Mapuche Foundation FOLIL Folil means “ roots” was founded in the Netherlands on March 17th 2000. The founders of FOLIL are mainly Mapuches who left Chile in the Pinochet era. In the Netherlands we continue to support the Mapuche people in Chile. The main objective of FOLIL is to give information about the Mapuche people. FOLIL organises exhibitions and lectures. Also initiatives of Mapuche organizations or organizations who are involved with Mapuche issues are supported.The Mapuche people are the largest ethnic group in Chile and constitute approximately 10 more than 1.000.000 people of the Chilean population. Half of them live in the south of Chile from the river Bío Bío until the Chiloé Island. The other half is found in and around the capital, Santiago. There are also around 300.000 Mapuches living in Argentina. The Mapuche people call themselves differently according to where they live, for example the Huilliche, people from the south, the Lafkenche, people from the west or the Nagche, people of the valley. Pehuenches, people of the pehuen tree auracaria area, is one part of the Mapuche people, who live in the Andes and alongside the Bío Bío River.

Website: http://www.mapuche.nl/