PRESENTATION OUTLINE
NATIVE AMAZONIANS: SAVING THE RAINFOREST
Interviewer: Why do the Native Amazonians need the land?
Native: It is my home that I share with my family and others who have lived for generations in this rainforest. Our culture has developed around use of the rainforest for resources which includes housing and food. From centuries of practice, we have balanced the ecosystem we live in and help other species prosper as we do. If we are forced out though, this will not be possible.
Interviewer: How do the Natives impact the Amazon and other groups?
Native: Our people have cared for this land for a very long time, although we have made some good affects, we have made many negative impacts too. We cut down a few trees here and there for shelter and other use, pick fruits and other plants to eat, along with animals and insects which are our main prey. But besides that, we try our very hardest to help the amazon opposed to destroying it, which other stakeholders like the loggers and cattle ranchers have set out to do. Our hard work to keep an equilibrium over so many generations is being thrown out of balance by these other groups. They log our beautiful trees that we sleep under, they tear down the forests most beautiful thing to offer just to get money and space to do as they please.
Interviewer: How long have the Natives been using the Amazon rainforest?
Native: For 12,000 years our civilization has prospered in the Amazon rainforest, we have adapted and learned how to care for the place we call home. Other stakeholders have only been here for thirty years at most, so why should they get the land we have had for longer than most history books speak of?
Interviewer: Please tell our audience what your strongest argument for needing the land is?
Native: Our strongest argument is simply because it is our home. We don't use this beautiful rainforest in trade for money and business, but instead as shelter and where so many people before us have lived without disruption for 12,000 years. Our hope to save the rainforest will not only help the people and animals that live there, but will also help save the plants and trees which contribute to a large percentage of the air we breath. So what is it, wood cut down or for your own children to be able to breath?
Interviewer: What are some claims that other groups have for needing the land?
Native: The loggers and cattle ranchers both just want to either cut down trees or use the space that was cleared. Not to mention their harmful ways of doing their work, they harm the people and animals living there by taking away their homes. Many of their arguments state that our culture isn't as important as their own culture, which if this would happen in any modernized country such as America would be greatly frowned upon. They harm our way of life and they don't care as they do so.
Native: Next time you have a chance to help make a decision on who should use the rainforest, speak out and tell them about us Native Amazonians.
