Reflections about the consequences of contact between Indians and non Indians in Brazil: the case of the Indians of the city of Ponta Grossa, Paraná State.

Abstract

This present paper aims to approach some issues related to indigenous people in Brazil to understand better the current situation of the peasants Indians who transiting in the cities to search of survival alternatives. Thus, the search will go primarily a bibliographical study that addresses the construction of the figure of the Indian in Brazilian thought, analising subsequently how if established the relationship between the state (colonial and national) society and indigenous peoples from these representations. At the end, will be presented a reflection about the condition of these indians, having as example the indians of the city of Ponta Grossa/PR, Brazil. These analyzes will glimpse that the history of relations between Indians and non-Indians in Brazil has been marked by conflict, in view of the various negative ways of representing the Indian, and that, despite the recent gains in the political and juridical camp, there is still discriminatory practices and attitudes.