Conversatorio Weichan Ngütram

Para todos los interesados en la actualidad del caso #CamiloCatrillanca.

Conversatorio Weichan Ngütram jueves 13 de diciembre, 18:30 horas Casa Central Universidad de Chile.

Será transmitido via streaming para que los que estamos fuera de Santiago tambien nos podamos unir. Esta es la página para conectarse mañana: http://www.tv.uchile.cl

Via: Cátedra Indígena de la Universidad de Chile (@UchileIndigena)

 

Sharing research results with collaborators

Getting back to collaborators, a vital part of collaborative research. Not only to comply with proposed research approach and to get feedback on the work that has been done but also as an act of reciprocity and respect towards research collaborators. Allowing them a safe space to freely discuss, comment and raise their voices, if they want to.

On May 3rd I went back to the Indigenous and Intercultural Studies Institute (IIEI) at the University of La Frontera, Chile. The Institute not only hosted me for three months during 2016 while I was doing fieldwork in the Araucania Region but also it has been a very important collaborator during the whole research process.

The objective of this visit was to present and discuss the results of the research with a broad audience. In doing so, I was also lucky to have an interdisciplinary panel to comment on my presentation. The panel was formed by Ximena Cuadra, Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science, University du Québec a Montréal, Alberto Kuramil, Longko of Lof Radalko in Curacautin, and Gonzalo Bustamante, Adjoint Professor at Univerity of La Frontera.

This is the press note the IIEI released about the presentation (in Spanish): http://estudiosindigenas.ufro.cl/index.php/noticias/33-estudio-analiza-vinculacion-de-la-espiritualidad-mapuche-con-el-cambio-climatico

I recorded the presentation, the panel discussion and the QA section, and edited this video (all in Spanish):

This is only one of the presentations I had while in Chile three weeks ago. The other presentation was with the Mapuche communities I collaborated with. I am still working on the video of that presentation and will post it soon.

Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) – Graduate School – University of British Columbia – Vancouver – Canada

WHAT DOES BEING A PUBLIC SCHOLAR MEAN TO YOU?

 

To me being a public scholar means to act beyond the personal interest and being able to think out of the box when it is needed, in order to provide solutions to different groups of people. Also, in my case, although I am a forester by training (BSc, MSc), I am always striving to be more interdisciplinary in my approaches, particularly integrating approaches from indigenous methodologies and social sciences. Currently, I am a Ph.D. candidate in the UBC Faculty of Forestry, and a Liu Scholar at the Liu Institute for Global Issues, an interdisciplinary research hub for emerging global issues in the Faculty of Arts at UBC. The focus of my research is placed on Indigenous communities from Chile, with a particular interest in the struggles of Mapuche communities. For this reason, while doing fieldwork, I do not only collect data but I also engage in different activities, from traditional ceremonies to marches on the streets. And, whenever possible, I put my expertise to the service of the communities I am working with (e.g. writing professional reports, providing advice, etc.).

Source: Arias-Bustamante, Jose – Graduate School – University of British Columbia – Vancouver – Canada

Public letter by Sergio Catrilaf Marilef to the Chilean president Michelle Bachelet

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My name is Sergio Catrilaf Marilef, President of the Community Juan Catrilaf II Ñilquilco sector, Padre Las Casas Municipality. As you know, my family consisting of 5 members of the community including myself, are being held unjustly in Temuco’s prison for the crime of Werner Luchsinger and Vivianne Mackay.

I want to mention that our community Juan Catrilaf II repudiates any act of murder towards the human being, because as Mapuche people, respect for the life of every being is a fundamental principle of our values and principles.

I will review a bit of history, in 2005 we began a process of territorial recovery, because our families were stripped of their territories in the process of “Pacification of Araucania” which in simple words was usurpation and slaughter of our grandparents. In addition, we suffered the privatization of land imposed by the military dictatorship and the destruction of communal property. On the other hand, the invasion of forest companies led by Mr Ponce Lerou, under the wing of Mr. Matte with his company CMPC, are destroying the ecosystem, and producing irreversible damage to our environment.

Despite centuries of cultural, territorial, spiritual and linguistic extermination burden over our people, the young Mapuche began again to dream on reconstructing the history left to them by Leftraru, Pelon Traru, Kilapan among others and they got strengthened in the study of science, law and history in addition to achieving political training.

