In the Land of the Moai

There's trouble in the land of the Moai, Rapa Nui (Easter Island). It's a familiar story of a so-called "discovery" leading to exploitation, disease, and slavery of the indigeneous people.

Now the indigenous Rapanui are taking a stand, again.

From NPR...

The Rapanui are fine with tourists coming to their island. It is the unchecked flow of Chileans they are upset about.

Angela Tuki is part of the clan that has taken over the Hanga Roa Hotel. "We're tired of explaining everything to the state. Everything they do here goes badly. Especially immigration — it's not immigration, it's an invasion," she said. "Since there's no border between the island and the mainland, the state doesn't listen to us as a distinct ethnic group."

The Hito clan has taken over the one hotel, but dozens of other properties in town are being occupied by other clans with ancestral claims.

The full NPR audio story:



And a couple other enlightening sources of information here and here.