Actions of three indigenous women from Pataxó, Kokama and Kaingang ethnicities in the international decade of indigenous languages

Abstract

This article discusses how three Brazilian indigenous women from Pataxó, Kaingang and Kokama ethnicities are thinking and acting in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, declared by UNESCO to be celebrated between the years 2022 to 2032, aiming to draw attention to the resumption, revitalization, preservation and dissemination of indigenous languages which are at risk of extinction. The text provides a brief history of the indigenous languages existing in Brazil, as well as reports on the work of Anari Braz Bomfim (on the resumption of the Pataxó language), Altaci Corrêa Rubim (on the creation of places where the languages of the peoples of the Amazon can be studied and vitalized) and Márcia Nascimento Kaingang (about the revitalization of the Kaingang language). The methodology for writing the text was that of bibliographical research in print, digital and audiovisual media, where deeds and thoughts of each indigenous leader were collected. Finally, considerations are made about what is being done and planned in favor of the indigenous languages of Brazil and what is expected from the future.