Santana is an indigenous territory located approximately 140 km from municípality of Nobres,[1] in the central state of Mato Grosso.

The Bakairis of Rio Novo, as recorded by ethnographer Karl von den Steinen in 1884, were already present in the region where the Santana indigenous land is currently located.

[2] The first outstanding leader among the Bakairi was known as Captain Reginaldo I'elu, who had the following information "...always showed interest in the German expeditionary's notes, and he also had the admirable quality of an easy apprehension, expressing clearly, in Portuguese, although rude.

"[2] Still about Captain Reginaldo, it is known that he was mainly responsible for the first demarcation of the Bakairi Indigenous Area, which occurred in 1905, through Act nº 362, of 24 April/1905 on the initiative of the State Government.

[3] The creation of the Santana Indigenous Post, which took place in 1965, was a demand of the Bakairis of Rio Novo themselves, as a way of securing part of the traditional territory, through the Indian Protection Service, as it was being invaded by farmers.