Beingindigenous | Magazine

KAWESQAR MEMORIES
PETEYEM´S STORY

Carlos Eden –Maidel
New York
Translated by Pilar Cimato

Young Kawésqar couple had arrived to Puerto Edén, charmed by news and newness, which rumored by channels. People had arrived to live at the Big House, as they called, and they anxious to inquire and know those people. The young woman was prepared to give birth, it was good to be near those people, who helped their brothers with food and clothes.They settled down, as near posible of those building, and the first childbirth symptoms appeared.
Some Kawésqar ran to the Big House and told to Mamá Raquel what was happening. She arrived to the llitle and poor “ ruca” with a nurse, where the kawésqar couple was lived. The childbirth was near, and one hour later a new Puerto Edén dweller had arrived. His parents called Peteyem.
Mamá Raquel loved this little boy. She never could have a child, so she worried about the little boy and his mother. She gave them some clothes and milk for Peteyem.

The winter arrived to Puerto Edén. The channel lakes were frozen, so the couple decided to live near the Big House

As the time went out, the others kawésqar, realized that Peteyem´s mother was pale and had rings under her eyes. She did not know that she had got neumonia, and she was very ill. The couple just not used their clothes and naturals elements, the seals oil that covered their bodies, had been replace for occidental clothes. The woman died, even though the radio station nurses efforts. Felipe, her housband, as the members of the little base called him, died too few days ago. Everbody said that he died because pain and sadness .

Peteyem was ill too. Near relatives were taken in charge him when they knew about Peteyem´s mother health . The kid got worst . The people asked for the kawesqar commuity, which where near the Big House, if someone could through out Peteyem of Avayema, who took possiition of his sick body. One of them said: “ I will make the ceremony ”

They took Peteyem and put on his back, and with a shellfish, they made little cuts on his stomach. The marks would be for the rest of his days.

Did the conjuration mean a prayer to kind gods, who always help Kawesqar?. They asked for protection. Was Atkasap, this kind god ? After they cleaned him, they decided to carry him to the Big House and they left the little baby at the door porche.
Mamá Raquel found little Peteyem cold and and ill. The ceremony, cares and warmth, made the kid recover.

The years went out, Peteyem spoke kawéskar and spanish. He was in charge to announce to his brothers when stores arrived. Raquel ´s mother became found to the little indigenous. One of his cousin was received for Mamá Raquel. This girl took care of Carlitos, the new name of Peteyem, and she have a new name too, Ana Rosales Ulloa. Then she would accompany Carlos Edén to Valparaíso.

Some day, Raquel ´s mother fell ill, the agony was too long. When grandma, died, Papá Gaymer, required to kawesqar to say goodbye to grandmother. Peteyem was near grandma, until she died
Papá Gaymer, decided bury Grandmother at Puerto Edén, he could not send her to Puerto Natales. He choosed a little island near Puerto Edén, where the funeral took place

Peteyem was at the boat with his mother Raquel and his father Carlos Gaymer. Mamá Raquel built a little chapel and grandma rested for ever at the South Chilean Channels

Note 1: The medical attention was inadequate and was in charge on a practitioner, and only the urgencies could be attend, but the appropriated medicines and sistematic treatament was not possible. Nowadays, Puerto Edén has a First Aids Office with a nurse, who is contracted for the Puerto Natales Municipality. Also there are an army practitioner at the Captainship. For the urgency cases, the patient is carried to Puerto Arenas and sometimes to Puerto Montt, depend on the ship trip sometimes the help is too late.
* Carlos Gaymer Gomez. was Peteyem adoptive faher He was the little Radio Station chief of the Air Base.

Carlos Edèn–Maidel
(He is Kawésqar member people, he lives at New York, where he works for defense native rights people)

Translated by Pilar Cimato. Professor of Biological Sciences specialized in environmental health sciences. Her research background has focused on the native and exotic plants phytotherapy. Contact to: pilarc31@yahoo.com.ar