Expansion, Exploration and Resistance

Engage with an Indigenous leader's perspective on environmental preservation, cultural heritage and human rights advocacy. Expansion, Exploration and Resistance will be held on Thursday, April 17 at the SIPA II building on FIU's Modesto A. Maidique Campus.

Presented by FIU's Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, this event features Arassari Pataxó, a respected leader, teacher and spokesperson of the Pataxó People from the Barra Velha Territory in Bahia, Brazil. Arassari identifies himself as "a warrior who fights for respect and for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Brazil" and coordinates the pedagogical project Indigenous Day is Every Day.

Through his vision and leadership, Arassari works to raise awareness about the critical role Indigenous communities play in environmental conservation. "We are considered the guardians of the forest," he has stated. "We are the barrier between destruction and preservation." His advocacy emphasizes the importance of supporting Indigenous land rights and recognizing traditional ecological knowledge.

This conversation offers attendees an opportunity to gain insights into Indigenous perspectives on sustainability, cultural preservation and environmental justice. The event is free and open to the public.