April, inPindorama (Brazil), is more than just a symbolic milestone. It is a time of living memory, of recognition, and of listening. A time that invites us to view indigenous peoples not as part of the past, but as an active presence, a collective intelligence, and a future in motion.
It is in this context that OGA, in collaboration with the Aldeia Verde Institute, through the Guardians of Good Living project and in partnership with Indique, joins this cycle with a simple yet profound invitation: to listen.
As Nego Bispo reminds us, the convergence of quilombos, favelas, and villages holds a transformative power capable of “melting the asphalt.” More than just an image, it is a call to reconnect territories, knowledge, and ways of life that have historically been separated and silenced.
During this Month of Indigenous Peoples, we especially celebrate and honor the strength of Indigenous women: guardians of good living, memory, healing, and continuity.
Indigenous Women and the Power of Good Living
To mark this occasion, we have brought together four Indigenous women whose life stories express, in distinct yet complementary ways, the power of ancestry in action.
Cleidiane Tremembé works as an Indigenous educator, building bridges between schools and Indigenous territories through intercultural methodologies. Her work challenges colonial educational models and proposes approaches rooted in the knowledge and cosmologies of her people.
Ludmilla Pataxó, a fashion designer and artist, uses fashion as a political and cultural language. Her creations embody a contemporary Indigenous aesthetic that honors her roots and reimagines fashion as a space for resistance and storytelling.
A-yá Kukamíria, an Amazonian shaman, is a guardian of traditional medicine and ancestral knowledge. Her work reminds us that healing is a collective process deeply connected to the forest, the spirits, and the cycles of life.
Wamen Negarotê, an indigenous leader, promotes ancestral practices and women’s empowerment, highlighting the central role of indigenous women in cultural continuity and the defense of their territories.
Bringing these women together in a listening circle is more than just organizing a gathering; it is creating a space for convergence.A space where different worlds can meet without one having to overshadow the other.
Partnerships that sustain living networks
Initiatives such as the Guardians of Good Living project underscore the importance of recognizing and supporting leaders who have long upheld regenerative practices, even in the face of countless challenges. The partnership with the Aldeia Verde Institute expands this network, strengthening connections and ensuring that these voices reach a wider audience.
This gathering was organized under the coordination and guidance of anthropologist and indigenous studies scholar Cláudia Franco, who has dedicated years of her work to strengthening decolonial perspectives, fostering intercultural dialogue, and promoting indigenous knowledge in contemporary contexts. Her presence helps ensure that this space is built with ethical responsibility, attentive listening, and deep respect for the cosmologies and leaders involved.
At OGA, we believe that regeneration is not just an environmental issue; it is a profound transformation in the way we relate to life. And this transformation requires recognition of and respect for indigenous knowledge.
Not as something to be appropriated, but as something to be protected, cherished, and learned from.
Join our free online listening session:
https://chat.bondy.com.br/indique-uma-preta/povos2026
The live stream will be held in partnership with Indique, strengthening ties between regions, networks, and opportunities.
How to participate and amplify these voices
More than just participating, this is a call to action:
- Follow these leaders.
- Make your voices heard.
- Hire, collaborate, and support their work.
- Recognize and value your knowledge.
April isn’t just a month of tribute; it’s a call to action.
May we listen attentively, act responsibly, and cultivate futures rooted in our ancestral heritage, in justice, and in the good life. 🌿
