ABSTRACT
Indians in Brazil have historically been considered, at best, as ‘relatively incapable’ human beings that must be ‘protected’ as wards of the federal government. The Brazilian Indian Foundation (Fundação Nacional do Indio-FUNAI) serves as the official organ responsible for Indian affairs. Under past national constitutions FUNAI was considered the only legal institution that could represent or defend native peoples. Land demarcation, sales of mineral rights and lumber, judicial proceedings, even labour contracts and agricultural sales were all conducted by – and legally only by – FUNAI officials.
