Sônia Guajajara, An Indigenous Trailblazer
Born on March 6, 1974, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest on Araribóia Indigenous Land, Sônia Guajajara embodies resilience, courage, and advocacy for Indigenous rights. She is a member of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) and has made history as the first Indigenous person to run for a federal executive position in Brazil during the 2018 General election.
As the leader of the Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (APIB) (translated as the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, it is a national reference and unifying force within the Indigenous movement in Brazil), Sônia Guajajara represents around 300 Indigenous ethnic groups in Brazil. She fiercely opposes deforestation policies and advocates urgent environmental action, even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work at COP26 led to the creation of a $1.7 billion fund for Indigenous peoples and local communities, recognizing their essential role in protecting land and forests from degradation.
In October 2022, she became the first Indigenous woman elected as federal deputy for the state of São Paulo. The same year, Time (magazine) recognized Sônia Guajajara as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In January 2023, Sônia achieved another historic milestone: she became Brazil’s first-ever minister for Indigenous peoples.
Her leadership is a beacon of hope, challenging the status quo and amplifying Indigenous voices globally.
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