Mapuche family education: objectives and contents for a socio-culturally relevant school

The article presents the results of our research on indigenous educational objectives and contents that exist in the social memory of the Mapuche; these could be incorporated into the school, in order to offer an intercultural education with sociocultural relevance. The methodology is qualitative, indigenous elders, traditional educators, LongkoFootnote1 (Mapuche leader) and MachiFootnote2 (considered a healer) participated.Footnote3 Results show Mapuche educational objectives for the formation of new generations, and they are associated with being a good person, having spiritual strength and wisdom. The educational contents are related to value aspects that strengthen the Mapuche identity. Also identified, are categories of Mapuche knowledge that refer to training in respect and person-nature reciprocity, as well as knowledge of socio-cultural and socio-religious practices. Concluded that there is priceless potential in the incorporation of these Mapuche value and spiritual elements in school education, as they may contribute to the formation of new generations of indigenous children, strengthening the connection with their cultural and territorial identity within the Mapuche epistemic framework.