Womens Feet

HISTORY

Juma Institute

The Juma institute was created in October, 2020. The vision was born out of the lifetime fight initiated with the implementation of the Belo Monte hydroelectric by the founder, Juma Xipaia. 

The scope of the environmental, cultural and territorial destruction of this endeavor, combined with the corruption and the co-optation process of indigenous and non-indigenous leaders were met with strong resistance by Juma, at the time, a teenager indigenous leader in the frontlines of the movement against the construction of the hydroelectric. 

In 2019, the Amazonia Centro do Mundo event in Altamira, allowed for a reunion and understanding between the various social movements after 10 years of division, culminating in their re-articulation at a regional, national and international level. At this event, Kayapó chief Raoni Metuktire demonstrated his full support for the Juma’s struggle, as an inspiration to the indigenous female leaders of the Middle-Xingu.

Meet the female indigenous board of the Juma Institute

President Director of the Juma Institute:
Maria Lúcia Xipaia

Our new President Director Maria Lúcia Xipaia, she is one of the leaders of T.I Xipaya, which has been working in indigenous health for 23 years with its people. Since her childhood she followed the work with strengthening of medicinal herbs with her mother. Maria Lúcia assumed the presidency to continue the work and dream of Juma Xipaya.

Today she takes the lead in this work together with young people, indigenous and non-indigenous women and midwives who are part of the territory and outside it. Its goal is to strengthen indigenous and riverine communities to seek the use of traditional medicine for the prevention of various diseases. She adds by strengthening us with her traditional knowledge inside and outside the territory with a humanized look of experience and love for the land.

Vice President of the Juma Institute:
Jumara Xipaia

Our new Vice President Jumara Xipaia.
Jumara is a young warrior of the Xipaya people, mother and student of Biological Sciences at the Federal University of Pará who is committed to the fight for the environment and health of the peoples of the middle Xingu and upper Iriri, always involved in the articulation of young people for environmental and health causes, Jumara has the clinical and strategic eye for dialogue.

She adds to our institution with her persistence and knowledge about indigenous causes and love for nature.

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About Juma Xipaia

Juma Xipaia is an Indigenous leader belonging to the Xipaya people, a mother, wife, activist, and Medical student at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). At the age 24, Juma was the first woman to become a Chief in the Middle Xingu, leading the Xipaya Tukamã village. She defends gender equality, autonomy of Indigenous people and plays an important role against the cooptation and corruption of indigenous people and leaders. Juma has dedicated more than 14 years to the Indigenous Movement.

Chief Raoni has urged all that protect the Amazon to protect Juma as she is one of the forest’s fierce warriors. She has had 6 attempts on her life and has had to flee Brazil once. Juma spent a year in Switzerland in exile and became the first Xipaya person to speak at the UN headquarters. Now, she is back at the Amazon and she is in the process of founding her own NGO.

Achievements

Rolar para cima