I like that the Kayapo is resisting approaching settlers. I have never understood why people think that they can just take away land from Natives Indian tribes like the Kayapo. Just because they have a unique lifestyle, ways of dressing, and religious practices does not mean that outsiders should devalue them and take away land they are using. It has such a traumatic effect on the tribe, because they are not valued by the outsiders so it is hard for them to fight back.
It is unfortunate that the Kayapo face constant pressures of ranchers for their land. We all know if the Kayapo were to start expanding and trying to take ranchers' land that the reaction of the ranchers would probably be devastating and end in a loss of victory for the Kayapo. So why is it when the ranchers try to encroach upon the Kayapo we never think twice about it being wrong? Hopefully the Kayapo's efforts to resist the depletion of the land they readily use will be effective, and maybe people will start to see that you can't just take things from people unless you can pay them for it. Even if ranchers offered the Kayapo money for the land, they would have to understand that the Kayapo have the right to deny fiscal offers - and outsiders should learn to respect those wishes.
This article talks about National Geographic journalist Scott Wallace's journey into the Amazon to photograph tribes like the Kayapo who live completely isolated from the modern world's troubles and technologies. It also gives some more stats about the deforestation of the Amazon.
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