Dear Friends:
After the sentence of the chilean Supreme Court in Santiago which
finally permits the construction of the Pangue dam in the upper
Biobio river just as it was originally designed, and,
consequently, facing the inminent construction of this and other
dams in the upper Biobio, the "Junta de Caciques" ("Chief's
Assembly") of the seven pehuenche communities of the region and
the board of the "Centro Mapuche-Pehuenche del Alto Biobio"
(Mapuche-Pehuenche Center of the Upper Biobio) have decided to
organize an important Cultural Event the 12 of October, 1993, in
the village of Ralco (Upper Biobio, Santa Barbara County, VIIIth
Region, Chile). The event will include a "palin" game
(traditional mapuche ball game), a "rogativa" (mapuche ceremony)
meetings and other activities.
The event will be supported from Santiago, Concepcion, Los
Angeles, Temuco and other chilean cities by the Coalition of
Social Organizations for the Defense of the Pehuenche People and
the Biobio River. Since we know that you are probably getting
involved in diverse activities for this important date, we dare
to suggest that we all concentrate our efforts so that this is an
unitarian event that becomes the symbolic act for the defense of
the cultural identity and lands of the chilean indigenous people,
particularly since 1993 has been declared "Indigenous People's
International Year".
Since this is our first communication regarding this event and
due to the haste we ask you to inform us as soon as possible of
the disposition and real possibilities that your organization has
to participate and/or help to make this event possible and
successful. We really need support for our pressing cause. We are
asking your help for the general design of the event as well as
for convoking and financing the meeting. Funds are urgently
needed to pay for the transportation of the pehuenche families
from the communities (reserves) to the meeting place in Ralco,
for the transportation of people from the cities to the same
place and for covering food and lodging expenses for those who
coul need it. If financially possible, the event would last two
days, October 12th and 13th.
Hoping for a positive and prompt answer from you, in the name of
the Pehuenche communities of the Upper Biobio, fraternally yours.
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- HOW YOU CAN HELP -
-Checks can be sent to GABB (Grupo de Accion por el BIO-BIO)
Northern Trust Bank of Florida, 700 Brickell Ave. Miami, Florida
33131, Checking account number - 1011004170.
Let us know by fax about your contribution.
*Any Help will be greatly appreciated*
Name:....................................................
Address:.................................................
Organization:............................................
Phone: (Voice)..........................................
Fax:...................................................
e-mail:................................................
Amount of contribution: U$:............................
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Jose Antolin Curriao Pinchulef
President
Mapuche-Pehuenche Center of the Alto Biobio
Snail-mail: Antonia Lope de Bello 075, Santiago, Chile. Voice 56-
2-7375251, FAX 56-2-7776414
E-mail:
jorgeia@uchdciux.cesi.uchile.cl