PSY | Conference on Indigenous Psychology in Brazil: Concluding Dialogues of an International Network Project with SFU Participation

The Indigenous Person Care Network at the University of São Paulo successfully hosted the 1st International Meeting on Indigenous Psychology (EIPsI) from 20–24 October 2025. Under the theme “Health and Well-Being”, the event brought together Indigenous communities, researchers, students, and professionals from various disciplines to engage in a vibrant intercultural dialogue on perspectives, knowledge systems, and experiences related to Indigenous health and well-being (program and links to the recorded sessions below).

The End of a Two-Year Research Project

The meeting marked the end of the FAPESP-funded project Indigenous Support Network: Conceptions, Practices and Environments for Health and Well-Being, which was carried out over the past two years under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Danilo Silva Guimarães at the Institute of Psychology at the University of São Paulo.

The project examined diverse Indigenous perspectives on health, healing and well-being or well-living, as it was called quite frequently. A central focus was to acknowledge traditional knowledge systems, make them visible, and place them in dialogue with academic psychological approaches.

SFU Contribution: Presentation by Meike Watzlawik

The SFU was represented by Meike Watzlawik. In her presentation The Dialogue Between Indigenous and Cultural Psychology, she demonstrated that a genuine dialogue between Indigenous psychologies and cultural psychology is only possible when both sides acknowledge their respective boundaries.

A key question addressed was how an equitable, respectful, and non-hierarchical dialogue can be shaped. Watzlawik emphasized that true dialogue begins with listening, silence, and humility. She also highlighted that knowledge is embodied, relational, plural, and spiritual—not merely intellectual. From this perspective, participatory unlearning is ultimately necessary in order to enter shared spaces of knowledge.

Outlook: Pathways for Future Cooperation

Throughout the meeting, there was a strong interest in expanding collaboration among the participating institutions—including the SFU. In the coming months, partners will explore how future cooperation might take shape, for example through joint projects, exchange programs, or collaborative research with Indigenous communities.

Students are warmly invited to contribute their ideas, perspectives, and proposals to help shape these future collaborations. Their involvement is essential to further developing research and practice spaces in truly dialogical ways.

Want to learn more? Program and YouTube Documentation

Monday (October 20)

Dialogue on Indigenous Health and Well-Being with Xeramõi Carlos Papa (filmmaker and Mbyá Guarani spiritual leader) and Cristine Takua (writer, artisan, decolonial theorist, activist and Brazilian Indigenous teacher of the Maxakali ethnic group), at the Carolina Bori Auditorium.
Watch the exchange: https://youtube.com/live/roYjVahpUXg?feature=share

Tuesday (October 21)

Dialogue on Ethics and Technique in Psychological Care for Indigenous People.
With Andréia Maria de Lima Assunção (IP-USP), Edinaldo dos Santos Rodrigues (Xucuru leader, DSEI-PE Psychologist), Lucila de Jesus Mello Gonçalves (IP-USP), Maria Silvia Gomes Nogueira (IP-USP), Pâmela Damilano dos Santos (IP-USP), Patricia Carla Silva do Vale Zucoloto (UFBA), Rafaela Waddington Achatz (IP-USP)
Watch the exchange: https://www.youtube.com/live/gfwszvjyK9I?si=jTKe9yGEmiux__xu

Dialogue on Health and Well-Being with Xeramõi Timóteo da Silva Verá Tupã Popygua (Mbyá Guarani political and spiritual leader). Online transmission available.
Watch the exchange: https://www.youtube.com/live/gfwszvjyK9I?si=jTKe9yGEmiux__xu

Wednesday (October 22)

Dialogue on the relationship between Indigenous Psychology and socio-environmental care
With Ataide Vherá Mirim (Community leader at Tekoa Takuari), Briseida Dogo de Resende (IP-USP), Eduardo Gusson (ESALq-USP), Luciano Espósito Sewaybricker (São Camilo University), Marciano Nhurim Boggarim (Community leader and teacher at Tekoa Takuari), Valéria Maradei Freixêdas (ESALq-USP)
Watch the exchange: https://www.youtube.com/live/NGAztBH3tqI?si=Fh5wcmo063p6Z627

Dialogue with Māori Indigenous Psychology
With Linda Waimarie Nikora, Mohi Rua, Shiloh Groot (Auckland University, New Zealand), Darrin Hodgetts (Massey University, New Zealand)
Watch the exchange: https://www.youtube.com/live/NGAztBH3tqI?si=Fh5wcmo063p6Z627

Dialogue on proposals for inclusion and belonging at university and health institutions
With Chirley Maria de Souza Almeida Santos (FFLCH-USP), Edinaldo dos Santos Rodrigues (Xucuru leadership, DSEI-PE psychologist), Kirti Ranchod (South Africa), Milena Nunes de Almeida (UFG)
Watch the exchange: https://www.youtube.com/live/NGAztBH3tqI?si=Fh5wcmo063p6Z627

Thursday (October 23)

Interdisciplinary dialogue of Indigenous Psychology with proposals for training and education
With Fraulein Vidigal de Paula (IP-USP), Vitor Miranda Cionchetti (FE-USP), Paula Gabrielly Rasia Lira (IP-USP), Rosangela Yvoty Soares (Jaraguá Indigenous Land leadership and teacher), Sabrina Yry Poty Mirim (Jaraguá Indigenous Land leadership), Soraya Soares Para Mirim (Jaraguá Indigenous Land leadership and teacher)
Watch the exchange: https://youtube.com/live/TwqCv_3o0k4?feature=share

Poster Session: https://redeindigena.ip.usp.br/en/english-trabalhos-aprovados-local-e-dia-de-apresentacao/

Dialogue between Indigenous Psychology and Cultural Psychology
With Giuseppina Marsico (University of Salerno, Italy), Hernán Sánchez Ríos (Universidade del Valle, Colombia), Lívia Mathias Simão (IP-USP), Meike Watzlawik (Sigmund Freud University, Germany), Nandita Chaudhary (UFBA)
Watch the exchange: https://youtube.com/live/emyUsvouUpU?feature=share

Friday (October 24)

Indigenous concepts, practices and environments for health and well-being
With Daniel Camparo Avila (Udelar, Uruguay), Dona Celia Maxakali (Tikmu’un / Maxakali Leader), José Antoninho Maxakali (Tikmu’un / Maxakali Leader), Lindaura Maxakali (Tikmu’un / Maxakali Leader), Luca Tateo (University of Oslo, Norway), Maikon Tchaka Mirim Castro (Community leader at Tenonde Porã Indigenous Land), Renato Silva Guimarães (Germany), Valdomiro Maxakali (Tikmu’un / Maxakali Leader)
Watch the exchange: https://youtube.com/live/oDiW0U3wxuo?feature=share