Interactions with indigenous peoples take place through face-to-face consultations in Altamira, at the headquarters of the Indigenous Communication Program, as well as through telephone consultations, radio and messages via apps. In 2023, we recorded 7,031 services provided to indigenous people, through the different channels available.
The Indigenous Management Committee (CGI) aims to ensure representation in the implementation of mitigation and compensation measures. It is composed of representatives from each of the region’s villages and from non-village indigenous families, Norte Energia and Funai. In addition to the CGI, there is also the Indigenous Committee for Control and Monitoring of Reduced Flow in the Volta Grande do Xingu Section (CTVR) and ten Indigenous Management Subcommittees, to facilitate specific negotiations with each people.
In 2023, 11 Indigenous Subcommittee meetings were held. Another important meeting of the period was the 9th Ordinary Meeting of the CTVR, whose responsibility is to broadly address flow monitoring actions and monitor their execution, as well as monitoring actions for the quality of water, ichthyofauna, fishing, among other associated programs developed in the Reduced Flow Stretch (TVR), in addition to monitoring and monitoring the application of the Consensus Hydrogram.
In addition to this set of instances and formal forums established by the licensing process, we also have the dialogue exercised throughout the execution of the activities of the PBA-CI programs and projects and a frequent schedule of meetings with indigenous peoples, Funai, Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (Sesai) , Special Indigenous Health District (DSEI), District Council for Indigenous Health (Condisi) from Altamira and other entities, to monitor ongoing activities and plan future actions. In 2023, we held 107 meetings in this context.
As a result of the articulations of the GTs created, Norte Energia and DSEI carried out, during the period, joint inspections in the 31 UBSI built from 2016 to 2020, all in operation. The purpose of the inspections was to assess any maintenance and renovation needs with a view to the official handover of these structures to the DSEI. Thus, in 2023, we began renovating some structures.
To operate the 31 UBSIs built, Norte Energia provides specialized labor to operate the indigenous health system in the region. The management of this group of professionals is the responsibility of the DSEI, within the scope of the national indigenous health subsystem.
In 2023, the implementation of the Conecta Xingu and Corredor VGX projects continued. These initiatives involve the installation of totems and satellite antennas in order to provide internet access to both indigenous and non-indigenous communities in Volta Grande do Xingu. In 2023, 15 more satellite internet antennas were installed, totaling 103 antennas, installed in indigenous and non-indigenous communities, guaranteeing internet access in Volta Grande do Xingu.
Throughout 2023, we continued to carry out immunochromatographic tests to research viral antigens for the detection of Covid-19, assessment and medical reports for employees. With the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 and its impacts on the indigenous peoples of the Middle Xingu, several measures were necessary to control and confront the disease. Norte Energia continues to follow the health protocols recommended by Sesai/MS to enter indigenous lands. This meant that, between 2020 and 2023, 12,669 tests and health screenings were carried out on direct employees and third parties who provide services to Norte Energia. Of these, 3,370 were carried out in 2023.