Vicente Cañas
Encyclopedia
Vicente Cañas, S.J.
(Albacete
, October 22,
1939 — Mato Grosso
, April 6, 1987) was a Spanish Christian missionary and Jesuit brother, who is credited with making the first peaceful contact with the Enawene Nawe
Indian tribe in 1974. Afterwards, he lived with them for over ten years, adopting to their way of life and helping them with necessary medical supplies. Due to his help, the Enawene Nawe population rebounded from a low of 97 individuals to a population of over 430. Similar to Chico Mendes
and Wilson Pinheiro
, he died at the hands of cattle ranchers who are destroying the Amazon Rainforest.
The Enawene Nawe were campaigning for the use of an important part of their land known as the Rio Preto which was omitted from inclusion in their original territory. Subsequently, the Enawene Nawe received numerous death threats from a the local cattle ranchers. The area is important because it represents an important fishing area for the tribe.
The Enawene Nawe are under mounting threat for their cultural survival. At present the fish population of the Juruena River is at risk of local extinctions because of 5 hydroelectic mini-generators. This means that the celebrated Yakwa festival may not be possible, putting at risk the very basis of their rich religion.
The Rio Preto (Adawina/Adowina) region has still not been demarcated, despite many years of work by the Enawene Nawe and a local indigenist NGO, OPAN (Operação Amazonia Nativa).
These threats are because of what Vicente (Kiwxi) saw all those years ago - colonisation of the state of Mato Grosso and amazonia by soya monoculturalists led by the Maggi family.
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
(Albacete
Albacete
Albacete is a city and municipality in southeastern Spain, 258 km southeast of Madrid, the capital of the province of Albacete in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. The municipality had a population of c. 169,700 in 2009....
, October 22,
1939 — Mato Grosso
Mato Grosso
Mato Grosso is one of the states of Brazil, the third largest in area, located in the western part of the country.Neighboring states are Rondônia, Amazonas, Pará, Tocantins, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul. It also borders Bolivia to the southwest...
, April 6, 1987) was a Spanish Christian missionary and Jesuit brother, who is credited with making the first peaceful contact with the Enawene Nawe
Enawene Nawe
The Enawene Nawe are a small tribe who live by fishing and gathering in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. They practice agriculture and do not hunt or eat red meat. The Enawene Nawe are a relatively isolated people who were first contacted in 1974 by Vicente Cañas. Today they number over 566...
Indian tribe in 1974. Afterwards, he lived with them for over ten years, adopting to their way of life and helping them with necessary medical supplies. Due to his help, the Enawene Nawe population rebounded from a low of 97 individuals to a population of over 430. Similar to Chico Mendes
Chico Mendes
Francisco Alves Mendes Filho, better known as Chico Mendes , was a Brazilian rubber tapper, trade union leader and environmentalist. He fought to preserve the Amazon rainforest, and advocated for the human rights of Brazilian peasants and indigenous peoples...
and Wilson Pinheiro
Wilson Pinheiro
Wilson Pinheiro was the president of the Brasiléia Rural Workers Union in the State of Acre in Brazil. He helped lead the fight against ranchers who were destroying the Amazon Rainforest. Pinheiro was committed to defense of the Amazon and was assassinated on July 21, 1980...
, he died at the hands of cattle ranchers who are destroying the Amazon Rainforest.
History
Canas helped the Enawene Nawe secure their land which was necessary for their survival. In spite of receiving death threats from land owners and cattle ranchers, he successfully lobbied the Brazilian government for the territory to be officially granted for use by the Enawene Nawe tribe.The Enawene Nawe were campaigning for the use of an important part of their land known as the Rio Preto which was omitted from inclusion in their original territory. Subsequently, the Enawene Nawe received numerous death threats from a the local cattle ranchers. The area is important because it represents an important fishing area for the tribe.
The Enawene Nawe are under mounting threat for their cultural survival. At present the fish population of the Juruena River is at risk of local extinctions because of 5 hydroelectic mini-generators. This means that the celebrated Yakwa festival may not be possible, putting at risk the very basis of their rich religion.
The Rio Preto (Adawina/Adowina) region has still not been demarcated, despite many years of work by the Enawene Nawe and a local indigenist NGO, OPAN (Operação Amazonia Nativa).
These threats are because of what Vicente (Kiwxi) saw all those years ago - colonisation of the state of Mato Grosso and amazonia by soya monoculturalists led by the Maggi family.
Assassination
In 1987, a group of ranchers entered the home of Vicente Canas, near the village of the Enawene Nawe tribe, and stabbed him to death. Subsequently, the investigation in to his murder was marred by corruption and incompetence and none of the 6 suspected murderers people were initially charged.Trial of Murderers
Nineteen years after the murder of Vicente Canas, the trial of those accused of killing him began in Cuiabá, capital of Mato Grosso state. The landmark trial began on the 24th of October 2006 and as of this date, the outcome has not been determined. Three men, which include the former police chief are finally on trial. Two of the other accused murderers have long since died and a third man has been deemed "too old" to stand trial. he led brazil in a war and lostExternal links
See also
- Wilson PinheiroWilson PinheiroWilson Pinheiro was the president of the Brasiléia Rural Workers Union in the State of Acre in Brazil. He helped lead the fight against ranchers who were destroying the Amazon Rainforest. Pinheiro was committed to defense of the Amazon and was assassinated on July 21, 1980...
- Dorothy StangDorothy StangSister Dorothy Mae Stang, S.N.D., was an American-born, Brazilian member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She was murdered in Anapu, a city in the state of Pará, in the Amazon Basin of Brazil...
- Chico MendesChico MendesFrancisco Alves Mendes Filho, better known as Chico Mendes , was a Brazilian rubber tapper, trade union leader and environmentalist. He fought to preserve the Amazon rainforest, and advocated for the human rights of Brazilian peasants and indigenous peoples...
- Environment of BrazilEnvironment of BrazilThe wildlife of Brazil comprises all naturally occurring animals, fungi and plants in this South American country. Home to 60% of the Amazon Rainforest, which accounts for approximately one-tenth of all species in the world, Brazil is considered to have the greatest biodiversity of any country on...
- Indigenous People in Brazil