Mapuche International Link/English

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Stop the Exploitation of Mapuche Ancestral Territory

In the past five years, tension has grown between the interests of indigenous communities and multinational companies in the ancestral territory of the Mapuche people; an area located between Southern Chile and Argentina.

The government policies of these two countries have involved the torture, murder and systematic persecution of Mapuche people campaigning to regain their land.

Far from attempting to bring justice and stability to the region, the Chilean and Argentine governments have welcomed and encouraged multinational companies to exploit the natural resources, without any consideration for the sustainability of the environment or the welfare of the indigenous population.

In this Discussion Point, MIL welcomes any suggestions which could bring about a peaceful resolution to this conflict.

¡Hola! Me gusta saber todo lo que posible de los Mapuches. Me fasina la cultura. Estoy haciendo un proyecto sobre los Mapuches. Y mi padre chileno (estoy una estudiante intercambio) no le gusta. ¿Por Que? Los Mapuches tienen una cultura bonita y incredible en mis propias ojos. Muchas gracias. ¡Suerte para todo! Con Cariño, Kelsey
Kelsey <anderssc@eou.edu>
Estados Unidos - Monday, June 02, 2003 at 12:16:16 (EDT)

I am forced today to inform myself about the topic "indigous people of Southamerica" because it's my final test topic. I'm a grafic student in Lower Austria and we have to plan such a rescue project. But I must say, that I haven't heard of the Mapuche bevore. So, doesn't that show, that there is much too little done for the Mapuche? The first thing of all to help other people is to make them known. So I think they should be shown to everyone in posters, flyers, intenet banners... Can u tell me any organisation in Austria who has to do with the Mapuche?
Daniela Stochlinski <Ashinamee@hotmail.com>
Austria - Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 07:01:00 (EDT)

I'd like to know about practical ways I can help with this. I recently lived in spain, and the only energy company to provide for my area was Fecsa Endesa, which is the same one currently liable for a lot of the problems to do with exploitation, at least in Chile. So how could I help? I'm not their customer anymiore, but I've thought that because of the bureocratic way these organisations are run, it's better if they see complaints or actions "closer to home" - ie, in spain, from spaniards. And I have some friends in spain, customers of Endesa, who might be willing to take part in similar actions. But where to start?
Alejandro Fernandez <shomon@softhome.net>
UK - Monday, February 24, 2003 at 10:16:10 (EST)

It is an outrage what the indigenous populations of these two countries have had to suffer these five years whilst there governments look on indifferently. More must be done to see to it that this situation cannot possibly continue. Boycott the multinationalists behind such outrage before their arm grows too long!
D. Williams
UK, England - Saturday, January 25, 2003 at 08:26:47 (EST)