Letter from Chief Seattle, 1855

Message from Chief Seattle 1855

In 1855 the President of the United States, Franklin Pierce, wrote to Seattle with an offer from the government to buy his people’s land… How did he reply?

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The Great White Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. He also sends words of friendship and goodwill. This is kind of him since we know he has little need of our friendship in return. But we will consider your offer. What I say the Great White Chief can count on as truly as our white brothers can count on the turning of the seasons. My words are like stars: they do not set.

How can you buy or sell the sky; the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. We do not own the freshness of the air or the sparkle of the water, so how can you buy them from us? We will decide in our time, but every part of the Earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every glade and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people.

We know that the white man doesn’t understand our ways. One portion of the land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the Earth whatever he wants. The Earth is not his brother but his enemy; and when he conquers it he moves on. He leaves his fathers’ graves behind and doesn’t care. He kidnaps the Earth from his children. His father’s graves and children’s birthrights are forgotten. His appetite will devour the Earth and leave behind a wasteland. The sight of your cities pains the eye of the red man. But perhaps this is because the red man is a “savage” and doesn’t understand.

There is no quiet place in the white man’s cities. No place to hear the leaves of spring or the rustle of insects’ wings. The clatter insults the ears. But perhaps I am only a “savage” and don’t understand. And what is there to life if a man cannot hear the lovely cry of the whippoorwill or the argument of the frogs around a pond at night? The Indian prefers the soft sound of the wind darting over the face of the pond, and the wind itself cleansed by the midday rain or scented with pinion. The air is precious to the red man for all things share the same breath: the beasts, the trees, the man. The white man doesn’t seem to notice the air he breathes. Like a man dying for days, he is numb to his own stench.

If I accept, I will make one condition: the white man must treat the beasts of this land as his brothers. I am just a “savage” and don’t understand any other way. I have seen a thousand rotting buffaloes on the prairie, left by the white man who shot them from a passing train. I am a “savage” and do not understand how the smoking iron horse can be more important than the buffalo whom we kill only to live. What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone then men would die from a terrible loneliness of the spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

Our children have seen our fathers humbled in defeat. Our warriors have felt shame. After defeat they turn their days in idleness and contaminate their bodies with sweet food and strong drink. It matters little where we pass the rest of our days; they are not many. A few more hours, a few more winters, and none of the children of the great tribes that once lived on the Earth, or that roamed in small bands in the woods, will be left to mourn the graves of a people once as powerful and hopeful as yours. One thing we know that the white man may one day discover: our God and your God are the same. You may think now that you own Him as you wish to own our land, but you cannot. He is the God of man and his compassion is equal for the red man and the white. The Earth is precious to him, and to harm the Earth is to pour contempt on its creator. The whites too shall pass, perhaps sooner than other tribes. Continue to contaminate your own bed and you will one night suffocate in your own waste.

When the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses all tamed. The secret corners of the forest heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of the ripe hills blotted by telegraph wires. Where is the thicket? Gone. Where is the eagle? Gone. And what is it to say goodbye to the swift and the hunt, the end of living and the beginning of survival.

We might understand if we knew what it was that the white man dreams, what hopes he describes to his children on long winter nights, what visions he burns into their minds so that they will wish for tomorrow. But we are “savages”. The white man’s dreams are hidden from us. And because they are hidden we will go our own way. If we agree, it will be to secure the reservation you’ve promised. There, perhaps we may live out our brief days as we wish. When the last red man has vanished from the Earth, and our memory is just the shadow of a cloud passing across the prairie, these shores and forests will still hold the spirits of my people, for they love the Earth the way a newborn loves its mother’s heartbeat.

If we sell you our land, love it as we’ve loved it. Care for it as we’ve cared for it. Hold in your mind the memory of the land, as it is when you take it. And with all your strength and all your might and with all your heart preserve it for your children, and love it as God loves us all. One thing we know: our God is the same as yours. The Earth is precious to him. Even the white man cannot be exempt from common destiny.

