We are delighted to announce that a new exhibition entitled, “The Fallen Weichafe: State Violence and the Struggle for Indigenous Rights in Chile” in the Bernice Layne Brown Gallery’ eastward leading (towards the Gardner Stacks) passageway.
The Mapuche nation represents a single largest indigenous group in Chile. The original historical homeland of Mapuche people spans both Argentina and Chile’s southern (Wallmapu) and central areas. Since the early colonization and later on in the aftermath of Chile’s independence, the relationship between the Mapuche nation and Chilean State has been contradictory, nuanced, and violent. The ongoing conflict between the Mapuche and the State has become acute in the post 9/11 era. This photographic exhibition is dedicated to the struggle for Indigenous Rights in Chile’s Wallmapu area.
Also, we have created a virtual counterpart to the physical exhibition. The virtual exhibition can be visited here: http://exhibits.lib.berkeley.edu/spotlight/weichafe
As you browse through this exhibition, we invite you to think about the following broader questions: Whose land? Whose laws? Whose violence is legitimate? Can Mapuches and Chilean State ever will come to reconcile their differences through the peaceful means? We request that you think more deeply about our nation’s treatment of the indigenous First Nations throughout the history of the uniquely American experience of democratic nation-building.
Please come and see the exhibition for yourself!
A special thanks to CLAS, Peace and Justice in Wallmapu Working Group, Chilean Photographer- Luis Hidalgo, Aisha Hamilton, Virgie Hoban, Chilean Students and other colleagues in Library Communications team for their help in making this exhibition possible.
