Chief Raoni Metuktire, a globally recognized advocate for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest and the rights of Indigenous peoples, is currently receiving palliative care. At 94 years old, the leader has been diagnosed with cancer, according to an official statement released by the Raoni Institute.

Palliative care is a specialized medical approach focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, with the primary goal of improving the quality of life for both the patient and their family. The institute indicated that the Chief is being cared for at his home within the Brazilian heartland, rather than in a hospital setting.

Chief Raoni has spent decades as a prominent figure in international environmental activism, often seen wearing his traditional lip plate and feather headdress while meeting with world leaders to lobby for the protection of Indigenous territories. His health status has drawn attention from environmental groups and human rights organizations globally, given his long-standing role as a symbol of resistance against deforestation and land encroachment in the Amazon. As of now, no further details regarding the specific type of cancer or his prognosis have been released by his representatives. The focus remains on his comfort and the continuation of his legacy through the work of his institute.