Sydney Possuelo
Sydney Ferreira Possuelo is one of the last great explorers of the 20th century—and arguably one of the most ethical. Born in 1940 in São Paulo, he discovered his calling alongside the legendary Villas-Bôas brothers, pioneers of the Xingu Indigenous Park, whom he accompanied in the 1960s. During this time, he developed a deep bond with the Kayapo people, especially with the young Raoni Metuktire, who would later become the emblematic leader of Indigenous resistance. Possuelo lived for long periods in their village, learning their language, customs, and worldview. That trust-based connection has never been broken. In Amazonia, Heart of Mother Earth, his emotional reunion with the Kayapo—marked by profound respect—reveals the enduring ties he maintains with those he calls his friends, his family.
Possuelo dedicated more than forty years of his life to protecting Brazil’s Indigenous peoples. In 1987, he founded the Department of Isolated Indians within the Brazilian Indigenous Affairs Agency (FUNAI) and became the first to implement a non-contact policy, radically transforming Brazil’s approach. His guiding principle: respect the fundamental right of these peoples to live in peace, far from the outside world, according to their own laws. Under his leadership, the department established strict protection protocols: non-intrusive aerial monitoring, remote surveillance bases, and a strict ban on any approach or contact. He ushered in a paradigm shift, replacing the old “pacification” logic with an ethic of distance and absolute respect.
As president of FUNAI from 1991 to 1993, Possuelo oversaw the demarcation of more than one hundred Indigenous territories—a historic record. Among them, the Yanomami Indigenous Land, one of the largest in the country, stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to securing legal recognition of traditional lands. To this day, no other FUNAI president has protected as much Indigenous territory in such a short time.
A loyal ally of Planète Amazone, Sydney Possuelo appears in the documentary series Protect the Amazon, where he shares his lucid and compassionate perspective on issues facing voluntarily isolated peoples. He is also a key witness in the film Amazonia, Heart of Mother Earth, lending his voice and experience to this powerful tribute to Indigenous rights and forest protection.
At his side was his wife, Rosita Possuelo, a valuable behind-the-scenes ally. She made significant contributions to the film’s development in Brazil. Tragically, she passed away in 2023, leaving a deep void. The film is dedicated to her memory, in honor of her quiet but pivotal support.
Now in his eighties, Sydney Possuelo continues his advocacy through the Instituto Indigenista Interamericano. His calm yet unwavering voice continues to carry the message of the peoples many still refuse to hear.
A discreet hero and a towering figure in the protection of the Amazon, Sydney Possuelo remains largely unrecognized on the international stage. His exceptional contribution to the survival of Indigenous peoples and forest preservation deserves far greater acknowledgment. A documentary chronicling his extraordinary journey and legacy is currently in development.