A percepção dos alunos indígenas da Escola Estadual Edson Bezerra sobre o Dia dos Povos Indígenas

Abstract

This paper discusses the change in the name of the commemorative date from "Day of the Indian" to "Day of Indigenous Peoples", based on Law No. 14,402/2022, which represents progress in recognizing and respecting the cultural plurality of Indigenous peoples. In light of these discussions, we analyze the perspective of the Indigenous student through visual artistic representation, seeking to understand how they feel represented on this date and what role the school plays in this commemorative context. Edson Bezerra State School has 42% Indigenous students, coming from the villages of Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul. Thus, this study analyzed drawings produced by 6th and 7th grade Elementary School students, focusing on the aforementioned date. The villages of origin of these students carry out celebrations throughout the month of April, in which they actively participate. Elements such as body painting designs, explored during the festivities, appear both on students’ bodies and in the school’s pedagogical activities. The methodology used was Action Research, based on a Freirean critical analysis of the visual experiences present in the school environment. The results showed that cultural activities carried out in the villages directly impact school work: students’ participation in body painting and parades strengthens the presence of these cultural elements in their drawings as a way of affirming and preserving their traditions.