A Carta do Cacique Seattle, em 1855

Em 1855, o cacique Seattle, da tribo Suquamish, do Estado de Washington, enviou esta carta ao presidente dos Estados Unidos (Francis Pierce), depois de o Governo haver dado a entender que pretendia comprar o território ocupado por aqueles índios. Faz mais de um século e meio. Mas o desabafo do cacique tem uma incrível atualidade. A carta:

    "O grande chefe de Washington mandou dizer que quer comprar a nossa terra. O grande chefe assegurou-nos também da sua amizade e benevolência. Isto é gentil de sua parte, pois sabemos que ele não necessita da nossa amizade. Nós vamos pensar na sua oferta, pois sabemos que se não o fizermos, o homem branco virá com armas e tomará a nossa terra. O grande chefe de Washington pode acreditar no que o chefe Seattle diz com a mesma certeza com que nossos irmãos brancos podem confiar na mudança das estações do ano. Minha palavra é como as estrelas, elas não empalidecem.
Como pode-se comprar ou vender o céu, o calor da terra? Tal idéia é estranha. Nós não somos donos da pureza do ar ou do brilho da água. Como pode então comprá-los de nós? Decidimos apenas sobre as coisas do nosso tempo. Toda esta terra é sagrada para o meu povo. Cada folha reluzente, todas as praias de areia, cada véu de neblina nas florestas escuras, cada clareira e todos os insetos a zumbir são sagrados nas tradições e na crença do meu povo.
    Sabemos que o homem branco não compreende o nosso modo de viver. Para ele um torrão de terra é igual ao outro. Porque ele é um estranho, que vem de noite e rouba da terra tudo quanto necessita. A terra não é sua irmã, nem sua amiga, e depois de exaurí-la ele vai embora. Deixa para trás o túmulo de seu pai sem remorsos. Rouba a terra de seus filhos, nada respeita. Esquece os antepassados e os direitos dos filhos. Sua ganância empobrece a terra e deixa atrás de si os desertos. Suas cidades são um tormento para os olhos do homem vermelho, mas talvez seja assim por ser o homem vermelho um selvagem que nada compreende.
Não se pode encontrar paz nas cidades do homem branco. Nem lugar onde se possa ouvir o desabrochar da folhagem na primavera ou o zunir das asas dos insetos. Talvez por ser um selvagem que nada entende, o barulho das cidades é terrível para os meus ouvidos. E que espécie de vida é aquela em que o homem não pode ouvir a voz do corvo noturno ou a conversa dos sapos no brejo à noite? Um índio prefere o suave sussurro do vento sobre o espelho d'água e o próprio cheiro do vento, purificado pela chuva do meio-dia e com aroma de pinho. O ar é precioso para o homem vermelho, porque todos os seres vivos respiram o mesmo ar, animais, árvores, homens. Não parece que o homem branco se importe com o ar que respira. Como um moribundo, ele é insensível ao mau cheiro.
Se eu me decidir a aceitar, imporei uma condição: o homem branco deve tratar os animais como se fossem seus irmãos. Sou um selvagem e não compreendo que possa ser de outra forma. Vi milhares de bisões apodrecendo nas pradarias abandonados pelo homem branco que os abatia a tiros disparados do trem. Sou um selvagem e não compreendo como um fumegante cavalo de ferro possa ser mais valioso que um bisão, que nós, peles vermelhas matamos apenas para sustentar a nossa própria vida. O que é o homem sem os animais? Se todos os animais acabassem os homens morreriam de solidão espiritual, porque tudo quanto acontece aos animais pode também afetar os homens. Tudo quanto fere a terra, fere também os filhos da terra.
    Os nossos filhos viram os pais humilhados na derrota. Os nossos guerreiros sucumbem sob o peso da vergonha. E depois da derrota passam o tempo em ócio e envenenam seu corpo com alimentos adocicados e bebidas ardentes. Não tem grande importância onde passaremos os nossos últimos dias. Eles não são muitos. Mais algumas horas ou até mesmo alguns invernos e nenhum dos filhos das grandes tribos que viveram nestas terras ou que tem vagueado em pequenos bandos pelos bosques, sobrará para chorar, sobre os túmulos, um povo que um dia foi tão poderoso e cheio de confiança como o nosso.
De uma coisa sabemos, que o homem branco talvez venha a um dia descobrir: o nosso Deus é o mesmo Deus. Julga, talvez, que pode ser dono Dele da mesma maneira como deseja possuir a nossa terra. Mas não pode. Ele é Deus de todos. E quer bem da mesma maneira ao homem vermelho como ao branco. A terra é amada por Ele. Causar dano à terra é demonstrar desprezo pelo Criador. O homem branco também vai desaparecer, talvez mais depressa do que as outras raças. Continua sujando a sua própria cama e há de morrer, uma noite, sufocado nos seus próprios dejetos. Depois de abatido o último bisão e domados todos os cavalos selvagens, quando as matas misteriosas federem à gente, quando as colinas escarpadas se encherem de fios que falam, onde ficarão então os sertões? Terão acabado. E as águias? Terão ido embora. Restará dar adeus à andorinha da torre e à caça; o fim da vida e o começo pela luta pela sobrevivência.
    Talvez compreendêssemos com que sonha o homem branco se soubéssemos quais as esperanças transmite a seus filhos nas longas noites de inverno, quais visões do futuro oferecem para que possam ser formados os desejos do dia de amanhã. Mas nós somos selvagens. Os sonhos do homem branco são ocultos para nós. E por serem ocultos temos que escolher o nosso próprio caminho. Se consentirmos na venda é para garantir as reservas que nos prometeste. Lá talvez possamos viver os nossos últimos dias como desejamos. Depois que o último homem vermelho tiver partido e a sua lembrança não passar da sombra de uma nuvem a pairar acima das pradarias, a alma do meu povo continuará a viver nestas florestas e praias, porque nós as amamos como um recém-nascido ama o bater do coração de sua mãe. Se te vendermos a nossa terra, ama-a como nós a amávamos. Protege-a como nós a protegíamos. Nunca esqueça como era a terra quando dela tomou posse. E com toda a sua força, o seu poder, e todo o seu coração, conserva-a para os seus filhos, e ama-a como Deus nos ama a todos. Uma coisa sabemos: o nosso Deus é o mesmo Deus. Esta terra é querida por Ele. Nem mesmo o homem branco pode evitar o nosso destino comum."

