Chilean president suggests creating ministry for Indigenous Affairs

Chilean President President Michelle Bachelet introduced a bill to create a Ministry for Indigenous Affairs but a representative of the largest tribe in the country rejected the idea.

The Mapuche make up about 6 percent of the population in Chile. Tribal activists have been demanding resolution to land claims and social problems and for their rights to be recognized in the constitution.

“The only thing this proposal will accomplish is to raise a curtain of smoke on the issue allowing them to avoid straight answers to our demands,” Jose Santos Millao, a Mapuche representative, told the Associated Press.

Chile’s Bachelet Pushes Indian Affairs Ministry (The Latin American Herald Tribune 9/30)
Chile: Indians Reject an Indian Affairs Ministry (AP 9/29)

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