“Our forest is our life. Without it, we would all be dead…We will never give up” — Olimpio Guajajara, Guardian of the Amazon

In Arariboia Indigenous Territory, Brazil, the rainforest hums with life. The scent of damp earth hangs in the air. The Guajajara Guardians inch through the undergrowth, inspecting every snapped twig, every tire track. Their bulletproof vests indicate the seriousness of their mission: they are Indigenous land defenders, and they’re here to stop the invaders.

Survival has supported Indigenous peoples such as the Guajajara for 56 years. But we can’t do this alone, and to maintain our independence, we don’t accept government funding. We can only sustain long-term work like this because we have long-term, regular contributions from supporters like you. Jack, please set up a regular donation today.

Survival International began working with the Guardians in 2015. The territory they share with uncontacted Indigenous people in the Brazilian Amazon was under attack, and they were urgently seeking support so they could continue to patrol their land and expel invading loggers. This is exhausting, deadly work. But the Guardians’ determination is unwavering, their resilience seemingly infinite. Their work is vital — not only for the future of their forest and their people, but also for the survival of their uncontacted Awá neighbors.

With funding and equipment from Survival, the Guardians play a pivotal role in removing loggers from their territory, so far closing more than 70 illegal logging roads and reforesting destroyed areas. But Jack, their fight isn’t over yet.

The threats have grown and transformed, the loggers joined by cattle ranchers. The rainforest in Arariboia is being burned down to make way for pasture; in 2024, these fires raged out of control, consuming 70% of the territory. Pesticides leach into the rivers and poison the water. Arariboia’s Indigenous inhabitants are on the brink of catastrophe. Your support is more crucial than ever.

“We’re going to keep on resisting, until the last Guardian remains. So long as we have one Guardian in the forest, we’re not going to give up” — Tainaky Tenetehar, Guajajara Guardian

Survival will stand alongside Indigenous people fighting for their lives and lands for as long as necessary. But Jack, we can’t do it alone. Please set up a regular donation today.

If you’re unable to give monthly, you can make a single donation here. Every contribution counts.

Thank you,

Caroline Pearce
Director