CHILE: Mapuche Political Party to Pursue Autonomy
By Daniela Estrada - SANTIAGO, Feb 28 (IPS) - The first Mapuche political party will be founded this year, to seek autonomy and self-government for the largest group of indigenous people in Chile. But a rocky road lies ahead.
“We want to form a political party in order to win elections and govern in the Wallmapu (Mapuche country), so as to improve living conditions and lift up the dignity of our people,” Pedro Gustavo Quilaqueo, “wiritufe” (political secretary) of the incipient “Wallmapuwen” (party), told IPS.
Wallmapuwen, which means “fellow citizens of the Mapuche country,” is aiming to become legally established in the second half of this year, so that it can field candidates for mayors and town councillors in the 2008 municipal elections.
The party is described by its leaders as regionalist and pro-autonomy, democratic, progressive, secular and pluralistic. They said it would “fight political battles with peaceful means.”
Twenty-five citizens of Mapuche origin …


Except where otherwise noted, articles on this site are licensed under a
Comments