At the inauguration of the Secretariat of Indigenous Affairs in Brasnorte, first lady of MT highlights historic milestone

Vânia Neves | Unaf

The First Lady of Mato Grosso, Virginia Mendes, was received this Friday (26.04) in Brasnorte by Mayor Edelo Ferrari and First Lady Lorena Ferrari, Vice Mayor Prof. Rose, councilors and municipal secretaries, for the inauguration of the Secretariat of Indigenous Affairs. Accompanied by state deputy Beto Dois a Um and the secretary of Social Assistance and Citizenship (Setasc), she highlighted the creation of the body as an advance and milestone for the region.

“It’s an honor to be with you. Congratulations on the initiative, congratulations to the new indigenous secretary. This is certainly a deserved achievement and other mayors should copy this example. Congratulations to First Lady Lorena and the Vice Mayor for the work you have done. Everyone here has a very important role. Gratitude to everyone”, said Virginia Mendes.

Mato Grosso is the only state in the federation with a Superintendency of Indigenous Affairs. Brasnorte has three indigenous ethnicities: Manoky, Myky and Ritbatsa, who are a fundamental part of the region’s history. This is the second municipality to implement the Secretariat, as the first was established in Campinápolis. At the ceremony, the secretary of the unit, Cacique Nilo Amoa, from the Rikbatsa ethnic group, was announced.

Virginia Mendes recalled the creation of the SER Família Indígena program and spoke about the importance of the support network for carrying out the project.

“SER Família Indígena was born from the SER Família program, and as I always say, I dream, but I don’t dream alone. I dreamed of this project, and thank God I have people who help me make it happen, like the state’s superintendent of Indigenous Affairs, Agnaldo; secretary Grasielle at Setasc; state deputy Beto, our social partner. We also count on the partnership of Congressman Max Russi and the entire State Government team who help us make it happen. This action represents the respect we have for the indigenous people”, he ratified.

The first lady spoke of the honor of being considered godmother of the original peoples. “I really like being in the villages, I like being with the indigenous population. I always say that I have an indigenous soul”, she highlighted.

For First Lady Lorena, the new Secretariat will provide more actions for the indigenous population. “Virginia, I have no words to express my joy. It’s a very happy moment. Gratitude for being with us and for everything you have done and dedicated yourself to. We have wonderful programs from the State Government, such as SER Família Indígena, which already serves the indigenous population of the region. With the creation of this Secretariat, we will certainly do much more”, she assessed.

The secretary, Cel. Grasielle Bugalho, highlighted the attention of the State’s first lady and the change that the programs have caused in the daily lives of indigenous peoples. “Really, Mrs. Virginia is the godmother of indigenous peoples. More than providing programs that have transformed the lives of indigenous peoples, providing food security, we are providing social development with opportunities for them to improve their income.”

“Historic moment for our municipality. I am happy and honored to be the first indigenous councilor here in our region, and to see so many good things happening for my people. Thank you, First Lady, for being present among us. Here in our State, we are turning the page”, said councilor Evanildo Rikbakta.

Deputy Beto Dois a Um spoke of the pleasure of representing the Legislative Assembly of Mato Grosso and participating in the region’s new moment. And he highlighted the work of the mayor and first lady of the municipality and the inspiration of the work carried out voluntarily by first lady Virginia Mendes.

“The work of Mayor Edelo and First Lady Lorena is historic in improving the quality of life of the population, and I have no doubt that it was inspired by the work that our First Lady Virginia Mendes does throughout the State. Virginia, you inspire the entire population of Mato Grosso to respect the native peoples.”

Edelo Ferrari highlighted the benefits that the Secretariat of Indigenous Affairs will provide. “This Secretariat will help with several issues, both to fight for improvements and to bring the population in general closer to indigenous peoples, because everyone has to be treated equally.”

At the ceremony, superintendent Agnaldo announced new actions aimed at native peoples and recalled the expansion of the Superintendence following the dedication of the first lady of the State.

“Today, the Secretary of Education, Alan Porto, confirmed the renovation of all annexed rooms that serve indigenous students in Brasnorte; the three ethnicities will be provided with complete tractors and agricultural implements through SEAF; and Metamat will build two more artesian wells that were missing for the Rikbatsa. Nobody knew about the Superintendency of Indigenous Affairs, and it became known because our warrior, First Lady Virginia Mendes, embraced the cause and wore the shirt of the indigenous peoples.”

Currently, the SER Família Indígena program serves 83 families in Brasnorte with an investment of R$142 thousand from 2023 until the first quarter of this year. In social actions alone, the Government of Mato Grosso, through projects monitored by First Lady Virginia Mendes under the management of Setasc, has invested R$6.4 million from 2019 to date.

Still in Brasnorte, deputy Beto Dois a Um, together with first lady Virginia Mendes, handed over the keys to a 0 km bus to the Municipal Sports Secretariat.

The event was also attended by the president of the City Council, councilor Genival Almeida, councilors Sebastião Roberto Mercello, Norberto de Paula Kobaleski, Claudemir de Souza Campo and Gilmar Celso, director of the Brasnorte District Forum, Romeu da Cunha Gomes; the Tupi Chiefs of the Miky ethnic group, Marcelino da Manoky and Manoel Canochi, and the General Chief of the Manoky people.

Join the Semana7 group on WhatsApp and receive news in real time CLICK HERE