Brazil's Chamber of Deputies Approves Creation of Federal Indigenous University

The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill to establish the Federal Indigenous University (Unind), a landmark initiative aimed at valuing indigenous peoples and their cultures through education. The bill, authored by federal deputy Célia Xakriabá (PSOL-MG), now moves to the Senate and, if ratified, will be sent for the president's sanction.

Unind will be headquartered in Brasília with plans to open additional campuses in other regions of Brazil. Initially, it will offer ten undergraduate courses, eventually expanding to 48 programs. The university's curriculum prioritizes strategic areas such as environmental management, health, law, agroecology, engineering, teacher training, and the strengthening of indigenous languages — all framed within the Ethnoeducational Territories policy and indigenous education guidelines.

Designed primarily for indigenous students, Unind also allows admission of non-indigenous learners interested in indigenous education and cultures, adhering to its academic frameworks. It is projected that approximately 2,800 indigenous students will enroll within the first four years.

Deputy Célia Xakriabá celebrated the approval on social media, highlighting the institution's commitment to environmental protection and climate justice, noting that indigenous peoples protect 80% of biodiversity. The university aims to empower indigenous communities by offering education that combines traditional knowledge and academic disciplines relevant to their social and environmental context.

This development represents a significant stride in advancing indigenous rights and education in Brazil, reflecting a national effort to recognize and strengthen indigenous identity and knowledge systems through higher education.