As Mapuche people we feel displaced and oppressed by governments that claim to have socialist principles. For instance, the government of Ricardo Lagos in response to strong social demands, creates the “Patience Operation” designed to behead the Mapuche leaders through repression and imprisonment. Moreover in this climate of repression in 2002 died young Alex Lemún who studied at the Polytechnic Lyceum Pailahueque, which is currently accupied as a headquarter by the Group of Special Police Operations (GOPE) to repress the Mapuche communities of Ercilla.

In his first government, the Mapuche social demand increased and the response of his Minister of Internal Affairs, at the time Mr. Perez Yoma, was the upsurge of violence by the state to communities. In January 2008, once again a young man a young man falls wounded by a gunshot received from behind, his name is Matias Catrileo who was the victim of policeman Walter Ramirez who until today is in freedom and accountability.

In 2009 I was a victim of a montage by the Prosecutor and the criminal investigations police (PDI). As a result, I spent a year in prison and during that period we started a hunger strike that lasted 80 days where our lives were at risk. Later on, the story of undercover witness Raul Castro Antipan, who through false testimony associated us to a violent event called TUR BUS case that we had nothing to be accused for.

The real “charde of the prosecution and the PDI” again was unmasked, unfortunately Pascual Pichún and Aniceto Norin could not say the same, as they were blamed unjustly and spent years in prison, then the international justice would amend the error committed by the Chilean justice and the State, forcing the later to offset the court costs.

In 2010, we obtained Los Aromos estate, a estimated total of 100 ha that we communally work following the historical Mapuche style. And now, this year 2016, the State returned to us San Juan estate through the “institutional” way as it is stipulated in the Chilean law.

The history of persecution of our Mapuche people repeats, it appears to be a State policy.

Now, again, I have fallen in prison with my family as result of a new montage by the  prosecution and the PDI. Based on torture and false testimony of a young Jose Manuel Peralino Huinca, who has serious social and psychological problems. This young man received money from the commissioner Vilches, and at the same time he was threatened with death to give false testimony. As he stated in the judgment of formalization, during the previous morning of the hearing, the commissioner attacked Peralino to convince him to maintain his false argument, which he did not because he told the truth about the lousy PDI’s investigation.

Mrs. President, why the dialogue towards the Mapuche people has to be accompanied with the militarization of the Araucania? With war weapons? With persecution and false testimonies? In some Mapuche communities people live almost in a state of siege, we are judged by what we are, not for what we do. We work in livestock and agriculture, we maintain our spirituality, our language, our ceremonies, and as a people pre existing to the Chilean state, we ask and demand our freedom, as we are imprisoned for an invalid proof, false, by a political framework that seeks to lock up innocent Mapuche people.

Unfortunately, this sad story that we have to live will remain in the memory of our children, the violence with which the police raided us, the anger and pain of not being with their parents, and thus, no peace is built, we do not want peace makeup, we want transparent and true judgments, do not chase for power or caprice. As it has been done throughout our history by our ancestors and our people, through parliaments and agreements. We prioritize the real dialogue, our word makes us people of values, so as Catrilaf family we demand respect for the rights of our people and instant freedom.

Sergio Catrilaf Marilef

Temuco prison

*In the picture, werken Sergio Catrilaf (center), next to the soccer player Jean Beausejour (left) and lamngen Elsy Curihuinca (right). Book launch “AzMapu: Una aproximación al Sistema Normativo Mapuche desde el Rakizuam y el Derecho Propio”, Santiago, March 15, 2016.

**Original letter in Spanish, available here.

People of the Land: Dialogue series with the Mapuche Territorial Alliance

Summary of the event

People of the Land: Dialogue series with the Mapuche Territorial Alliance was the definitive name we used to promote the event all across campus, online and on posters. This event brought together two Indigenous leaders from the Mapuche Nation –Alberto Curamil and Miguel Melin – with Indigenous activists and scholars from North America to exchange ideas and share experiences about land recuperation, opposition to extractive industries on their traditional territories, customary law, and Indigenous childhood, language, and education.

