The perrsistence of the conflict in the IX Region is troubling, especially since some citizens are demanding that the government take a firmer stance in the conflict, which could lead to further systematic violence and seriously affect economic and productive activities. Timber exploitation, the seizure of private property and the installation of mega hydroelectric projects on indigenous lands have reached unprecedented levels. Critics have denounced the government's policy on indigenous peoples as paternalistic.

Every since former President Patricio Aylwin created the Special Commission on Indigenous Peoples (CEPI) by Supreme Decree Nº 30 of 17 May 1990, it became clear that a process had begun which the successive democratic governments, including the current one, had to handle with the greatest responsibility possible. A crucial step in this process was the enactment of Indigenous Law Nº 19.253, of 28 September 1993, which established the norms for the protection, promotion and development of indigenous peoples, and which created the National Indigenous Development Corporation (CONADI). The constitutions of most Andean countries formally recognize the multi-ethnic social and historical nature of those nations. In Chile, however, this recognition appears in Law 19.253. Formerly, civil law, imbued of the liberal spirit of the republic borne of the independent life, assimilated indigenous peoples as free Chilean citizens, rather than acknowledged their collective rights. Since then, this liberal spirit has considered protectionism and education as ideal means for re-establishing rights for "that precious part of our species," as Bando de O'Higgins said on 4 March 1819. Even before this time, there was concern about the usurpation of indigenous lands. Currently, the issue is presented backwards in the entire region. Indigenous groups seek the gradual reversion of a long-standing trend in which minor laws protect them not as indigenous peoples, but as Chilean citizens, through policies against poverty, property laws and other laws applying to the population as a whole (constitutions, laws or regulations). Specific legislation and policies are needed to protect indigenous peoples as a vulnerable group. Some see policies to protect these groups as subversive; this is not the case, however. The Mapuche Indians, together with members of the country's other indigenous peoples, are Chilean nationals, although their organizations or leaders have different ways of interpreting, proposing and petitioning the term because they have lost rights during centuries of Colonial heritage. Far from being resolved, this problem has only been hidden by the Republic. Only in recent decades -- in the context of globalization - have defenders of the market economy and Chilean society as a whole become aware of the situation of indigenous peoples. The case of Chile is unique. There is a tendency to see a risk of succession where there is none, despite the discourse. The increased awareness of the indigenous reality, recognized by the creation of the CONADI almost 10 years ago, does not imply that the conflict in the southern regions regarding the seizure of private property, the installation of enormous infrastructure projects or the exploitation of indigenous lands will lead to an increase in the indigenous protest that will eventually unleash unmanageable, widespread violence. Although there have already been victims among members of Mapuche communities and security forces, infrastructure has been destroyed and investments withdrawn, the democratic government still has the means and resources to promote consensus among interests before imposing order, if required. The following incidents have taken place on indigenous lands, particularly from 1999 to the present: 1) squatting; 2) road blockades; 3) robbery and looting; 4) fires; and 5) violent attacks, particularly in regions VII, VIII and IX. Region IX, Araucanía, concentrates 70 percent of the indigenous population (mainly Mapuche) of Chile and has the country's highest poverty rate. But to blame only poverty for the problem would be unfair. This is particularly true in a country like Chile, which only began to seriously consider public policies for this important sector of society a decade ago. Indigenous groups have every right to create a "theory" to advance the purposes of an organization that proposes to better defend their rights as a people. More than one indigenous group has been constructing this theory and it would be illogical if a government initiative of the magnitude of the Indigenous Law did not lead to a process such as the one Chileans are seeing today. According to the media that report indigenous activities in Chile, the All Lands Council, the Lafquenche Territorial Identity and the Arauco-Malleco Coordinating Agency are the main organizations participating in recent incidents, especially the last of these. It is undeniable that others will emulate these experiences. The ones that make a rational, balanced use of indigenous rights will be justifiable. What cannot be justified is the irrational use of violence, which raises doubts about the process begun by CONADI to promote the long-awaited desire for democracy. source: http://www.cajpe.org.pe/