14 August 2001
The Deni people of the Amazon are fighting for the protection of their lands and their culture

The deni have been waiting almost 20 years for the Brazilian government to demarcate their indigenous territory, they don't want to wait any longer.

The Deni Indians live in a remote area of the Amazon rainforest. With a population of little over 600 people, and little contact with the outside world, the forest is their home and source of livelihood.

But an area where the Deni live was being bought and sold, and slated for destruction without their knowledge, until now. The Deni are taking the future of their territory into their own hands and will begin the physical demarcation of their land in September to protect it from logging and further development.

Letter from the Samauma Village, 12 February 2001, Cuniua River, Itamarati, Amazonas State: We are learning to demarcate our land. A long time ago the FUNAI (Fundação Nacional do Índio) promised to do the demarcation. Deni's son was a little boy then, now he is a grown up man and still FUNAI haven't demarcated our land. We are still waiting. We want to demarcate our land. The land of Apurina people was already demarcated. The land of Paumari people was already demarcated. The land of Jarauwara people was already demarcated. Suruaha people have demarcated their land. All of the populations of our region have already demarcated their own land. We are the only ones who are left. Now we want to demarcate our land, this year 2001.

The Deni often sign documents using their thumb prints or the imprints of their children's feet.

The physical demarcation will take place in September and October opening up trails in the forest creating a visible border between indigenous land and other territories. Greenpeace is sending in volunteers to assist the Deni, document the demarcation and bear witness to the fight for protection of their lands. You can follow their progress online in September.

TAKE ACTION: Add your voice in support for indigenous land rights by writing to the President of Brazil supporting the demarcation of all indigenous territory.

If the remaining indigenous lands are demarcated under Brazilian law, approximately 20 percent of the Brazilian Amazon would be protected.

Read more about the Deni and their struggle to protect their lands from logging. Send a Deni ecard to a friend.

Download the pdf version of the Deni letter in Portuguese.