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Gavião Kyikatêjê FC

The first indigenous professional club in Brazil

By Where Is Football

February 19^th, 2025

It all started with a controversial statement from a Brazilian coach who said his team "couldn’t play like an Indian team." Enter Gavião Kyikatêjê Futebol Club. They’re not "Indians" but Indigenous people, the Gavião Kyikatêjê is the first professional football team in Brazil composed entirely of Indigenous players, founded in 2009. Friend of Where Is Football Victor Toyofuku met Zeca Gavião (the chief, coach, and president of the club), promising him that he would create something that matched the greatness of the GKFC. Below is our interview with Victor on how this beautiful film telling the story of Gavião Kyikatêjê Futebol Club came to be.

Who are you, what is your background, and what is your relationship with football?

My name is Victor Toyofuku, I have a degree in Social Communication, and my relationship with football is, like many Brazilians, visceral. I love playing it, I love watching it, and most of all, I love living and breathing football.

Gavião Kyikatêjê FC

How did you find Gavião Kyikatêjê FC and what made it so special?

It all started with a controversial statement from a famous coach who said his team "couldn’t play like an Indian team." I looked it up and discovered that, yes, there is an indigenous team: the Gavião Kyikatêjê Futebol Club. And what an incredible story they have! They’re not "Indians" but Indigenous people, and even this correction taught me a lot. When I met Zeca Gavião (the chief, coach, and president of the club), we had an immediate connection. I promised him that we would do something that matched the greatness of the GKFC, and I hope I delivered on that promise.

Gavião Kyikatêjê FC

Can you tell us more about Gavião Kyikatêjê FC, the community, and the cultural context of the importance of supporting this team?

The Gavião Kyikatêjê is the first professional football team in Brazil composed entirely of Indigenous players, founded in 2009. The team was created as a response to the resistance of local clubs in Pará to signing talented young Indigenous players. These athletes faced prejudice and were often forced to return to their villages. The club isn’t just a football team – it’s a symbol of resistance and cultural pride for their community. Supporting the Gavião means supporting a unique and powerful chapter of our history.

Gavião Kyikatêjê FC

We know indigenous communities have been affected by decisions in the Brazilian government in recent years, what are the current ways people in Brazil have been standing up for them?

Karina Duarte, an actress, activist and Indigenous advisor for the project, sums it up best:

"In Brazil, the indigenous movement is strong and organized. We, indigenous peoples, are the main protagonists in the fight for our rights, and we count on the support of allies who join us in this resistance. Today, we have a Ministry of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Peoples working in some areas within the government, which represents a significant advance."

We still face major challenges, such as the thesis of the Temporal Framework, which is still under debate. However, there have been recent advances, such as the demarcation of 13 indigenous lands signed by President Lula. The situation is still worrying, but there are signs of progress compared to the Bolsonaro government.

Gavião Kyikatêjê FC

Can you tell us about this beautiful film, how the story and art direction were formed, and the people involved?

This film was the result of a team of talented, passionate people dedicated to supporting the Gavião Kyikatêjê FC. We used 16mm film to give it a special texture and incorporated hand-painted animations, which added even more emotion to the story. The soundtrack guides the journey with sensitivity, and the editing transformed the 3 minutes and 40 seconds into something so engaging that it feels like the trailer for a movie you’d want to watch in full.

Gavião Kyikatêjê FC

Lastly, what can people from Brazil and around the world do to support Gavião Kyikatêjê FC and its mission?

Share the film. The more people watch and spread the word, the better the chance it will reach major brands that can sponsor the Gavião Kyikatêjê Futebol Clube. Together, we can help this team soar higher. Every share, every bit of support makes a difference. The Gavião needs and deserves to fly far.

Footnotes

This interview was between Victor Toyofuku & Where Is Football founder Eric Beard.

FootNotes

This interview was between Victor Toyofuku & Where Is Football founder Eric Beard.

© 2026 Where Is Football

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