Mapuche Leader Responds to Kast’s Assault on Indigenous Law: «Once Again, the Winka Want to Decide Over Mapuche Territory»

Original article: Dirigente mapuche por arremetida de Kast contra Ley Indígena: “Otra vez los winka quieren decidir sobre el territorio mapuche”

Mortgages, Leasing Indigenous Lands, and the Intervention in Indigenous Consultation: Kast’s Plan Sparks Backlash and Criticism

In his inaugural State of the Nation address, President José Antonio Kast announced a reform to Indigenous Law 19.253 that would allow for leasing and mortgaging of ancestral lands. The president argues that current restrictions on these territories should be lifted, claiming that «many allocated lands are not being used,» framing the measure as a part of a policy aimed at granting «freedom.»

This presidential proposal touches on a highly sensitive issue within the historically complicated relationship between the state and Indigenous peoples: land. It is important to remember that Indigenous Law 19.253, enacted in 1993, established the National Corporation for Indigenous Development (Conadi) and created mechanisms intended to protect Indigenous lands, which could be compromised by market dynamics.

In his speech, Kast further indicated that his administration would seek to modify the consultation process outlined in ILO Convention 169, stating a desire for it to be «legitimate and free from interference.» However, any reforms in this area would necessitate the implementation of the legal and mandatory consultation rights of ancestral communities, as per constitutional and conventional mandates, raising concerns over potential weakening of collective protections.

“Land and Territory are the Material Foundation for the Development of the Mapuche Mogen”

These proposals have incited widespread rejection from various Indigenous groups. One of the latest responses comes from Danko Mariman, a Mapuche leader from the Txawun Temuko communities, who shared a video on social media accompanied by a lengthy critical message.

«Once again, the winka want to decide over Mapuche territory under the pretense that ‘in Chile, we are all equal and there should be no privileges for anyone,’ failing to acknowledge the historical debt left by their genocidal ancestors when they annexed independent Mapuche lands in the late 1880s,» Mariman wrote. He further noted: «Today, 150 years after the infamous invasion war that has been sold as ‘pacification’ in the official historiography of this group of our adversaries, they want to shift the bounds again, claiming to develop those who wish to abide by the logics of the ‘free’ neoliberal capitalist market, selling their history and their race.»

The Mapuche leader concluded his statement with a warning: «Land and territory are the material foundation for the development of the Mapuche mogen. Don’t be deceived.» For the full opinion of Danko Mariman, we invite you to view the original video available on his Instagram account through the following link.

Watch the video with statements