I was at Walgreens a couple weeks ago just getting a few things and was captivated by the cover of the January 2014 National Geographic magazine! There was a picture of boy from an indigenous tribe in the Amazon (in Brasil). I have always been interested in these people, their rights, and their convictions for awhile now, but just never really got a chance to read and learn a lot about them. So, of course, I bought the magazine and then went home immediately to read the article on the Kayapo tribe. I learned a lot and I feel that in particular these 2 Chiefs Ropni and Mekaron-Ti deserve a day of recognition for all they have done and continue to do for their people!!! The government and many companies worldwide would love for them and all of their people to be gone and removed so they can develop and make money on their land, but they are doing everything possible to make sure this does not happen and that they are able to keep the land that has been in their tribes for thousands of years. Most tribes still do and practice traditional ways and thinking, but this does not make them any different from anybody else in the world and they have the right to their land!!!! I am soooo happy that I read this and learned more and if I could do anything to help I would, but really the best thing that anybody can do to help is to just stay out of their business and their land. Let them live the lives they want and have respect!!! If you can do anything to influence governments and companies to stay out of their land that is the best thing you can do to help. Thank you Mr. Ropni and Mekaron-Ti for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about the Amazon Indigenous people. :-)
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2014/01/kayapo/brown-text?rptregcta=reg_free_np&rptregcampaign=20131016_rw_membership_n1p_us_se_w#
“In the old days men were men,” Ropni said. “They were raised to be warriors; they weren’t afraid to die. They weren’t afraid to back up their words with action. They met guns with bows and arrows. A lot of Indians died, but a lot of whites died too. That’s what formed me: the warrior tradition. I have never been afraid to say what I believed. I have never felt humiliated in front of the whites. They need to respect us, but we need to respect them too. I still think that warrior tradition survives. The Kayapo will fight again if threatened, but I have counseled my people not to go looking for fights.”
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