Confederación Mapuche de Neuquén was founded in 1970 by Mapuche communities to strengthen and defend their ancestral land, culture, philosophy, education, and spirituality in face of the damage that oil and gas extraction has caused to their territory, culture, and knowledge. They use direct actions, strategic litigation, advocacy, and popular education to address the needs of Mapuche communities, particularly with regard to their rights to energy, land titling, and free, prior and informed consent.

They use communication strategies to enhance visibility and shift the narrative around the Mapuche resistance and the impacts of conflicts. Their work is guided by Feyentun–a system of ideas, beliefs and actions  oriented to the Kvme Felen way of life–which is connected to the idea of Buen Vivir, meaning living in harmony with nature, the spirits, and all forms of human and non-human lives.

Confederación Mapuche has played a crucial role in advocating for the implementation of legal frameworks by national and provincial governments to protect the Mapuche peoples and their territories from the extractive energy industry. These frameworks enable Indigenous communities to gain legal recognition and autonomy over their territories. Confederación Mapuche is a key force in decolonizing Argentina, advocating for concrete measures to secure territorial autonomy, and ensure the rightful inclusion of Mapuche interests on the public agenda, thereby reshaping the governments’ approach to Indigenous issues.