A produção política da repulsa e os manejos da diversidade na saúde indígena brasileira

Abstract

Given the persistence of practices and perceptions concerningthe principle hygienism and search for behavioral changes observed ineveryday actions of health and sanitary engineering professionals in theAmerindian context, this article aims to reflect on the political, normativeand technical processes, that end up supporting that principle in the currentcontext of conquest of rights by indigenous peoples. In that direction,the article points out the management of cultural diversity in the recent historyof our country, which, on behalf of the inclusion of indigenous peoples,seems to be producing new civic and civilizatory hierarchies. By focusingthe analysis of the training manual for the Indian agent of sanitation,placing it in the context of recent construction of Brazilian indigenous healthpolicy, this paper seeks to contribute to the understanding of specific processesof nationalization which articulate practices and norms, rules and emotionsrepresentations and values, health (and engineering) professionals,Indian (“users” and leaders) and managers at the heart of the constructionof differentiated citizenship.