The Mapuches marched and lit candles as riot police tried to stop them. Several were arrested.
The police are blamed for the death of the young Mapuche.
[Aucan Huilcaman, Leader, Mapuche Organization]:
"Our compatriot has not died (of natural causes), our compatriot was murdered. He was eliminated by the police in a repressive move, while they were retaking lands occupied by the Mapuches."
On Wednesday, the police tried to remove a group of Mapuches from a farm they were occupying south of the Chilean capital of Santiago. The violent clash began when the police used tear gas after Mapuche Indians threw rocks at them.
[Unidentified, Mapuche Indian]:
"I heard a lot of gunshots and the kids were saying 'hurry up, hurry up'.”
Officials said one policeman, who was wearing a bullet-proof vest and mask, was attacked and that the officer responded in self-defense.
[Christian Llevenes, Police Chief of Araucania Region]:
"The police officer that shot the Mapuche Indian was shot 80 times by a shot-gun, and in a legitimate self-defense act, he himself was forced to use his gun. Unfortunately, as a result of this action, a person was killed."
Authorities have announced an investigation into the incident.
Mapuche is the largest indigenous group of Chile, with slightly more than 600,000 members. They are demanding the recognition of their tribal identity, rights and culture, as well as ownership of lands of their ancestors.