Indigenous Ancestral Wisdom and Well-Being as a One Health Framework: A Culturally Adapted Video Series for Tenetehara Adolescents

Author : Ana Emilia Figueiredo De Oliveira

Abstract : Indigenous ancestral practices have long supported human, environmental, and territorial well-being. However, exposure to non-indigenous habits has caused territorial loss, decreased physical activity, and the replacement of traditional diets with ultra processed foods, resulting in more non-communicable diseases, mental disorders, and oral health issues among indigenous peoples in Brazil. To this end, this article aimed to develop and disseminate a series of culturally and linguistically adapted educational videos for Tenetehara (Guajajara) adolescents, through a One Health perspective. Four educational videos were developed based on scientific evidence and Indigenous knowledge, focusing on ancestral healthy lifestyles, the risks of adopting non-Indigenous ("Karaiw") lifestyles, environmental impacts, and the responsibility of Indigenous youth in health and territorial protection. They were narrated in Tupi-Guarani by an indigenous dentistry student and with subtitles in Portuguese and English, the series uses open access audiovisual resources for accessibility and cultural relevance. Integrating indigenous cosmology and sustainable living, the series reinforced cultural identity, critical thinking about lifestyle influences, and youth engagement. These tools have effectively promoted adolescent health and empowerment by illustrating how Indigenous ways of life serve as practical models for public health, sustainability, and territorial integrity, serving as a model for the Public Health and One Health approach.

Keywords : Public Health, Health Promotion, Indigenous Peoples, One Health, Educational Videos.

Conference Name : International Conference on One Health, Public Health and Epidemiology (ICOHPE-26)

Conference Place : Chicago, USA

Conference Date : 19th Feb 2026