Collective Efforts Strengthen Construction of the Jeguaka’i School at Tekoha Yvu Vera II
On February 28 and March 1, a major community initiative was held at Tekoha Yvu Vera II to continue and complete the construction of the Jeguaka’i School. The event brought together residents, community leaders, artists, and cultural advocates in a collective effort that integrated education, culture, and community empowerment.
Led by local cultural officers Jade Ribeiro and Miguela Peralta Moura, the initiative underscores the importance of traditional knowledge, collective memory, and caring for the future of the community’s children. The construction of the school, built with the direct participation of residents, symbolizes more than just a physical space: it represents autonomy, resilience, and cultural appreciation.
The two-day program brought together different areas of action within the territory. Among the planned activities are:
Discussion circles on public cultural policies in the indigenous territory;
Workshops for the exchange of traditional knowledge;
A fair showcasing local products and community-based economies;
A community work effort to cut bamboo, a material that will be used in the school’s structure.
The collective effort reinforces the traditional practice of communal work, mobilizing men, women, and youth around a common goal. The use of bamboo in construction also demonstrates respect for natural resources and the community’s own building techniques.
Mapping of Indigenous Artists Strengthens Access to Public Policies
During the two days of mobilization, the Culture Committee (Comitê de Cultura) also carried out a mapping and mobilization effort for indigenous artists in the territory. This strategic initiative aims to recognize local talent, strengthen cultural production, and expand access to public policies and funding opportunities.
The survey will help identify masters of traditional knowledge, artisans, musicians, painters, spiritual leaders, and other cultural expressions present in the community, contributing to the development of policies better aligned with the reality of the territory.
Education, Culture, and Resistance
The establishment of the Jeguaka’i School reaffirms the collective commitment to children’s education and the preservation of cultural identity. The space will be dedicated not only to formal education but also to the transmission of ancestral knowledge, traditional practices, and community values.
“To reclaim is to exist. It is to teach, learn, share, and care for one another collectively.”
The initiative at Tekoha Yvu Vera II demonstrates that when the community organizes itself, the territory is strengthened and the culture remains alive—teaching, resisting, and building futures.