The long fight of the Mapuche people for their lands and identity. Extractive Megaprojects and Protected Natural Areas in indigenous land

Abstract

In the current global context of climate and ecological crisis, it seemed of relevance to analyze the situations of socioenvironmental injustice, which are tightly linked to the present phenomenon of extractivism and neoliberalism, alongside to the colonialist past and the present occupation of sacred lands by the Chilean and Argentinian State and the First World transnational corporations. The ongoing Mapuche fight against extractive megaprojects and the misnamed Natural Protected Areas, as well as against the repression processes which they commonly entail, will be explored in the present article. This Mapuche fight actively intervenes against climate change and defends ecosystems and biodiversity, which are essential to human and non-human existence on this planet. We will begin pointing out the responsibility of First World countries and the role of climate and environmental justice in this international framework.