The APPG on Global Deforestation was proud to showcase ‘The Territory’ – a powerful and award-winning documentary directly addressing deforestation, Indigenous rights and other issues that are at the centre of our discussions.
The docu-film introduces audiences to the Uru-eu-wau-wau Brazilian Indigenous community who live deep in the Amazon rainforest, and shows their fight to protect their land and rights against invading loggers emboldened to encroach and destroy the forest by anti-indigenous policies.
The documentary brings to life many of the issues debated during the passage of the Environment Act 2021 and as such, we think it will be of real interest to those interested in the issues of climate change, deforestation and indigenous rights.
Attendees saw a 10 minute viewing of the film and a short sit down with Txai Suruí – an Indigenous activist who was one of the film’s producers, but also made a mark speaking up for Indigenous rights at COP26.
During her speech at Glasgow, she conveyed the devastating deforestation happening in the Amazon and stressed the importance of having Indigenous peoples at the centre of policy making. Suruí is the founder and coordinator of the Movement of Indigenous Youth of Rondônia. Previously studying law, she now works with the Kanindé legal team to preserve the rights and land of Indigenous tribes.
The discussion touched on the making of the film and indigenous-led efforts to protect the forests, including through indigenous-led surveillance and monitoring, and considered what role the UK can play in helping to support these efforts, and stop forest destruction.
NGO Forest Coalition 