The Indigenous Women’s Fund of Brazil (IWFB) connects with grassroots organizations from the north to the south of Brazil to build a nationwide network of indigenous women leaders.
With a strong focus on communication skills, the fund supports participants in inspiring others and securing additional resources. It embraces flexibility, recognizing that indigenous women’s needs and priorities may shift rapidly.
Together, they advance a worldview that prioritizes ecological health, cultural integrity, and the protection of Mother Nature—principles at the heart of every indigenous woman’s vision for Brazil’s future.
In one powerful example, a participant’s village faced a violent invasion early in the process, shifting her project priorities quickly due to her urgent community needs. She received resources ahead of schedule to address the crisis, purchasing food, cleaning supplies, and medical materials to treat injuries sustained during the territorial attack.
Another distinctive feature is the interdisciplinary nature of the projects. All initiatives naturally connect with education and access, as the workshops and meetings included in every project plan contribute to practical, indigenous-led education.
A circular approach to funding
The IWFB stands apart from traditional funding models in several important ways.
Everything is shared and decided between the women, associations, translators, and coordinators through close collaboration. While Brazil only established its Indigenous Ministry in 2023, the fund has been pioneering indigenous-led funding since its inception.
Traditional funding calls in Brazil have typically come from agrarian ministries, NGOs, and educational bodies, with application processes that often create barriers for indigenous women. The IWFB addresses this gap by providing comprehensive support throughout the entire process – from initial concept development through final reporting.
Rather than focusing primarily on financial accountability, the fund measures success through the effectiveness of communication. Participants’ testimonies, photos, videos, and active engagement in online Conversation Circles are considered vital indicators of impact. While supporting the women in realizing their project plans is prioritized, the fund’s main goal is for indigenous women to recognize each other. They aim to unite, amplify their voices, and collectively empower decision-making.
Legacy of Tuiré Kaiapó
In August 2024, the indigenous movement lost a central figure. Tuiré Kaiapó passed away at age 56, after living with cervical cancer. Tuiré was a founding member of the Paiakan Institute, and cousin to Paiakan – both were Mebengokrê warriors whose descendants now lead the institute.
Tuiré’s legacy is etched in Brazilian history through her iconic act of resistance in February 1989. During the First Meeting of Indigenous Peoples in Altamira, she confronted the then-president of Eletronorte, José Antônio Muniz de Lopes, swinging her machete in protest against the Kararaô hydroelectric dam project on the Xingú River. This moment forever symbolized indigenous resistance to environmental destruction.
Up until her final days, Tuiré remained active in the movement. In February 2023, she traveled more than 1,100 kilometers to Brasilia to participate in the Pre-March of Indigenous Women, alongside relatives from the Instituto Paiakan, participants from the International Womens Fund of Brazil, and indigenous women from across Brazil.
The IWFB draws deep inspiration from Tuiré’s warrior spirit. Every effort to expand the fund’s reach, amplify indigenous women’s voices, and unite wise women of all ages carries forward her legacy of courageous leadership.
Cultural recognition
The growing recognition of indigenous peoples in Brazil was marked in 2022 when, through collective action, indigenous communities successfully changed the name of the national holiday from “Indian Day” (created by President Getúlio Vargas in 1943) to “Day of the Diversity of Indigenous Peoples,” celebrated annually on April 15th. This change reflects the reality of Brazil’s indigenous diversity—more than 300 known peoples speaking 150 different languages. With Brazil’s first Indigenous Ministry now established under the leadership of a Guajajara woman, new opportunities for collaboration are emerging.
The IWFB continues to evolve and grow:
- The fund is reflecting on its latest Flow Fund cycle in 2025;
- An international online donation platform is being developed to showcase the progress of current projects and prepare for future funding cycles;
- The fund aims to strengthen connections between participants to ensure project sustainability and expansion.
Growing the circle
Your support helps continue the powerful work of indigenous women across Brazil. With a donation to the Indigenous Women’s Fund of Brazil, you’re redistributing resources to indigenous-led solutions for both communities and our planet. Contribute today to support the upcoming third cycle and expand this vital network of indigenous women leaders.
