In São Paulo, the Araribá Indian Reservation, located in Avaí (SP), is the only indigenous community within a three-kilometer radius of Bracell’s forestry operations. The community comprises four villages—Tereguá, Ekeruá, Kopenoti and Nimuendaju—with a population of approximately 600 people.

Bracell did not develop protocols for consulting with indigenous peoples in 2023; however, dialogues were initiated with the leaders of these communities. The agenda included discussions about forestry operations that could affect people living on indigenous reservations.

These dialogues are conducted before the start of operations. During these meetings, we provide relevant information about the company’s activities, providing an opportunity for indigenous representatives to express any concerns. All concerns are taken into account. The stakeholder engagement process is inclusive of the entire community, including women and elders, and allows sufficient time for the community to be informed about issues and for Bracell to address the needs, aspirations and concerns shared by indigenous peoples during interactions with the company.

Meetings with indigenous communities are documented in minutes that record the agreements reached with community leaders. All villages are consulted through their leaders, and 100% have chiefs or vice-chiefs as representatives.

In 2023, meetings with villages were scheduled by the Brazilian Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI), which attempted to schedule meetings during hours that accommodated indigenous communities’ routine activities and informed them in advance of the start and end times of meetings, as well as the topics to be discussed. Government representatives were also involved, as one of the topics of discussion was indigenous peoples’ concern over increased risks on the region’s roads. Bracell did not invite city residents to participate in these meetings.

During the year, the Company identified and mapped the actual and potential impacts of its operations on the indigenous community. Bracell also began the process of identifying and selecting qualified and specialized consultants to conduct the study on indigenous land and to prepare the action plan and recommendations to guarantee the human and customary rights and safety of indigenous people when accessing the fishing area bordering Bracell’s forestry operations. Bracell also continued its relationship with indigenous people to formalize authorization from the leaders of the Araribá Indigenous Land to conduct fieldwork.

Bracell documented the agreements and decisions formalized with indigenous communities, implemented a communications process mediated by FUNAI, sought to avoid or resolve conflicts amicably, mapped identified risks and created prevention and mitigation measures for potential impacts, and carried out initiatives to improve relations with indigenous communities.