Cacique Raoni, 94, receives palliative care in Brazil
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In Peixoto de Azevedo, Mato Grosso, Brazil, 94-year-old Cacique Raoni Metuktire is receiving palliative care at home after a diagnosis of digestive system cancer.
Throughout 2026, Raoni experienced hospitalizations, tests, and worsening health. In June, medical professionals urgently transferred him to São Paulo when a tumor caused a severe intestinal obstruction. Doctors at the Hospital São Paulo, part of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, performed a gastroenteroanastomose, creating a new passage for food.
Further examinations later confirmed Raoni had poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Considering his age, existing health conditions, and the risks of aggressive treatments, medical teams recommended palliative care to manage pain and improve his quality of life. This care includes medical and nursing assistance, physiotherapy, and attention to his nutrition and hydration. The Instituto Raoni emphasized that Raoni’s care also addresses his spiritual well-being.
As a pajé, or shaman, he continues to receive support from trusted spiritual leaders, integrating traditional Mẽbêngôkre culture, language, and beliefs into his care. Raoni is a prominent Brazilian Indigenous leader who has spent decades defending Indigenous peoples, their lands, and the Amazon rainforest, gaining international recognition for his advocacy.
