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The initiative of forming associations means, above
all, the Indians’ attempt to gain autonomy in the administration
of community interests which connect directly with the
public and private institutional world of the national
society. In the last several years, five associations
have been created in the Xingu Park and, apparently, this
number is increasing. Out of the existing associations,
three are connected to local interests of specific villages:
Mavutsinim, of the Kamaiurá; Jacuí, of the Kalapalo, as
well as the association of the Wauja. In 1994, Atix (the
Indigenous Land Association of the Xingu) was created,
which includes 14 ethnic groups of the Park, which serves
interlocal interests. On its agenda, there are projects
for cultural revitalization, protection and fiscalization
of the territory, besides educational and health programs
and economic alternatives. The Atix has the institutional
support of the Rainforest Foundation of Norway with the
ISA as consultants.
The associations, in general, are equipped with an administrative structure which does not exist in the traditional forms
of political organization of the indigenous societies. The assimilation and administration of an associational model with bureaucratic
trappings enters into conflict with traditional politics, as it presupposes command of the Portuguese language, mathematical operations,
legislation and inter-institutional relations that govern the universe of private law entities. Consequently, an indigenous association
doesn’t always succeed in reconciling the traditional politics of the village, which is generally controlled by the elders, with
the political administration of matters that connect with the national society, which in practice is being monopolized by younger
individuals. It is these younger individuals who dominate the new knowledge which is indispensable to this interface.
The sustainability of an association with the broad profile of the Atix, which manages a diversified set of projects,
requires partnerships that, at least in part, support its operation. As the Atix incorporates people of different ethnic groups
among its personnel, its headquarters is not localized in a single village but on the Diauarum Indigenous Post, with sub-headquarters
in the city of Canarana (MT). This situation demands, undoubtedly, exclusive dedication of the majority of its members, who,
besides other things, have to take up residence near the headquarters of the Association. Hence the difficulty of guaranteeing
the operation of an association of this type without institutional support.
Another important aspect for the maintenance of the associations is the question of the training of its members in order
to adequately manage administrative and financial aspects, as well as relations with the outside. Towards this end, the Atix,
with the assessment of the ISA, has sought to put into practice an intense and continuous effort at training its staff, Since
1995 it has been sponsoring and participating in various courses, such as mechanics (in partnership with the Senai-PA), computer
training for the directors, self-schooling and the preparation, administration and accounting of projects.
In the context of the Park, where the administration of the Funai, since 1985, is in control of the Indians, the growth
of the Atix means, in a way, a new administrative alternative that is revealing the contradictions of a process in which the Indians
were raised up from the condition of conduits of the actions of the state, without having been given the conditions necessary
for assuming this role with autonomy.
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