Indigenous Village Faces Existential Threat from Brazil Dam Burst

By Leonardo Benassatto and Adriano Machado

SAO JOAQUIM DE BICAS, Brazil – Miles downstream from the site of a dam collapse owned by miner Vale SA, a small indigenous village in Brazil faces an uncertain future as the river central to their lives runs polluted with mining waste.

The Pataxo-Hahahae tribe, residing at the end of a winding dirt road, relies on fish from the Paraopeba River as their main food source. They also use the river for bathing and laundry.

However, following the catastrophic failure of a tailings dam at Vale’s Corrego do Feijao mine, which buried communities and transformed the once-clear river into a muddy torrent, the approximately 80 residents of the Pataxo-Hahahae village of Nao Xoha fear they may have to abandon their homes.

While no members of the tribe are among the confirmed dead or missing, they worry the disaster could jeopardize their traditional way of life.

“On Thursday, I was here washing my clothes and bathing with my children, and now I can’t even touch the river,” lamented Sot de Ionara Pataxo Hahahae, struggling to hold back tears. “Our hearts are so sad knowing that nothing can be done.”

The plight of the Pataxo-Hahahae coincides with the new government’s intentions to reduce mining regulations and diminish protections for indigenous communities, raising concerns among critics about the potential consequences of such policies.

Brazil’s indigenous affairs agency, Funai, has expressed commitment to assist Nao Xoha by ensuring access to clean water, among other support. However, in the aftermath of the disaster, trust in authorities remains low.

“You think some mining company is worried about this? Do you think some mayor cares about this area?” questioned Sot de Aigoho Pataxo Hahahae. “They only care about money—nothing else.”