In the remote village of Nova Esperança in the Brazilian Amazon, an Indigenous man, covered in red tattoos resembling jaguar spots, connects to TikTok and laughs at a video titled “If I Were Rich.” The Matsés people have transitioned to the modern world with the help of Starlink, billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite internet connection.

Thanks to local government funding, the signal recently reached the Javarí Valley, home to the most isolated indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest. In a quick installation process that took less than 30 minutes, the villagers of Nova Esperança gathered to witness the antenna and solar panel being placed on the roof of their school. Now, the 200 inhabitants of this remote village, located over 500 kilometers and three days of canoe travel from any urban area, can enjoy free internet access.

This development has opened up new possibilities for the Matsés people. Cesar Mayuruna, the only indigenous councilor in the nearest municipality of Atalaia do Norte, expressed excitement about potential future dreams, including the ability to train civil engineers, geologists, architects, lawyers, nurses, and more.

However, the internet access, which already has approximately 50,000 users throughout Brazil, raises concerns for those who strive to preserve ancestral traditions. It also poses the risk of aiding criminals who exploit indigenous lands without permission.

The Matsés are one of the seven contacted peoples in the Javarí Valley, the second-largest indigenous reservation in Brazil, where at least 19 groups still live in voluntary isolation. Despite integrating with modernity in the 1970s, the Matsés continue to retain their nomadic and warrior culture, sporting facial bone and ivory adornments while hunting and fishing. The older members of the community have traditional face tattoos.

Thanks to the internet, the Matsés can now communicate without having to travel long and arduous journeys by canoe. This connectivity is particularly beneficial for community leaders like Bene Mayuruna, President of the General Organization of the Matsés People (OGM), who can fulfill political responsibilities in Atalaia do Norte while staying connected with family in the village of Nova Esperança.

In addition to education and official procedures, internet access is expected to facilitate the work of SESAI, the indigenous health organization that serves almost all the communities in Javarí. Starlink will provide a more reliable link in emergencies, such as snake bites, when the village’s only radio station may be malfunctioning.

Nonetheless, some Matsés individuals, concerned about preserving their traditions, remain cautious. Following the installation of the antenna, the elders held a meeting to discuss usage guidelines. They decided on a complete service ban during the nights, with exceptions for teachers, healthcare workers, and community leaders. They also reserved the right to turn off the signal during hunting, fishing, and tribal ceremonies.

While the community hopes that being online will bring an added sense of security to the dangerous Javarí River, where illegal fishermen, drug traffickers, and pirates regularly target indigenous people, they are aware that criminals may also exploit Musk’s technology.

Maintenance issues, including the reliance on generators and solar panels for power, lead to occasional disruptions in the internet connection. The Atalaia do Norte municipality has committed to equipping the 62 villages in the Javarí region, comprising nearly 6,000 residents, with internet access before the end of the year. With the upcoming local elections in less than two years, the network has become a political consideration.

Meanwhile, some Matsés community members are curious about Elon Musk’s interests in the Amazon. As an elder from Nova Esperança reflects, their understanding of Western society is that “with the white people, nothing is free.”

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