Tuira KayapΓ³ brandished her machete in the face of a government official who was trying to convince indigenous leaders to accept a mega-dam project in the Amazon, 1989
βElectricity wonβt give us food. We need the rivers to flow freely. Donβt talk to us about relieving our βpovertyβ β we are the richest people in Brazil. We are Indians.β
part of kayapΓ³βs speech during this event
also! sheβs still alive! that sort of thing is always worth pointing out to show that we really arenβt too far removed from events like this! hereβs a 2019 photo of her:
I just checked, she passed away in August 2024 - but not before working with a filmmaker to make an hour long movie where she explains her life and her activism. If you want to hear what she has to say for herself, hereβs the opportunity.
Movie is βTuire KayapΓ³β (First Contact) by PΔ±nar YolaΓ§an, in case the link breaks





















