Originally from the Parque do Tumucumaque indigenous land, between Pará and Amapá, Valéria is a social scientist and an important leader in the indigenous movement. She was responsible for coordinating the Amazonian indigenous movement with other regions of the country and for dialoguing with representatives of the government and other powers based in Brasilia. She participated in the founding of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) and in the organization of the various Free Land Camps.
