The Eternity of Tomorrow: Police violence against Mapuche youth. (2019-In progress) "Nighttime is not the same anymore, sometimes is longer...I never know when the police could come..." F.C (13)
The Mapuche are the largest indigenous community in Chile. They are concentrated in the south of the country, mostly in the Araucanía region which is the poorest region in Chile with a population of 957.224 which 17,2% lives below the poverty level. For almost a century they have claimed their right to recover ancestral lands and natural resources that have been affected by the negative impact of the forest industry and state business. In the absence of a responsive government that allows the restitution of the land, the level of the conflict in the Araucanía region increased. The Mapuche adopted measures of pressure like the squatting of the lands and properties demanded. This claiming right process and the increase of clashes generated a negative reaction from the government that resulted in the implementation of a policy of judicial persecution and criminalization of collective action, harassment and persecution of leaders, and the militarization of these ancestral territories. The violence against the Mapuche has serious and specific consequences on children and teenagers, derived from repression, criminalization, raids, interrogations, and other actions carried out by members of the special operation forces. Different NGO's and the national institute of human rights counted 133 cases that include several police violence against Mapuche youth in the last 5 years, while many other cases has not been reported. During the same years 2.241 bullets have been fired by the police in the region. Those cases are rarely reported through traditional media, that brings as a consequence misinformation, letting the Chilean population knowing very little about the Mapuche struggle and their demands. This project focus on the experience suffered by the Mapuche youth documenting testimonies of repression, psychological and physical violence and the importance of the territory
This project was made possible with the support of the Magnum foundation.
La Eternidad del Mañana: Violencia policial contra jóvenes Mapuche. (2019-En progreso)
"Las noches ya no son iguales, a veces son más largas... No sé cuándo los Carabineros podrían venir a mi casa..." F.C (13)
Los Mapuche son la comunidad indígena más numerosa de Chile. Se concentran en el sur del país, sobre todo en la región de la Araucanía, una de las regiones más pobre de Chile, con una población de 957.224 habitantes de los cuáles el 17,2% vive por debajo del nivel de pobreza. Desde hace casi un siglo reclaman su derecho a recuperar tierras ancestrales y los recursos naturales que se han visto afectados por el impacto negativo de la industria forestal y las políticas de Estado. Ante la ausencia de un gobierno receptivo que permita la restitución de las tierras, el nivel del conflicto en la región de la Araucanía ha aumentado. Los Mapuche han adoptado medidas de presión como la recuperación territorial y de propiedades demandadas. Este proceso de reivindicación y el aumento de los enfrentamientos generó una reacción negativa del gobierno que se tradujo en la implementación de una política de persecución judicial y criminalización de la acción colectiva, el hostigamiento y persecución de los dirigentes y la militarización de estos territorios ancestrales. La violencia contra los mapuches tiene consecuencias graves y específicas en los niños y adolescentes, derivadas de la represión, criminalización, allanamientos, interrogatorios y otras acciones realizadas por miembros de las fuerzas de operaciones especiales. Diferentes ONG's y el Instituto Nacional de Derechos Humanos contabilizaron 133 casos que incluyen varios hechos de violencia policial contra jóvenes Mapuche en los últimos 5 años, mientras que muchos otros casos no han sido denunciados. Durante los mismos años 2.241 balas han sido disparadas por la policía en la región. Estos casos son raramente reportados a través de los medios de comunicación tradicionales, lo que trae como consecuencia desinformación, permitiendo que la población chilena conozca muy poco sobre la lucha Mapuche y sus demandas. Este proyecto se centra en la experiencia sufrida por los jóvenes Mapuche documentando testimonios de represión, violencia psicológica y física y la importancia del territorio.
Este proyecto ha sido posible gracias al apoyo de Magnum Foundation.
F. H. (21) Lives in a recovered land. He got shot in the mouth with a rubber bullet by the police. He and his family has suffered teasing and psychological violence from the police. Collipulli, Araucanía. July 20th, 2019.
Mapuche community made circles around a Rewe (spiritual totem) during a traditional ceremony made to ask for strength to recover a territory taken by the non native Mininco forest company. This rite is called Ngillatun and works as a connection with the spiritual world to ask for well-being, strengthen the union of the community or thank the benefits received. Collipulli area, Araucanía, Chile. August 7th, 2019.
A forest fire near Bio Bio Region. Several forest company uses to burn their forest in order to renew their production, often they goes out of control causing huge impact in the environment and nearest towns, often most of them Mapuche communities. January, 2017. Between Maule and Bio-Bio regions. South of Chile.
V.C.(12) Her father and brothers were falsely accused of murder and his house was violently raided by the police. Ercilla, Araucania. Chile. April 14th, 2019.
The Bio-Bio river. For the Mapuche nation the Bio-Bio river represent the natural border between the Mapuche lands and Chile to the north. March 4th.2022. Araucanía, Chile.
Mari Luz Colihuinca touches her faces at home in the Ancapi Ñancocheo Mapuche community on March 2nd. 2022. Araucania, Chile
The living room of the Torres-Toro family. One of the sons, S.T (14) was shot in the leg by the police during a raid at this home in Pidima area, AraucaniÌa, Since April 20, 2017 Silvestre lives with five bullets in his left leg, one of which is partially embedded in the kneecap and another dangerously close to the femoral artery. Araucania region, Chile. April 7th, 2019.
Riot police stands guard in a street during a protest in Chile, October, 2019. For the Mapuche community the National police institution (Carabineros) represents the physical action of repression ordered by agents of the state with political and economic interests. For decades, the institution has been questioned for its excessive use force and power abuse against civilians and Mapuche communities.
Belén Curamil(19) daughter of Alberto Curamil, Mapuche political prisoner holding a Kultrun, a Mapuche traditional musical instrument. Curacautín, Araucanía region, Chile. March, 23rd, 2019.
A chicken hangs in a wall of the house of Fabiola Antiqueo(20). She was shot in her left eye with a tear gas can fired with a shotgun by members of riot police on May 12th, 2017. As a result of the impact she lost her left eye. Carahue, Araucanía region. Chile. March 20th, 2019.
The house of Fabiola Antiqueo(20) she was shot in her left eye with a tear gas can fired with a shotgun by members of riot police on May 12th, 2017. As a result of the impact she lost her left eye. Carahue, Araucanía region. Chile. March 20th, 2019.
Carolina Soto (33) and her daughter Sofia(5) from Lof Dawulko Karulen community by the lagoon near their home on March 3rd, 2022. Araucanía, Chile
Train freight cars loaded with logs pass through Loncoche, Araucania region, Chile, on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022.
Weliwen Curamil(9) son of Alberto Curamil, Mapuche political prisoner and 2019 Goldman environmental prize, which he received in jail. In this photo Weliwen wears a Kollón mask, used in Mapuche ceremonies to ward off evil spirits. Curacautin Araucania region, Chile. August 11th, 2019.
Moises Curamil(15) son of Alberto Curamil, Mapuche political prisoner and 2019 Goldman environmental prize, which he received in jail. Here, Moises is fitting a traditional poncho or manta, Mapuche traditional warm clothing. Curacautin Araucania region, Chile. August 11th, 2019.
The Araucaria is the fundamental tree in the religious and economic life of the Mapuche-Pewenche people. Almost all the forests of this species are in Wallmapu called today Araucanía. the seed of the araucaria has been used for centuries to make flour with which tortillas can be prepared, in addition to fermented drinks. Conguillio, Araucanía region. Chile. August 9th, 2019.
A court to play Palín -a traditional Mapuche game- is drawn in the middle of a forest of non-native species (pine and eucalyptus) owns by the Mininco forestry company. Communities in resistance often plays Palín-Weichan before they will starts a land recovery process as a way to be ready for the fight. Collipulli area. Araucanía. Chile. October 4th, 2019.
A military policeman stands guard at the entrance of the Temucuicui Mapuche Community on March 2nd. 2022. Araucanía, Chile
A lagoon near Carolina Soto from Lof Dawulko Karulen community home on March 3rd, 2022. Araucanía, Chile
T. H. (9) has seen his father who is an important Werkén (traditional authority spokesperson) been imprisoned by the police several times. Collipulli, Aracaunia. Chile. April, 9th, 2019.
A Mapuche cuts a piece of firewood after a traditional ceremony to start the recovery of a territory. A man cuts a piece of firewood after a traditional ceremony to begin the recovery of a territory. This rite is called Ngillatun and works as a connection with the spiritual world to ask for well-being, strengthen the union of the community or thank the benefits received. August 7th, 2019. Curaco, Araucanía region, Chile.
Mario Mila Millalen, senior Mapuche political leader, walks through lands in Loncoche, Araucania region, Chile, on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022.
Non native pine forest fields from the forest industry seen from above on February 28th, 2022. Araucanía, Chile
Brandon Hernandez Huentecol was shot in the back while immobilized by sergeant Christian Rivera who was sentenced to 3 years probation. Brandon still has over 80 lead bullets in his body. (He was impacted with more than 130) Curaco, Araucanía region. Chile. April 18th, 2019.
A tree stands alone in a field near Collipulli, Araucanía region. This area has been labeled as “red zone” due to the ongoing land conflict between the state, landowners and Mapuche communities. Collipulli region, Araucanía. Chile. April 18th, 2019.