Consultation with Indigenous Peoples by the National Council of Culture finalised with an agreement that includes 18 points and the creation of a commission of six representatives to participate in the national meeting in Valparaiso.
During the trawün (meeting) held on February 18th in Río Bueno, the participants agreed on the regional proposal that reflects the opinion of the Mapuche people to be integrated into the draft law creating the Ministry of Culture. The meeting was convened by the Regional Council for Culture and the Arts of Los Ríos through its Indigenous Peoples Unit, as part of the consultation process carried out since September last year.
The meeting brought together leaders and ancestral authorities, representatives of communities and associations of the regions of Lanco, La Unión, Río Bueno, Marikina, Lago Ranco, Paillaco, Valdivia, Corral and Panguipulli.
Among the most important agreements was the repeal of Supreme Decrees 66 and 40 in order to replace them with rules that will apply Convention 169 as regards consultation with Indigenous peoples and environmental aspects. Other agreements referred to the protection of ceremonial and heritage sites of the Mapuche culture as well as strengthening intercultural education with investment and training of traditional educators, and revitalizing Indigenous language.
The proposal of Los Ríos will be presented alongside those of other regions of the country at the national meeting to be held on 14 and 15 March in Valparaiso. The regional committee will be composed of six representatives elected in the trawün by their peers. They are Lonko Julián Llancapi from the Panguipulli territory, Pedro Guerra Huechante from Tralcao Mapu Mariquina, Tito Lienlaf Marilaf from the Mehuin territory, José Antiñir Pindan from the Paillaco territory, Héctor Tribiño Millahual from La Union and Mario Manquepillán Lincoñir from Lanco.
After drafting the new text, the project will be referred to the General Secretariat of the Presidency and finally the National Congress for legislative debate.
At regional level, the last meeting will be held on 7 March at Rica de Paillaco, where the Council of Culture will openly inform the community and authorities on the consultation process and the agreements reached in the 23 meetings held in the 12 districts of Los Ríos. The activity will be accompanied by an artistic and cultural shows that will bring together artists from throughout the region.