The event took place on September 22nd and 23rd at three different venues. It was part of a series of activities organized during a week long visit of the Indigenous community leaders, which also included a workshop about land recuperation processes, a film screening and discussion, a seminar about Indigenous customary law, and a seminar about Indigenous languages and education (All activities were free and open to the entire UBC community). The series of events sought to generate a space for information sharing and debate about the contemporary processes the Mapuche nation is undergoing; to establish linkages between the ATM’s work and the struggles for Indigenous self-determination in Canada and elsewhere; and open up opportunities for collaboration and exchange between the ATM and students, researchers, academics, Indigenous groups, and activists based at UBC.

“Panel/workshop on land recuperation: Yes, the discussion has always been about land”

For this activity, together with Alberto and Miguel the main speakers were Kanahus Manuel (Secwepemc Nation) and Chief Ian Campbell (Squamish Nation). The MC for this workshop was Dr. Alejandro Rojas (UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems). The event took place on September 22nd from 2-4pm at the UBC Liu Institute for Global Issues.

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Participants heard the presentations of four presenters and then had the opportunity to engage in the discussion through questions and comments. This activity was one of the most concurred activities with and audience of approximately 70 people (see following picture).

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“Planting Poverty: Film screening and discussion about the impacts of the forestry industry on Indigenous lands”

Participants watched the documentary “Plantar Pobreza” and then engaged in a discussion with our Mapuche guests, Alberto and Miguel, who are leading the struggle against the installation of aggressive forestry and other extractive megaprojects on their traditional territory, in what is now called Chile. The event took place on September 22nd from 5-7pm at the Global Lounge MediaCentre.

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“Panel on Indigenous customary law: Strengthening Indigenous legal orders from within”

For this activity, together with Alberto and Miguel the main speakers were Sheryl Lightfoot (Anishinaabe Nation, UBC Political Science and First Nation Studies) and Angeline Nyce (Nisg̱a’a nation). The MC for this workshop was Dr. Eduardo Jovel (UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems). The event took place on September 23rd from 10am-12pm at the UBC First Nations Longhouse – Sty-wet-tan Hall 1985 West Mall.

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Although this panel did not have the same attendance compare to the previous workshop, the discussion around customary law at the local and global perspectives was very engaging for those that attended. Dr. Lightfoot brought her perspectives international Indigenous politics and its impacts on customary Law. On the other hand Alberto and Miguel, presented about the local experiences of Mapuche people, and their struggle to rebuild all aspects of the Mapuche culture and its sociocultural practices. As well they described an ongoing project titled “Customary Law from the Perspective of the Mapuche Kimün (Knowledge)” This project seeks to recover the conceptual bases and legal principles of Mapuche customary law that the kimche, kuyfikeche, and füchakeche (elders and wisdom-holders) hold until this day. The ultimate goal of the project is to consider the development of proposals in order to apply principles of Mapuche customary law to the Chilean legal system. Finally, Ms. Nyce discussed about the experiences of the Nisga’a Nation before and after they signed the first modern treaty. And how this treaty has impacted the lives of the Nisga’a people. In the following YouTube list, you can listen to the panelist presentations:

“Panel on Indigenous childhood: Language and cultural revitalization through Indigenous knowledge”

For this last panel, our Mapuche guest shared the table with Dr. Jo-ann Archibald (Sto:lo and St’at’imc Nations, UBC Faculty of Education). The MC for this workshop was Dr. Eduardo Jovel (UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems). The event took place on September 23rd from 1-3pm at the UBC First Nations Longhouse – Sty-wet-tan Hall 1985 West Mall.

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During this last panel the Mapuche guest shared presented about the difficulties the Mapuche have to overcome in order to educate their children within their own culture and language. In this opportunity Alberto mentioned the how one of the main leaders of the ATM, had to go to the capital of Chile, to carry out his formal education. However, this young leader (named Mijael Carbone) figured out a way to get back to his homeland, and thus learn from his own culture, and later on lead the resistance at the forefront of the ATM. Finally, Dr. Archival discussed about the importance of transforming education during the Indigenous early childhood. According to Dr. Archival, important factor in this transformation are: local control and parent/family involvement, Indigenous knowledge, Elders and ECE Teachers, health promotion, etc.

Finally, a picture of the Mapuche leaders, the MC of the second day, and the organizers of the events.

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This event was presented with support from the Liu Institute for Global Issues, the Faculty of Forestry, the First Nations House of Learning, the Global Lounge, the Walter H. Gage Memorial Fund, the Faculty of Education, the Interdisciplinary Graduate Students Network, the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and the School of Community and Regional Planning, all from the University of British Columbia.

