Elder Raoni Metuktire, age near 90, Fights for Amazonia, its Indigenous Peoples, and All of Us

Last updated on: February 13, 2023 at 9:22 am by Jack Hartjes

Elder Raoni Metuktire, age near 90, Fights for Amazonia, its Indigenous Peoples, and All of Us 2023-02-13T09:22:59-06:00 Jack Hartjes

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Pope Francis and Raoni Metuktire grasping each other's hands.

Raoni Metuktire and Pope Francis met in May of last year. Raoni gave the pope a map showing the diminution of indigenous tribal lands.

There probably is no region on earth where human activity has greater impact on my children’s future world than the Amazon. That is why I’ve written on the Vatican’s Summit on the Amazon here, here, and here. It’s also why I’ve taken an interest in Kayapó tribal leader Raoni Metuktire.

Raoni, as people call him, has been advocating for the Amazon and indigenous rights since the 1950’s. That was when he started to gain knowledge of the world outside of his nomadic tribe. Since then he has met with Brazilian and French presidents, and King Leopold III of Belgium. He has also received support from Spanish King Juan Carlos, Great Britain’s Prince Charles, and Pope John Paul II. (Online “Biography,” Raoni.com)

A Belgian filmmaker changed Raoni’s life after meeting him in 1973. The documentary film he produced, “Raoni,” acquired an Academy Awards nomination and a screening at Los Angeles Mann’s Chinese Theatre. Raoni then realized the power that publicity would give him. “He could now share the Kayapó people’s concerns about the threat of deforestation on their environment.” (“Biography”)

Partnering with singer/song writer Sting, Raoni visited 17 countries in 1989. Together they raised concerns about deforestation in the Amazon. Since then Raoni has traveled the world. Besides deforestation, he lobbied against projects, like the huge Belo Monte Dam, which put indigenous peoples at risk. (Crux) Eventual construction of the dam, the third largest in the world, forced tens of thousands of indigenous and traditional people’s from their homes and livelihoods. (Mongabay News)

Some victories and Raoni renews the struggle.

Leading resistance against opening up rainforest land to commercial interests through the 1970’s and 80’s, Raoni challenged the common perception of indigenous as poor and uneducated. He achieved some remarkable successes, securing government recognition of indigenous territorial rights. “Then, when we won the victory of having our lands demarcated, I stopped,” he says. “[E]verything seemed fine, everything was tranquil. But the new president [Bolsonaro] threatens indigenous people, so I came back to fight again.” (The Guardian, January 2)

The Guardian article, “Amazonian chief Raoni Metuktire: ‘Bolsonaro has been the worst for us’” also reports:

Recent government figures show Amazon deforestation has surged to the highest level in a decade. Farmers and land-grabbers have started more fires to clear land, which is pumping huge quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, disrupting the water cycle and destroying the world’s most biodiverse land habitat. They have been emboldened by a government that has spent its first year weakening environmental protections, encouraging loggers and heaping scorn on conservation groups and forest dwellers.

… The threats are not just to the forest. Raoni has two bodyguards and is a target for attention-seeking nationalists who are trying to ingratiate themselves with Bolsonaro.

In May of last year Pope Francis received Raoni, honoring “his commitment to safeguard our Common Home.” The meeting was part of the preparation for the following October’s Synod on the Amazon. (Crux)

Image credit: romereports.com

Ecology

Ordinary radicals

Previous Post

December 31, 2019

Watch Night, Celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation, Started Dec. 31, 1862

Next Post

January 3, 2020 Basiliad: Basil of Caesarea, Social Justice, and the World’s First Hospital

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advent Christmas Amazon Synod Angels Being Consumed Bible Catholic Modern Creed Ecology Economics Elizabeth Johnson Eucharist Fragments and Filaments Gender and Sex Gospel of Mark Herzog Historical Jesus Liturgy Luke Opening Scriptures on Way to Emmaus Ordinary radicals Parables Pro-Life Reincarnation Rosary Sacraments science Social Justice Souls Stories of Jesus The Creed Torture and Eucharist Tracy Uncategorized War and Peace

Select a Month October 2026 June 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 November 2024 July 2024 March 2024 December 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz