Raoni: 'If it stays like this, we'll disappear'

RAONI’S EVER-PRESENT FIRMNESS AND STRENGTH: THE CACIQUE WARNED RELATIVES THAT THEY CANNOT COLLUDE WITH ILLEGAL MINING, AND HE ATTEMPTED A FAREWELL, EVEN THOUGH HE CONTINUES TO FIGHT

Voices of the Forest —

Raoni: ‘If it stays like this, we’ll disappear’

In an interview with SUMAÚMA, the most prominent leader in the Indigenous struggle in Brazil warns his own people about the nefarious effects of mining and asks for societal awareness about global heating

SUMAÚMA staff ,

Aldeia Piaraçu/Mato Grosso ,

18 September 2023

The paths traveled by Cacique Raoni Metuktire have been many and arduous on his fight for Indigenous rights, but he now says he is unable to walk as quickly. In late July, SUMAÚMA’s reporters exclusively interviewed Raoni in Piaraçu Village, Mato Grosso, the home of the Kayapó – also known as the Mebêngôkre.

On the first anniversary of our platform, we are publishing this video with the leader’s call to indigenous people to preserve nature and life. Raoni also talks also of his plans for succession, a key concern both for his community and anyone else concerned about indigenous rights and the Amazon rainforest.

Reporting: Rafael Moro Martins and Pablo Albarenga
Film editing: Camila Ribeiro
Translation into Portuguese: Beptuk Metuktire
Translation into Spanish: Julieta Sueldo Boedo
English translation: Sarah J. Johnson
Spell check (Portuguese): Valquiria Della Pozza