This article discusses the sociocultural basis for indigenous peoples' health advocacy in Brazil. The discussion follows two main lines of reasoning: (1) advocacy or "social control" at the local level and the functioning of local or district-level health councils and (2) the interface between the relations among large indigenous peoples' organizations in the Northern Region of Brazil and the managers of public policies for indigenous peoples' health. The information was gathered through participatory observation in regional and national health meetings and follow-up on local and district-based health councils. The article demonstrates the reinforcement of the ethnic/political movement generated by the partnership with the Ministry of Health and the contradictions generated by measures affecting indigenous peoples' health.
Local Health Systems; South Americans Indians; Social Control Policies