Raoni Metuktire
Encyclopedia
Raoni Metuktire, born ca. 1930, is a chief of the Kayapo people, which live in the Amazon rainforest on the territory of Brazil.
Raoni and the Kayapo encountered the Western World for the first time in 1954. Initiated to the Portuguese language by the Villas-Bôas brothers, famous indigenous anthropologist of Brazil, he meets King Léopold III of Belgium
in 1964, while the latter is on an expedition in the protected indigenous reserve of Mato Grosso. In 1978 he becomes the subject of a documentary film shot in 35mm. Actor Marlon Brando
, then at the height of his fame, has agreed to be filmed for the opening sequence and the Raoni movie is nominated for the Academy Awards
.
and Jacques Chirac
, but also the King of Spain Juan Carlos, Prince Charles or the pope John Paul II.
In 1993, the funds raised helped to create a national park in the Xingu River
region situated in the Brazilian states Para and Mato Grosso, which eventually encompassed 180 0000 km2 (a third of the size of France), becoming thus one of the most important rainforest reserve in the world.
Complex that some dubbed the 'monster dam'. During his travel in France, he publicly announced that he would go to war with all the indigenous tribes against the dam project, if it were to be eventually authorized. He was then invited by Prince Albert II of Monaco, who has for a long time been a fierce defender of the environment and especially the indigenous tribes.
On 1 June 2011, the Brazilian environmental institute IBAMA, the last defense against the construction of the Belo Monte Dam Complex, granted the final authorization to the consortium of Brazilian companies Norte Energia. Following this decision, Raoni Metuktire has decided to intensify his opposition and said that he would fight to his death if there is no other way to stop the construction.
Raoni receives supports of a lot of personalities as Arnold Schwarzenegger
, Sigourney Weaver
, James Cameron
, Marion Cotillard
, Vincent Cassel
...
A petition in 7 languages is onligne on his official website.
In September 2011, Raoni become the 12th honorary citizens of Paris by Bertrand Delanoë
.
First years, first fights
Raoni Metuktire was born in the State of Mato Grosso in 1930, in the heart of the Amazonian forest, in the village named Krajmopyjakare (today called Kapôt).Raoni and the Kayapo encountered the Western World for the first time in 1954. Initiated to the Portuguese language by the Villas-Bôas brothers, famous indigenous anthropologist of Brazil, he meets King Léopold III of Belgium
Leopold III of Belgium
Leopold III reigned as King of the Belgians from 1934 until 1951, when he abdicated in favour of the Heir Apparent,...
in 1964, while the latter is on an expedition in the protected indigenous reserve of Mato Grosso. In 1978 he becomes the subject of a documentary film shot in 35mm. Actor Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St...
, then at the height of his fame, has agreed to be filmed for the opening sequence and the Raoni movie is nominated for the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
.
An international campaign
Since 1988, Raoni Metuktire has achieved worldwide renown for his struggle for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest. His fight has obtained public attention thanks to singer Sting who contributed in 1989 with his wife Trudy Styler to the creation of the Rainforest Foundation. With the presence of the singer, Raoni could spread his word worldwide and twelve foundations were created in the wake whose task was to raise funds for the protection of the rainforest. During his various world tours he met with world leaders like the French Presidents François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand
François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand was the 21st President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra, serving from 1981 until 1995. He is the longest-serving President of France and, as leader of the Socialist Party, the only figure from the left so far elected President...
and Jacques Chirac
Jacques Chirac
Jacques René Chirac is a French politician who served as President of France from 1995 to 2007. He previously served as Prime Minister of France from 1974 to 1976 and from 1986 to 1988 , and as Mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995.After completing his studies of the DEA's degree at the...
, but also the King of Spain Juan Carlos, Prince Charles or the pope John Paul II.
In 1993, the funds raised helped to create a national park in the Xingu River
Xingu River
The Xingu River , also called Rio Xingu, is a 1,230-mile long, river in north Brazil; it is a southeast tributary of the Amazon River.-Description and history:...
region situated in the Brazilian states Para and Mato Grosso, which eventually encompassed 180 0000 km2 (a third of the size of France), becoming thus one of the most important rainforest reserve in the world.
Raoni against Belo Monte
In 2010, Raoni Metuktire started to travel anew to warn the world of the impending destruction of the Amazon rainforest, which despite all the efforts faces new threats like the construction of the mega Belo Monte DamBelo Monte Dam
The Belo Monte Dam is a proposed hydroelectric dam complex on the Xingu River in the state of Pará, Brazil...
Complex that some dubbed the 'monster dam'. During his travel in France, he publicly announced that he would go to war with all the indigenous tribes against the dam project, if it were to be eventually authorized. He was then invited by Prince Albert II of Monaco, who has for a long time been a fierce defender of the environment and especially the indigenous tribes.
On 1 June 2011, the Brazilian environmental institute IBAMA, the last defense against the construction of the Belo Monte Dam Complex, granted the final authorization to the consortium of Brazilian companies Norte Energia. Following this decision, Raoni Metuktire has decided to intensify his opposition and said that he would fight to his death if there is no other way to stop the construction.
Raoni receives supports of a lot of personalities as Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
, Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver is an American actress. She is best known for her critically acclaimed role of Ellen Ripley in the four Alien films: Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection, for which she has received worldwide recognition .Other notable roles include Dana...
, James Cameron
James Cameron
James Francis Cameron is a Canadian-American film director, film producer, screenwriter, editor, environmentalist and inventor...
, Marion Cotillard
Marion Cotillard
Marion Cotillard is a French actress and singer. She garnered critical acclaim for her roles in films such as La Vie en Rose, My Sex Life... or How I Got Into an Argument, Taxi, Furia and Jeux d'enfants...
, Vincent Cassel
Vincent Cassel
Vincent Cassel is a Cesar award winning French actor probably best known to English-speaking audiences through his performances in the Ocean's Trilogy of films and Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan.-Personal life:...
...
A petition in 7 languages is onligne on his official website.
In September 2011, Raoni become the 12th honorary citizens of Paris by Bertrand Delanoë
Bertrand Delanoë
Bertrand Delanoë is a French politician, and has been the mayor of Paris since 2001. He is member of the Socialist Party . Delanoë was born in Tunis, Tunisia to a French-Tunisian father and a French mother...
.
See also
- RaoniRaoniRaoni is a 1978 French documentary film directed by Jean-Pierre Dutilleux and Luiz Carlos Saldanha on the life of Raoni Metuktire. The film portrays issues surrounding the survival of the indigenous Indian tribes of north central Brazil. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary...
(also known as Raoni: The Fight for the Amazon) is a 1978 French documentary filmDocumentary filmDocumentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
directed by Jean-Pierre DutilleuxJean-Pierre DutilleuxJean-Pierre Dutilleux is a Belgian author, activist, film director, actor and editor of films.- Books :Books published by Dutilleux:* Raoni: Memoirs of an Indian Chief * Raoni and the First World...
and Luiz Carlos Saldanha. The film portrays issues surrounding the survival of the indigenous Indian tribes of north central Brazil. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary FeatureAcademy Award for Documentary FeatureThe Academy Award for Documentary Feature is among the most prestigious awards for documentary films.- Winners and nominees:Following the Academy's practice, films are listed below by the award year...
.