Tapihue Ancestral Authorities Criticize Government’s Intent to Alter Indigenous Laws: «They Aim to Mortgage Our Nation’s Future and Its Fundamental Asset, the Land»

Original article: Parlamento de Autoridades Ancestrales de Tapihue cuestionó intención del Gobierno de intervenir leyes indígenas: «Quieren hipotecar el futuro de nuestra nación y su patrimonio fundamental que es la tierra»

The Parliament of Ancestral Authorities of Tapihue «Pu Kuifike Lonko Gülmen Ñi Nutram» has released a statement concerning its recent gathering (trawun) held in Temuco last June.

In the statement, they condemned the efforts by José A. Kast’s government to modify or even repeal the Lafkenche and Indigenous laws, pointing out that there are hundreds of unresolved applications and rejected requests from ECMPO.

«Today, the far-right Executive and Legislative powers are seeking to alter and even eliminate the rights that have been established internally in Chile. More alarming is the insinuation of potentially mortgaging Mapuche lands under dubious development pretexts,» the Parliament remarked.

In this context, they referenced that «regarding the theft, usurpation, and confiscation of our territory, the Tapihue Treaty of 1825 states in Article 17: ‘As we are already one family, our merchants will be treated fraternally when they enter their lands, scrupulously ensuring that they are not bypassed or robbed, and when others are caught stealing, the thieves will pay double the value stolen, if they have the means, and if not, they will be punished according to the laws.'»

«We reject the nefarious and distorted intention to confront and promote the development and reparation policies proposed by the current Executive and Legislative powers that wish to mortgage our nation’s future and its fundamental asset, the land. This intention goes against the principles outlined in the Tapihue Treaty,» emphasized the ancestral authorities.

CAE and Solidarity Fund

The statement also addressed the current situation in the educational sphere, specifically regarding the collection of debts from CAE borrowers. It highlighted that Article 6 of the same Tapihue Treaty states: «Due to the union referred to in Article 4, the Supreme State shall admit all individuals who wish to freely exit from this new brotherhood to educate themselves in the public schools of the State, the costs of which are borne by the National Treasury.»

«We invite all pu peñi and pu lamgen affected by this situation of forced indebtedness to jointly demand the enforcement of this article, as it is a right established since 1825,» asserted the Mapuche organization.

Finally, they sent «a greeting and much newen in this wiñol Txipantü to the Mapuche Political Prisoners who are resisting, as well as to their families who support them and the lof that continue to back them up.»

«We have traveled many territories and invited various organizations, communities, actors, and political coalitions aware of the need to unify our struggle by validating our own ‘Ancestral Mapuche Institutionalism.’ We will continue to insist on this as we consider it fundamental,» they asserted in their declaration.

«We also invite collective expression of needs and proposals to confront attempts to limit and dilute our rights attained at both national and international levels, in a major mobilization for which we are ready to support, aiming to advance toward a new general parliament between the Chilean State and the Mapuche nation. To achieve this, it is necessary to activate Article 29 of the Tapihue Treaty, which states: ‘It is at the discretion of the Supreme Government to designate the times when these new brothers will hold a general parliament,’ as it is the way to establish a high-level dialogue between the Chilean State and the Mapuche nation,» concludes the statement.

About the Lof Juan Currin

The recent trawun of the Parliament of Ancestral Authorities of Tapihue «Pu Kuifike Lonko Gülmen Ñi Nutram» took place at the Ruka of the menoko from the Lof Juan Currin, recognized as a protected urban wetland.

«We are grateful for the willingness and disposition of Ngen Ruka Ana Catrileo,» the group indicated.

«For our parliament, it has been an ideal meeting place since it is a lung of life in the city of Temuco. It’s important to note that this Lof symbolizes resistance against dispossession and forced urbanization, having lost 97% of the territory indicated in its title of merced,» explained Werken Luis Levi Aninao.

«Currently, leader Oscar Chihuaihuan has publicly stated that he has been reported for territorial usurpation of the culturally significant site where ceremonies are held and where the paliwe of his Lof exists. This shows the necessity to continue defending and reclaiming these vital spaces,» expressed Levi Aninao.

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