Associação Indígena Tembé de Santa Maria do Pará (AITESAMPA): um relato sobre a luta por direitos étnicos

Abstract

To protect the Federal Constitution with regard to the rights of indigenous peoples is a task of a great level of difficulty. Non-governmental organizations such as the associations created to develop projects in promotion of ethnic rights and the understanding of ethnic identity represent indigenous peoples interests in both internal and external negotiations as means to build autonomy and self determination. An example of such political action is the Indigenous Association of Tembé People from Santa Maria do Pará (AITESAMPA) as they have their land located within Pará State territory. AITESAMPA fights for the identity rights and survival needs of the Tembé people who were expelled from their original land in the Nineteenth Century and forced to walk about until finally relocated in Santa Maria municipality in Pará State territory. This study is dedicated to analyze the action of the Association from the perspective of social and ethnic initiatives which allow for the consolidation of the Tembé identity. It also analyzes strategies and topics originated in projects conceived with the purpose to protect Indigenous rights. The Association aims at establishing dialogue with Brazilian State and non-indigenous society who deny their rights and do not accept them. This Tembé group is not recognized within the ethnological literature which is mostly dedicated to the Tembé who are located at the Upper Guamá River. The investigation is developed from indigenous narratives and by following social movement. Authors are involved and have an implicated view as two are members of the Indigenous group and non-indigenous member has been summoned to aid them in their endeavour.