GRES Imperatriz Leopoldinense Carnival Samba School honoured the Xingu Riverand its indigenous peoples as the theme of their 2017 carnival parade, with floats representing the beauty, the history, the natural environment, threats including hydroelectric dams, logging, agricultural agrotoxins, fire and deforestation, and highlighted the work of the Vilas Boas brothers, Claudio, Orlando and Leonardo and the strength of the indigenous peoples and their self-determination. Marching in the parade were other defenders of the forest - NGOs. Over twenty indigenous leaders came from the Xingu to participate, including Chief Raoni Metuktuire and Chief Jakalo Kalapalo.