An Indigenous People's Struggle for Socially Equitable and Ecologically Sustainable Production: The Kayapo Revolt Against Extractivism

Abstract

Over the past decade, some leaders of the Kayapo enriched themselves granting concessions to Brazilian minors and loggers to operate Kayapo land. In late 1994, the Gorotire Kayapo revolted against the mining concession granted; soon other Kayapo communities, supported by the Federal Police/joined them expelling mines and loggers from their areas. The Kayapo are now developing alternative, environmentally sustainable sources of income. This historic development is the outcome of internal Kayapo social and political dynamics as well as non‐indigenous political and economic forces.