For the first time, the World Social Forum held in Porto Alegre, Brazil from
January 26-31, allocated a specific space for indigenous peoples. Around 400
representatives of roughly 100 different indigenous groups participated in the "Paxurim
of Indigenous Arts and Knowledge;" paxurim, in the Tupi-Guarani language,
means "a joining of efforts for a common goal."
Organized by the Coordinating Body of the Indigenous Organizations of the
Amazon Basin (COICA), the paxurim was allocated four tents in which they were
able to set up booths for arts and crafts, an area to serve traditional indigenous
food, and a room for discussion of issues such as indigenous rights, territory,
autonomy, democracy, education, and healthcare. In addition, there were a number
of spiritual ceremonies, and live performances. According to their website,
the World Social Forum is an open meeting place where groups and movements
come together to pursue their thinking, to debate ideas democratically, for
formulate proposals, share their experiences freely and network for effective
action.
