Indigenous Youth Achieving Dreams in Brazil

June through September 2014

Hello supporters! We have great news to share. As always, MSMC is holding strong to its mission to lift up indigenous youth, and we have lots to show for it, so thank you for your partnership.

During these past few months, through the Empower Indigenous Youth project, MSMC has continued to develop its work with indigenous youth in Ceará, with its focus continuing to be EDUCATION: career training, technical skills-based classes, and socio-educational support to help them get to college and succeed there, as well as participation in events that promote and strengthen indigenous culture. 

MSMC does not rest! Activities completed this trimester:

• Enrollment of students in various technical degree programs at the Maracanaú Technical School.
• A visit from the Lakota Sioux tribe from Saint Francis, South Dakota: representatives Adam Little Elk and Wopila Badhand came to Fortaleza to participate in indigenous rituals that created a dialogue with the Lakota culture (e.g. the sacred sauna) and the strengthening of indigenous culture in Ceará through dances and rituals such as Pajelença, Torem and Toré.
• Participation in community meetings and events that mark the promotion and celebration of human rights, health, education and the environment. Ex: National Gathering on Spirituality and Youth; Music, Ecology and Mountainous Culture Festival in Meruoca, Brazilian Independence Day, People of the Sea Gathering.
• The indigenous leader Pajé Barbosa accompanied the MSMC team to the School of Public Health of Ceará for a roundtable on mental health and indigenous spirituality
• 3 indigenous youth completed an English program and 8 completed a technical program to prepare them for careers in tourism
• Provided support to Kanela indigenous people from Maranhão (sale of artisanal goods & transportation to the community)
• Home visits to Pitaguary indigenous people
• Medical and psychiatric help provided at the Indigenous Health center in partnership with the Indigenous Center for Social Assistance (CRAS)
• Social-therapeutic support for 30 youth at the Communal Service Center at the Indigenous Center for Social Assistance (CRAS)

Conclusion: Between June and September of 2014, MSMC continued to keep indigenous youth as one of its focuses, engaging in many activities that involved partnerships with organizations in Fortaleza and Maracanaú. The goal continues to be to serve indigenous youth from all parts of Ceará through a systemic approach that nurtures the whole human being, addressing its biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. 

Mitakuye Oyasin

Îandé Memé Maranongara

Somos Todos Parentes

We are all related

Links:

• Lakota tribe from South Dakota visits
• Debate on Recognizing Indigenous Culture and Combating Exclusion