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SAY YES TO THE AMAZON, NO TO BELO MONTE. Join the fight on the Amazon Planet Facebook page

Our official Facebook page :
http://www.facebook.com/raoni.com.en
Twitter account : http://twitter.com/Raoni_com

The mobilisation of the citizens of the world through social networks is a major ingredient in the fight to save the Amazon forest, the "green lungs" of the Earth. Joining our official Facebook page and passing on our information and our tweets contributes to tearing down the walls of silence and indifference. The media do not feel concerned by the destruction of this environment vital to all ? We do! So, do you? So let's tell it on one of the only real forums people still have access to.

SOURCE/LINK: http://www.jpdutilleux.com/activist.html

RAONI’S MESSAGE

For 30 years Raoni, Chief of the Kayapo tribe, has been at the vanguard of the fight to protect the Amazon Rainforest in difficult and often life threatening circumstances.

In 1989, with the help of his friend Jean-Pierre Dutilleux and the singer Sting, he was able to leave Brazil and launch his appeal in 17 countries. Raoni's message was transmitted on most television networks and helped to awaken people consciences: deforestation is not just destroying the last of the Indian tribes; it places the future of each and every one of us in jeopardy. In the year 2010 Raoni returned to Europe to pursue his work and deliver his new message.

“I came to you ten years ago to explain my concerns regarding the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest. I talked to you about the fires, the burning sun and the strong winds that would blow if man continued to destroy the forest.

You have supported me and given me the means to mark out the boundaries of our ancestral lands. This has now been done: it is an enormous area, full of wildlife, flowers and fruit. It is the most beautiful forest.

Above all, to all those who have given us money or help, I want top say on behalf of the Kayapo people ... thank you. Nambikwas ...meikumbre.

I have come back today because I am once again very concerned.

I have heard that you too are now worried. The strong winds have come and have destroyed your forest. You are experiencing the same fear that we have experienced.

I tell you this, if man continues to destroy the earth, even stronger winds will come ... not just once ... but several times ... sooner or later. These winds are going to destroy us all.

We all breathe the same air, we all drink the same water, we all live on the same planet. We must all protect it.

People have started to trespass on our land again. The woodcutters and gold miners do not respect the reserves boundaries. We do not have the means to protect this enormous forest of which we are the guardians for you all.

I need your support. And I ask for it before it is too late.

Thank you."

Meikumbre
Raoni

A Message from Floyd Red Crow Westerman

About 150 years ago, in a letter to the President of the United States, Chief Seattle warned of his concern about the environment. He stated that "Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely one strand in it ... And what he does to the web, he does to himself ...All things are connected, continue to contaminate your bed and you will one night suffocate in your own waste...

Since indigenous peoples have had little to do with the industrial world, it is tragic that we are the victims of this inevitable fate.

In the Indian way of life, we pray to the spirit world and our creator through the tree. I continue to pray every day for the indigenous peoples of the world, for Raoni and for our survival."

Floyd Red Crow Westerman
Sioux Spiritual Leader

The Rainforest Association France

The Rainforest Association France (AFV) is a non-profit association, founded in 1989 to help save the Amazon Rainforest and the Indian tribes who live there.

The Birth of the Association

This initiative was instigated by Raoni, chief of the Kayapo tribe, several other Indian tribe chiefs and celebrities concerned about the massive deforestation in the Amazon, in order to create an organization which will represent and fight for their cause in Europe.

The Work

In 1989, following Raoni's appeal, the sum of 3 million French francs was raised from about 10,000 donations. This and other funds raised across the globe by other Rainforest Associations enabled the boundaries of the present Kayapo reserve to be drawn and a health and education programme action plan to be implemented in the Xingu region.

AFV is currently dedicated to the implementation of the Raoni Institute project, the aim of which is to ensure the long term future of the largest protected area in the Amazon.

AFV organized Chief Raoni's European tour in May 2000 in order to publicize this project. This tour relaunched the campaign to save the tropical rainforests and enlisted the support of many including the French President, Mr. Jacques Chirac, and the French Minister for the Environment, Madame Dominique Voynet, who financed the feasibility study for the Rainforest Institute.

This study was carried out in the summer of 2000 and the report was ratified buy both the French and Brazilian governments. Armed with this report, the AFV s organized a second European tour for Raoni in June 2001 in order to obtain the necessary funding for the rainforest institute. However, after the September 11, 2001 tragedy in New York and the election of President Bush, the relentless efforts of the AFV have brought little results., nobody cared anymore. As a consequence, the Indians, including Chief Raoni have lost crucial support. The destruction of the rainforest accelerates at an unprecedented rate.

A series of hydroelectric dams are under construction in various parts of the Amazon forest and a recent law is facilitating the devastation of protected areas.

The reservation, the largest in the Amazon, is plagued with corruption and devastated by unscrupulous loggers.

In 2011, the AFV is searching for new ways to finance the construction of the Raoni Institute and establish the boundaries of the Kapoto Nhinore area were Raoni’s ancestors are buried. This is Raoni ‘s last dream. It would protect the eastern flank of the reservation, the most threatened by deforestation and urban development.

Your support is crucial.

Rainforest Association France
The Board of Directors

Honorary President: Jean-Pierre Dutilleux, founder,filmmaker
President: Nathalie Gaillard, art gallery owner.
Vice- President: Bernard Laine, founder, former president (89-90), journalist,
Vice- president: Gert Peter Bruch, communications
Secretary: Maximilien Giraud Laine

Supporting Committee

President : Henri de Bontin
Chris Braeckman, Alain Canu, Elie Chouraqui, , Etienne Dembour, Robert Denis, Gabriel Dornay, Jacqueline Dutilleux, Remy Gaston Dreyfus, Evelyne Gelin, Mick Mahe-Gerriet, Mamine Pirotte, Josee Roumilhac, Alain Schlumberger, Michel Viet, Heidi Eckes-Chantre, Alberto Lenzi, Stanilsas et Isabelle De Sadeleer, Michel Gast, Jean-Francois Gallois, Ginger Lindbergh, John , Geri and Jimmy Cusenza.

Contacts: WWW.RAONI.FR
Email: foretvierge@raoni.fr

RAONI INSTITUTE

A MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER IN THE HEART OF THE AMAZON RAINFOREST (BRAZIL) FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT