The Mapuche Pueblo is an essential and extensive Indigenous group in southern Chile, where there are territorial diversities. The Williche community "José Calcumil Carillanca", of Maihue, is part of the Mapuche people who live in the Puelwillimapu, in the Los Ríos region. The natural water cycle of the region takes its route from the mountains to the rivers and Lake Maihue, continues along the Calcurrupe River, and flows into Lake Ranco. From there, it continues through the Rio Bueno (Wenuleufu, a river of great importance in its spiritual significance for Mapuche communities). After receiving the waters of other rivers, it finally flows to the sea, where there are also the Ngen (spiritual guardians of nature), which are part of the ceremony and associatedbeliefs in the territory, as pictured above. Currently, the community relationship and ceremonies persist as an effort to remain spiritually united and in cultural practices. Not long ago, ancestral journeys and trips were made mainly along the canals, rivers, and lakes, connecting the various lof (a group of families with a shared family lineage) to make trips to different places, forming a larger political and territorial organization. These trips involved cultural exchanges, economics, medicine, and political roles specific to each sector.

The idea here is to investigate collaboratively and in the territory about the different design variants of the Wampo in terms of shape, materials, tree search rituals, and the type of tree that could be used for the characteristics of a navigable boat and with the safety that the ancient constructions provided. For that, a wood workshop will be necessary to realize the different alternatives for the type of navigation, different construction possibilities, and the contemporary construction forms that merit their execution. This workshop will generate knowledge that will be transferred and practiced by the members of the "José Calcumil Carillanca" community, with models, wood assembly systems, modern tools, wood conservation, and drying, among other aspects to be considered for the construction of the Wampo.

It should be noted that the community is already in the process of generating a prototype that will lead to putting a boat in the water and carrying out necessary tests with these prototypes.

By carrying out a patrimonial rescue with a boat in the original design and with all the required safety conditions, we intend that it serve as a Wampo for ethnic tourism. One of the ultimatenpurposes of the project is that this artifact can become a source of income for this community that is revitalizing its culture.

In this alternative second design for the wampo, we will incorporate the constructive possibility of using recycled or found wood due to tree scarcity and the need for species conservation.

Therefore, it merits a new look at this practice, adding additional value to the proposal by constructing an "ecological" canoe adapted to the reality of the natural environment, as it also protects this natural heritage.

We are currently fundraising for the first Wampo construction in December to March 2022-23. If you would like to donate, all funds go toward material costs and honorarium for Indigenous collaborators.