From Earth to Spirit: The Body-Territory in the Journey of the Indigenous Women's Association Kaingang from the Apucaraninha Indigenous Land in Northern Paraná, Brazil


Laisa Massarenti Hosoya, University of Windsor

This study addresses the dynamics of the Kaingang indigenous womens movement, focusing on the protection and defence of their territory in northern Paraná, Brazil, particularly the emergence of the Association of Indigenous Women from the Apucaraninha Indigenous Land (AMOTIA). The demarcation of indigenous land in Brazil remains a complex and contentious issue, navigating between constitutional protections and challenges posed by political, economic, and social pressures. Brazil has a primary export-oriented trajectory, and as a result, sectors such as agriculture, mining, and energy exert pressure, creating political, social, and normative mechanisms that aim to restrain the recognition and protection of indigenous lands. The environmental conflict between indigenous peoples and large investment projects is the result of the clash between two distinct rationalities: in the indigenous worldview, nature is an extension of the body, while for neo-extractivism, it is a resource and, consequently, a factor of production. As a result, land and territory are at the center of the disputes between neo-extractivism and traditional communities, as is the case with the Kaingang people in the Apucaraninha Indigenous Land. The study analyzes how indigenous women organize themselves for the protection and defence of their territory while they create the Association of Indigenous Women from the Apucaraninha Indigenous Land (AMOTIA) in Paraná. Central to this study is the concept of "Body-Territory" (Corpo- Território) that highlights a relationship of belonging with the territory and its collective, establishing a meaningful space for lived experiences that unfold through continuous learning, both about oneself and others and emphasizes a profound connection with nature and the Sacred. The paper then delves into the genesis and formalization of AMOTIA, shedding light on its ideation and development through dialogues within the community and aligns with the objectives and guidelines discussed and established by indigenous women throughout Brazil, endorsed by the National Association of Indigenous Women (ANMIGA). Therefore, the methodology employs a brief literature review based on the categories body-territory and land regularization, which ultimately serve as crucial elements for comprehending the territory, as well as the power dynamics established within it. The research concludes that despite the adversities and economic challenges faced by Kaingang women in Apucaraninha, they overcame obstacles and, with community-based organization, were able to create and officialize their womens association. They are focused on defending territory and revitalizing indigenous culture; the organization prioritizes the preservation of both the physical and cultural aspects of their land, and the community strives to strike a harmonious balance between environmental sustainability and cultural heritage. They recognize the fractures within existing power structures, and efforts are made to redefine and re-establish power dynamics, promoting inclusivity and empowerment within the community. The contact with the community highlighted two major issues for the Kaingang community in the Apucaraninha Indigenous Land: the lack of shamanic practices - the presence of Kujá (spiritual leader) - and the loss of their traditional language – (indigenous women who do not speak the Kaingang language and a significant number who do not have their original name on their identity documents). Based on these reflections, AMOTIA (Association of Indigenous Women) emphasizes indigenous knowledge and underscores its importance amid social dynamics. In its statute, it sought to preserve traditional knowledge while navigating the complexity of the contemporary scenario. Therefore, it materializes in the proposal for community-based territorial planning and in the pillars advocated by the plan, which simultaneously recognizes the need to preserve enduring elements while accessing windows of opportunity, especially concerning productive chains driven by public policies.

Non-presenting author: Alessandra De Sant'Anna, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

This paper will be presented at the following session: