Brazilian indigenous woman awarded for preserving Amazon

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) will award Katia Silene Tonkyre, chief of the Akratikatejé indigenous village, for her organizational initiatives and commitment to undertaking, collecting, producing and, at the same time, educating and raising awareness about the importance of conservation and environmental protection in the Amazon. The award ceremony will take place in April at IICA's headquarters in Costa Rica.

As the leader of a village inhabited by 85 indigenous people from 23 families of the Gavião da Montanha ethnic group, primarily engaged in the collection, production, and sale of nuts, fish, honey, and fruit, Tonkyre will receive the Soul of Rurality award. Additionally, she has been invited by IICA to participate in various consultative bodies of the organization specializing in agricultural and rural development.

"This is a recognition for those who fulfill an irreplaceable dual role: being guarantors of food and nutritional security and, at the same time, guardians of the planet's biodiversity through production in all circumstances. The recognition also has the function of highlighting the capacity to promote positive examples for rural areas," said IICA's Director General, Manuel Otero.

As part of the Rural Leaders program, IICA is working to ensure that the recognition facilitates the creation of links with official bodies, civil society, and the private sector in order to obtain support for their causes.

Katia Silene Tonkyre is the first female chief of the Akratikatejé village, located in the state of Pará in the northern region of Brazil. She is the daughter of the respected late chief Payaré, who championed indigenous rights and instilled the concept of entrepreneurship and sustainable production in the village. This has benefited the community through the organization, collection, and production of nuts, passion fruit, açaí, cocoa, cupuaçu, and other Amazonian fruits, as well as honey, animals, and fish, generating jobs and income.

Tonkyre has continued and perfected her father’s legacy, expanding it to include partnerships and actions that have contributed to the well-being of the community.

"I don't agree when someone says you have to destroy the forest to raise cattle or invest in soy. Our goal is a sustainable project that allows growth without harming nature. We value our products and believe it's possible to reconcile progress with conservation. We can undertake projects while preserving the forest, which provides us with a rich green pharmacy and supports our animals," explained Tonkyre.

"Nature, the forest, is part of us. We are the Amazon; we are the forest. When a tree dies, a part of us dies because we are the roots of this forest. Brazil nuts are our gold, and we also have açaí, cocoa, and fish. We add value to our production without harming nature," explained the chief.