Support the Fight!
Donate today to support Mayalu and the fight to stop the Belo Monte Dam.
Our third partner profile is someone you will recognize as Amazon Watch was proud to have Mayalu Txucarramãe as our guest of honor at our 2013 annual Luncheon. Daughter of Kayapó Chief Megaron and grand niece of legendary Chief Raoni, Mayalú comes from a long line of Xingu warriors whose unwavering strength and skills led to the demarcation of the Xingu Indigenous Park. She was born a warrior – fierce and determined to defend the rights of her people. “Resistance is in my blood!” she proclaims. Mayalu continues the fight against the devastating Belo Monte Dam complex – we stand with her.
Fearless, strong, and a mother of two, Mayalu’s motivation springs from her ancestral roots and the dream that her children and grandchildren will inhabit a healthy Amazon, with its rivers and forests preserved and thriving for future generations.
This past year was one of tremendous growth for Mayalu and Amazon Watch was proud to be a part of that progress. Together with her father Chief Megaron, Mayalú traveled to Turkey to join a global campaign to protect the world’s last wild rivers from destructive dams. Then, she came to the United States for the first time. I had the honor of accompanying her and witnessing her development into the first Kayapo woman leader. She demonstrates an astute and sensitive ability to act as a spokesperson for her people, a rare honor for a woman among the Kayapó and a testament to the power of her voice and presence.
In Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, she inspired and amazed people. As she told the International Women’s Earth and Climate Summit, “I want the world to understand our struggle and to support us so we can live in dignity. Right now Brazil’s indigenous peoples are losing their rights to health, land, freedom and justice. We need global solidarity and support because we take care of the rainforests and natural resources that are not ours, but everyone’s.”
Mayalu is a tireless warrior. As her journey to the US was ending, she was asked to participate in a last-minute mobilization in Brazil. Sitting by her side I heard her children responding to her on the phone, “Don’t worry, Mom – go fight for us. We will be fine here.” And so she did, and again, I accompanied her to Brazil’s most significant indigenous mobilization in the last 25 years: the National Indigenous Mobilization.
After weeks of travel across thousands of miles, the time for us to part ways arrived. Mayalu cried, “Together we laughed, sang, shared stories, cried and brought the voices of the Xingu to the world. The Xingu River unites people! My friend and sister, I will love you and I miss you!” Only if she knew that I was the one crying inside, and cherishing the amazing things I learned from her. Our hearts were bound from the minute we met, and I’m filled with gratitude for coming to know such a gallant and and inspiring soul.
Xingu Vivo Para Sempre!
