South SFV Today

On the afternoon of September 24, Chief Raoni Metuktire, leader of the Kayapó people of the Brazilian Amazon, addressed an audience at Stanford University. Wearing traditional attire, he spoke about environmental issues affecting his community.

“I am a shaman,” Chief Raoni began. His grandson, Beptuk Metuktire, translated his words into Portuguese and then into English for the audience. “The spirits of nature share their thoughts with me. … Nature is our family. It is our brother, our mother, our grandmother. It’s part of us and they are very concerned.”

Chief Raoni highlighted problems such as deforestation, unpredictable rainfall, polluted air and water, and extreme heat. “We live together. We breathe the same air. We drink the same water. We’re all together on this Earth,” he said to around 175 attendees and over 75 more watching via livestream. “And I need your help so that we can continue living well.”

Chief Raoni was a featured guest in the Dean’s Lecture series at Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. He was introduced by Stanford biologist Rodolfo Dirzo.

“We are very fortunate that today we have one of the Amazon’s leading environmental champions sitting with us," Dirzo said. "Chief Raoni Metuktire is one of Brazil’s leading Indigenous leaders and a globally recognized defender of Indigenous rights and environmental preservation."

Maria DiGiano from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation presented their investment in protecting areas around the Xingu River basin in the Brazilian Amazon.

Filmmaker Lucas Ramos introduced an exclusive screening of his documentary “The Chief’s Call: Heritage, Land and the Future.” The film presents environmental struggles through voices of Kayapó men and women.

Chief Raoni emphasized responsibility for repairing the environment lies with non-Indigenous people who have endangered his way of life for profit. He asked: "Will you help us save the rainforest? If you help us, we will do it."

A roundtable discussion moderated by Dirzo included Paulo Moutinho from IPAM Amazônia who lamented recent deaths among Indigenous leaders but shared optimism due to Chief Raoni's message.

“The deforestation in Indigenous lands increased more than 240 percent over the last several years," Moutinho said. "Despite that, Chief Raoni is here sharing his message of hope.”

Dirzo linked Chief Raoni’s work to environmental justice: “We cannot aspire to global sustainability and true environmental justice... if we do not take the time to read Chief Raoni’s message."

Dean Arun Majumdar concluded by emphasizing bringing diverse voices into sustainability discussions: “This is about our mission for our school – to create a future where humanity and the planet can thrive together.”