By Sara Leal*
When she was nominated in 2017 by her village to join the first volunteer brigade on the Krikati indigenous land in Maranhão, Celiana couldn’t have imagined that, years later, she would become the first female head of the Ibama (Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) PrevFogo brigade in the state.
“I was already interested in getting to know our territory better. Despite living in it, I didn’t know exactly what it looked like, its coordinates and boundaries.” The physical fitness test for the volunteer brigade involved carrying 20 kg of water on her back for kilometers and weeding extensive areas in the same time as the men. She was one of the few women to pass.
As a result, she says she rediscovered her own home: she understood that she was in the Cerrado and its riches, but also its threats. Since then, she has been a squad leader in 2022 and, for the last eight years, she has held the position of brigade leader.
As well as fighting fire, Celiana Krikati and her team promote environmental education, produce seedlings of native species, carry out forest management and raise awareness among residents – indigenous and non-indigenous – about the importance of conserving the territory. “We raise awareness among children, hunters, fishermen and even non-indigenous neighbors, showing them that the territory is rich, but it is also crying out for help and needs to be taken care of,” she says.
Faced with the challenges – the weight of the physical work, the risks of the profession and reconciling it with motherhood – Celiana grew stronger and wanted to strengthen other women. Today, four other indigenous women are part of the official brigade and a volunteer brigade has been set up with 22 indigenous women, led by Edileana Torino, whom she was inspired by and has deep admiration for.
Celiana also chairs the Krikati Women’s Association, which has been working for almost eight years to bring together female leaders and strengthen the presence of women in decision-making in the territory. “There was a time when women couldn’t be in charge. She had to be at home, in the kitchen, looking after the children. Today, we’re showing that women can also lead,” she says.
She feels grateful to see more women at the forefront of environmental defense and to realize that what began as voluntary work has become a legacy. “I believe in empowering women and improving their knowledge. Everything we’ve done has been worthwhile and nothing has been in vain.”
*IPAM Communications Coordinator, sara.pereira@ipam.org.br
