First Indigenous member joins Brazilian Academy of Letters

Writer and activist AiltonKrenak became the first Indigenous person inducted into the Brazilian Academy of Letters. Krenak, 70, is known for an acclaimed body of work criticizing the excesses of colonialism and capitalism.He is the first member of Brazil's more than 300 Indigenous peoples to be inducted into the Academy.

Krenak, a writer, journalist, poet, philosopher, activist and environmentalist, was elected in October with 23 of 39 votes. He has vowed to use his seat to help shine a light on Brazil's nearly 200 Indigenous languages.