Indigenous peoples comprise more than 5% of the world's population (approximately 350 million people), according to the UN. With cultures deeply rooted in a balanced relationship with nature, the indigenous peoples of Brazil offer us important reflections on how we treat the Earth and its resources. Last Friday (August 14th), the Museum of Tomorrow and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosted a conversation between educator and activist Célia Xakriabá and actor and comedian Paulo Vieira about indigenous identity in Brazil.

The actor's sensitivity and the poetic charge of Célia's words set the tone for the conversation, which included issues of sustainability, food, education, religion, and ancestry. Célia addressed indigenous struggles, especially amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are a people who resist through the strength of our ancestry. We understand what comes from within, that is true sustainability, it is what we do with our body-territory   — Célia Xakriabá

"Every time they try to take our territories from us, we invent new ones. Because our territory is also history, narrative, memory, knowledge, it is the science that is born from the womb of the earth. The fire that burns the Amazon and the Cerrado will never burn the strength of our word and will not end our spirituality,” said Célia.

Paulo, with his characteristic simplicity, respect, and touches of humor, put himself in the audience's shoes, bringing up doubts and concerns that are on the minds of the viewers—and making the connection with indigenous reality. “Is it a tribe or a village? Can you marry anyone? Can you call someone an Indian?” These and other questions were the starting point for an informal, rich conversation permeated by profound reflections. For the actor, society should exercise more listening to Indigenous peoples.

Looking at Indigenous peoples is understanding what is happening and knowing where we went wrong — Paulo Vieira

“At this moment when we are going through a pandemic that cannot be seen as anything other than an environmental disaster, we cannot go through this blindly. Looking at Indigenous peoples is understanding what is happening and knowing where we went wrong,” the actor emphasized.

When speaking about school education, Célia stressed that it is very important for Indigenous people to “learn without being confined.” She also commented on the importance of having Indigenous teachers in Indigenous schools and changing the narratives of educational institutions about the country's history: “We need to stop replicating the first fake news: that Cabral discovered Brazil.”

Check out the full program on the Museum of Tomorrow's YouTube channel.

Diversity was a recurring theme in her speech. “It’s important to recognize the 305 indigenous peoples, within Brazilian diversity. I’m afraid of monoculture. For me, all monoculture kills. This idea of ​​‘monoculturation’ kills thought, kills the land. Everyone says that a substantial dish is a colorful, diverse dish. But nobody thinks like that about a societal project.” When asked about the first thing she would teach non-indigenous people, she returned to the theme: “Diversity heals. Diversity nourishes.”

Paulo and Célia also find common ground in art. Despite his background in humor, he said that when he is very sad he tries to make art. Célia, on the other hand, said that there wasn’t a specific moment when she discovered she was a poet. “Perhaps I have the capacity to turn struggle into melody.”