s meetings, as well as strengthening rituals in the prayer house (OPY), cultural performances such as theatre, and workshops to produce handicrafts, ornaments and artefacts. She represents the women’s movement at internal and external meetings on the themes of health, education, culture and territory.