Visiting An Indigenous Community
Sounia Kaltimi
While visiting the Indigenous community in Brazil, I got to see a different side of education, one that made me reflect a lot. The Indigenous people we met understand how important formal education is, but they also make sure to protect and pass down their language, culture, and traditions. They offer Indigenous-led classes from K-12 where students learn about their way of life and who they are. Seeing that made me realize that education is not just about access. It should also reflect the community and speak to the lives of the students in it.
Something that really stood out to me was how different this experience was from when I visited an Indigenous village in Panama. In Panama, the people still live almost the same way their ancestors did. They wore traditional clothing, and their way of life felt untouched. In Brazil, it was different. The people were dressed in everyday clothes, and I even saw some of the kids with phones. That made me wonder how they are able to keep their culture alive when kids have access to technology and apps like TikTok that show them a completely different way of life. I think the extra Indigenous classes they offer help make sure the kids still learn about their roots and stay connected to who they are.
As someone who grew up between different cultures and languages, I really felt connected to what I saw. I know what it's like to be in systems that don’t reflect you. This experience made me think more about what equity in education actually means. It’s not about giving everyone the same thing. It’s about giving students what they need based on who they are and where they come from. Some students need more support, and that’s okay.
I might not be an educator, but I care a lot about helping kids get the education they deserve. As I continue to grow in this field, I want to support students who need more resources and make sure they don’t get left behind. This visit showed me that culture and education can go hand in hand. We can teach kids in a way that helps them succeed and also reminds them of where they come from. That’s what real equity looks like to me.
