The teaching of Afro-Brazilian and indigenous culture and history in Brazilian basic education in the 21st century

Abstract

This paper approaches the public policies for teaching Afro-Brazilian and indigenous history and culture in Brazil in the 21st century. It is part of a broader study about the implementation and impacts of Federal Laws 10.639/2009 and 11.645/2008, which made the study of these topics mandatory across the national territory. Our methodology privileged the critical analysis of bibliographic and document sources about the problem. The study highlighted black and indigenous movements’ demands and achievements, as well as federal government policies, projects and actions for fighting racism and promoting a positive education in racial and ethnic relations in the country’s basic education schools. After a decade of implementation of the Law, advances, problems, and challenges stand out in the field of teacher training, curriculum, and didactic materials.