Chief Megaron Keeps Raoni’s Dream Alive

Chief Megaron, a 75‑year‑old Kayapo elder, has spent many years fighting for his people’s land and rights in the Amazon. Now he is stepping up to protect the legacy of his uncle, Chief Raoni, who has spent decades speaking out against deforestation. Raoni is 94 and recently returned home after a week in intensive care for pneumonia. The Kayapo tribe first met outsiders in the 1950s, when Megaron was a child. He grew up working with Raoni and now says he will continue Raoni’s struggle. “ I have followed it closely, and I will keep fighting, ” he told reporters in his village. The Amazon is under threat from farming, mining and climate‑related fires. Megaron says the forest keeps the air clean and stops heat from rising too high.He wants more Indigenous voices in Brazil’s Congress, where new laws could hurt their land rights. Brazil has passed several laws that limit protections for Indigenous lands. Megaron worries a candidate who opposes Indigenous rights could win the upcoming election in October. He believes that more Indigenous lawmakers would help defend their culture and land. Raoni has supported President Lula’s administration after the previous government promised to stop new land demarcations. Megaron says that even if people cannot be killed with weapons, they can still pass laws to exploit and destroy Indigenous culture. The elder also wants his uncle’s message to stay with the younger generation. “Learn and go to university, but never lose your Indigenous identity, ” Megaron says.