In 1910, Marshal Rondon signed the founding document of the first body created to protect the Indians of Brazil.
Typed document from the National Council for the Protection of Indians, signed by Marshal Rondon.
Three pages.
22 cm x 33.5 cm.
In Portuguese.
No location information, ~1910.
Good condition conservation, except for a small hole at the end of Rondon's signature, without damaging the writing.
Unique piece.
These are three pages that establish the functioning of the National Council for the Protection of Indians and are signed by Marshal Rondon himself, its first director. The CNPI was the first Brazilian government agency, together with the Indian Protection Service (SPI), dedicated specifically to indigenous policy. It was created in 1910 with the objective of protecting indigenous peoples from abuse and exploitation, and to promote the pacification and integration of these peoples into Brazilian society, avoiding violent conflicts. The Council worked on several fronts, including the demarcation of indigenous lands, health and education, seeking to ensure that indigenous rights were respected.
Rondon (1865-1958), a Brazilian Army officer of indigenous ancestry, explored Mato Grosso and the Western Amazon Basin. He became known for his philosophy of respect and pacifism toward indigenous peoples, summed up in his motto "Die if necessary, kill never." He was the first director of the Indian Protection Service and encouraged the creation of the Xingu National Park. The Brazilian state of Rondônia is named in his honor.
The work of Rondon and the CNPI was groundbreaking at the time, given that previous indigenous policy had often been characterized by confrontation and exploitation of indigenous people. Rondon’s actions and philosophy significantly influenced subsequent indigenous policy in Brazil, although the treatment of indigenous peoples in the country remained a complex and challenging issue throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
This document belonged to Roquette Pinto, who was part of the Rondon Mission and wrote a work on medicine among indigenous people in America. It is one of the first documents that demonstrates the Brazilian government's interest in indigenous people, with indigenous policy becoming the responsibility of the Brazilian state and no longer of religious institutions, as had been the case since the colonial period.
Also impressive is the large and energetic signature of General Rondon, "Cândido Marechal Rondon", well aware of the importance of the Amazon rainforest and its native populations and determined to protect them. He is considered one of the main Brazilian heroes and patriots.
In short, a unique, historic, important and extremely current document.
