Let's start with the Fibra Local space; a place that brings together different entrepreneurs to highlight and promote artisanal work and traditional crafts. Here women stand out in number: of the 30 ventures, more than half are led by women, among them: 

Ximena Vásquez Paillalí and her venture "Mögen" which means "Life" in Mapudungun. She started thanks to her father-in-law, from whom she inherited her bees and beehives, and she now goes door-to-door selling multifloral and pennyroyal honey by the kilo.

Nancy Epulef, whose work consists of making blankets, or “trarikan,” with ancestral techniques with the “witral” as she learned from her mother and grandmother. Throughout her life, she’s made many cacique blankets in the traditional way, while always preserving the techniques taught by her ancestors. 

Elizabeth Cona, another Mapuche woman who worksgoldsmith or "retrafe lafkenche.” She is originally from the sector of Tranaquepe and it was there that she created her business "Malen Kuday" which makes beautiful Mapuche silver jewelry. 

In addition to these women, there are many more who are part of this space, including: Alejandra Vera, Leticia Zapata, Ana Paula Navarro Huenchuleo, Luz Chavez, Marcia Aqueveque, Marcelina Huentecura, and others who, with their art and dedication, give life to Fibra Local.   

As for the Carahue River Route, there are 22 businesses participating in this project that seeks to promote and foster the activities of the area, several of which are led by women. For example: 

Isolina Huenulao is another of the Mapuche entrepreneurs, owner of "El Espumante de Viña Wuampuhue." In 2014, she boldly decided to grow grapes on her property and this is how Viña Wuampuhue was born. The Pinot Noir, one of her most acclaimed sparkling wines, recieved a very good score last year at the 25th Catad'Or World Wine Awards. 

Sonia Rivera is the owner of "Casona Daysu", a site she inherited from her father to start up a business and offer lodging. This antique mansion was built in 1930 in the purest English style. Sonia Rivera has been offering this service for 8 years and it’s one of the must-see places in the Carahue Route, both for its architecture and the comfort it offers to its guests. 

Sofía Toro and her restaurant "Nehuen Domo", which means "Women's Strength", started with a small location at first, but always had the idea of going further. Today, her restaurant is located on the Carahue Route and it’s known for offering gastronomy based on "tasty country food", as its owner says. 

The list of Mapuche female entrepreneurs is much longer and there isn’t be enough time to name them all, but we would still like to thank each one of them for contributing to the local economy with their art, their roots and traditions.