Xaneatywãawa (Our Friends): Constructing Psychology in Apyãwa Territory Based on Friendship

This is an account of the author’s experience as a psychologist on the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI), at the Confresa Base Center of the Araguaia Special Indigenous Health District, between July and December 2021. It reports on the relationship established with the Apyãwa/Tapirapé people of the Urubu Branco Indigenous Land, in northeastern Mato Grosso, through institutional ties and maintained through affection and militancy. It critically reflects on the day-to-day work of a psychologist at SESAI, stressing the contributions of psychological knowledge in promoting good living. Analysis data were collected from a field diary containing professional experiences, participation in national indigenous demonstrations and virtual contacts with the Apyãwa via the WhatsApp application. Analysis was based on critical reflection on the little literature available about this ethnic group. In addition to the contextualization of the historical, territorial, and social aspects of these people made in the introduction, the discussion is divided into two points. The first discusses the work of psychology in Indigenous territory, based on the ethical-political dilemmas revealed in the institutionally prescribed activities; and the second brings up the figure of the non-indigenous supporter from the Apyãwa perspective, through their reading and ethical-political-ideological positioning, as well as in the choice of which people to consider friends. In conclusion, even with guidelines on differentiated care, practice still reveals disputes between biopower and Apyãwa knowledge. There is an urgent need to adopt a practice that is racialized and committed to the demarcation of Indigenous territories, as well as geographical ones, to ensure good living.

Keywords:
Public Health, Health of Indigenous Peoples, Social Psychology, Indigenous; Apyãwa