Cândido Rondon was the first and most influential director of the agency, and was invited to the role by Brazilian Minister of Agriculture Rodolfo Miranda. He emphasized interacting with indigenous peoples in a peaceful way with the motto "Die if need be, but never kill." His policies included protecting indigenous peoples from attacks, guaranteeing titles to the lands they occupied, and restoring lands previously usurped by whites. However, he also aimed to assimilate indigenous peoples into the Brazilian
nation-state. In a letter accepting the invitation to become the first director of the SPI, he said "As a
Positivist and member of the Positivist Church of Brazil, I am convinced that our indigenes should incorporate themselves into the West..." These ideas and policies shaped government relations with indigenous peoples for the next four decades. Under Rondon and Peçanha’s leadership, legislation was created which attempted to secure the rights of indigenous people to their native lands and customs while also facilitating the establishment of new Brazilian settlements in indigenous regions. == Disbandment and recreation ==