(Voices of Galaxy) Inside indigenous leader Uruma Kambeba’s efforts to protect the Amazon – Samsung Global Newsroom

Voices of Galaxy is a series of true stories highlighting Samsung Galaxy users who are using their passion, creativity and determination along with technology to positively impact their own lives and their communities.

This episode introduces the world to Chief Uruma Kambeba, leader of the Tururukari-Uka people, an indigenous tribe located deep in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil. Through Uruma’s eyes, we see the danger of illegal logging – a looming threat not only to their people, but to the entire Amazon. If deforestation continues at its current rate, the rainforest will pass the tipping point of recovery, exposing the Earth to carbon dioxide and leaving the hundreds of ethnic groups in the Amazon displaced.

Uruma itself suffered an invasion of 600 people. All the villagers got together and successfully protested and arrested him. This, in turn, motivated Uruma to further protect his home and his people. As leader of the Tururukari-Uka people, Uruma continues to lead the way, monitoring their territory and reporting illegal deforestation using smartphones. Thanks to the zoom capabilities of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Uruma can now capture evidence of deforestation from a safe distance without confronting often armed invaders. Uruma continues to collaborate with outside organizations, attends speaker events, and welcomes technology to further its efforts.

For Uruma and her 12-year-old daughter, Taissa, protecting nature and protecting their way of life are one and the same. Taissa wishes to carry on Uruma’s legacy and share her indigenous culture with the outside world, speaking on behalf of the forest through her poems. Both show that even small seeds of action can turn into lasting change.



* Uruma was a Galaxy A31 user and Samsung provided the Galaxy S23 Ultra to support their business.