During the Brazilian Empire, educational institutions were to constitute one of the main elements bolstering Indian policy, under the guidelines of the "Evangelization and Civilization Regulations", introduced in 1845. This period involved the missionary actions promoted by Italian Capuchin friars, who set up scores of schools for Indians both in the Catholic missions and in the cities. In examining the social relations generated by the Capuchin missionary enterprise, the article discusses what the evangelization process meant to different agents involved. With a focus on the missions in Paraná Province, the article shows how the development of a cane brandy distillery became an instrument for the "evangelization and civilization" policy.
Indian schools; Evangelization; Capuchin missions; Kaingang; Kaiowá; Guarani