Mapuche Az-Mapu and Nature's Contribution to People: Eudemonic Values for Living Well

Abstract

In the context of understanding Nature’s Contribution to People, this article explores the Mapuche value system and its contributions to living well by conserving nature. Through the context-specific approach, the findings shows that the Mapuche Az-Mapu is important for bio-cultural conservation in Chile. Deepening understanding of the distinct Mapuche value system shows the importance of rights and sovereignty for other coastal stateless nations who are enhancing bio-cultural conservation around the world. The article explores the importance of maintaining Mapuche values in the context of Indigenous Marine Areas in Chile and linking to land-based rights. This research makes use of semi structured interviews and intercultural dialogue among the authors, to understand how traditional Mapuche concepts under the framework of Az-Mapu, are continued today in local marine conservation and other ecosystems. In this context, we ask how well these eudemonic relational values resonate with Mapuche values of nature. This article shows that rights for the marine environment can be expanded to additionally allow indigenous communities safeguard wetlands, lakes and forests which are indivisible under Az-Mapu. Greater recognition of this different form of valuation can better account for the dynamic relations between individuals, cultures, and ecosystems, as well as showing the importance in allowing indigenous communities to take back control of conservation under their own terms.

Cuidando la Patagonia Azul: Prácticas y estrategias de los pueblos originarios para curar las zonas marinas del sur de Chile

“…Además de la gran superficie protegida y el importante número de solicitudes, el proceso ha significado una reconfiguración de las dinámicas de poder que organizan el uso de la zona marino‐costera, incluyendo medidas de control de la expansión salmonera y la emergencia de alternativas de conservación marina liderada por los pueblos originarios (Araos et al., 2023). Los ECMPO se han transformado así en el principal mecanismo institucional para sostener una estrategia de cuidado de la Patagonia Azul, anclada en la trayectoria vital de las comunidades indígenas y locales, y en una estrategia política que transforma la ética del cuidado descrita anteriormente en una alternativa de autonomía territorial (Anbleyth‐Evans et al., 2023). Un modelo de protección del mar que desafía las políticas nacionales de conservación, basadas en áreas y en sistemas de gobernanza centralizados o de administración compartida, y que conecta las luchas de los pueblos originarios de la Patagonia chilena con las demandas y experiencias internacionales de otros pueblos indígenas basadas en el reconocimiento de derechos, autonomía, bienestar y equidad (Bandiaky‐Badji et al., 2023).…”

Coemergent eco-consciousness and self-consciousness

“…The local knowledge enhances the diversity of conservation strategies. The value of traditional environmental knowledge not only helps in an instrumental conservation action but also gets encapsulated in a value that practised by the traditional communities (Anbleyth-Evans et al, 2023). This is an illustration of phenomenal consciousness of affective attachment to the place that makes the inhabitants realise that slow ecology emerges out of the metaphysic of ecosophy.…”