Last Updated on April 18, 2012
The Hitorangi clan of the indigenous Rapa Nui people carried out a peaceful protest this week in response to an esoteric conference that was being held at Hanga Roa Hotel, a building that sits on the Hitorangi clan’s ancestral land.
Two years ago, the Rapa Nui occupied the hotel–along with 17 government buildings in an effort to reclaim their ancestral land rights on the island of Rapanui (also known as “Easter Island” and “Te Pito te Henua”, the Navel of the World).
The Rapa Nui were systematically evicted from the buildings with varying levels of violence.
Below, a briefing on this weeks protest, by Rapa Nui Press
On April 16, 2012, the Hitorangi Clan again protested in front of the Hotel Hanga Roa for the recovery of their ancestral lands.
They did so in response to an international conference organized by Anvisibleesoteric (www.anvisible.com) being held at the Hotel Hanga Roa built on the Hitorangi clan’s land and sacred Ahu Makere (family altar) which had been unlawfully and violently taken. The Hitorangi clan invoked their ancestors (matamúas) asking them to help them in their struggle to regain their land.
The peaceful protest took place outside the hotel and was attended by 40 members of the Hitorangi clan. Adults and children carried signs, chanting they voiced their discomfort to tourists who were staying at Hanga Roa Hotel.
The tourists hid in the inner courtyards of the hotel to avoid the protesters. Nevertheless, family members were able to hand the tourists brochures and tell them about the Hitorangi clan’s struggle to regain possession of their lands.
Under Chilean law only Rapanui people can own land on the island. However, the current Chilean administration under Piñera continue to violate Chilean and international law.
This is one of the many protests that have occurred in recent months. These protests will continue in the coming weeks to ensure that the land be returned to the rightful owners.
Credit is Rapa Nui Press
Contact: Santi Hitorangi (845) 596-5402
Contact: Trinidad Milestone 9715.8080 (Entel)
Across the world right now, Indigenous peoples are facing a renewed assault on their lands, rights, and ways of life.
From extractive industries pushing deeper into ancestral territories, to governments rolling back hard-won protections,
the threat is global—and it is growing.
What makes this moment especially dangerous is how little attention it receives.
Stories like this are disappearing in real time. Mainstream media
barely covers it and the coverage is fragmented. The public is left without the context
needed to understand what is truly at stake.
That is exactly why IC Magazine exists..
For more than 20 years, IC has reported on Indigenous struggles worldwide — consistently, independently, and without compromise.
We don’t follow news cycles; we trace patterns. We don’t sensationalize; we provide context.
And when the world looks away, we stay focused.
But this work is increasingly difficult to sustain.
We refuse to lock our reporting behind a paywall. We don’t sell access through subscriptions.
And we don’t answer to advertisers. IC Magazine survives solely because readers like you choose to
support independent Indigenous journalism.
Please donate today if you can. Every contribution helps us to continue this crucial work.
Thank you,
John Ahni Schertow
Founder and Editor in Chief
