Indigenous pedagogies: what can you teach?

Abstract

This article is the result of the concerns and reflections that drive the construction of the problems of the doctoral research entitled “The Weaving Of Intercultural Practices In Schools On The Amazonian Borders: The Loom Of Teachers Between The Fluidity Of Identities,” currently in progress within the graduate program in Education at the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos and linked to its research group on Education, Diversity, and Citizenship. Some challenges faced in the community are listed – such as deforestation, climate issues, and viruses, among others – and the possibilities found in the daily practices of the indigenous peoples are presented, highlighting dialogue and respect for the shared planetary home and its inhabitants, all this arranged from the teachings that surround the collectivity of life since its conception, that is, of “good living.” A dialogue is established with authors who discuss this urgent topic, such as Luciano (2006), Rezende (2025, 2016, 2018), Krenak (2020). The general objective of the research is to rethink our practices based on the experiences of these people, who are so necessary, but are often ignored in their knowledge. The specific objectives of the study are: to draw attention to a type of education committed to the formation of citizens who are aware and co-responsible for the space where they live; and to enable measures that contribute to the care of the "common home," weakened by the intense mistreatment caused by people's carelessness. This discussion is based on direct experiences with the indigenous peoples of the Upper Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil.