81% Support Indigenous People Protesting in Brazil

Long before ‘civilization’, humankind represented much smaller, simpler communities. These communities retreated to nature and are now known as ‘Indigenous People’. They are native communities that are culturally distinct and unique. In fact, many countries in the world have indigenous people and tribes coexisting with the ‘modern world’.

However, some indigenous people face a struggle of maintaining contact and co-existing peacefully with others amidst politics. Recently, Brazil indigenous protest bought increased awareness of challenges they may be facing. Thus Real Research — the online survey app launched a survey on a recent protest in Brazil. Here are the results.

Highlights

• 70.85% feel they should preserve the culture of indigenous people and protect their rights
• 63% say indigenous people are protesting in Brazil because of policies to reduce indigenous territories
• 50.92% feel development policies are important as they lead to economic development

The Majority Say Indigenous People Exist in Their Country

The survey starts with a poll asking if there are indigenous people in the countries respondents live in. To which, 72.59% say ‘yes’ and 13.33% say ‘no’.

Furthermore, the survey asks respondents — how are indigenous peoples treated today? A whopping 76.32% say indigenous people are treated fairly, while 11.21% reckon indigenous people are treated unfairly.

Next, the survey asks what respondents think of indigenous people. To this, the majority (70.85%) say ‘we should preserve the culture of indigenous people and protect their rights’. Moreover, 16.17% feel indigenous people should be civilized in line with modern times. Meanwhile, 11.98% feel indigenous people have already embraced modern civilization.

High Awareness of Protests in Brazil

The survey then polls respondents’ awareness of the recent protests by indigenous people in Brazil. Here, 76.26% are aware, while 23.74% are not aware of such protests.

Next, the survey questions respondents on the cause of indigenous people protesting in Brazil. In answer, 63.05% state it is due to policies to reduce indigenous territories. Whereas, 11.59% state it is due to invading indigenous territories for mining and oil exploration. A further 5.44% feel the act is spurred by burning indigenous territories to secure agricultural land or pastures.

Additionally, 4.08% feel the demand for increased protection for indigenous people is the cause for the protests. Meanwhile, 3.85% feel the Amazon development policies (such as rainforest destruction) were an apparent cause to protest. Lastly, 3.10% believe the construction of hydroelectric dams in indigenous territories is the cause of the protests.

Further on, the survey asks which developments for indigenous people should be prioritized. In response, a majority of 67.19% suggest prioritizing the land rights of indigenous people. On the other hand, 32.81% suggest ‘development policies’.

Respondents on the Importance of Land Rights for Indigenous People

In continuation, respondents were asked why the land rights of indigenous people are more important. The majority (68.78%) stated ‘we should not threaten the lives of indigenous people’ whereas 13.32% feel they should preserve their culture by maintaining their ethnic identity’.

A further 6.56% say ‘it is originally their lands and they have full right to make decisions about it’. Meanwhile, 2.92% state that development policies such as the destruction of the Amazon deforestation cause climate change’. Finally, 2.85% say it is important to guarantee the constitutional rights of indigenous people.

Next, the survey questions respondents on why development policies are more important. In response, 50.92% suggest it will lead to economic development. Whereas, 17.86% feel indigenous lands development could reduce hunger by cultivating more crops. Moreover, 11.95% feel greater cultural development can be achieved through the civilization of indigenous people.

A further 6.67% say the land area is too large for the number of indigenous people and needs reduction. In addition, 5.89% suggest it is a global era and that indigenous people should also embrace modern civilization. Lastly, 4.85% say that indigenous lands are rich in mineral resources and should be developed.

To conclude, the survey asks respondents what their general opinion is about indigenous people protesting in Brazil. On this, 81.42% support the protest while 18.58% do not support it.