"Being at the University is a collective achievement. We are not alone: we carry with us the stories of our ancestors, the teachings of our elders, the dreams of the new generations." With these words, Literature student Elizete Kambeba, of the Kambeba people, opened the 1st Meeting of Indigenous Students of the Federal University of Southern and Southeastern Pará (Unifesspa), held on June 30th and July 1st in Marabá, Pará.
The event marked a unique moment in the institution's history: it was the first time Indigenous students gathered to collectively reflect on the Indigenous presence in higher education. The activity was promoted by the project (Re)existências: Indigenous Retention Program at Unifesspa, an initiative developed by the Center for Affirmative Action, Diversity and Equity (Nuade), the Office of the Provost for Extension and Student Affairs (Proex), and representatives of the Indigenous Student Collective, with support from the Indigenous Retention and Opportunities Program at the University (PIPOU)—a partnership between the Institute for Society, Population and Nature (ISPN) and Vale, which received support from the Double Arrow company through the Partilhar Program.
Under the theme of Indigenous Higher Education, the academic and cultural event focused on the knowledge and demands of Indigenous students from various undergraduate and graduate programs at Unifesspa, located in Marabá, Parauapebas, São Félix do Xingu, Cumaru do Norte, and Santana do Araguaia. Focusing on Indigenous higher education, the event featured panel discussions and cultural presentations featuring song, dance, and body painting.
Indigenous presence transforms the university
Currently, Unifesspa has around 290 students from various indigenous peoples, namely: Amanayé, Atikun, Awaeté-Parakanã, Anambé, Aparai, Arapium, Asurini of Tocantins, Galibi-Marworno, Akrãtikatêjê Hawk, Kyikatêjê Hawk, Parkatêjê Hawk, Guajajara, Guarani, Guarani-Mbya, Karajá, Kayapó Mebêngôkre, Munduruku, Panará, Suruí-Aikewara, Tikuna and Xikrin.
In her opening remarks, PIPOU scholarship recipient Elizete Kambeba emphasized the strength, struggle, and historical resilience of Indigenous peoples, as well as the collective achievements and challenges faced at this university. Her speech also summarizes many of the remarks made by other Indigenous students and educators during the event:
"Getting to university wasn't easy and continues to be a challenge. We must constantly break down the walls of exclusion, resist prejudice, and deal with public policies that still don't serve us adequately. But we continue resisting, fighting for our rights. We are here not only to learn, but also to teach. To share our knowledge, our worldviews, our own ways of existing and thinking about the world. The Indigenous presence in universities transforms the academic space, decolonizes knowledge, and broadens horizons."
For Takak Xikrin, a representative of the Indigenous student collective, the event was more than symbolic: "It's a historic moment. Today, we are many ethnicities occupying this space. Despite the challenges, we have shown that we are capable and that we follow the legacy of our ancestors."
Challenges and commitments
The roundtables addressed topics such as retention policies, cultural diversity, institutional racism, and the university's role in valuing Indigenous knowledge. Among the main problems reported by students were the lack of specific policies, precarious infrastructure—such as student housing—and limited access to scholarships and teaching materials.
Unifesspa's rector, Francisco Ribeiro, announced that the university is in the process of creating a Pro-Rectorate of Affirmative Action, which will include policies aimed at Indigenous and Quilombola communities. "This meeting will become part of Unifesspa's institutional agenda. We recognize the importance of Indigenous peoples to our university and to Brazilian society," he stated.
The Deputy Secretary for Indigenous Peoples of Pará, Wyratan Sompré, emphasized the event as a space for mutual commitment: “It is not just a meeting, but an affirmation of our capacity to occupy and transform spaces that are also ours.”
Nuade coordinator, Professor Karla Rascke, summarized the significance of the moment: “This meeting is a concrete expression of Indigenous presence, wisdom, and resistance within the university community.”
referrals
At the end of the event, proposals for actions were developed, such as strengthening the indigenous collective at Unifesspa; creating a participatory retention plan; training staff in interculturality, anti-racism, and indigenous rights; in addition to holding new forums and meetings and encouraging exchanges with other universities.
For Francisco Tukano, ISPN's technical advisor at PIPOU, the meeting established itself as a powerful space for listening, articulation, and collective construction in defense of a university that reinforces and values the Indigenous presence.
"Partnerships with universities are essential, as the education and retention of Indigenous students must be fully and truly inclusive, in every sense and context. And it is the students themselves who, through their initiatives, demonstrate their leadership in building a legitimate dialogue within the university. Actions like this meeting contribute to making the academic environment more open, diverse, and enriching," he stated.
Support for universities
Created in 2021, PIPOU has established itself as an important initiative to support Indigenous students in Brazilian higher education. Coordinated by the Institute for Society, Population and Nature (ISPN), the program operates on two main fronts: direct support for students and incentives for institutional projects.
The first front focuses on individual support, through the awarding of scholarships and donations of laptops to Indigenous undergraduate students. Beneficiaries also participate in educational activities, such as academic writing workshops and discussion groups on Indigenous rights and political education.
The second line of action involves supporting projects developed by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Indigenous student groups, focused on creating more welcoming environments and developing effective university retention policies. This strategy aims to increase the number of students benefiting from the program by strengthening public retention policies and dialogue between administrators and Indigenous groups.