O The Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR), through the Legal Department, held during March 30 and 31, 2026, the 1st Cooperativism and Associativism with the theme, "Strengthening the sustainability of communities in the Lindalva Macuxi auditorium, bringing together operators indigenous people of law and regional coordinators from various regions of the state, such as Serra da Lua, Amajari, Baixo Cotingo, Surumu, Murupu, Itacutu, Wai Wai, Raposa and Tabaio.
A The main objective of this workshop was to promote the understanding of cooperativism and associativism as strategic tools to strengthen economic autonomy of indigenous communities. The training was conducted by the professor at the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR), Meire Joisy. And it had the support of the Ford Foundation and Nia Tero, institutions that work to encourage projects aimed at promoting rights and strengthening peoples indigenous people.
From According to the lawyer Dr. Júnior Nicacio, from the Legal Department of the CIR, the initiative is part of a set of actions planned to expand the knowledge of indigenous leaders about models of economic organization.
"This The first workshop has a more conceptual character. The idea is to present what it is an association, what a cooperative is and how these models work, Even in the most bureaucratic part, which is often not clear. From From this first moment, we will move on to a second module, focusing on the improvement and planning", he explained.
He He also highlighted that the indigenous operators of law were chosen as for acting as leaders in their communities. The proposal is that, later, the knowledge is also taken to the farmers indigenous people. "We want the communities themselves to decide if cooperativism or associativism is the best way to strengthen the local economy. Our role is to offer the tools and knowledge", he added.
A indigenous leader Francinete Macuxi, from the Novo Paraíso community, Surumu Region in the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Land, highlighted the importance of the workshop.
"It was very interesting. We will take a lot of information to our leaders. Already We have received several trainings, now it is the first time that we participate in a specific workshop on cooperativism, although we have already experienced this in the communities, in the exchange and organization of our products", she said. For her, learning can help in the formal organization of economic activities. "Now we need to better understand how to start and how to build a cooperative in a way structured," he added.
Already the regional coordinator of the legal operators of the Amajari region, Raildo Sapará, stressed that the training meets an old demand of the communities. "We have production in family farming and livestock, but we have not yet achieved to market as a legal entity. We often depend on middlemen. This workshop helps us to think of ways to strengthen our autonomy and generate income for families," he said.
A professor and professor at the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR) Meire Joisy, from Wapichana people, from the Malacacheta indigenous community, who taught the workshop, explained the proposal of the workshop held over two days. According to her, "the format was chosen because it prioritizes practical learning, especially suitable for adult audiences."
During the activity, the participants began with a presentation about their own reality, who they are, which leaders they represent, in which regions they are situated and what are the main productions developed in the communities around the world. throughout the year. From this, a productive inventory was built, within the "learning by doing" methodology.
In addition to of mapping production, the workshop also analyzed the internal consumption of the communities, identifying which products are sourced locally and how the income circulates in these territories. This survey made it possible to assess whether there is any productive surpluses, a fundamental element for thinking about strategies for commercialization, such as the creation of cooperatives.
A Professor highlighted, however, that "not all communities are prepared for this more structured model." Therefore, according to her, "the process must be gradual, starting with simpler forms of organization, such as groups informal or associations, until it reaches greater maturity and productive scale."
For Meire, the theme worked on is not only pertinent, but necessary. She He reinforced that "many communities already have a significant production and they need support to increase their income through the commercialization of own products."
By At the end of the workshop, the participants received certificates.