For the first time in Brazil's history, there is an indigenous woman in the National Congress

[Judi Lynn]

Posted 3 March 2019 4:18 GMT

In 1997, Joenia Wapichana became the first indigenous woman in Brazil to obtain a law degree. Eleven years later, she was the first indigenous person ever to defend a case in the Supreme Court. And in October 2018 Joenia earned yet another distinction, becoming the first indigenous woman elected to the National Congress.

Her 8,491 votes elected her to one of the eight seats destined to her home state, Roraima. The only time Brazil had an indigenous congressman was in 1986 — Mario Juruna, of Xavante ethnicity, was elected in 1983.

Born in a Wapichana tribe, Joenia moved to Boa Vista, Roraima's state capital, when she was eight years old. She juggled her law degree with a job at an accountant’s office and, she said in a recent interview, graduated a year earlier than expected, fifth in her class, and amongst the children of Roraima's oligarchy.

In December 2018, already as an elected congresswoman, Joenia won a UN human rights prize for her outstanding achievement in promoting indigenous peoples’ rights. The same recognition has been given to Nelson Mandela and Malala.

More:
https://globalvoices.org/2019/03/03/for-the-first-time-in-brazils-history-there-is-an-indigenous-woman-in-the-national-congress/#