The Pluriethnic
Indigenous University
Restoring a Sacred Space for Indigenous Futures
A Historic Partnership: Shakti Regeneration Institute & Aldeia Maraka’na.
On May 20, 2025, Shakti Regeneration Institute and Aldeia Maraka’na formalized a transformative partnership to restore and preserve the historic Aldeia Maraka’na building in Rio de Janeiro—the only Indigenous village in the city, located near the iconic Maracanã Stadium. This landmark site, once home to the Museu do Índio and built on sacred Indigenous land, serves as a vital hub for intercultural learning, ancestral knowledge, and community-led resistance. Today, it houses the Pluricultural Indigenous University of Maraka’na, a space of education, spirituality, and cultural revitalization.
Key Objectives of the Partnership
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Urgent Structural Restoration
Comprehensive, participatory renovation to safeguard the building’s integrity and historic value. -
Legal Recognition & Land Demarcation
Formal recognition of Aldeia Maraka’na’s territory and protection of Indigenous rights. -
Support for Indigenous Education
Continued development of the Indigenous University and new institutions, including the School for Storytelling and Regenerative Futures. -
Cultural and Spiritual Programming
Expansion of inclusive, community-driven activities celebrating Indigenous heritage and ecological stewardship. -
Fundraising & Resource Mobilization
Joint efforts to raise approximately R$750,000 through global partnerships, sponsors, and donors.
A Global Vision for Cultural Regeneration
Shakti Regeneration Institute brings strategic expertise and global visibility to amplify Aldeia Maraka’na’s voice on the world stage. Together, we are advancing education, justice, and regeneration through intercultural exchange and collaborative leadership.
The partnership also supports joint media projects, including The Regeneration Generation, and commits to ethical storytelling and inclusive representation in global forums and campaigns.
This alliance reflects our shared belief: restoring this sacred space is not just about preserving the past—it is about building a future rooted in Indigenous wisdom, cultural dignity, and planetary healing.
PLURIETHNIC INDIGENOUS UNIVERSITY, RIO DE JANEIRO
The Pluriethnic Indigenous University, located at the historic Maracanã Aldeia Village on an Indigenous Sacred Site in the heart of Rio, is a pioneering Institution dedicated to serving the urban Indigenous population of Brazil, as well as an Indigenous Embassy. Representing over 26 Brazilian Indigenous communities, and the 60% of Indigenous people who live outside of the forests, this center for education, spiritual and cultural preservation, advocates for the rights of Nature and for Indigenous communities worldwide.
The Institute offers an array of courses that span Indigenous languages, agro-ecology, environmental education, arts, theater, and social impact -- all rooted in ancestral knowledge. Since 20 years, the institution has thrived as a living museum and sanctuary, showcasing and disseminating Indigenous culture, history, and knowledge through its courses and community interactions. It regularly hosts international congresses and seminars, attracting eminent scholars, politicians, artists and activists to discuss and shape the future of Indigenous rights. Notable visitors include prominent figures from various international communities, contributing to a rich exchange of ideas and strengthening the university’s role as a hub for Indigenous advocacy. The University's role as an Embassy provides a space for Indigenous voices to articulate their needs and rights, engaging directly with governmental and international bodies. This dual function emphasizes the University's commitment that Indigenous cultural practices are not only taught but also actively practiced and integrated into broader societal frameworks.
Existing long before the famed Maracanã stadium was built atop an Indigenous Burial Ground and former prison for enslaved people, the "Indian Museum" was reclaimed in 2006 by representatives from various Indigenous ethnic groups, aligned with broader social and labor movements. The site received international headlines in 2013 when military police violently evicted its Indigenous community to build a parking lot for the World Cup, despite lacking legal eviction orders. Today Maracana thrives as a Living Museum, a meeting place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, a Language School for various tribes, and School for Indigenous art and film.
The university's establishment and ongoing activities challenge the typical narratives and structures imposed by colonial educational systems. It is managed autonomously by Indigenous people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, ensuring that no single group dominates and that the university's operations reflect a truly pluriethnic and decolonized approach. This structure not only empowers the Indigenous community within but also sets a precedent for how Indigenous educational institutions can function independently of state and traditional academic frameworks.
The University helps to bridge the gap between traditional Indigenous lifestyles and urban living, providing a space where urban Indigenous peoples can reconnect with their heritage, learn from each other, and strengthen communal ties. It stands as a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of Brazil's Indigenous communities, advocating for their rightful place in the national and international dialogue on Indigenous rights.
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