On March 4th, the Italian textile consortium Benetton filed a lawsuit in an Argentinian court that seeks to evict a Mapuche community from the land known as “Santa Rosa.” In February of last year, the Mapuche reclaimed the land after being violently evicted 5 years earlier.

The company claims the tract of land should be returned to them because the Mapuche didn’t listen to the order of Provincial Judge Omar Magellan, who forbade the community from making changes (that irreparably damage) the land.

So what are the changes? A gate, a …

Piedra del Aguila, an oil corporation funded by US capital, is occupying lands belonging to Mapuche community Wentru Tahuel Leufu– and the Argentine government has responded by giving the land to Piedra del Aguila. And to top it off, the company filed an appeal against community, which was promptly accepted by Cutralco’s Judge Graciela Blanco–overtly ignoring the guaranteed rights of the Mapuche and all other Indigenous People in Argentina.

From Real World Radio - In an interview with El Arka radio station, Curruhuinca described the situation suffered by …

Between Two Worlds is a collaboration between the filmmaker, Ariel Lopez Segovia, the Mapuche community of the Lago Budi area of Chile, and the US-based NGO Pachamama Conservation, which for the past 7 years has been working closely with women artisans to preserve their traditional craft, building deep relationships with Mapuche elders and youth, as well as elected leaders and support organizations.

Still in the production phase, it is the first documentary about the Mapuche people produced for an English-language audience. All interviews are in the Mapuche language Mapudungun or in Spanish, with English narration and subtitles.

These interviews tell the …

A community from chubut province has filed a criminal action lawsuit against Luciano Benetton, whom they hold responsible from usurping Mapuche lands.

From Real World Radio A member of Santa Rosa Leleque community, Mauro Millan, said in an interview with Mas Voces radio station that Benetton is Argentina’s “largest estate-owner” and that he owns 300 thousand hectares only in Chubut.

The plaintiffs estimate that the business group owns 970 thousand hectares in the Patagonia, where it produces 10 per cent of the wool used for its clothing.

Millan reminded that in …

Here’s a few recent stories focusing on the current work of the Mapuche People…

On May 16, 2007, fourteen Mapuche activists temporarily occupied a property owned by Fernando Léniz, one of Chile’s most important forestry leaders…

From the Santiago Times - Mapuches entered Léniz’s property at 8 a.m. and left it at 5 p.m., after government officials assured that the National Corporation for Indigenous Development (Conadi) would meet with them to discuss their grievances. Juan Huichamán, spokesperson for the Mapuche community, explained that “the community mobilized because Conadi failed to respond …

Mapuches Return to Benetton-Held Land
by Marcela Valente, www.ipsnews.net
February 27, 2007

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 27 (Tierramérica) - Mapuche Indians in the southern Argentine region of Patagonia, who in 2002 took part in a land dispute against the Italian textile group Benetton, have returned to occupy land belonging to the firm, reclaiming their ancestral rights.

“This is not a protest, nor is it a clandestine action. We don’t intend to be owners, but rather to live as a community in our territory,” Mauro Millán told Tierramérica. He was acting as spokesman for the 25 Mapuches who since Feb. 14 have occupied the Santa …

Mapuche reconvene historic parliament
by Lisa Garrigues
Today Correspondent

PANGUIPULLI, Chile - One hundred years.

That’s how long it’s been since the call of the traditional Mapuche instrument, the kull kull, has rung out in the Chilean valley of Koz Koz to announce the beginning of a Mapuche parliament.

This year’s parliament, which brought together almost 4,000 members of the Mapuche Nation from Chile and Argentina, was held in the valley of Koz Koz from Jan. 14 - 18. It commemorated the parliament of 1907, when Mapuche longkos, or chiefs, came together for the last time after the Chilean government invaded and took over their …

This is a new opportunity we are offering the Chilean state: the opportunity to correct the historical relationship that it has maintained with the Mapuche people, characterised by subjection, colonialism, assimilation and ethnocidal integration

By Daniela Estrada

SANTIAGO, Jan 8 (IPS) - The Mapuches, Chile’s largest indigenous group, are tired of the promises of social justice and greater participation in decision-making voiced by the last three centre-left governments. Their leaders thus met with President Michelle Bachelet to propose a new working relationship.

“The president acknowledged the Chilean state’s ‘historical debt’ to the Mapuche people, agreed to appoint a special interlocutor to engage in …

Well my day was not going so good, but then I read the following the story— It put a great big smile on my face!

There is not necessarily anything wrong with creating such a tool/resource for the Mapuche or any other Indigenous Nation. I mean, I’ve read related stories in the past (eg the Mohawk which I still don’t agree with with, but ateast they were initially consulted, if I recall correctly.)

I think Bill and Microsoft need to realize though, that it does not matter what your intentions are, or whether or not it will benefit the people. …

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 …