In May, indigenist Bruno Pereira reported persecution by Funai; listen up

THE CNN had access to an audio message on May 12 this year in which the indigenist Bruno Araújo Pereira, murdered in the Amazon, makes an outburst to people close to him in which he reports the persecution he had been suffering from the National Indian Foundation (Funai).

He reports, for example, that the agency opened a disciplinary administrative process (PAD) in which he felt like a “militia chief”.

“So, you see, you know, how the presidency uses essential activity for the guy to go there and paint the ‘korubos’, you know? And then, the civil servants who reported me to, you know, to the internal affairs department, to the PAD, which I am answering, almost like a militia chief, you know? Nobody opens an ‘ouch,’” she said.

He also stated that he knew, when he asked for leave, that he would be persecuted internally. He mentions his children and criticizes those inside the agency who pretend that Funai has not become an agency against the Indians.

“That’s it, that’s what we go through, but I’ve already felt it. Me, good, when I asked for my leave, I knew it was going to be this way, you know? I knew it was going to be a fierce fight and I was prepared for it, I have my young children to feed too, I have a whole story, I have my image, I also have my reputation that I, for what I’ve fought, I’ve lived, but I wouldn’t be able to stay there, quietly, the guy from DAS 1 (civil servant level) to guarantee himself, keep pretending that this government is not anti-indigenous, but we are here. Who are you pale face? He was totally abducted, taken, taken over by Funai, we all know that,” she says.

Pereira also says that for the current direction of the entity it had become “toxic”. “But that only generates anger and more struggle, right? Let’s not lower our heads, no. Hang in there, don’t be discouraged. […] Being around me is kryptonite, it’s toxic to that direction. I feel good about it. Sad all over, huh? Well in the sense that it’s good that they know very well the terrain marked by what I fight, right? […] I know which side and which fights I’m fighting, right? Where are we winning and where are we losing?

THE CNN reported to Funai all the accusations made by Pereira, but the foundation did not respond. Asked if an internal procedure was actually opened against Pereira, Funai said that all procedures are confidential and therefore could not provide information.