The Network of Mapuche Health Organizations, made up of nine entities from Chile's most numerous indigenous group, is drafting a proposal so that their health system will be recognized by Chilean law. The goal is for the proposal to reach Parliament before the current government's term ends on Mar. 11, 2010, network coordinator Carolina Manque told Tierramérica.

“We need a law that allows the free exercise of Mapuche medicine; a law that protects it,” for example, by preserving the ecosystems from which the indigenous healers collect their curative herbs, she said.

The network held its 2nd Interregional Meeting in the southern city of Temuco, Nov. 13-14. In December another meeting is planned that will include representatives from the Health Ministry.