The Tehuelches had no better luck. Middle 1800 the population of Punta Arenas began to grow quickly because the exploitation of wood and gold in the region. Also the government of Chile conceded large hectares of land for the called colonisers of the region whom incurred in abusive treat toward the Indians, as a result the Aonikenks abandon the Chilean territory. Also they caught contagious diseases. The last time they were seen in Chile was about 1927.
In Last Hope Province the pioneers received large extensions of land to set sheep farmers which ended in numerous conflicts between them and the Kawesqar. According Joseph Emperaire, Kawesqar population started to decrease in number since the foreigners occupied their lands. They were victims of violence. They were introduced to alcoholism. They were infected with STD and contagious diseases like tuberculosis and flu, which deteriorated their health and strength.
Today the descendants of the Yamanas leave in Navarino Island, Antarctica Province, in Ukika Village.
In 1992, they pleaded for justice. They asked to Chilean government to repair the damage caused which led their community near extinction.
In response the Yamana and Kawesqar descendants were included in the Indigenan Law which means they now receive governmental protection and support. Also the land in Mejillones Bay was returned to the Yamanas.
The last descendants of the Kawescar leave in Eden Port, their population is only 250 individuals.
In 2008 one of the last pure Yagans died, although he believed he was the last one Historians believe there are 3 of them still alive, however no pure Kawescar women which means the extinction of the race is imminent.
In 1881 eleven aborigines (4 men, 4 women, 3 young children) were kidnapped by a German sealer, Karl Hagenbeck, taken to Paris and put on show as cannibals in the Jardin D'Aclimatation, it was actually the first stop. Then they were taken to Berlin and put on show at the Zoo, Leipzia, Munich, Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Zurich.
|Jardin D'Acclamatation, Paris|
129 years after that unfortunate event the skeletons of Henry, Luse, Greth, Piskouna and Captain (names given to them in Europe) were found in the drawers of the department of Anthropology of University of Zurich. Being aware of that, the Chilean government initiated the proceedings to repatriate them.
At the beginning of 2010 the rest of 5 Alacalufes were received by the president Michelle Bachelet and transferred to Karukinka Island where they were placed in a cave according their tradition.
Also a group of Selk'Nam were kidnapped by a Belgian whaler who took them to Europe in chain "like Bengalese tigers" then the business man Maurice Maitre put them on show in Paris and London.
|Maurice Maitre and Selk'nam in Europe|
The Maggiorino Borgatello Museum, Punta Arenas, exhibits an interesting ethmographical collection.
The museum has 4 levels where you can explore in areas like culture, History, religion, fauna, flora and trade in Region of Magellan. Also a valuable library and an extensive photographic and audio-visual material about ethnias and History of Patagonia.
Recommendation: Book: Patagonia Fire Shadows
Author: Carlos Vega Delgado.