Brazils Krenak Indigenous group gets literary esteem and an apology for dictatorship-era crimes | KLRT [Video]

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — It was a historic week for Brazil’s Krenak people, getting both literary esteem and an apology for dictatorship-era crimes — both firsts for the Indigenous people of the country.

On Tuesday, the indigenous group received a formal apology for human rights abuses they suffered during the military dictatorship (1964-1985) — a first in Brazil. Then on Friday one of their leaders, renowned writer and environmentalist Ailton Krenak, earned a seat at the Brazilian Academy of Letters, the country’s most exclusive literature body.

During Friday’s ceremony, Krenak received a sword, a necklace and a diploma from his peers. Wearing an Indigenous headband and the academy’s traditional green vest adorned with golden embroidery, he said he had come “to bring more languages” to the room.

“My relatives have come from different parts of Brazil to be here. I can’t mention every ethnicity here, there are many,” Krenak …