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In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day (Aug 9), we’re spotlighting Rexona Breaking Limits Program Partner, Special Olympics (SO) Brazil. Their Unified Schools Program Coordinator, Rafael Fiuza Cislaghi spoke to use about the organization’s inclusion journey and how they are supporting Indigenous communities with intellectual disabilities (ID) in the northeast of Brazil.
For more than 50 years, Special Olympics has provided year-round sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities around the world. The organization primarily focuses on promoting the acceptance of people with disabilities, encouraging a shift in perception that values their strengths rather than any limitations. Through their Unified Schools program, they bring students with and without ID together on the same sports teams and in other activities to foster social inclusion.
In Brazil, their movement spans 12 states and the Federal District, offering Olympic-style opportunities in 13 sports. One of the communities they work with is the Xukuru do Ororubá in Pesqueira, Pernambuco — an Indigenous group of over 8,000 people living in 24 villages in the Serra do Ororubá mountains. Known for their deep spiritual connection to the land, they practice sustainable agriculture and uphold rich cultural traditions rooted in collective responsibility. After decades of struggle, they secured official recognition of their ancestral territory in 2001. Today, the Xukuru continue to lead with strong community governance and a vision of justice grounded in heritage and resistance. For the past two years, SO Brazil has partnered with them to adapt their Unified Schools program to align with local customs, launching a series of activities that are already shifting perceptions and outcomes.
But First, Respect
SO Brazil emphasized that it’s very important to them to take care in their approach with Indigenous communities. “Inclusion can’t happen without respect,” reflects Cislaghi. He shared that they prioritize open dialogues with local leaders before implementing any action, whether that’s teacher training, inclusive sports activities or inclusive youth leadership initiatives. This listening process is essential to understanding cultural specificities and identifying the necessary adaptations to ensure true inclusion and respect.
The main adjustment to the program the incorporation of sports practices aligned with the Xukuru do Ororubá culture. “This approach allowed the inclusion proposal to be built collaboratively, in a way that was sensitive to the community’s sociocultural context and more effective in its implementation,” says Cislaghi.
Unified by Sport, Guided by Culture
In 2023 and 2024, the Unified Schools project in the Xukuru do Ororubá community introduced teacher training centered on inclusion and inclusive sports. Traditionally, Indigenous schools in the region didn’t employ physical education teachers, based on the understanding that bodily movement is a natural part of daily life. But after thoughtful conversations around the benefits of structured, inclusive physical activity, especially for young people with ID, local schools began hiring trained educators.
Another milestone came with the hosting of the first Indigenous Unified Games in Pernambuco. The event blended Indigenous traditions and modern inclusive sport, featuring activities like archery, spear throwing, blowgun, maracá races and tug of war alongside track and field events. Notably, it also sparked a rare collaboration between Indigenous and municipal school systems, building new pathways for mutual learning and cultural exchange.
“The impact of our work with the Xukuru do Ororubá community was significant, not just at a local level by giving more voice and visibility to people with ID, but also on an international scale,” Cislaghi shares. “This was the first time the Unified Schools model had been implemented in an Indigenous context within the global Special Olympics movement.”
Looking Ahead: A National Expansion Rooted in Respect
Building on this progress, SO Brazil is now working closely with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples to expand its efforts. A new technical cooperation agreement will allow the organization to map and reach more of Brazil’s 300 Indigenous communities, respecting cultural nuances while supporting people with ID through inclusive education and sport.
With over 150 events planned in 2025 — including six inclusive fitness events across five states — the Breaking Limits Program will serve as an engagement tool. By collaborating with physical education universities, SO Brazil also hopes to inspire research and nurture academic interest in the underexplored intersection of Indigenous culture and inclusive sport.
A Message for Indigenous Peoples Day
As Brazil celebrates its Indigenous communities and their resilience, SO Brazil honors their ongoing fight for recognition, land and dignity, standing alongside them in their pursuit of inclusive opportunity.
“Inclusion goes beyond addressing the needs of Indigenous people with ID. For over 500 years, this community has faced continuous exclusion and marginalization. So, when we speak of inclusion in this context, we must understand what it means to live on the margins of society. The Breaking Limits Program is an important ally in this journey. As the name suggests, it’s purpose is to break down exclusion barriers, turning inclusion into real, everyday and effective practice,” says Cislaghi.
Through respectful partnerships and culturally attuned programming, SO Brazil is proving that inclusion, when rooted in community and guided by empathy, has no limits.
The Rexona Breaking Limits Program created in partnership with Beyond Sport is inspiring youth confidence through movement. The Breaking Limits Training Series features a range of practical modules available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Sign up now to access the full series and start your journey.
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