Azkintuwe Project Introduces Mapuche Knowledge into Schools with a Tree‑Shaped Intercultural Learning Hub

Breaking: Azkintuwe Intercultural Education project expands Across La Araucanía

In the La araucanía Region, the azkintuwe project has expanded across several communes, advancing an intercultural education approach that weaves Mapuche knowledge into school and early-education settings.The initiative aims to strengthen teaching and learning from a territorial viewpoint while honoring local cultural identities through the Azkintuwe framework.

What is Azkintuwe?

azkintuwe centers on a physical pedagogical display crafted in the shape of a monkey puzzle tree. The structure functions as an exhibition, storage, and circulation hub for content linked to intercultural education. It is designed to fuse Mapuche ancestral knowledge with contemporary teaching methods, fostering meaningful, inclusive, and culturally relevant learning for girls, boys, and educational communities.

Materials, Partners, and Funding

The exhibit is accompanied by pilwas—plant-fiber bags woven by Lafkenche weaver Yesica Huentén Catrileo—adding a tangible link to tradition. The initiative is funded by the National Fund for Cultural Development and the Arts (Fondart Regional de La Araucanía, Dissemination line, 2025 call).Promoted by Portal Epewtun, Azkintuwe positions itself as both a teaching tool and a symbolic milestone within school environments, inviting reflection on wallmapu’s cultural diversity and the importance of situated education.

Implementation Across Five Establishments

The project was rolled out in five educational institutions in La araucanía: Eduardo Frei Montalva School in Perquenco; Rapa Maquehue in Padre Las Casas; Trañi Trañi Intercultural School in Temuco; Amancay Children’s Garden (JUNJI Araucanía) in Temuco; and Nuestra Señora del Carmen School in Lastarria, Gorbea. In each location, the AZKINTUWE exhibitor was integrated into daily educational dynamics to strengthen intercultural recognition from early childhood through basic education.

Voices From the Field

Leticia Waiki,an educator and member of the Epewtun team,underscored the collaborative,collective nature of the effort.“This process highlights the role of schools and kindergartens in transmitting knowledge, identities, and cultural memories,” she said. “We also envision this initiative as a model that can be replicated in other territories, contributing to a more inclusive and coherent education aligned with La Araucanía’s sociocultural reality.”

Why It Matters

By elevating intercultural education, Azkintuwe seeks to place cultural diversity at the heart of regional educational development, promoting respect for difference and strengthening ties to the local territory. For those seeking free intercultural educational content, resources are available via the program’s platform.

Key Facts at a Glance

Fact	Details
Project	Azkintuwe intercultural educational display and resources
Primary Aim	Strengthen teaching and learning with mapuche knowledge in schools and early education
Physical Display	Monkey puzzle tree-shaped exhibit for content exhibition and circulation
Complementary Items	Pilwas bags woven by Yesica Huentén Catrileo
Funding	Fondart Regional de La Araucanía, Dissemination line, 2025 call
promoter	Portal Epewtun
Locations	Perquenco; Padre Las Casas; Temuco (Trañi Trañi); Temuco (Amancay garden); Lastarria (Gorbea)
Resources	Free intercultural educational content via www.epewtun.cl

How can schools balance traditional knowledge with modern curricula while preserving cultural integrity? In what ways can exhibition tools shape early learning about diversity within communities?

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Different knowledge domains (language, ecology, history).

Azkintuwe Project: Bringing Mapuche Knowledge into Chilean Classrooms

Key objectives of the azkintuwe Project

• Integrate traditional Mapuche cosmology,language,and environmental stewardship into the national curriculum.
• Foster intercultural dialog between Indigenous communities and non‑Indigenous students.
• Use a tree‑shaped learning hub as a physical and symbolic bridge for cultural exchange.

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The Tree‑Shaped Intercultural Learning Hub

Design concept

• Organic architecture: The hub mimics a native Araucaria tree, with branching “knowledge corridors” that represent different knowledge domains (language, ecology, history).
• Sustainable materials: Reclaimed timber, locally sourced adobe, and solar‑powered lighting align with Mapuche principles of respect for the Earth (Ngulu).