Carreteras abiertas de America Latina

Through short documentaries, “Carreteras abiertas de America Latina” by Juan Miguel Salas Rodriguez and his team, shows us the everyday struggles of different Indigenous peoples in Latin America, from the South of Chile, up to the North of Mexico.

Their first documentary is about the Mapuche Nation, and their fight against the Multinational Forest Companies and the State of Chile. Particularly, the video showcase the Community of Temucuicui, located in the municipality of Ercilla.

Ercilla is one of the poorest municipalities in Chile, and yet home to the wealthiest forest companies in the world; where the police repression to Mapuche communities has become an everyday nightmare for community members, no matter whether they are children, women or elders.

The Mapuche leader interviewed in this documentary is Mijael Carbone. He is the main leader of the Mapuche Territorial Alliance, the Mapuche organization that was showcased last year at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver.

Please take 30 minutes of your time, and learn about the struggles of the Mapuche Nation.

Source: https://vimeo.com/47865802

Global Fund Recipient: Mapuche Dialogue

“Planting Poverty: Film screening and discussion about the impacts of the forestry industry on Indigenous lands” was an activity open to the entire UBC community. Participants watched the documentary “Plantar Pobreza” and then engaged in a discussion with Alberto Curamil and Miguel Melin, two Mapuche activists from the Alianza Territorial Mapuche (ATM), who are leading the struggle against the installation of aggressive forestry and other extractive megaprojects on their traditional territory, in what is now called Chile.

Continue reading Global Fund Recipient: Mapuche Dialogue

People of the Land: Dialogue series with the Mapuche Territorial Alliance

September 22-23, 2015
UBC | Unceded Coast Salish Territory

People of the Land: Dialogue series with the Mapuche Territorial Alliance will bring together two Indigenous leaders from the Mapuche Nation –Alberto Curamil and Miguel Melin– with Indigenous activists and scholars from North America to exchange ideas and share experiences about land recuperation, opposition to extractive industries on their traditional territories, customary law, and Indigenous childhood, language, and education.

The Mapuche Territorial Alliance (ATM) is one of the grassroots organizations based on the ancestral territory of the Mapuche Nation in the South of Chile – the Gulu Mapu, or west side of the Andes. The ATM’s core mission is the full defense of Mapuche inherent rights, especially with regard to the protection of the territory and the natural environment.

Everyone welcome, but RSVP is required for the lunch on September 23rd.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22

2-4pm Panel on land recuperation: Yes, the discussion has always been about land. With Kanahus Manuel (Secwepemc Nation) and Chief Ian Campbell (Squamish Nation)

Liu Institute for Global Issues – Multipurpose Room. 6476 North West Marine Drive

5-7pm Planting Poverty: Film screening and discussion about the impacts of the forestry industry on Indigenous lands. With Andrea Lyall (Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Nation, UBC)

Simon K. Y. Lee Global Lounge – Media Centre, Building 1  2205 Lower Mall

Light refreshments provided

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23*

10am-12pm Panel on Indigenous customary law: Strengthening Indigenous legal orders from within. With Sheryl Lightfoot (Anishinaabe Nation, UBC) and Angeline Nyce (Nisg̱a’a nation)

1-3pm Panel on Indigenous childhood: Language and cultural revitalization through Indigenous knowledge. With Jo-ann Archibald (Sto:lo and St’at’imc Nations, UBC)

* Venue for both panels: First Nations Longhouse – Sty-wet-tan Hall 1985 West Mall

Lunch provided 12-1pm. RSVP to: mugarte@interchange.ubc.ca

Alberto Curamil is the spokesperson for the ATM. Community leader and traditional authority of the Curacautín area, Mapuche territory, he currently leads the opposition to the installation of hydroelectric power stations on several rivers across his traditional territory.

Miguel Melin is a Mapuche intercultural bilingual educator, activist, and former spokesperson for the ATM. He has extensive experience as a Mapuchezungun-Spanish teacher and has led several participatory projects with youth to revitalize the Mapuche language.

Presented with support from the Liu Institute for Global Issues, the Faculty of Forestry, the First Nations House of Learning, the Global Lounge, the Walter H. Gage Memorial Fund, the Faculty of Education, the Interdisciplinary Graduate Students Network, the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and the School of Community and Regional Planning.