Shedding Light on Mapuche Culture and Struggles Through the Lens of Myriam Angueira

Renowned Argentine filmmaker, photographer, and university professor, Myriam Angueira, recently captivated participants aboard the Peace Boat with a series of lectures and screenings, shedding light on the rich cultural heritage and challenges faced by the Mapuche indigenous people of South America, as well as the ongoing struggles for democracy and human rights in Argentina. Born in Buenos Aires in 1969, Myriam Angueira experienced the challenges of the military dictatorship firsthand, shaping her commitment to protecting human rights. 

Unveiling Mapuche History and Struggles through Art

In one of the lectures, Myriam showcased photographs taken during her encounters with the Mapuche people, using them as a base to present the traditions and rites of this indigenous community. These pictures, captured with a camera gifted to her by Peace Boat more than 20 years ago during her first participation in a Peace Boat voyage, added a personal and meaningful touch to her presentation. She then delved into the historical context surrounding the Mapuche indigenous people, providing insights into the challenging period marked by Spanish conquests and the subsequent territorial expansion attempts by Chile and Argentina after gaining dependence. Myriam, hailing from Argentina herself, addressed the ongoing struggle for recognition faced by the Mapuche people, particularly in her home country. 

Taking a cinematic turn, Myriam hosted a Q&A session following four screenings of her award-winning film, Newen.The documentary takes viewers on a journey through Patagonia as Myriam seeks to reconnect with her Mapuche great-grandmother’s culture by engaging with “kimches”, or wise women. Newen delves into the exploration of themes such as silenced identities and the transmission of ancestral knowledge. The film, subtitled in Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese thanks to Peace Boat’s team of volunteer interpreters, facilitated a multicultural exchange as passengers posed questions in various languages.

Journey to Argentina: Historical Movements and Democratic Evolution

As the Peace Boat sailed towards Argentina, Myriam touched upon the resistance of the Mapuche indigenous community against Ecocide, including the reverse effects of water reservoir and shale gas exploration projects. She then offered insights into Argentina’s democratic evolution over the past 40 years, highlighting the impact of historical events such as the military dictatorship that governed Argentina from 1976 to 1983. Notably, Myriam discussed the impactful Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo movement, where grieving mothers turned into activists, demanding to know the fate of their children who went missing during the military dictatorship. She also touched upon the 2001 democratic crisis and social movements, as well as the changes brought upon by the newly elected president that shaped Argentina’s nowadays political landscape. 

Through the power of art, photography and cinema, Myriam Angueira’s contribution to the Peace Boat voyage served not only to enlighten participants about the Mapuche culture and struggles for human rights and democracy in Argentina, but also to open a discussion on the importance of preserving and acknowledging indigenous identities, fostering cross-cultural understanding and advocating for human rights.