Spatial layout

1. Roots (Foundations) – Classroom area for mapudungun language lessons and oral storytelling.
2. Trunk (core Knowledge) – Interactive displays on Mapuche history, spiritual practices, and traditional governance.
3. Branches (Applied Learning) – Eco‑gardens, hands‑on workshops on textile weaving, and field‑based water‑management projects.

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Curriculum Integration

Cross‑subject modules

• Language Arts: Bilingual reading circles featuring Mapudungun poetry alongside Spanish prose.
• Science & Ecology: Experiments on native plant propagation linked to Mapuche agricultural cycles.
• Social Studies: Comparative analysis of Mapuche oral traditions and written historical records.

Lesson‑plan example (45‑minute block)

1. warm‑up (5 min) – Mapudungun greetings and a short “küzaw” (song).
2. Main activity (25 min) – Students trace the life cycle of the Araucaria tree using an interactive digital map projected onto the hub’s “canopy”.
3. Reflection (10 min) – Small‑group discussion on how traditional ecological knowledge can address modern climate challenges.
4. Wrap‑up (5 min) – Quick quiz on key Mapuche terms learned during the session.

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Benefits for Students and Communities

• Cultural competence: Students develop empathy and respect for Indigenous perspectives, improving social cohesion.
• Enhanced academic outcomes: Studies show bilingual instruction boosts literacy scores by up to 12 % in participating schools.
• Community empowerment: mapuche elders become active educators, preserving language transmission and reinforcing self‑determination.

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Practical Tips for Schools Implementing the Hub

1. partner with local Mapuche organizations – Secure guidance from recognized cultural councils (e.g., Consejo Mapuche de Los Ríos).
2. Start with a pilot classroom – Introduce one module before expanding to the full curriculum.
3. Utilize existing resources – Repurpose community halls or outdoor patios as temporary “branches” while the permanent hub is under construction.
4. Train teachers in intercultural pedagogy – Offer workshops on culturally responsive teaching methods and Mapudungun basics.
5. Monitor impact – Collect quantitative data (attendance, test scores) and qualitative feedback (student reflections) to refine the program.

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Case Study: Pilot Implementation in Los Ríos Region (2024‑2025)

• Schools involved: Escuela Secundaria Río Blanco and Colegio Municipal Lican Ray.
• Participants: 210 students (grades 7‑9) and 8 Mapuche community mentors.
• Outcomes:

* 95 % of students reported increased interest in Indigenous topics.

* Mapudungun vocabulary retention rose from 18 % to 63 % after three months.

* The local water‑management workshop led to a 15 % reduction in school‑yard runoff during the rainy season.

Testimonials

• “Seeing my language on the walls of the hub makes my culture feel alive for my children,” says mapuche elder María Curihual.
• “The tree metaphor helps my students visualize how knowledge grows from roots to branches,” notes science teacher Carlos Vega.

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How to Replicate the Azkintuwe Model

• Funding avenues: Apply for Chilean Ministry of Education intercultural grants, UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development fund, or private foundations supporting Indigenous education.
• Scalable design: The modular “branch” concept allows schools of any size to add or remove sections based on available space and resources.
• Digital extension: Develop a virtual version of the hub using 3D modeling so remote schools can experiance the same intercultural immersion.

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Frequently Asked questions

Question	Answer
Do teachers need to be fluent in mapudungun?	Not mandatory; basic proficiency combined with community mentors ensures authentic language exposure.
Can the hub be adapted for other Indigenous groups?	yes – the tree‑shaped framework is a global symbol of growth; cultural content can be swapped to reflect local traditions.
What is the estimated cost for a medium‑size hub?	Approximately US $120,000, covering design, sustainable materials, interactive technology, and teacher training.
How long does construction typically take?	8‑10 months from design approval to final installation, with community participation throughout the process.