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==Background==
==Background==
The Mapuche conflict surfaced in the 1990s following the return of democracy.<ref>On the conflict before 1990 see Olaf Kaltmeier: Volkseinheit und ethnische Differenz. Mapuche-Bewegung und comunidades während der Regierung Salvador Allende, in:[[Jahrbuch für Forschungen zur Geschichte der Arbeiterbewegung]], Heft III/2003 (German Language).</ref> The conflict started in areas inhabited mostly by Mapuches like the vicinities of [[Purén]], where some indigenous communities have been demanding that certain lands they claim for their own but which are now the property of logging and farming companies and individuals be turned over to them.<ref name=LAHT>{{cite web |title=Chilean Authorities Investigate New Attack, Land Occupations|url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=341129&CategoryId=14094 Latin American Herald Tribune |date= |work= |publisher= |accessdate=28 August 2009}}</ref>
The Mapuche conflict surfaced in the 1990s following the return of democracy.<ref>On the conflict before 1990 see Olaf Kaltmeier: Volkseinheit und ethnische Differenz. Mapuche-Bewegung und comunidades während der Regierung Salvador Allende, in:[[Jahrbuch für Forschungen zur Geschichte der Arbeiterbewegung]], Heft III/2003 (German Language).</ref> The conflict started in areas inhabited mostly by Mapuches like the vicinities of [[Purén]], where some indigenous communities have been demanding that certain lands they claim for their own but which are now the property of logging and farming companies and individuals be turned over to them.<ref name=LAHT>{{cite web |title=Chilean Authorities Investigate New Attack, Land Occupations|url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=341129&CategoryId=14094 Latin American Herald Tribune |date= |work= |publisher= |accessdate=28 August 2009}}</ref>
Since Several Mapuche organizations are demanding the right of self-recognition in their quality of [[Indigenous peoples]], as recognized under the [[Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples]] by the [[United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly]] of the United Nations.
Since Several Mapuche organizations are demanding the right of self-recognition in their quality of [[Indigenous peoples]], as recognized under the [[Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples]] by the [[United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly]] of the United Nations. popo


The official 2002 Chilean census found 609,000 Chileans identifying themselves as Mapuches.<ref name=Stgotimes /> The same survey determined that 35 percent of the nation’s Mapuches think the biggest issue for the government to resolve relates to their ancestral properties.<ref name=Stgotimes />
The official 2002 Chilean census found 609,000 Chileans identifying themselves as Mapuches.<ref name=Stgotimes /> The same survey determined that 35 percent of the nation’s Mapuches think the biggest issue for the government to resolve relates to their ancestral properties.<ref name=Stgotimes />

Revision as of 16:14, 19 February 2013

Mapuche flag adopted in 1991, one of the main symbols of the Mapuche movement.

Mapuche conflict is a collective name for the revival and reorganization of Mapuche communities for greater autonomy, recognition of rights and the recovery of land since the Chilean transition to democracy. The Mapuche conflict is a phenomenon mainly from Chile, but also from neighboring areas of Argentina. Demands revolve mainly around three themes: jurisdictional autonomy, return of ancestral lands and cultural identity.[1][2] Mapuches and supporters involved in the conflict have resorted to legal actions, lobbying among politicians and NGOs, hunger strikes, yet there have also been private property occupations, death threats and arson by some Mapuche groups which have led to clashes with Carabineros.

Background

The Mapuche conflict surfaced in the 1990s following the return of democracy.[3] The conflict started in areas inhabited mostly by Mapuches like the vicinities of Purén, where some indigenous communities have been demanding that certain lands they claim for their own but which are now the property of logging and farming companies and individuals be turned over to them.[4] Since Several Mapuche organizations are demanding the right of self-recognition in their quality of Indigenous peoples, as recognized under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the General Assembly of the United Nations. popo

The official 2002 Chilean census found 609,000 Chileans identifying themselves as Mapuches.[5] The same survey determined that 35 percent of the nation’s Mapuches think the biggest issue for the government to resolve relates to their ancestral properties.[5]

1996–2004: Ralco controversy

The building of the Ralco Hydroelectric Plant, Chile's largest hydroelectric power plant, in the 1990s was highly controversial among Mapuches and pro-Mapuche groups as it was to flood allegedly sacred land including one Mapuche cemetery. After compensations were paid the plant was finally finished in 2004.[6]

2009 incidents

Demonstration in Santiago, after the killing of two Mapuche activists.

Numerous incidents such as violent land occupations, burning of private property and demonstrations have occurred in Araucania. In the wake of the recent deaths of a few of its activists, Mapuche organization Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco has played a key role by organizing and supporting violent land occupations and other direct actions, such as burning of houses and farms, that have ended up in clashes with the police. The government of Michelle Bachelet has said that it is not ready to contemplate expropriating land in the southern region of Araucania to restore lost ancestral territory to the Mapuche.[7] The government set out to buy land for use by 115 Mapuche communities, however, according to government officials, the current owners have nearly tripled the prices they are demanding. On the other hand, the effectiveness of the government policy of buying and distributing land has been questioned.[7] Two special presidential envoys were sent to southern Chile to review the increasingly fractious “Mapuche situation”.[5]

2010 hunger strike

Mapuches in the 2011 Chilean student protests

Main article: 2011 Chilean protests

2012 fires

Main article: 2012 Araucanía wildfires

2013 arson attacks

See also

References

  1. ^ Identidad y conflicto mapuche en los discursos de Longkos y Machis (IX Región - Chile), por Jorge Araya Anabalón
  2. ^ Conflicto mapuche y propuestas de autonomía mapuche, por Javier Lavanchy
  3. ^ On the conflict before 1990 see Olaf Kaltmeier: Volkseinheit und ethnische Differenz. Mapuche-Bewegung und comunidades während der Regierung Salvador Allende, in:Jahrbuch für Forschungen zur Geschichte der Arbeiterbewegung, Heft III/2003 (German Language).
  4. ^ Latin American Herald Tribune "Chilean Authorities Investigate New Attack, Land Occupations". Retrieved 28 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  5. ^ a b c The Santiago Times "CHILE INDIGENOUS CONFLICT MAKES POLITICAL WAVES". Retrieved 28 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help) [dead link‍]
  6. ^ Electricity generation capacity of Chile by Comisión Nacional de Energía
  7. ^ a b Latin American Herald Tribune "Chile Rules Out Land Seizures to Satisfy Indian Demands". Retrieved 28 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
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