In the past week, CONADI (the Chilean Government’s Indigenous Corporation) has purchased more than one million acres of land for a number of Mapuche communities in the Araucanía Region. The purchases have totaled more than US$ 9 million. The communities receiving land are all a part of 115 communities the Chilean Government has prioritized to receive development assistance.
On Saturday, May 14th, the Mapuche community of Cea Trecalaf No. 2 received nearly 750 acres of land, valued at over US$ 2 million. The community had been attempting to acquire the land from CONADI for more than a decade, and, in total, have been trying to acquire land for their community for over 35 years — ever since their community was broken up and many of the people were dispersed. Only two individuals from that original community were still alive to see the new land deeded to the community. The land — just a few kilometers from downtown Temuco — became theirs, and the 33 families that make up the community installed a rewe (a Mapuche religious symbol) and held a ceremony to give thanks for their land.
On Saturday, May 14th, it was also reported that more than 200,000 acres in Curacautín for the Mapuche community of Millape Flores de Pitrufquén. The President of the community, Rubén Reinao Huenchumil, stated that, “These are the dreams of many years coming together, and it brings us all great joy.” The land purchased included a large quantity of land suitable for agroforestry and cost more than US$ 5.3 million. The land will benefit 85 Mapuche families.
On Tuesday, May 17th, the Mapuche community of Ramón Briceño de Lonconche received approximately 450 acres of land valued at approximately US$ 1.7 million. In addition, it was reported that the Mapuche communities of Chavol No. 2 and Hilario Cheuquepán also received land after many, many years of waiting.
CONADI’s National Director, Jorge Retamal, made a statement indicating that it had been a joy to deliver these lands over the past week. Retamal went on to note that the communities had been waiting many years for this, and praised them for “waiting patiently while not resorting to methods of pressure to realize their goals.”
In addition to delivering the land, CONADI emphasized that they would continue to assist the communities with development plans and/or by making additional funds and support available to the communities in the future.
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