Profile of Eliane Potiguara

Eliane Potiguara, also known as Eliane Lima dos Santos , was born in Rio de Janeiro after her family emigrated from the impoverished state of Paraiba, home of the Potiguara Indigenous tribe. At just twelve years old, she discovered her vocation for teaching; working at her neighborhood school teaching students to read and write. In high school, she taught, attended classes and worked as a telephone operator, seven days a week. In an effort to guarantee a better future for Brazil's 220,000 Indians, she has created a nationwide network of indigenous women. Among her many achievements, she has organized the Group of Indigenous Women Educators (GRUMIN). GRUMIN currently employs twenty-six regional coordinators implementing a basic program of education and consciousness-raising among women in hundreds of villages.

• Weblinks
• Personal Website
• Article, "Indigenous women organise health campaign in Brazil", Healhmatters
• Biografical Information, about her work, Ashoka
• Article, "Indigenous Women: taking control of their destiny", UN
• Article, Working to End Violence against Indigenous Women, Madre