boats

Implementing a rights-based approach to rainforest protection since 1989.

trees

With secure rights to land and livelihoods, forest peoples can be effective guardians of their natural resources.

Men walking through river C symbol

Partnering with indigenous peoples
at the frontlines of rainforest protection.

News

Disappointment as the Belo Monte Dam moves ahead

Submitted by adminRFF on August 27, 2010 - 12:36pm

On August 26, 2010, Brazilian President Lula officially signed over construction of Belo Monte to the Norte Energia consortium, which won the auction for the rights to build the dam earlier this year.This comes despite local community opposition, scientific studies demonstrating the environmental and social damage the dam will cause, and remaining questions regarding the feasibility and costs of the dam.

The Rainforest Foundation has been supporting efforts to inform communities about the dam, and has stood with indigenous peoples who have opposed the dam for the past twenty years.More information on the concession here

Rainforet Foundation's current involvement:
RF US program director goes to Altamira July 2010
RF US Join Community Leaders To Challenge Construction
Sting reunites with Raoni, twenty years later

Big step forward for indigenous health in Brazil

Submitted by adminRFF on August 6, 2010 - 10:13am

With your help, indigenous peoples in Brazil were able to secure a substantial victory on August 3rd. After two years of organizing by the indigenous movement in Brazil, and a last-minute push supported by their allies (including Rainforest Foundation US via change.org), the Brazilian Senate voted unanimously yesterday to create a special Secretariat for Indigenous Health. President Luis Inácio da Silva must ratify the bill within 30 days for it to become law, but it is expected he will do so quickly.

Rainforest Foundation in the New York Times

Submitted by adminRFF on June 22, 2010 - 5:31pm

To the Editor:

Bob Herbert makes an excellent comparison between BP’s disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and the experiences of indigenous peoples in the Ecuadorean Amazon (“Disaster in the Amazon,” column, June 5). As the Texaco case he mentions demonstrates, oil extraction has brought environmental disaster to large parts of the Amazon while providing little economic benefits to the indigenous peoples who live in the region.

Despite this history of environmental and social disaster, exploitation of resources in the Amazon in Ecuador and Peru is expanding rapidly. Despite President Rafael Correa’s attempts to appear environmentally friendly and pro-indigenous, Ecuador is actually aggressively pursuing new extractions in the Amazon.

Meanwhile, Peru’s government has been selling off new oil and gas concessions as quickly as possible. Concessions already cover more than 70 percent of the Peruvian Amazon.

These sad facts explain the overwhelming opposition to oil and gas extraction by indigenous communities whose lands are being opened for exploitation without their consent.

Suzanne Pelletier
New York, June 7, 2010

The writer is executive director of the Rainforest Foundation U.S., which works to empower indigenous peoples to protect their lands and resources.

A version of this letter appeared in print on June 14, 2010, on page A22 of the New York edition.
The online version can be found here

Featured Project

The Yanomami people of Brazil remain relatively isolated, living in communities deep in the forests of the northern

Submitted by adminRFF on August 6, 2010 - 4:45pm



The Yanomami people of Brazil remain relatively isolated, living in communities deep in the forests of the northern Amazon. In 1992, the Brazilian government recognized their lands designated a 37,000 square-mile territory. Despite their remoteness and the success they enjoyed in having their lands recognized, the Yanomami continue to face pressure from ranchers, gold miners and others and lack quality healthcare.

Our project is an innovative training program designed to prepare a group of young Yanomami leaders to be effective advocates for their people and effective leaders of their new organization, the Hutukara Yanomami Association. We support hands-on training for the next generation of Yanomami leaders in advocacy, administration and financial management - all critical skills they will need to protect their lands and rights in the future.

What can you do?
1) Learn More.
2) Help us promote this project and reach its fundraising goal.

Take Action



The United States is currently reviewing whether it will endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.The US was one of only four countries that did not endorse the Declaration when it was passed by the UN in 2007.The Declaration is an important instrument for the defense of indigenous lands and resources, and RFUS partner organizations have cited it frequently in their struggles. Join us in encouraging the US to endorse this important document by sending a letter to US officials.
Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »


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