Indigenous peoples in Chile

Indigenous peoples in Chile, or Native Chileans, form about 10% of the total population of Chile (2,000,000 self-identified persons of indigenous origins (according to the 2012 census) While many Chileans are of partially indigenous descent, typically the term and its legal ramifications are reserved to those who self-identify with and are accepted within one or more indigenous group.

The Mapuches, from the south, accounted for approximately 85% of this number. There were also small populations of Aymara, Quechua, Atacameño, Kolla, Diaguita, Yaghan, Rapa Nui, and Kawaskhar in other parts of the country, as well as many other extinct cultures such as Cacahue, Chango, Picunche, Chono, Tehuelche, Cunco and Selknam.

Following the return to democracy, Patricio Aylwin's Concertación government established a Comisión Especial de Pueblos indígenas (Special Commission of Indigenous People), whose report provided the intellectual framework of the "Indigenous Law" (ley indígena) or law n° 19 253, promulgated on September 28, 1993 by Aylwin.

The Indigenous Law recognized in particular the Mapuche people, victims of the Occupation of the Araucanía from 1861 to 1883, as inherent part of the Chilean nation. Other indigenous people officially recognized included Aymaras, Atacameñas, Collas, Quechuas, Rapa-Nui (inhabitants of Easter Island), Yámanas, Kawashkars and Diaguita (since 2006). Despite this state proclamation of indigenous rights, conflicts brought by land-occupations and Mapuche's claims lead to state repression and the use of the anti-terrorist law against Mapuche activists, a law voted by the military junta.

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