A Declaration from Domuche Newen
Women in resistance to the Bio Bio dam
To the Mapuche people.
To national and international public opinion.
To the media.
To the friends of our Mapuche people.
Domuche Newen – women in resistance to the Ralko dam declare the following, in the face of recent events and speculation by the media about the alleged transfer of land by families and women of the upper Bio Bio to ENDESA:
- Although one of our sisters (Nicolasa Quintreman) has publicly declared her intention to transfer her land after finding herself in economic difficulties and extremely tired after more than 10 years of struggle against the construction of the Ralko dam, the rest of the women including Berta Quintreman are not prepared to shift from our resolution to continue defending our land.
- Neither can we fail to recognise the amount of brothers and sisters who have shown us their solidarity through all these years, and the consequences this has brought them: persecution, threats and imprisonment for each one.
- Thus, at this moment our brother Victor Ancalaf is imprisoned; we wish to say that whilst he is being tried under the anti-terrorism law for supporting our cause, we will not rest or negotiate either unless he is freed by the Chilean authorities and ENDESA.
- We demand that the Chilean state stops works on the Ralko hydro-electric dam, which is an offence against the life and identity of our Mapuche people.
- We demand an end to the repression and persecution of our Mapuche people, and the immediate release of all Mapuche political prisoners.
From the Mapuche-Pehuenche territories. RALKO-LEPOY.
Marrichiweu!
Berta Quintreman Calpan
Hilda Riquelme Huenteao
Rosario Huenteao Beroiza
Julia Huenteao Beroiza
Rosa Beroiza Huenteao
Aurelia Marihuan Mora
Juan Quintreman Calpan