Chief Raoni Metuktire

Chief Raoni Metuktire is the leader of the Kayapo people, born in Brazil in the 1930s. He is widely recognised as one of the most prominent advocates for the preservation of the Amazon. He has spent his life fighting for the protection of Indigenous lands and ecosystems from deforestation, mining, and other threats to Indigenous peoples.

Since the 1980s, Chief Raoni has brought global attention to environmental issues and the rights of Indigenous peoples through world tours, meetings with political figures and media campaigns. He has met with world leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, the President of Portugal, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. French President Macron awarded Chief Raoni the National Order of the Legion of Honor, the highest honour granted by France to its citizens and to foreigners who stand out for their activities on the global stage.

Chief Raoni created the Raoni Institute, an organisation dedicated to defending the rights of Indigenous peoples and preserving the Amazon. The Institute works on forest conservation and protection, education, and awareness projects. Raoni has received numerous awards and distinctions for his commitment, including the Alternative Nobel Prize in 1989 and the title of "Hero of the Planet" awarded by Time magazine in 1990. In 2020 he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Greta Thunberg. Since 2021, he is also an honorary Member of IUCN.

His latest plight is for the recognition of the territory of Kapot Nhinoré where his ancestors rest. Raoni works to preserve the culture and traditions of his people, the Kayapo, by sharing them with the world and raising awareness of the importance of cultural diversity.