Narrativas sobre os povos indígenas nos jornais de Santa Catarina de 1983 a 1984

Abstract

In this research, we will address the indigenous issue in the newspapers of Santa Catarina, employing a qualitative methodological approach. Through the pages of the state's news outlets, we will analyze articles that highlight the construction of the ideology and stereotypes that spread about the indigenous peoples of the Western region during a specific historical period, from 1983 to 1984. The analyzed materials consist of newspapers from the archives of the Centro de Memória do Oeste de Santa Catarina (CEOM) and the Hemeroteca Digital da Biblioteca Nacional. Data collection was carried out using keywords, which served as guides for better results. The choice of this date range is motivated by its correspondence with the period when the Kaingang of Toldo Chimbangue in the city of Chapecó were predominantly advocating for the demarcation of their territory. The role and importance of the media in the construction of such representations become one of the pillars of this research, as it is a significant instrument in characterizing social environments and social actors themselves. Throughout the study, the colonialism's challenges in Brazilian society were presented. We also highlighted the specific colonizing process of the region, illustrating the main fronts of expansion that contributed to the expropriation of indigenous territories. In addition to articles related to local Kaingang issues, we also analyzed other pieces that addressed the theme at the national level. It was observed that the agenda of indigenous peoples was not a priority for lawmakers and government officials. The articles indicate that the Chapecó society criticized advocates of the indigenous cause extensively. A perspective was created in which the Kaingang were seen as the cause of the problem, rather than victims of the colonial expropriation process. Overall, it can be observed that they were often treated in a highly ethnocentric manner, guided by an evolutionist worldview.